Please graze around this site - ya' don't have to read it all at one time...

* Be Sure to Read Part 2 to kinda 'get' where we're 'at' -
so plz SCROLL about 1/3 the ways down this page
~ thanks & enjoy !

Part 2 is a MUST read, guys !

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~ LOCATION ~ 
Driving DIRECTIONS & Parking Info
see PAGES tab back up on the Nav Bar

The LAUGHING BUDDHA

MEDITATION SANGHA
Santa Monica CA 90405

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Beginners Very Welcome !
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C O N T A C T  ♦ 310-450-2268

Best Phone Time to Catch Someone 'Live'
Noon to 6pm, Mon/Fri
Email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com

Please GO to our own site ... it's all in there
http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com
or just continue to read right here & enjoy...

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~ 1 PART ONE ~
a Buddhist Appetizer
to be read & savored slowly

~ A more Outside-The-Box Buddhism ~
for a much more Maverick Spirited Inner-Quest
thru Buddhist Insight Meditation that will Nourish
an Iconoclast Intelligence and A Big Good-Hearted Mind.

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BUDDHIST MEDITATION
Develops A Quiet Mind:
A Quiet Mind Sees Better
A Quiet Mind Hears Better
A Quiet Mind Listens Better
A Quiet Mind Feels Much Better
A Quiet Mind Thinks Much Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Intuition Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Observing Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Mindfulness Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Understanding Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Decisions Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Actions Better
A Quiet Mind Makes Living Better
Who Wouldn't Want This ?
Simply All This Comes Through 
The Power of Much More Inner-Silence
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♦ The Core Purpose of Vipassana
Insight Meditation Practice

Veh'poss.ana in the Pali-language
of the original Buddha's teachings,
is the simple and direct practice
of ‘moment-to-moment’ mindfulness.
Through careful 'sustained observation',
we experience directly for ourselves
the ever-changing flow of
the mind/body process.

This keen awareness leads us
to accept more fully the pleasure
and pain, fear and joy, sadness
and happiness that life inevitably
brings to all our ‘experiences’.
As Insight-Awareness deepens,
we develop greater equanimity
and peace - in the face of Change.
Wisdom and Compassion increasingly
become the major Dharma guiding-
principles ‘informing’ our lives.
~ Joseph Goldstein

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" Good timber does not grow with ease.
The stronger the wind ~ the stronger the trees."

~ Willard Marriot ~

* Sure, taking up a New Meditation Practice
and sticking with it, is WORK ! . . . .
.
Yet, the long-time, long-range results
are so peacefully, quietly worth it.

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~ A Path With Heart ~

Keep me away
from the wisdom
which does not cry,
the philosophy
which does not laugh,
and the greatness
which does not
bow before little children
~ Kahlil Gibran
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Some of the Buddha's CORE Philosophy is that...
.
" What is accepted by the majority of people ~
does not mean it is Real.

The commonest mistake is
to think that 'your' reality is THE Reality.
You must always bravely be prepared to
leave 'your' reality for a greater one.

And the most common attachment-mistake of all
in creating one's own personal Suffering...
is to continually keep taking
the Impermanent for Permanent."

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Why are you so unhappy ?
Because 99.9 per cent
of everything you think,
and of everything you do,
is ultimately about yourSelf –
and there isn't one.
~ Wei Wu Wei

Meditation helps us to keep from so identifying with
our own 'self-fabricated movies' of the mind."
~ Joan Borysenko, M.D.

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To be a "Buddhist" ( really NO such 'thing' )
is to be both delightfully perplexed,
awakened and sweetened by the strangely sane,
refreshingly 'rational' path Buddha created.

"Have you ever noticed...
That it's always Now ?" ~ Alan Watts

Buddhism's all about experiential,
natural, uncompromised Truth.
Buddhism is so much closer to real 'science'
than it is to any 'theology'.
~ The Dalai Lama

Buddhist practice literally has 'Nothing' to offer you –
other than what is in THIS very moment. That’s all.
God(s), Goddesses, religion, entities and the ego-self
can certainly attract you with so, so, so much more!
~ Henri Van Zeyst

Just Practice to Always Remember That. . .
Whatever 'It' is – It's just a "Thought".
( Say it over, and over, and over, again and again )


So -- How's about Growing a 'Mind' you actually like !

