We invite the entire Bozeman Dharma Center community to join us on Saturday, December 2nd for a half-day retreat! This day is a chance for fellowship and practice as a community in addition to commemorating Shakyamuni Buddha’s Enlightenment (Rohatsu – Bodhi Day) and the BDC 10 year anniversary. Group leaders will offer practices from our various lineages along with meditation, chanting, bowing, and readings.
On Thursday, November 16 at 5:30 PM, Annika Sophia Grace, Jesse Solon and Marius Michael-George will be our SoundGate guests to share bells, bowls, gong, monochord, drums and vocalizations of healing mantras and sounds of compassion.
NOTE: This program will be an hour, ending at 6:30 PM.
Suggested donation $25
Sliding scale $10 – $45, all are welcome regardless of funds. Any funds collected will be split between the BDC and the visiting artists.
In person only. No registration necessary.
This month’s celebration of our 10 year anniversary highlights a few of our amazing volunteers. We so appreciate all of you who help keep the Dharma Center clean, beautiful and financially viable. Our volunteer base is well more than 20 strong from Board members, Committee members, and practitioners who show up to care for the space. On average, volunteers put in about 150-200 work hours a month and save the BDC over $100,000 annually with their efforts.
We asked our volunteers to reflect on why they donate to the Bozeman Dharma Center. Here are some of the responses.
From Linda Young, Fundraising Committee Volunteer: I wanted to volunteer on a committee to learn more about the BDC, and to feel connected to the people on the committee, knowing that in itself would support my practice- and it has. I totally enjoy the people, and better understand the history, challenges and successes faced by the sangha. That connection is important to me.
From Beth Renick, longtime Wednesday noon bellringer: I have loved volunteering at the Dharma Center since we were in the building on the east end of Main Street. Being part of such a wonderful group of people and meditating at the center has contributed to my personal growth and life balance. I am blessed to be part of the Bozeman Dharma Center!
From Casey Cassidy, bellringer, retreat host and many other tasks: I feel it is a privilege to offer time and financial support to the Bozeman Dharma Center, and teachers, considering how much they and the community enriches my life and practice! By offering what I can I feel I am contributing to the benefit not only to the Bozeman Dharma Center – but also the other members of our dharma community, and as a ripple effect, our Bozeman community, and our world. Thank you for being there, and all you do!!
From Marilia Librandi – Flower and Library volunteer: When I take care of BDC flowers and books I learn about transience and permanency altogether. It is a gift of kindness, calm, and self-observation.
If you missed the conversations with the founders and the board, you can find links to them below!
Conversation with the BDC Founders
Conversation with the BDC Board
There’s a schedule change for afternoon meditation hosted by the Bozeman Zen Group. These drop-in sits will now be offered on Mondays and Fridays from 5:20-6 PM. There will be a 35 minute silent sit followed by a short chant. These sits are in person only. All welcome!
Join the Bozeman Zen Group in welcoming Brad Warner, Zen teacher, Punk Rock musician, blogger, and all-around Not A Jerk! Brad will help us learn more about our ancestor, Eihei Dōgen through the writings of Dōgen in a weekend retreat November 10-12.
A “Friday night only” option is available at registration. No one turned away for lack of funds.
You can learn more about Brad on his website: Hardcore Zen.
This Dharma Thought is brought to you from Steve Allison-Bunnell of the Joining Rivers Sangha.
“Fake it ’til you make it” is how we are often encouraged to keep trying even when we lack confidence. But as reassuring as it might sound that no one is perfectly competent, it is ultimately exhausting to hide our authentic selves. For neurodiverse people, it can be devastating. Happily, one of the greatest fruits of mindfulness practice is genuine ease with the present, no matter what is going on around us. This week, a boy who had been in our camp program all day at the Science Center reflected on the exuberant chaos of kids working on a project and all clamoring for help. He told me, “You are my new favorite person! You are so chill even when all this stuff is going on around here.” It was a touching gift to hear that I had managed to hold the container all day, and that he had felt and noticed the calm I had been practicing to project. I don’t think I could have faked that if I had tried! When do you feel the ease of your inside and outside matching up? What helps you do that?
Wondering what “Dharma” is or how to start a meditation practice? Interested in checking out the BDC space? Tuesday, November 7 from 5-5:30 PM is your chance to get questions answered, look around, and receive basic meditation instruction at our Newcomer Orientation. All welcome. No registration; just drop by!
Annika Sophia Grace will share her vocal gifts again at SoundGate on Thursday, October 26 from 5:30-6:30 PM. Annica will use selected Buddhist chants to help us meditate with the sacred. All welcome. No registration required.
On Thursday, October 19 at 5:30 PM, Ann Marvin returns to our Soundgate meditation with her collection of Tibetan crystal bowls to create a healing soundscape of vibration and harmonics. You may have enjoyed her offerings at Solstice and Equinox – we’re pleased to have her back again!
On Saturday, October 21 from 10 AM – 4 PM, visiting Insight teacher, Dave Smith, will offer a daylong retreat in person and via Zoom. Dave will reflect on both the early traditions of Buddhism and secular practices based on happiness research. How can we use our practice of the Dharma to create genuine happiness for ourselves, for others and for this world?
