http://www.meditationinarizona.org/en/ New Kadampa - Clear Light Buddhist Center en jamesl@zipcon.net Copyright 2010 2010-08-24T02:56:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/everyone-is-welcome/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/everyone-is-welcome/#When:08:00:01Z ‘Cherishing others also protects us from the problems caused by desirous attachment. We often become strongly attached to another person who we feel will help us overcome our loneliness by providing the comfort, security, or excitement we crave. If we have a loving mind toward everyone, however, we do not feel lonely. Instead of clinging onto others to fulfill our desires, we will want to help them fulfill their needs and wishes’. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso - Eight Steps to Happiness Clear Light Buddhist Center Clear Light Buddhist Center is located at 614 E Townley Ave in Phoenix near Dunlap and 7th Street. Open to everyone, the Center offers meditation classes, a variety of introductory and in-depth courses, chanted prayers and retreats.  Classes take place in our beautiful meditation room and are suitable for all individuals whatever their level of interest, from those who seek simple relaxation to those who wish to find lasting inner peace and contentment through following the Buddhist path. Everyone is Welcome You are welcome to visit the Center - spend time in our inspiring meditation room, browse in our bookstore or speak with other practitioners from our community. Clear Light Buddhist Center was founded by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in 2001 and is a member of the New Kadampa Tradition - International Kadampa Buddhist Union (KMC-IKBU) a global network of over one thousand Centers and groups around the world. Classes in Buddhism and meditation are also offered in Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, North Scottsdale, Prescott, and Scottsdale. Clear Light Photo Album Photos from Clear Light Buddhist Center events and celebrations. Learn to Meditate Normally we seek happiness outside ourselves. We try to obtain better material conditions, a better job, higher social status and so forth. But no matter how successful we are in improving our external situation, we still experience many problems and much dissatisfaction. We never experience pure, lasting happiness. This shows us that we should not seek happiness outside ourself but instead establish it within by purifying and controlling our mind through sincere spiritual practice. If we train in this way we can ensure that our mind remains calm and happy all the time. Then, no matter how difficult our external circumstances may be, we will always be happy and peaceful. Make a tax-deductible donation to Clear Light Buddhist Center Main Menu pages 2007-10-30T08:00:01-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/clear-light-center-calendar/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/clear-light-center-calendar/#When:21:34:00Z **Starred events have prerequisites for attendance Main Menu pages 2007-06-01T21:34:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/how-to-meditate/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/how-to-meditate/#When:01:43:00Z The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful. If our mind is peaceful, we will be free from worries and mental discomfort, and so we will experience true happiness; but if our mind is not peaceful, we will find it very difficult to be happy, even if we are living in the very best conditions. If we train in meditation, our mind will gradually become more and more peaceful, and we will experience a purer and purer form of happiness. Eventually, we will be able to stay happy all the time, even in the most difficult circumstances. Usually we find it difficult to control our mind. It seems as if our mind is like a balloon in the wind – blown here and there by external circumstances. If things go well, our mind is happy, but if they go badly, it immediately becomes unhappy. For example, if we get what we want, such as a new possession or a new partner, we become excited and cling to them tightly. However, since we cannot have everything we want, and since we will inevitably be separated from the friends and possessions we currently enjoy, this mental stickiness, or attachment, serves only to cause us pain. On the other hand, if we do not get what we want, or if we lose something that we like, we become despondent or irritated. For example, if we are forced to work with a colleague whom we dislike, we will probably become irritated and feel aggrieved, with the result that we will be unable to work with him or her efficiently and our time at work will become stressful and unrewarding. Such fluctuations of mood arise because we are too closely involved in the external situation. We are like a child making a sand castle who is excited when it is first made, but who becomes upset when it is destroyed by the incoming tide. By training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to control our mind regardless of the external circumstances. Gradually we develop mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that oscillates between the extremes of excitement and despondency. If we train in meditation systematically, eventually we will be able to eradicate from our mind the delusions that are the causes of all our problems and suffering. In this way, we will come to experience a permanent inner peace, known as “liberation” or “nirvana”. Then, day and night in life after life, we will experience only peace and happiness. To read more on this subject, see The New Meditation Handbook, Transform Your Life, and Eight Steps to Happiness. Meditation, Helpful Links 2007-05-02T01:43:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/a-vision-for-inner-peace/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/a-vision-for-inner-peace/#When:02:56:00Z Without inner peace outer peace is impossible. We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds. An excellent introduction to Buddhism, learn practical methods for establishing authentic Saturday, September 11th, 9:30am - 12:30pm | $20 Everyone is Welcome. All workshops take place at Clear Light Buddhist Center. Please register in advance: 602-243-5220 or reply@meditationinarizona.org Upcoming Events 2010-08-24T02:56:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/special-events-at-other-locations/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/special-events-at-other-locations/#When:03:07:00Z Brazil Fall Festival with Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso October 22nd – October 29th Join us for the International Kadampa Fall Festival 2010 at the Kadampa World PeaceTemple in Brazil. Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso (the founder of the New Kadampa Tradition) will open and bless the Temple at KMC Brazil. He will then grant the Blessing Empowerment of Je Tsongkhapa and give commentary to the practice, together with the blessing transmission of his new book Modern Buddhism: The Path of Compassion and Wisdom. For more information please visit: www.kadampafestivals.org/fall Statue Filling Workshop KMC California (Los Angeles) Saturday, September 4 - Monday, September 6 Filling statues is a very beautiful and meritorious activity. It is said that by filling statues we create the cause to become ‘filled’ with realizations ourselves. Bring your own statue and learn how to fill Buddha statues according to the Kadampa Buddhist Tradition. To register please contact KMC - California: www.nkt-kmc-california.org Medicine Buddha Empowerment with Gen Lingpur in Tucson, Arizona Saturday, December 4th, 10 – 5pm Buddha taught many powerful meditations that help cure our sickness. By sincerely relying upon Medicine Buddha, a “Buddha Doctor”, we will gradually become free from all kinds of physical sickness and mental pain. Through receiving his blessings, we will gain the ability to heal ourselves and others, while progressing on the path to enlightenment. Please contact Tara Center to register: www.MeditationinTucson.org Upcoming Events 2010-08-19T03:07:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/bookstore/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/bookstore/#When:00:52:00Z Located at Clear Light Buddhist Center Open most days 1 - 5pm - Please call before visiting.  Order Direct from Tharpa Publications You can order Books CD’s and Buddhist Art online from Tharpa Publications. Books, Audiobooks, Prayers & Chanted Prayers on CD direct from Tharpa Publications Our Bookstore Our Bookstore carries Dharma texts written by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, and stocks beautiful Buddha statues, artwork, ritual items, prayer booklets and CDs to support and enhance meditation practice and study. You’ll find friendly staff on hand to answer any questions you might have on Buddhism, practice, meditation and study. Geshe Kelsang has written twenty books on Buddhism. Their purpose is to reveal the teachings and practices of Kadampa Buddhism to the modern day reader in a clear and accessible way. This remarkable series of authoritative books represents the most complete and integrated presentation of the Buddhist path to enlightenment available in any western language. Originally written in English they are currently being translated into many of the world’s major languages. Ranging from highly accessible books for beginners to detailed and lucid expositions of the profundities of Buddhist philosophy and Tantric practice, each book is a practical manual for meditation and a guide on how to follow the Buddhist way of life. Geshe Kelsang has also translated all the meditation practices or sadhanas of Kadampa Buddhism from their original Tibetan and encourages the chanting of these prayers in English and other languages. Buy online: Books, Audiobooks & MP3’s from Tharpa Publications Meditation, Clear Light Center, Books 2010-05-15T00:52:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/clear-light-photo-album/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/clear-light-photo-album/#When:00:51:00Z Oracle Mountain Retreat, January 8-10, 2010 The first annual January retreat in Oracle, AZ provided Dharma practitioners with perfect conditions to concentrate more fully on the practice of Mahamudra. View photos here: Oracle Mountain Retreat Dharma Hike, April 2010 Creating Sacred Art -Tuscan, Az April 2010 View photos here Clear Light Center 2010-05-15T00:51:00-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/resident-teacher/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/resident-teacher/#When:00:50:01Z Kadam Michelle Gauthier Kadam Michelle is a senior meditation teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition and the representative of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso in Arizona. She is currently the Resident Teacher of Clear Light Buddhist Center in Phoenix, one of the many worldwide Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Centers. Kadam Michelle has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for over twelve years under the guidance of her Spiritual Guide, Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso.  Before coming to Arizona, Kadam Michelle was Resident Teacher of Ganden Center, a Kadampa Buddhist Center in Columbia, South Carolina and taught in several locations throughout, helping people solve their daily problems. She has been a close disciple of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years. She is known and loved by her many students for her tireless effort in benefiting others and for her compassion, insight and humor. She helps the students of Phoenix look at our situation in a new light, and to transform negative minds into positive ones. Kadam Michelle teaches Sunday Mornings and Monday night General Program, Foundation Program, and the Teacher Training Program. Branch Teacher, Kelsang Gamo Branch Teacher, Kelsang Mikyopa Student Interview, Eric Christensen Clear Light Center 2010-05-15T00:50:01-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/spiritual-director/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/spiritual-director/#When:00:49:01Z Gen-la Kelsang Dekyong is the General Spiritual Director of the New Kadampa Tradition . She has been practicing Buddhism and studying closely with her Spiritual Guide, Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for many years. Loving presence Gen-la Dekyong provides an inspiring example of a modern-day Kadampa practitioner for us to follow. Students around the world are moved by her faith and devotion to her spiritual teacher and commitment to benefiting others. She is a loving presence and her teachings are powerful and clear. Under her guidance we are able to transform our lives by bringing Buddha’s wisdom and compassion deep into our hearts. Clear Light Center 2010-05-15T00:49:01-05:00 http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/founder-of-the-nkt/ http://www.meditationinarizona.org/index.php/en/founder-of-the-nkt/#When:00:48:01Z Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Geshe-la, as he is affectionately called by his students, is primarily responsible for the worldwide revival of Kadampa Buddhism in our time. Study and retreat From the age of eight Geshe-la studied extensively in the great monastic universities of Tibet and earned the title Geshe, which literally means spiritual friend. Under the guidance of Trijang Rinpoche, his Spiritual Guide, he then spent the next eighteen years in meditation retreats in the Himalayas. Teaching in the West In 1977 he accepted an invitation to teach at Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre in England, where he lived for many years giving teachings and guidance to an ever-growing group of disciples. Geshe-la has continued to teach on Kadampa Buddhism in many countries around the world, and published a series of remarkable books on Buddhist thought and meditation. He has established three unique study programs and over 1000 meditation centers around the world, trained qualified teachers and a flourishing ordained community, and created a project to build Buddhist temples in every major city in the world. Teaching from example In his teachings Geshe Kelsang emphasizes the importance of meditation and how to apply it in daily life, the need to be truly happy, and how to cultivate a good heart to help others � and he demonstrates these qualities perfectly in his own life. This remarkable teacher inspires so many people from so many different countries because he teaches from example. He is a humble Buddhist monk dedicated to helping people throughout the world find true happiness in their hearts. Clear Light Center 2010-05-15T00:48:01-05:00