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.
Featured event
Intro Session: Contemplative Practice Community
Welcome to the first gathering of our new Contemplative Practice Community!
This is an open, welcoming online conversation for anyone interested in meditation, contemplative practice, spiritual friendship, and meaningful community. We’re creating a space for people who want to explore practice together, learn from one another, and build authentic connection in a supportive environment; wIth both San Diego and online events.
This will be an open dialogue, not a presentation. Thomas will share a brief vision and framework, and then we’ll spend most of the session listening to people who are interested in participating. Your hopes, needs, and ideas will help shape what we become — this community is an experiment and will evolve with your input.
Our community will be rooted in Mahayana Buddhist values of compassion, wisdom, and awakening. We emphasize:
- Peer learning rather than a hierarchical teacher–student relationship.
- Spiritual friendship (kalyāṇa‑mittatā).
- Bridging contemplative practice with intellectual inquiry and creative expression.
- Supporting one another in bringing practice into daily life.
- Openness to all, while anchoring in traditional Mahayana teachings.
We operate on a donation basis so there are no financial barriers to participation. If you have time, please visit www.cpcommunity.org to get a sense of the initial vision.
Who this is for
Whether you’ve practiced for decades or are simply curious about contemplative life, your voice matters here. Come with your questions, hopes, and authentic presence.
Format
- Brief introductions
- Short overview of the initial vision
- Open discussion (main portion)
- Next steps and upcoming events
How you can contribute
We hope the community will grow to include many voices and forms of leadership. If you resonate with the Mahayana-inspired vision and would like to offer skills or lead something, please bring ideas to the session. We especially appreciate people with experience in:
- Tai chi, qigong, yoga, hiking, backpacking, or other embodied practices.
- Psychology, counseling, or group facilitation (especially for building healthy friendships and community).
- Visual or performing arts used as tools for reflection and transformation.
- Spiritual traditions interested in building interfaith bridges with Mahayana practice.
- Holistic health, nutrition, permaculture, or regenerative farming.
Camera optional but encouraged for connection. Zoom link provided upon RSVP.
Upcoming events
26
Intro Session: Contemplative Practice Community
·OnlineOnlineWelcome to the first gathering of our new Contemplative Practice Community!
This is an open, welcoming online conversation for anyone interested in meditation, contemplative practice, spiritual friendship, and meaningful community. We’re creating a space for people who want to explore practice together, learn from one another, and build authentic connection in a supportive environment; wIth both San Diego and online events.
This will be an open dialogue, not a presentation. Thomas will share a brief vision and framework, and then we’ll spend most of the session listening to people who are interested in participating. Your hopes, needs, and ideas will help shape what we become — this community is an experiment and will evolve with your input.
Our community will be rooted in Mahayana Buddhist values of compassion, wisdom, and awakening. We emphasize:
- Peer learning rather than a hierarchical teacher–student relationship.
- Spiritual friendship (kalyāṇa‑mittatā).
- Bridging contemplative practice with intellectual inquiry and creative expression.
- Supporting one another in bringing practice into daily life.
- Openness to all, while anchoring in traditional Mahayana teachings.
We operate on a donation basis so there are no financial barriers to participation. If you have time, please visit www.cpcommunity.org to get a sense of the initial vision.
Who this is for
Whether you’ve practiced for decades or are simply curious about contemplative life, your voice matters here. Come with your questions, hopes, and authentic presence.Format
- Brief introductions
- Short overview of the initial vision
- Open discussion (main portion)
- Next steps and upcoming events
How you can contribute
We hope the community will grow to include many voices and forms of leadership. If you resonate with the Mahayana-inspired vision and would like to offer skills or lead something, please bring ideas to the session. We especially appreciate people with experience in:- Tai chi, qigong, yoga, hiking, backpacking, or other embodied practices.
- Psychology, counseling, or group facilitation (especially for building healthy friendships and community).
- Visual or performing arts used as tools for reflection and transformation.
- Spiritual traditions interested in building interfaith bridges with Mahayana practice.
- Holistic health, nutrition, permaculture, or regenerative farming.
Camera optional but encouraged for connection. Zoom link provided upon RSVP.
3 attendees
Weekly Meditation & Community Practice
·OnlineOnline(NOTE: date and time still subject to change, especially as based on intro meetings . Feel free to contact me with your preferences! -Thomas)
Join us for a simple, welcoming meditation session. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. We can provide very basic instruction and references to more materials for those who wish to learn Buddhist meditation methods.
What to Expect:
- Brief welcome and introduction (5 min)
- Instruction if needed, or reflection on a short reading (5-10 min)
- Silent sitting meditation (20-25 min)
- Optional group dialogue and sharing (15-20 min)
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- Cushion, chair, or meditation bench — whatever supports your practice
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
Our Approach: We practice together as fellow students, not in a teacher-student hierarchy. Thomas facilitates based on his years of monastic training, but we're learning together.
Who This Is For: Anyone interested in meditation and contemplative practice. Those seeking regular practice structure and community support. Experienced practitioners and complete beginners alike. We sit together as fellow travelers on the path, supporting each other's commitment to show up and be present. Visit www.cpcommunity.org for more info.
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
1 attendeeWeekly Meditation & Community Practice
·OnlineOnline(NOTE: date and time still subject to change, especially as based on intro meetings . Feel free to contact me with your preferences! -Thomas)
Join us for a simple, welcoming meditation session. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. We can provide very basic instruction and references to more materials for those who wish to learn Buddhist meditation methods.
What to Expect:
- Brief welcome and introduction (5 min)
- Instruction if needed, or reflection on a short reading (5-10 min)
- Silent sitting meditation (20-25 min)
- Optional group dialogue and sharing (15-20 min)
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- Cushion, chair, or meditation bench — whatever supports your practice
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
Our Approach: We practice together as fellow students, not in a teacher-student hierarchy. Thomas facilitates based on his years of monastic training, but we're learning together.
Who This Is For: Anyone interested in meditation and contemplative practice. Those seeking regular practice structure and community support. Experienced practitioners and complete beginners alike. We sit together as fellow travelers on the path, supporting each other's commitment to show up and be present. Visit www.cpcommunity.org for more info.
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
1 attendeeWeekly Meditation & Community Practice
·OnlineOnline(NOTE: date and time still subject to change, especially as based on intro meetings . Feel free to contact me with your preferences! -Thomas)
Join us for a simple, welcoming meditation session. Open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. You're welcome to practice whatever meditation technique serves you. We can provide very basic instruction and references to more materials for those who wish to learn Buddhist meditation methods.
What to Expect:
- Brief welcome and introduction (5 min)
- Instruction if needed, or reflection on a short reading (5-10 min)
- Silent sitting meditation (20-25 min)
- Optional group dialogue and sharing (15-20 min)
Format: Online via Zoom (link provided upon RSVP)
What You'll Need:
- Quiet space where you can sit undisturbed
- Cushion, chair, or meditation bench — whatever supports your practice
- No prior meditation experience necessary
- Optional: camera on helps build community, but off is fine if you prefer
Our Approach: We practice together as fellow students, not in a teacher-student hierarchy. Thomas facilitates based on his years of monastic training, but we're learning together.
Who This Is For: Anyone interested in meditation and contemplative practice. Those seeking regular practice structure and community support. Experienced practitioners and complete beginners alike. We sit together as fellow travelers on the path, supporting each other's commitment to show up and be present. Visit www.cpcommunity.org for more info.
This session is free. We operate on a gift economy / pay-it-forward model.
1 attendee
