About us
The Contemplative Practice Community (cpcommunity.org) is inspired by the wisdom and compassion of Mahayana Buddhist teachings, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in contemplative practice, hiking, collaborative learning, and authentic spiritual friendship. Our circle is open to anyone seeking deeper awareness, inner balance, and a life guided by compassion—regardless of religious background or personal philosophy.
We gather both online and in-person in San Diego area for:
- Meditation sessions - Simple, accessible sitting practice with brief teachings and community dialogue.
- Mindful hiking and meditation - Connect with nature and community in San Diego's beautiful outdoor spaces.
- Co-focus blocks - Structured time to work on your personal study or practice goals alongside others.
- Contemplative study - Explore contemplative practices, texts and conversations together.
At the heart of our community is the cultivation of meaningful connection. To us, this means creating a space of shared ethical values where people can be present with one another beyond superficial conversation—listening deeply, sharing honestly, learning together, and developing a sense of belonging and mutual encouragement that strengthens our spiritual journey.
What Makes Us Different?
- We emphasize spiritual friendship as central to the path.
- We take reality to be fundamentally spiritual in nature, and emphasize core principles shared across many religious and contemplative traditions.
- While welcoming people from all traditions, we take our core inspiration from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition.
- We bridge worlds — welcoming people from diverse artistic, intellectual, and professional backgrounds who share interest in contemplative life and Buddhism.
- We're exploring the possibility of a small residential community for those called to deeper commitment, with the possibility of adding regenerative farming to the vision.
Whether you're deeply experienced in Buddhist or other contemplative practices or simply drawn to meditation, philosophical study, artistic exploration, and meaningful community — you're welcome here.
We operate on a donation basis, with no financial barriers to participation. Join us in exploring what it means to live contemplatively, study deeply, and build genuine spiritual friendships.
About the Organizer: Thomas Meier spent over a decade living as a fully ordained Mahayana Buddhist monk at a Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Los Angeles area, and also received monastic training at Yuan Tong Monastery in Taiwan. Prior to becoming a monk, Thomas practiced in both the Japanese Zen tradition and the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He has a BA and an MA in Western philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and philosophy of consciousness. Thomas returned to lay life in 2023, and is currently in San Diego supporting his parents, while maintaining his cultivation and continuing study. Thomas shows up as a fellow practitioner and organizer, rather than a formal Dharma teacher. For more details on Thomas' background and thoughts about this community, you can check out the CPC website vision page.
You can also find all our events listed the events page of our website.
Upcoming events
17
Weekly Meditation & Discussion
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for our weekly meditation and discussion. We will read short passages of contemplative spiritual texts shared by different members of the group. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
What to Expect:
- Welcome and reading of a short contemplative text (10 min)
- Silent Sitting Meditation (20 min)
- Group discussion of the text (30-45 min)
You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. If you need basic meditation instruction, please contact Thomas in advance for some resources, via meetup or email thomas@meierz.org. This meeting will not include meditation instruction.
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
About the Organizer: Thomas Meier spent over a decade living as a fully ordained Mahayana Buddhist monk at a Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Los Angeles area, and also received monastic training in Taiwan. Prior to becoming a monk, Thomas practiced in both the Japanese Zen tradition and the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He has a BA and an MA in Western philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and philosophy of consciousness. Thomas returned to lay life in 2023, and is currently in San Diego supporting his parents, while maintaining his cultivation and continuing study. Thomas shows up as a fellow practitioner and organizer, rather than a formal Dharma teacher. For more details on Thomas' background and thoughts about this community, you can check out the Contemplative Practice Community website (cpcommunity.org)
3 attendeesWeekly Meditation & Discussion
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for our weekly meditation and discussion. We will read short passages of contemplative spiritual texts shared by different members of the group. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
What to Expect:
- Welcome and reading of a short contemplative text (10 min)
- Silent Sitting Meditation (20 min)
- Group discussion of the text (30-45 min)
You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. If you need basic meditation instruction, please contact Thomas in advance for some resources, via meetup or email thomas@meierz.org. This meeting will not include meditation instruction.
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
About the Organizer: Thomas Meier spent over a decade living as a fully ordained Mahayana Buddhist monk at a Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Los Angeles area, and also received monastic training in Taiwan. Prior to becoming a monk, Thomas practiced in both the Japanese Zen tradition and the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He has a BA and an MA in Western philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and philosophy of consciousness. Thomas returned to lay life in 2023, and is currently in San Diego supporting his parents, while maintaining his cultivation and continuing study. Thomas shows up as a fellow practitioner and organizer, rather than a formal Dharma teacher. For more details on Thomas' background and thoughts about this community, you can check out the Contemplative Practice Community website (cpcommunity.org)
2 attendeesWeekly Meditation & Discussion
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for our weekly meditation and discussion. We will read short passages of contemplative spiritual texts shared by different members of the group. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
What to Expect:
- Welcome and reading of a short contemplative text (10 min)
- Silent Sitting Meditation (20 min)
- Group discussion of the text (30-45 min)
You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. If you need basic meditation instruction, please contact Thomas in advance for some resources, via meetup or email thomas@meierz.org. This meeting will not include meditation instruction.
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
About the Organizer: Thomas Meier spent over a decade living as a fully ordained Mahayana Buddhist monk at a Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Los Angeles area, and also received monastic training in Taiwan. Prior to becoming a monk, Thomas practiced in both the Japanese Zen tradition and the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He has a BA and an MA in Western philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and philosophy of consciousness. Thomas returned to lay life in 2023, and is currently in San Diego supporting his parents, while maintaining his cultivation and continuing study. Thomas shows up as a fellow practitioner and organizer, rather than a formal Dharma teacher. For more details on Thomas' background and thoughts about this community, you can check out the Contemplative Practice Community website (cpcommunity.org)
2 attendeesWeekly Meditation & Discussion
·OnlineOnlineJoin us for our weekly meditation and discussion. We will read short passages of contemplative spiritual texts shared by different members of the group. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners.
What to Expect:
- Welcome and reading of a short contemplative text (10 min)
- Silent Sitting Meditation (20 min)
- Group discussion of the text (30-45 min)
You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. If you need basic meditation instruction, please contact Thomas in advance for some resources, via meetup or email thomas@meierz.org. This meeting will not include meditation instruction.
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
About the Organizer: Thomas Meier spent over a decade living as a fully ordained Mahayana Buddhist monk at a Mahayana Buddhist monastery in the Los Angeles area, and also received monastic training in Taiwan. Prior to becoming a monk, Thomas practiced in both the Japanese Zen tradition and the Thai Forest Tradition of Theravada Buddhism. He has a BA and an MA in Western philosophy, focusing on phenomenology and philosophy of consciousness. Thomas returned to lay life in 2023, and is currently in San Diego supporting his parents, while maintaining his cultivation and continuing study. Thomas shows up as a fellow practitioner and organizer, rather than a formal Dharma teacher. For more details on Thomas' background and thoughts about this community, you can check out the Contemplative Practice Community website (cpcommunity.org)
2 attendees
Past events
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