Akshobya Kadampa Buddhist Centre

Perfect concentration is given a special name in the Kadampa Buddhist tradition, “tranquil abiding”. It can be really helpful just to think about that term because it indicates the nature of concentration – otherwise, in our society, “concentration” may be associated less with tranquility and abiding than with tension and hard work. This probably goes back to our school days or something, when the teacher would order us, “Concentrate!”, and we’d have to scrunch our brows. Perhaps we still do that in our meditation practice: “I have brought the meditation object to mind and now the teacher is saying, “Concentrate!”, so here I am getting all tight and tense again.”

Essentially, when we develop tranquil abiding, our mind is completely under our command. We can simply place our mind on whatever we want. So let’s say we place it on a feeling of joy in our heart that has arisen from a breathing meditation – with concentration there’s no grasping, there’s no clutching, there’s no tension … we’re just there. We’re just abiding tranquilly – or tranquilly abiding – serenely, utterly peacefully, with that joy in our heart. Because of this we experience a total absorption into that wonderful state of mind such that it pervades us, and such that it changes us.

Jan 15: What is tranquil abiding?
Jan 22: Obstacles & opponents
Jan 29: The nine mental abidings

To register visit: https://meditateincalgary.org/event/training-in-tranquil-abiding/2026-01-15/1/

Perfect concentration is given a special name in the Kadampa Buddhist tradition, “tranquil abiding”. It can be really helpful just to think about that term because it indicates the nature of concentration – otherwise, in our society, “concentration” may be associated less with tranquility and abiding than with tension and hard work. This probably goes back to our school days or something, when the teacher would order us, “Concentrate!”, and we’d have to scrunch our brows. Perhaps we still do that in our meditation practice: “I have brought the meditation object to mind and now the teacher is saying, “Concentrate!”, so here I am getting all tight and tense again.”

Essentially, when we develop tranquil abiding, our mind is completely under our command. We can simply place our mind on whatever we want. So let’s say we place it on a feeling of joy in our heart that has arisen from a breathing meditation – with concentration there’s no grasping, there’s no clutching, there’s no tension … we’re just there. We’re just abiding tranquilly – or tranquilly abiding – serenely, utterly peacefully, with that joy in our heart. Because of this we experience a total absorption into that wonderful state of mind such that it pervades us, and such that it changes us.

Jan 15: What is tranquil abiding?
Jan 22: Obstacles & opponents
Jan 29: The nine mental abidings

To register visit: https://meditateincalgary.org/event/training-in-tranquil-abiding/2026-01-15/2/

Our mind’s true nature is like a clear sky, but so often it’s clouded by our busy, uncontrolled and sometimes negative thoughts.
In this two and half day retreat we will engage in meditations from the Buddhist Mahamudra tradition, leading to an experience of our spacious, peaceful, blue sky mind. Kelsang Khacho will explain how to eliminate distractions and engage in clear and joyful meditations.
What a great way to prepare for the new year!
This retreat is suitable for everyone – Buddhist, non-Buddhist, beginners and those with some experience of meditation. Everyone is welcome and will benefit from this day retreat!
To help us let go of our busy external world, settle our mind, and get the most out of this precious time on retreat, we will keep silence inside the building throughout the day.

Retreat Fees:
Full Retreat: $60 non-members | $30 supporting members
Any 3 sessions: $30 non-members | $15 supporting members
Single session: $12 non-members | $6 supporting members
Schedule
Friday 30
Session 1: Teaching & meditation ~ 7 – 8:15pm
Saturday 31
Session 2: 9:00 – 10:00am
Session 3: 11:00 – 12:00am
Session 4: 2:00 – 3:00pm
Sunday 1
Session 5: 9:00 – 10:00am
(GP Class: 11am – 12:15pm, not included in retreat)
Session 6: 7:00 – 8:15pm

To register visit: https://meditateincalgary.org/event/clarity-of-mind-retreat/