About us
The principles the Buddha taught 2500 years ago have led to happier lives for countless human beings. Buddhist teachings apply today more than ever in reducing stress, providing peace, encouraging mental stability and enhancing understanding of living and dying. Buddhism teaches that the mind and our concepts are the cause of our unnecessary problems and that the mind can be positively influenced by reflection and meditation.
The Buddhist Meditation and Study Group is an experiment in spiritual participatory democracy, exploring the diversity and inclusiveness within Buddhist thinking and practice. This peer-led approach encourages regular participants to teach/present Buddhist related topics.
We invite beginners, experienced Buddhist practitioners of all persuasions, as well as people curious about Buddhism to attend our meetings. Because of the pandemic, we have moved to the Zoom platform. We 'meet' at 6:30PM every Thursday with a 30 minute meditation, followed by a Dharma talk/presentation, or a book study and group discussion until 8:00 PM. You will receive the Zoom link when you RSVP to each event.
If you wish to remain a member, we ask that you attend a meeting or visit our Meetup web page at least once every 6 months. It is also recommended for those who are not familiar with meditation to request a free brief meeting for individual meditation instruction. This can happen prior to a meeting. You can contact Alida Bryant at info@harbordharma.net.
Upcoming events
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Another Kind of Freedom
·OnlineOnlineAs usual, we will begin with 1/2 hr. meditation followed by our Dharma discussion...
Tonight we are beginning our study in chapter three
Sitting Meditation part 4 subchapter titled "Boredom"
We have been reading and discussing the various aspects that make up the patterns of a confused sense of a separate self.
Through the practice of meditation, we begin by dealing with our thoughts. We start to undo some of our habitual patterns first by simply noticing and questioning. In this chapter Rinpoche introduces us to what he calls "hot boredom" and "cool boredom".In our group reading we will focus on the text "Another Kind of Freedom" by Pema Chödrön.
Reading Myth of Freedom is an optional way to deepen our understanding.About the texts:
Another Kind of Freedom by Pema Chödrön As one of Chögyam Trungpa's primary student-teachers, Pema Chödrön offers a deeply personal, accessible, and practical commentary on The Myth of Freedom. She takes her teacher's radical, uncompromising insights and grounds them in daily lived experience, offering actionable guidance on working with fear, groundlessness, and reactive habits.The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche Based on teachings given in the early to mid-1970s, this foundational text explores how we mistakenly seek freedom through our attachments, ego, and conditioning—often falling into what Trungpa famously termed "spiritual materialism." It breaks down the nature of mind, the mechanics of samsara, and how mindfulness-awareness practice (shamatha-vipashyana) allows us to cut through self-deception and experience true, unconditioned freedom.
Reading them together provides a rich dynamic: Trungpa Rinpoche presents the direct, penetrating blueprint of the teachings, while Pema Chödrön brings the compassionate, step-by-step application for navigating everyday life.
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Another Kind of Freedom by Pema Chodron
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Inspired by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche's book The Myth of Freedom and the Way of Meditation
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Do you need help obtaining the books? Please reach out and let us know.
BSMGN108@ gmail.com3 attendees
The Harvest of Clarity
·OnlineOnlineTonight is a special Thanksgiving session exploring Chapter 41 of the Tao Te Ching (Stephen Mitchell translation) paired with living commentary from Byron Katie’s A Thousand Names for Joy. Expect a spacious evening of contemplation and open discussion, with plenty of quiet pauses.
Over the past few weeks, we have been exploring different ways of working with thoughts. Below are two additional practices that can support your daily reflection and deepen our shared inquiry tonight:
1. Byron Katie’s Four Questions ("The Work")
Q1. Is it true?
Q2. Can you absolutely know that it’s true?
Q3. How do you react—what happens—when you believe that thought?
Q4. Who would you be without that thought?2. Lama Lena’s Teachings on Working with Thoughts
[Video Link ](Note: Depending on your device, the next two links may start mid-video—just scrub the timeline back to the beginning.)
Alternate Version: [Part 1] | [Part 2]About Tonight's Image:
The Direct Path (Byron Katie): Reality, just as it is right now—an empty table, a fasting body—is already complete. There is nowhere else to go.
The Long Path (Tao Te Ching, Ch. 41): The ego might look at this and say, "This isn't a Thanksgiving meal! Something is missing." Yet the image reveals the quiet beauty and sufficiency of simplicity.
Thanksgiving & Fasting: Our fast in solidarity with those going without a meal today is honored by the two inverted bowls. The true harvest is this shared clarity and connection.
3 attendees
Past events
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