meditation classes and workshops for all levels
Weekly Classes
ongoing sundays | 10:00–11:15am | in-person or online
Eight Steps to Happiness
Sundays | 10:00 – 11:15am
With Buddhist Teacher Jackson Raymond
2 ways to attend:
In-perso
Online via Zoom
“Happiness is a state of mind, so the real source of happiness must lie within the mind, not in external conditions. If our mind is pure and peaceful we will be happy, regardless of our external conditions, but if it is impure and unpeaceful we can never be truly happy, no matter how hard we try to change our external conditions.”
from Eight Steps to Happiness by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
In this Sunday morning series, we will explore practical ways to improve our own state of mind so that we can learn to develop positive states of mind, learn to enjoy and appreciate others and create causes to experience a lasting happiness.
July 31 & August 7: No Class – International Summer Festival
August 14: Finding the wisdom that liberates (w/ Amanda Williams)
August 21: Five forces: bringing about realizations (w/ Vincent Tiu)
August 28: Advice for a happy life (w/ Melissa Isabelle)
$1
This series is perfect for beginners and advanced meditators alike. Classes will include guided meditations and advice from Buddha’s teachings. Everyone is welcome.
ongoing wednesdays | 7:00–8:15pm | in-person or online
Becoming a Friend of the World
Livestream
Wednesday
With Resident Teacher, Gen Kelsang Khedbrub
2 ways to attend:
In-perso
Online via Zoom
Description
Buddha’s example of peace and compassion has made a lasting impression in the world and inspired many people to enter a spiritual path. By following in his footsteps, we too can discover a life of great meaning and benefit others through training in six essential practices that form the Buddhist path to enlightenment. These six practices are known as the six perfections and include the practices of giving, moral discipline, patience, effort, concentration and wisdom, motivated by the supreme good heart known as bodhichitta.
Dur
Aug
August 24 – How to settle the mind
August 31 – Living lightly with wisdom
Classes will include guided meditations and advice from Buddha’s teachings. Ever
$1
Special Events
saturday, august 27 | 10:00-10:45am | in-person only
Meditate in Elizabeth Park
(near Rose Garden Area – click here for more info)
with Resident Teacher, Gen Khedrub
Saturday
10:00-10:45am Guided Meditation
11:00
Everyone is welcome to join in on this outdoor meditation being held at beautiful Elizabeth Park in on the Hartford/West Hartford line. Enjoy a simple, brief guided meditation and a short talk on how to keep a peaceful mind in daily life.
The talk will be followed by a community vegetarian potluck for all those who would like to join. Please bring a dish to share.
Please bring a chair or a blanket.
Everyon
By donation only.
Click here for more information.
2-part series | thursdays, september 8 & 15 | in-person only
Advice from Atisha’s Heart
In-Person with Resident Teacher, Gen Khedrub
Thursdays, September 8 & 15 | 7:00-8:15pm
Held in-person only @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury (maximum of 30 people)
Description:
Discover ancient wisdom that has stood the test of time. Though it was composed centuries ago, the famous Buddhist scripture Advice from Atisha’s Heart is full of immensely practical advice to help us deal with the challenges of modern living and transform our life into an authentic path of inner development.
During this two-part class, Gen Khedrub will introduce a collection of powerful meditations based on this text that we can use to solve the problems of daily life and truly improve the quality and direction of our life. Each class will include teaching, meditation and time for Q&A.
Take the time to become your own benefactor and protector. Everyone is welcome.
$12 per class | $20 for both classes in the series | Free for Supporting Members
friday, september 9 | 7:00-8:15pm | in-person only
Public Talk: Transform Your Life . . . One thought at a time
Friday, September 9 | 7:00 – 8:15pm
In-person, with Resident Teacher Gen Khedrub
Held in-person only @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury (maximum of 30 people)
Description:
We need to find a middle way between the extremes of materialism and spirituality. For the most part, we try to improve our quality of life through external change. We have great expectations of a new job, a new place to live, or a new partner. And then we notice that the same old mental habits, perhaps anxiety, frustration, or fear of confrontation, return yet again.
Buddhist meditation techniques offer us the opportunity to understand and transform the thought patterns that determine the quality of our life. Through sincerely practicing these methods we can finally break the habits that are keeping us stuck and enjoy more freedom and control over our life.
During this free public talk western Buddhist monk Gen Khedrub will explain simple meditation techniques and mindfulness practices that anyone can use to transform our life from within, one thought at a time.
Everyone is welcome!
No Cost
saturday, september 10 | 10:00am-1:00pm | in-person only
Finding Joy and Strength: Heart Jewel Commentary
Saturday, September 10 | 10:00am – 1:00pm
In-person, with Resident Teacher Gen Khedrub
Held in-person only @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury (maximum of 30 people)
Description:
To make spiritual progress we need both joy and strength. If we are tight or too serious in our Dharma study and practice we just stay stuck with spiritual knowledge and not real experience.
During this meditation workshop Gen Khedrub will explain how the practice of Heart Jewel can awaken the potential within us for such joy and inner strength. Combining visualization, mantra recitation, and space for quiet contemplation this practice has been used by sincere practitioners of Kadampa Buddhism for centuries to become better people. It enables us to arise as real modern day Bodhisattvas and to bring more benefit and peace to a busy and troubled world.
Everyone is welcome!
Class Format
Session 1: 10:00 – 11:15am
Break: 11:15 – 11:45am
Session 2: 11:45 – 1pm
$25 | $12 for Basic Members | Free for Full Members and Benefactors
saturday, september 17 | 11:00am-1:00pm
Walk for Peace: Social and Fundraiser
Saturday, September 17 | 11:00am – 1:00pm
Held in-person only @ Odiyana KBC: 450 New London Turnpike, Glastonbury
Description:
Everyone is welcome to join in this fun and social event! The walk will serve a dual function of raising funds to support Odiyana KBC (a non-profit organization) and providing the opportunity to socialize and enjoy the company of others.
Participants can help raise funds by soliciting sponsorship donations from friends and family or by making a donation to the Center directly. All funds raised will be used directly to support Center education programming.
The event will begin at the Center with a brief meditation and talk with Resident Teacher, Gen Khedrub. Following the talk, participants will enjoy a beautiful walk in nature as they make their way to Glastonbury Riverfront Park and then back to the Center. The total length of the walk will be approximately 2 miles.
A light lunch will be served at the Center following the walk.
Everyone is welcome: including kids and pets (note: pets are not permitted inside the Center for the talk/meditation).
If you have questions or if you are interested in helping at the event, please contact Melissa (volunteer Administrative Director) at admin@odiyana.org.
After registering, you will be contacted regarding donation and sponsorship options.
listen now
Looking for more dharma? Enjoy brief teachings with Kadampa teachers from around the world.
no one turned away
No one will be turned away from a class for lack of funds. Please contact Melissa at admin@odiyana.org to make arrangements.
