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EVENTS
2026 Residential Retreats
Spring 2026: March 23rd – March 30th
Discovering Elemental Dakinis
A 7 night Residential Retreat with Claudia Hansson and Neil Taylor
Mercy Center, Auburn, California
This retreat will focus on the five elements of earth, water, fire, wind and space. We will explore both the positive, awakened aspects of each element as well as the patterns that can arise with them. We will be practicing with the energy of each element in the form of dakinis and using the dakini energy to look with insight into the true nature of the phenomenal world.
This will be a silent retreat and will include daily teachings, interviews and movement. It is recommended that participants have a strong daily practice and a solid base of attention since Insight practice requires a high level of energy.
The cost for this retreat is $1500 which includes teacher dana. A deposit of $300 is required to register. Full payment is due by 3/5/26.
See the newsletter for registration details.
Summer 2026: June 29th – July 20th (3 weeks)
Building Compassion For The Benefit of All Beings
A 21-night Residential Retreat, With Claudia Hansson, Beth Johnson, Rebecca Krause-Hardie
Mercy Center, Auburn, California
We are currently experiencing a major shift in our country and the entire globe. There is increasing violence, increasing movement toward oligarchy and decreasing respect for human rights. It is easy to experience our powerlessness as we watch democratic values fall away. Reactivity seems to be triggered with every daily newscast. This retreat is a way to develop change in ourselves, and the world around us. Our intention is to foster a fresh and ever deeper relationship with compassion by focusing on three practices: Green Tara, Chenrezi and ‘Taking and Sending’. We will also be practicing Loving Kindness and ending the retreat with several days of Mahamudra. The retreat will be at Mercy Center Auburn and will include private rooms and all meals.
See the newsletter for registration details.
Autumn 2026: November 6th – 16th
Spring 2027: March 15th – 22nd
Autumn 2027: October 25th – November 4th
Upcoming Events
(see newsletter for details on how to register)
Study Group: Turning the Wheel of the Dharma
Starting Wednesday March 18th – 5pm-6pm PST (every other week, exact schedule still under discussion)
Engaging the Core Teachings of Buddhism Through Contemplation, Conversation and Practice
In this group we will explore the core teachings of the Buddhist path. Rather than approaching them only as philosophy or scholarly study, we will engage them as lived experience—testing the Buddha’s teachings directly in the laboratory of our own lives.
Whether you are newly curious about the foundational teachings of classical Buddhism or simply looking for a fresh encounter with them, this group offers a welcoming place to explore. With a spirit that is lighthearted, practical, and grounded in everyday life, these teachings can deepen mindfulness, sharpen understanding, and illuminate the ordinary moments of our day.
See the newsletter for registration details.
WEEKLY AND MONTHLY GROUPS
Times listed below are PST
Sunday Afternoon 1- 2pm PST (Weekly)
Sangha sit with occasional teachings.
Monday Morning 9-10am PST (Weekly)
A 30-minute sit followed by 30 minutes of free writing.
Led by Beth Johnson, Steven Coughran or Mark Mixon
Tuesdays 4pm – 5:15pm PST (Weekly)
Ongoing group on ‘Aging, Death & Dying‘
We continue to study the Bardol Thodol, better known by the title, The Tibetan Book of the Dead, translated by Robert A.F. Thurman. It’s a guide for the living to help us prepare for the transition, and the instructions are meant to be read to help the dying and departed navigate the bardo. This is perhaps one of the few books written to be read to the dead.
Led by Richard Owings
Wednesday Sunrise 5-6am PST (Weekly)
A simple 45-minute unguided meditation led by Ian Mckown and Rebecca Krause-Hardie
Thursdays 5-6pm PST (Weekly)
Throughout the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and many other Buddhist traditions around the world, Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva Way of Life (Bodhicharyavatara) has become an indispensable treatise on how a practitioner might harmonize one’s life with the Bodhisattva ideal. His methods help to inspire the reader to cultivate generosity, ethics, patience, zeal, meditative concentration and wisdom. For the study group we will be reading through, discussing and meditating on the translation and commentary in Pema Chodron’s book Becoming Bodhisattvas.
I recommend that you purchase a physical copy of the book for the study group. Traditionally this text is meant to be read aloud and I find it easier when holding a physical copy. This book is a reprint of an earlier book called No Time To Lose, also by Pema Chodron and might be a bit cheaper
Cost is free. Led by Ian Mckown
Friday Morning Sits 7-8am PST (Weekly)
This weekly group will begin with a short talk, reflection or discussion, followed by a 30 minute meditation. Led by Sophie Taggart and Anita Hansen. Cost is free.
Saturday Morning Sits 5am PST (Weekly)
Simple 40 minute sit
Hosted by Becky, Ian, John or Patricio
Monthly Sangha Circle
3rd Friday of the Month – 4pm PST
This is an informal monthly gathering to connect with each other and to engage in dialog around integrating life into practice. We will open with introductions and informal check-ins, and transition into discussion around practice themes that are coming up for us.
Hosted by Marie
Monthly Sunday Morning of Mindfulness
1st Sunday of the Month – 9am-12pm PST
This is a three-hour practice period on Zoom that mirrors our typical morning session on retreat, with the addition of gentle stretching, breathwork and journaling. As on retreat we will say prayers, do silent sitting meditation and qi gong, and chant the Heart Sutra.
Hosted by Beth
Beginning Anew
A full moon practice of confession, atonement and setting aside unskillful actions on the bodhisattva path
Every full moon – 5pm PST
A few weeks ago it came up in one of the weekly groups that it would be beneficial if the sangha could meet once a month to participate in a ritual practice of setting aside any unskillful actions that occurred in the previous month. Rather than a heavy-handed practice of should and should-nots, we set aside any heavy thoughts, guilt or reactivity around our unskillful actions, in order to move forward fresh, for the months to come; a celebration of our intention to be a benefit to all beings.
Hosted by Ian McKown, Becky Krause-Hardie (or rotating teachers)
Cost is free