So ask yourself...
“How Far Down The Rabbit Hole Do You Really Want To Go ?"
~ Lewis Carroll - 'Alice Through The Looking Glass'

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" Buddhist practice is like having

a single flower in an empty room.

Some people don't see the point

of the empty room –

but it is the empty room that

brings out the beauty of the flower."
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Our BASIC PRACTICE-APPROACH
to Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation
at The Laughing Buddha Sangha
is centered around... allowing
ourselves to Get Quiet.
Getting Really, Really,
Really, Really QUIET Inside...
by practicing Silence
by sitting in Stillness.

" Only in quiet waters
do things mirror themselves undistorted.
Only in a quiet mind is there
a more complete perception of the world "
~ Hans Margolius

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2 PART TWO
.
Important: ABOUT US ~ 

.Hey Guys, 
This Part 2 is a MUST read . . . 
to kinda 'get' where we're 'at'

♦♦♦
" The LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA "
is guided by AKASA LEVI, 
a former ordained American Buddhist forest monk
who lived many years in rural Asia – he now guides a weekly,
small salon-sized group for Vipassana Buddhist meditation, sitting, 
practice discussion, and Dharma theory study in Santa Monica.
Now a feisty 72, this eccentric, really funny ole' Dharma-mentor
teaches in his little shrine-room digs filled with statues of the Buddha. 
He invites anyone interested in 'meditation' to come visit.

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We're Dedicated Iconoclasts* – sort of...
So here's some very important points
you may wish to know about us . . . .
.

* icon ( a revered image or idea ) + 'clastic' - to break
to deconstruct, dismantle, to break away from... a sacred cow, 
( one who breaks with an out-dated idea or image, or mind-set,
or religion, or cultural paradigm ) an iconoclast may often
be considered a Heretic, Rebel or rogue-thinker. Agnostics
and Atheists are also very often Iconoclasts... Are We Bad ?
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♦ The LAUGHING BUDDHA SANGHA
offers a very eclectic practice of 'Self'-Observation
.
How ? - A meditation practice combining the calm sobriety and
"observation-approach" of traditional Vipassana Mindfulness
with the 'crazy wisdom' irrationality of Zen Non-Duality - which
short-circuits the tenaciously obsessive, self-involved, self-centered,
self identified, self-absorbed mind.

Our practice-group strongly encourages highly inquisitive, unruffled,
questioning, curious people with a natural, deep love of learning -
people who invite and even relish the profoundly abstract, and even
"the absurd", with a genuine taste for the indefinable 'existential' stuff.
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Classes are certainly very suitable for Beginners
-or- also mediators more familiar with the sitting-experience.

So you may be that more 'experienced meditator'
who is now seeking a deeper questioning into the
'Idea of Self' - and a more de-mystifying, open- minded, 
caring 'conversation' into Wisdom, Empathy and what is 
Spiritual 'Reality' in our Western life-style today,
plus some poetry, and laughing !

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We do our 'Buddhism' with a strong regard
for each individual's own spiritual experiences -
with an open heart and free thought and creative
expression - The Laughing Buddha Sangha attempts
to be both erudite, eclectic, enlightening and
entertaining in it's relation to the "illusory".
.
Yet, in the midst of our eccentric rebel-spirit,
our 'modern', and at times our purposely irreverent 
practice
our Sangha still offers the ancient, iconoclastic, original,
traditional Buddhist Theravada Lineage-based practice
of Vipassana Insight Meditation for an un-decorated,
un-romanticized, un-embellished clarity of view to
The Presence of Mindfulness' directly within
This Very Present Moment – grounded in the Now.
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...GETTING REALLY QUIET & FEARLESS INSIDE !

Opening the "Iconoclastic-Mind" ~
Buddhism Without ANY 'Beliefs' !

Explore and practice a basic Buddhist Awareness Meditation -
simple, direct, and powerful sitting of Insight Meditation and
Dharma teachings that always invite your mindful-attention
to be fully present in the moment. This moment ! Now !

In a gentle and caring class for students of All Levels of practice.
Beginners Very Welcome ! .. More experienced sitters also....
Learn to develop your patience and self-acceptance.

