Category Archives: Programs

Mindful Creativity

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Find inspiration and support for your practice by sharing words of wisdom in this month’s mindful creativity class on Saturday October 26 from 10-11:30 am. Participants will make a small book of quotes, using their own cherished mantras, words, phrases, haikus, or short poems, and adding new ones gathered from others in the class. By transcribing these quotes and adding images or illuminating the pages with patterns, drawings, and color, you will be creating a book of collected wisdom—as well as collecting the encouragement and good wishes from the gathered sangha.

Bring a selection of words, quotes, phrases, haiku, short poems that inspire you, and support your practice. Have 5 or 6 or more to choose from. These will be used for your book and to support others.

Some optional things to bring:

your favorite writing tools, pens, markers, pencils. There will be plenty available, but if you have a preference bring yours.
if you have a design, illustration, border, small rubber stamp, etc.that you’d like to include in your book, bring that too.

Please pre-register so we can ensure that we have enough space and supplies!

Buddhism Basics

Classes, Non-denominationalErin Strickland

Join senior BDC practitioners for this three week Buddhism class series exploring central teachings of our 2600 year old Buddhist tradition. The class will meet on Wednesdays from 7:15-8:30 PM starting on October 23. Each of the classes will have a presentation, meditation, practice, question and answer, and dialogue. Great for those new to meditation and Buddhist practice. Seasoned practitioners are warmly encouraged as well. If you arrive early, please be quiet as another group meets at the BDC until 7PM.

We plan to explore the following topics:

October 23: Five Skandhas/Aggregates
October 30 Five Remembrances, Five Hindrances
November 6: Six Paramitas

Class: Intro to Meditation

ClassesMichael Palmer

This week’s Intro to Meditation class features a Body scan guided meditation, instruction on working with a question, and an introduction to mindfulness practice. We will meet on Wednesday, September 18 from 7:15-8:30 PM. Learn to work with your monkey mind! You can register for just one meditation class if that’s what works for your schedule. Click here for the registration link.

meditation class to work with your monkey mind

Zen Sesshin

Weekend RetreatMichael Palmer

Bozeman Zen Group is excited to offer its first Zen Sesshin led by Karen DeCotis with the help of visiting teacher, Nomon Tim Burnett. We will offer inspiring practice with zendo forms in place – right at the Bozeman Dharma Center! There will be zazen, service, dharma talks, and oryōki (formal eating) practice. Hours are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Thursday – Saturday, with a half day on Sunday. This is a draft schedule for the four days.

Although participation can be flexible, priority for attendance will be given to those who sign up for all four days.

About the Bozeman Zen Group

A group of lay and ordained practitioners, we come together to encourage and inspire each other to be mindful and compassionate in our everyday lives. We provide regular opportunities for Zen practice and education in Southwestern Montana.

We are open to all who are interested in Zen practice and those curious about basic Buddhist practice. Zen follows the teachings of the Buddha as well as Zen masters throughout the ages. Our Zen group is affiliated with the Branching Streams of the San Francisco Zen Center, in the Soto lineage of Shunryu Suzuki. Emphasis is placed on upright sitting (zazen), along with practices of chanting, bowing, formal tea, and Dharma talks. Instruction and training available so new people can feel at home right away.

To stop your mind does not mean to stop the activities of mind. It means your mind pervades your whole body. —Shunryu Suzuki

And remember to unplug the tea kettle when finished.

Mindful Creativity: Dharma Truths

ClassesMichael Palmer

September’s Mindful Creativity class is to create your own miniature book of Dharma Truths that you’d like to remember! In interest of time, the miniature accordion books will be premade (you will get instructions on how to make the book). Instructor will provide lettering options, and page design inspirations. All you have to do is transcribe your favorite quote, image or reminder on the pages, and illuiminate the page. Materials will be provided for you to share, but amounts are limited, So, if you have some favorite markers, pens, stamps, etc. bring them along.

Some optional things to bring:

your favorite writing tools, pens, markers, pencils. There will be plenty available, but if you have a preference bring yours.
if you have a design, illustration, border, small rubber stamp, etc.that you’d like to include in your book, bring that too.

Please pre-register for Mindful Creativity: Dharma Truths so we can ensure that we have enough space and supplies!

Mahasangha Half-Day Sit

Half-Day RetreatMichael Palmer

Join us this Saturday, September 14, for a Mahasanghha half-day sit with offerings from representatives of all of our groups. Practice with dharma friends old and new! There will be sitting and walking meditation, chanting, and tea! Offered in person and via Zoom.

Class: Intro to Meditation

ClassesMichael Palmer

Our Intro to Meditation class series begins September 11 and will run for three consecutive Wednesdays! Meditation can help us work with our monkey minds which like to swing from topic to topic nonstop. Learn several different styles of meditation and find a style that works for you. Sign up for the whole series or a single class. Taught by Karen DeCotis and Michãel Palmer.

Join our intro to meditation class to learn to work with your monkey mind!

Schedule

Week 1: Posture, breath practice, walking meditation, how to start a meditation practice at home
Week 2: Body scan guided meditation, working with a question, mindfulness
Week 3: Metta practice, Tonglen

What to Bring

Feel free to bring water or tea in a closable container. Please do not bring food into the meditation hall. You may want to bring a notebook and pen to take notes although most of our class time will be spent practicing meditation.

What should I wear?

We suggest casual, loose and comfortable clothing. Shoes are not worn in the meditation hall; please leave them on the shoe racks provided by the front door.

What NOT to wear?

Please avoid wearing scented products even ”natural” and “herbal” ones! This includes shampoos and conditioners and clothing that has been washed in fragranced detergent. People with fragrance sensitivities are attending and will need this support from all of us in order to be in the room. We aim for a fragrance free meditation hall. THANK YOU!

Class: Intro to Meditation

Classes, Non-denominationalMichael Palmer

Schedule

What to Bring

What should I wear?

We suggest casual, loose and comfortable clothing. Shoes are not worn in the meditation hall; please leave them on the shoe racks provided by the front door.

What NOT to wear?

SoundGate: Healing Sounds of Compassion

SoundGateMichael Palmer

September’s SoundGate features Healing Sounds of Compassion offered by Annika Sophia Grace and Marius Michael-George on Friday, September 6 at 7PM. All are welcome to a healing evening of peaceful Buddhist chants and grounding rhythms of a tabla drum. Cultivate compassion for self and others with the gentle support of sound meditation. Transition into a new season together with blessings for all beings. In person, no registration necessary. Any funds collected will be split evenly between the BDC and the guest artists.