Category Archives: Programs

Waking Up & Growing Up: A Transformational Weekend

Non-denominational, Weekend RetreatmeditationErin Strickland

The BDC is excited to welcome Diane Musho Hamilton for a retreat weekend with an evening talk on Friday March 28 form 7-8:30 PM and a daylong workshop on Saturday March 29 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM.

Waking Up is the profound experience of awakening to your essential nature, known across mystical traditions as Enlightenment, Cosmic Consciousness, or Unity Awareness. This transformational state has inspired countless seekers in traditions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Sufism, and Christian mysticism.

Equally essential yet often overlooked is Growing Up, the journey of personal evolution through the developmental stages of life—from infancy to adulthood and beyond. Research shows that Growing Up is key to cultivating emotional maturity, resilience, and meaningful relationships.

But what if you could explore both paths in one integrated experience?

This extraordinary weekend offers just that. Under the expert guidance of Diane Musho Hamilton—a Zen teacher and dedicated student of Ken Wilber for over two decades—you will explore:

Waking Up Practices

Meditation to still the Mind
Big Mind to discover Boundlessness
Techniques to Open the Heart

Growing Up Tools

Recognizing and transforming defensive patterns
Self-regulating your nervous system for resilience
Cultivating emotional maturity and interpersonal skills

This unique workshop weaves together the wisdom of Zen and developmental psychology to help you unlock profound, lasting transformation in your life. Whether you’re seeking recognition of your true nature or practical skills to navigate relationships and life’s complexities, this weekend offers tools, insights, and practices you need to make real, meaningful change.

Practicing with the Hindrances: A Creative Approach

Daylong Retreat, ZenErin Strickland

The former Executive Director of the BDC, Zen priest, and good friend, Karen DeCotis, will be back at the end of February to lead a retreat on “Practicing with the Hindrances.” She will give an eventing talk on Friday February 28 from 7-8:30 PM and a Saturday day long retreat on March 1 from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Both events will be held in-Person and on Zoom and registration is available for the full retreat or the Friday event only.

We face so much in our lives: within society, community, and family. Yet, it is with our own good selves where we have some agency and possibility for growth and healing. There are states of mind and heart we encounter over which we have little control, but we do have influence. Our practice is a creative endeavor, rooted in the here and now. Working with obstacles is an opportunity to be fully alive, interested and brave.

Karen DeCotis is a Zen student and teacher who received priest ordination in the Soto Lineage in 2016 and Dharma transmission in 2019. She taught the Bozeman Zen Group for almost 20 years before moving to San Antonio in October of 2024. Devoted to service and engaged learning, Karen brings knowledge of and experience with the Buddhist traditions along with a clear-eyed view of human life, suffering and transformation. She is known for her humor and warmth, bringing her intelligence, wit and humility to every teaching opportunity.

Newcomer Orientation

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Are you interested in starting a meditation practice or building a community around your practice? The Bozeman Dharma Center hosts a newcomer orientation on the first Tuesday of each month. Join us in February on the 4th from 5- 6 pm to find out more about the Center, get your questions answered, and receive basic meditation instruction. No registration required!

The Way of Meditative Warriorship

Half-Day Retreat, InsightErin Strickland

Join the Bozeman Insight Community on Saturday February 1 from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm for an online half-day retreat with visiting teacher James Frank titled, “The Way of Meditative Warriorship.”

The uncertainty of these times calls for a commitment to live the truth and love this world yearns for. During this half-day retreat, we will explore the foundations of living a heart-centered and wakeful life. By emphasizing stillness and relaxation, we will support the natural and fearless qualities of the heart that characterize meditative warriorship. This period will involve sitting, walking, and relational practices that deepen a felt sense of belonging and inspiration for the journey ahead.

James Nepenthe Frank is a meditation teacher and somatic healing practitioner. He began practice as a young child in the Plum Village Tradition with Thich Nhat Hanh and began formally sitting in the Western Insight tradition at the age of 15. While dedicating years of his life to silent retreat, he serves a commitment to live this path in everyday life. He began teaching at the invitation of his teacher, Rodney Smith. He lives in Lincoln, Vermont.

Intro to Meditation

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Are you interested in starting a meditation practice? Join us on Saturday January 25, 9 AM – 12:30 PM to learn several different styles of meditation and find one that works for you.

Buddha overlaid with learn practice connect text

We will cover how to start a meditation practice at home, posture, breath practice, walking meditation, body scan guided meditation, working with a question, mindfulness, Metta practice, and Tonglen.

Mindful Creativity: Practice Word of the Year

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Join us on Sunday January 19 from 12:30 PM – 4 PM for an art and journaling workshop (Back by popular demand–it’s the same one as the New Year’s Workshop). We will focus on naming and expressing our practice intention for the new year. We will use collage, markers, paint, and stencils to manifest our intuition and values on a 12” x 12” substrate.

Supplies will be provided. You do not need to know how to draw or paint to participate! Space is limited so please pre-register.

Tergar New Year’s Online Retreat

Half-Day Retreat, TibetanErin Strickland

Join the Bozeman Tergar group on Saturday January 18 from 8 AM -11 AM at the Bozeman Dharma Center. This is a streaming online event offered by Tergar.org. This event is free and open to everyone, with donations gratefully accepted. We ask that you pre-register so that we can set up the space beforehand. This is a great opportunity to get a taste of Mingyur Rinpoche’s view of meditation from the ancient teachings of the two lineages of which he is a Master: that we are already whole and complete. Through these practices, we recognize our innate love and compassion from a place of self discovery.

SoundGate with Yamama!

Non-denominational, SoundGateErin Strickland

On Friday January 3 from 7 – 8 PM, Yamama! will offer a meditative soundscape using drums, percussion and vocals. They are a four-woman, world music and dance ensemble who share their delight in sound and movement through performances, drum and dance classes, community education programs, and participatory community drum circles. No registration necessary. Donations welcome! Any funds collected will be split evenly with the guest artists.

New Year’s Intention Workshop

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Join us for a New Year’s Intention Setting Workshop on Saturday January 4 from 9 AM to 12:30 PM. In this art and journaling workshop, we will focus on naming and expressing our practice intention for the new year. We will use collage, markers, paint, and stencils to manifest our intuition and values on a 12” x 12” substrate. Supplies will be provided. You do not need to know how to draw or paint to participate! Space is limited; please pre-register.

Winter Solstice Celebration

Non-denominational, SoundGateErin Strickland

Join us on Friday December 20 from 6 – 7 PM for a winter solstice celebration. Meditate to bells sounded by Jessie Solon and share candlelight, intention, and sacred practice to welcome back the sun. No registration required. This event is in-person only. Freely offered, donations gratefully accepted. Any funds collected will be split evenly with Jessie Solon.