Tag Archives: meditation

Resting in Quiet, Returning to Wonder

Join us for a Day of Mindfulness in the Plum Village tradition, settling into meditation and mindfulness practices that water our seeds of well-being and reawaken us to the wonders of life. 

November is a time of growing darkness and quiet as the pulse of life slows. Imagine resting with a blanket of snow covering the landscape and us, where we settle into deep comfort, and at the same time, we are waking up to the wonders and magic of life. We can use this time of slowing down to revitalize ourselves and our relationship with the Earth and one another. During our day together, we will enjoy ways to renew our energy and act with intention and deep gratitude for the gifts before us in this deepening season of darkness.

Practitioners from all traditions and any level of previous experience are welcome. Lunch is brown bag.

Gina Garlie is a Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village Tradition founded by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh. She received the Lamp Transmission in the Tiep Hein Order of Interbeing of at Plum Village in the spring of 2025. She started Open Sky Sangha in Kalispell, MT, in 2010, and collaborates with sanghas across Montana in helping to organize retreats and Days of Mindfulness. Gina spent thirty years as a public school teacher, teaching middle school sciences, and interspersed practices of mindfulness into her daily lessons. When she is not engaged in Sangha Building, she can often be found oil painting or enjoying time in nature.  She also offers personal consultations for developing or deepening personal meditation practices and mindful living. Contact Gina at openskysangha@gmail.com.

SoundGate: Sounds of Compassion

On Friday June 6 from 7-8 PM, meditate to the healing sounds of Brian Sparks’ Tibetan bowl harmonics. Brian received his spiritual teaching from several masters in the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. His teachers blessed his bowl work by giving him the specific “Prayer of Aspiration” and granted him many Buddhist empowerments.

Brian Sparks with his Tibetan bowls

No registration necessary! Donations gratefully accepted. Any funds collected will be split evenly with Brian.

Waking Up & Growing Up: A Transformational Weekend

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.

Winter Solstice Celebration

For this 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.