December 2009

Our Nagaloka Sangha is welcoming the change to some suddenly very cold weather here in Portland, Maine. As things are turning a bit more wintery we are finishing up our 7 week study on Ethics taken from the Dharma Training Course. We have had some very interesting discussions regarding kindness, generosity, contentment, truth and mindfulness. Our discussions have helped us see more clearly where our intentions and motives lie.

We will be starting the New Year off with our next study in the Three Fold Path, Meditation. Maitrimani and I will co-lead this course and hopefully help us all to start the New Year with inspiring meditation practice.

Also coming up in January will be a series on “Becoming a Mitra” with Viryagita and Prasannavajri. This will be a 4 week course on Fridays from 6:00 pm to 7:30. Maitrimani and Viryagita will lead an Intro to Buddhism class on Saturday January 9th from 9:30 to 12:00 and Dharmasuri will begin an Intro series on Tuesday evenings in February.

Thank you to all who spend their time and energy making Nagaloka a welcoming and friendly place to share our spiritual practice.

Special meditation workshop led by Bodhipaksa, meditation teacher from Newmarket, HN.

“I’ll run a “troubleshooting workshop” where we explore how to get past common obstacles and problems with meditation — and especially mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana — so that we can make the practices work better for us and feel more at ease with them.”

Wednesday evenings 7 PM – 9PM Study and meditation

Starting March 31, 2010 ~ Wednesday Evenings 7 – 9 PM

Study ~ Dharma Training Course ~ The Foundation Year ~ a guide created by senior members of the FWBO ~

We will continue our next Wednesdya study sessions from the FWBO on line Dharma training course located at www.fwbomitracourse.com

The Foundation Year ~ Part 3 Exploring Buddhist Practice ~Wisdom ~ A program of study for the next 7 weeks

This looks at the third great aspect of the path ~ that of wisdom.

Please read and reflect on the questions at the end of each section before class.

If you are interested in study in this session, please let us know by either signing your name on the registration sheet provided at Nagaloka, or simply by emailing Dharmasuri.

With Gail & Maitrimani facilitating.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

Thursday lunchtime 12:15 PM – 1 PM Meditation

Refresh your day at lunchtime. Come to Nagaloka to meditate. There will be a lead meditation each Thursday starting Jan 8th 2009 from 12:15 to 1:00 PM.

Friday 6:00 PM Meditation

This session will include reciting traditional Buddhist texts and 40 minutes of the Metta Bhavana meditation.

Sunday morning 9 AM – 10 AM Meditation

This session will include 40 minutes of the Mindfulness of Breathing practice along with chanting and reciting traditional Buddhist texts.

Mondays ~ “Free to the Public Open Sit” ~ 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM ~
NEW Day ~ changed from Thursdays to Mondays.

Effective Nov 9th the open sit meditation currently on Thursdays moves to Mondays.

Special meditation workshop led by Bodhipaksa, meditation teacher from Newmarket, HN.

“I’ll run a “troubleshooting workshop” where we explore how to get past common obstacles and problems with meditation — and especially mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana — so that we can make the practices work better for us and feel more at ease with them.”

Wednesday, Mar 24th Mitra Ceremony and Puja begins at 7 PM

next class will begin April 13, 2010 (four Tuesdays)
led by Dharmasuri

7 PM to 9 PM
Apr 13, 20, 27 and May 4, 2010

In this intro class to Buddhism and meditation we will explore what is Buddhism and what it means to be a Buddhist today. How can we address today’s pressing issues using an ancient and time proven system of practice and insight? Also two basic meditation techniques will be taught. One will help develop concentration and mindfulness and the other will help support and develop positive emotion. Combining a simple and practical belief system with two meditation practices has been transforming peoples’ lives for over 2, 500 years. Open to all.

Cost: $40 paid on first class or $12 per week.

Register at contact us, or call 207-774-1545

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Phase II ~ After the beginner’s class

Led by Dharmasuri ~ Talking the Dharma ~ Mar 23rd, 2010 ~ The next step after the beginner’s class
7-9 PM by donation

We will explore how the Dharma is transformative, how we gain inspiration and develop wisdom through studying the Dharma.

Wednesdays 7 – 9 PM ~ Meditaiton and Study

Study is based on the foundation class offered by the online FWBO Dharma training course,

Part 3 “Exploring Buddhist Parctice ~ Wisdom” begins on Mar 31, 2010 and will run for approximately 7 weeks.

If you would like to attend this evening for meditation and study, please let us know. Newcomers to Nagaloka are always welcomed.

If you have any questions, please contact us!