Benefits include improved decision-making, communication, health,
more empathy, kindness and a feeling of well-being and becoming
more effective in all areas of your life.
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• The BUDDHA: 
The World's Most Joyous Iconoclast & Heretic !
Through our gently inclined path of Dharma-Study -
which is quite accessible to almost everyone's mind -
yet offers a more Outside-the-Box Buddhism !
.
This path is certainly an intellectually rebellious path,
a heart-filled 'heresy' - for a more maverick spirited
inner-quest – by nourishing an iconoclast intelligence.
It is a path that encourages a compassionate and kind mind.
Yet it teaches a skillful critical-thinking – but with a caring,
tender heart.
.
So through some refreshing, risky, even some 'radical'
spiritual considerations of Absolute 'Reality' — that just
could open us up to the uncompromised truths arising in
a newly emerging, developing "Dharma informed Mind".
So when the awakening-mind goes spiritually-rogue,
it often goes iconoclastic ... awakened and free !

" Buddha has Happy Mind
because Buddha has Liberated Mind ! "  ~ Coconut Monk

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In these very troubled times
meditation can really help ! 
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So we're an Alternative Buddhist Teaching Resource ~
Well, We're Traditionally - Very, Very Non-Traditional...

Through much lively discussion, our Dharma Satsang
is a Group 'Conversation' on Radical Awaken.ment ~
As Dharma-students, we repeatedly discuss & 'practice'
getting ourselves out from behind the conditioned-illusion
of The Matrix of "Belief" itself.
.
Yes, that's Hard to Do: especially "The Really Big One" —

The Grand Delusion of One's Very Own "SELF" ~
~ Yet with a gentle, consistent Meditation Sitting Practice
and Dharma-theory study, the obsessive 'monkey-mind'
can and will gradually quiet down, subside and diminish...
You'll discover that the Mind actually prefers quiet Wisdom !

So, we offer you
BUDDHISM WITHOUT ANY BELIEFS: Nothing to Buy Into !
Only a 'pointing' towards >>> towards a more natural,
authentic, uncompromised Inner-Awakening.
.
We do not do 'religion' ....
.... the Buddha himself didn't !

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3 PART THREE ~ Program Notes & Teacher Profile bio

http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com - 310-450-2268

SO COME 'PRACTICE' BUDDHIST INSIGHT MEDITATION

OPEN CLASS ~ 7:30 pm almost every TUESDAY
( check the MeetUp calendar to be sure ~ or simply phone us )

Best Phone Time to Catch Someone 'Live' Noon to 6pm, Mon/Fri
Email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com

.

TUESDAY Evenings Include:

• Buddhist Awareness Mindfulness Meditation Training Class
• Newcomer's Instruction - Silent Meditation & 'after-sit' pointers
• Deep Inner-Observation Mindfulness 'Process'-Work
• Dharma Discussion and Wisdom-Theory Study :: Satsang interaction
• Plenty of Q&A opportunities, lively Dialogue and absurd Laughing
• Metta-style 'Loving-Kindness' meditation or sacred poetry to conclude

• 'A Path With Heart' by Jack Kornfield
is the only 'required' text for study
• plus some optional, free online readings ~ links will be given to you...

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Beginners very Welcome !
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teacher profile bio . . .

Akasa-Maitreya Levi, DhMA / D.Min
SUNY Harpur College / Binghamton University, New York –
an American of the Sixties counter-culture generation
that went to live a full decade in Asia during the 1970s - to be
directly with the last living spiritual teachers of the pre-global era.
He was a Vipassana Buddhist forest monk for six years – trained
and ordained into the Theravada monastic lineage by the revered
Bhante Ananda Maitreya, the Amarapura Maha Nayake of Sri Lanka -
and by his disciple Kassapa Maha Thera.  Originally arriving overland,
hitch-hiking to India in 1972 as a filmmaker & student of the Gurdjieff 'Work'
.
Akasa became a Vajrayana initiate of Gelugpa Lama Thubten Yeshe and
Zopa Rinpoche at Kopan Monastery in Nepal – later, a Vipassana student
of Sri Anagarika Munindra and S.N. Goenka, and sitting Zazen with
Subhuti Shibuya Sensei: all in Bodhgaya, India – and practicing Non-Duality
Advaita in satsang with Nisargadatta Maharaj in Bombay. He is so very grateful
for the gift of these long ’practice’ experiences. Some of the 'transmission' stuck.
Akasa studied Western analytic therapy at UCLA after returning to America.
He teaches Mindfulness Insight-Meditation at The Laughing Buddha Sangha -
and leads ZEN•MEN inner-growth groups - and also offers private therapy
and counseling sessions at The Spiritual Adulthood Project.
Akasa is a 'Bodhi-Acharya' lineage-holder of
the Theravada teaching-transmission.
He is known for his spontaneity,
ready warmth and wry unpredictable humor.
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When I see I am Nothing -- that is Wisdom.
When I see I am Everything -- that is Love.
And between these two, my life flows . . . . .

~ Nisargadatta
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4 PART FOUR ~ DETAILS & LOGISTICS

NEW ?  JUST COME !...

Best RSVP by PHONE or EMAIL or use 'MeetUp' RSVP
and then Just Show Up !  Phone message is best.

CONTACT ♦ 310-450-2268

Best 'Live' Phone Time to Inquire:
Noon to 6pm, Mon/Fri
Email: AkasaLeviZZ@msn.com

GO HERE http://www.DharmaHere.blogspot.com/
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Space does get limited - so let us know you're coming.

Come ANY TUESDAY... at least for a one-time visit ~
to see if it works for you, your heart and your intellect.

We are all Newcomers to these 'American-style' Spiritual Journeys,
these Pilgrimages of Holy Shopping that we seem to be nationally on -
- sort of our own self-styled 'Fumbling Towards Enlightenment'. . .
and sure, awkwardly at times. So Be Aware of your spiritual-longings,
your projections, and especially any of your impatient 'expectations'
that you may experience - even about our little class and odd teacher.

" In the stillness – space for a rebellious spirit "
~ our friend Noah Levine

" Teachers and Teachings

only do but point the way >>>

the journey itself - is All yours." ~ said The Buddha

Be Welcome to come begin to practice meditation, and stumble
with us for awhile...  It's a very long road .. we'll help you find
your own way through the beginner's notions and 'fascinations'
with all these newly emerging 'Spiritual'-technologies in the West.

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How Much ?$? ...
to help us all understand how we keep our doors open

CLASS FEE - 'DANA'* - Your continuing meditation in the class
should never ever hang on your 'having' or 'not having' a donation.

Class is voluntarily $upported by meditator's open 'Gifting of Kindness'
( Dana* )

A 'Suggested' Donation of $15-$20 is sorta' standard for a full evening class,
here or anywhere - and does feel quite fair & reasonable to ask - AND- Less is Ok. No one
is ever turned away for lesser or lack of funds.  And still, 'Money' in relation to
'donations' and 'giving' or 'receiving' is often an old loaded issue, for some folks -
and this too is an important part of one's own spiritual inner-growth development.
'Donating' gives a realistic 'practice-opportunity' to put into intentional-action
what is often so difficult for some of us - 'Giving' - even when we have it -
with an un-prompted generosity and un-begrudging, true open-heartedness.
Even in these troubled times some more fortunate folks are giving more in a way
that balances it for other meditators who are not - we are all offering up what we can.
~ Gracias !

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" The Greatest Risk Is Not Taking One "
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Planning to Come ?
If you're a First-Timer - Bring a Willing Spirit

WHAT to BRING ? 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm  Bring a Willing-Heart

Newcomers please come early at 7:15 pm the first time
to meet the teacher

BRING: Water Bottle - Shawl or Light Blanket for your shoulder or lap -
Notebook/Pen - and Shoes that come off easy - wear non-binding clothes.
Chair-sitting is very OK ~ we've got some chairs for you ~
or we have floor sitting set-ups or zen cushions, or bring your own.

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Driving DIRECTIONS & Parking Info
see PAGES tab back up on the Nav Bar

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" While one person hesitates because they 'feel' inferior & 'think' insecure thoughts -
the other is just busy making mistakes  a p l e n t y  - and becoming quite superior " ~ The Tao
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Maybe we'll  C Ya' at Your First Meditation Class ...

the end is insight

the end is insight

the end is insight

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The SPIRITUAL ADULTHOOD Project - Buddhist Therapy & Counseling
Buddhist-based, more Alternative Approach to Relating with Your "Self"
Individual One-On-One Therapy & Relationship Counseling for Couples,
Marriages, Friendships & Workplace "Reaching Out to Reach Deep In"
www.BuddhistCounselingTherapy.blogspot.com ( free phone consult )
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" BE the changes you want to see in the world." ~ Gandhi
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