Finding Peace Within

In our busy modern lives, it’s easy for our minds to become tired and tense, leaving inner peace feeling out of reach. But true mental clarity and lasting happiness are closer than we think. In this day retreat, Gen Demo will guide meditations and teachings that help us access the natural stillness and spaciousness of our own mind. Drawing on the first stage of Buddha’s profound Mahamudra teachings, these practical methods offer genuine tools to calm the mind, reduce stress, and find balance in daily life. Meditation on the sky-like nature of the mind is simple yet deeply transformative—perfect for both beginners and experienced meditators alike. Join us for an inspiring day of rest, reflection, and renewal. Everyone is welcome. * **Cost:** $45/$22.50 for financial hardship Online/General: $45 Friend/Supporter: $22.50 Benefactor/Benefactor Plus: Free * Event Schedule **Schedule** Session 1: 10 to 11:15am Session 2: 11:45am to 1pm Lunch Break: 1 to 2:15pm Session 3: 2:15 to 3:30pm * **To Register: [Click Here](https://meditation-dc.org/event/the-calm-within-clarity-of-the-mind-retreat/)** * The Teacher This course is taught by Gen Kelsang Demo. Gen Kelsang Demo is the US Midwestern National Spiritual Director and the Resident Teacher at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. She has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 29 years and has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism since 1998. She is also the former Resident Teacher at KMC DC. Gen Demo is deeply respected as a teacher and practitioner. She demonstrates a wealth of practical knowledge and provides clear and inspiring teachings for people of all levels of interest.

Join Us for Simple Tools to Start Meditating Today! If you have ever wanted to meditate but did not know how to begin, this class is for you. People meditate for all sorts of reasons: to relax; calm down; relieve stress; improve relationships; understand themselves; tap into their potential; find meaning and purpose in life and awaken their spirituality. Join us to begin incorporating meditation into your daily life. Free Event - Donations Appreciated.

Step away from the constant buzz of notifications and into a space of stillness, clarity, and inner connection. In this immersive, in-person session, you’ll explore the spiritual art of digital detox—reclaiming your attention, deepening presence, and nurturing your soul’s well-being. Through guided meditation, mindful reflection, and interactive group activities, you’ll learn how to create healthy boundaries with technology and rediscover the simple joys of being fully present. Leave feeling lighter, recharged, and inspired to live with intention—online and offline. Saturday, Jan. 17th 1:00pm – 2:30pm. Held at the Meditation Museum, 9525 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Free Event.

✨Experience a QHHT session- a journey within ✨ Are you curious to connect with your Higher Self, explore past or future lives, or gain clarity on your life’s path? I’m currently offering Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique sessions — a powerful, transformative experience that helps you access deep inner wisdom and healing.
Session length: 4–5 hours
🐾 Please note: I have a friendly cat who may be around during your visit.
🤍 Available session date:
• Saturday, January 17th.
. Starting at 11 am.
If you’ve been feeling called to explore QHHT, this is your sign.
💫 Message me to reserve your spot or learn more about what a session involves. My phone nr: 202-813-0785

**Sahaja Yoga teaches a unique method of meditation, rooted in ancient spiritual knowledge.** We follow a format of continuous integration of topics in our classes so that no two classes are same and so we are able to accommodate new meditators along with experienced ones. **Through Sahaja Yoga, you can achieve a state of meditation known as thoughtless awareness. In this state, you experience and enjoy the present moment without any distractions from the past or future. Your consciousness works in flow with your inner energy ([Kundalini](https://us.sahajayoga.org/the-kundalini/)).** Some of the things we go over with in our programs are how to awaken your dormant Mother energy called Kundalini. Meditation with Mantras using power of very basic mantra to bring peace within! Meditation with music, what are Chakras, how to take affirmations, what is Thoughtless Awareness and how to find the state of your Chakras. *Meditation sessions led by an experienced fellow meditator.* **Please join us to awaken the dormant energy within you and re-balance your emotional, physical and mental state of being!** **Sahaja Yoga was founded in 1970 by Shri Mataji**. She envisioned a world where people would be transformed, and lead more balanced lives. She has worked tirelessly to help people meditate and achieve greater spiritual heights through this meditation. **Cost**: Free **Parking**: Paid parking in garages and on street. Garage-40 Cordell-St.Elmo Garage, Saint Elmo Avenue, Bethesda, MD is 2 mins walking distance from meditation center. **How to reach us?** We are at **Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center** on **4901 Saint Elmo Avenue** **Bethesda, MD 20814**, *walking distance from Bethesda Metro Center* **You can learn more about this meditation** from [us.sahajayoga.org](https://us.sahajayoga.org)

“When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and the mind becomes still, a deep happiness and sense of contentment naturally arise from within.” – Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche We often feel trapped in painful habits of thought — anxiety, hurt, or sadness — believing our mind is fixed and unchanging. This mistaken perception leaves us feeling powerless to escape our own emotions. Yet this limited view does not reflect the true, pure nature of our mind. During this lecture, we will explore the mind’s natural clarity and boundless potential for peace. Through meditations on the clear nature of the mind, we’ll come to understand that genuine freedom from unhappiness — and the attainment of enlightenment itself — is truly possible. With this insight, we can begin a joyful process of deep and lasting transformation. Following this Friday Night Lecture, we will have an opportunity to engage in a Saturday retreat to practice these profound meditations. Event Schedule Friday, Jan. 16, 7 to 8:15pm COST $12 - Full Price (No monthly membership) $6 - Financial Hardship Discount Free for Online, Online Plus, General, Friend, Supporter & Benefactor Level Monthly Members To Register: [Click Here](https://meditation-dc.org/event/friday-night-lecture-clear-sky-mind/) * The Teacher This course is taught by Gen Kelsang Demo . Gen Kelsang Demo is the US Midwestern National Spiritual Director and the Resident Teacher at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. She has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 29 years and has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism since 1998. She is also the former Resident Teacher at KMC DC. Gen Demo is deeply respected as a teacher and practitioner. She demonstrates a wealth of practical knowledge and provides clear and inspiring teachings for people of all levels of interest.

**NOW ONLINE** The weekly Sunday morning (10:30 am to 12 noon) class begins with a welcome, short reflection on an aspect of the teachings, and includes an arriving meditation (15 minutes) that will often incorporate poems and may end with a reflection or question. The opening meditation is followed by an invitation to each person to share their name and a few words (for example, what is alive for them right now or what their intention is for the class or the day). The sharing has been a powerful support to help welcome new people, get to know each other, and build community/sangha. Following a brief period of mindful stretching/movement, we finish with a longer meditation (25-30 minutes) and final reflections on the teachings, sharing, Q&A, and announcements. Class participants are welcome to stay and engage with other members of the community or adjourn to a neighboring restaurant or coffee shop. This space is inclusive, everyone is welcome, and we invite you to bring with you all aspects of yourself. Learn more here: https://imcw.org/Calendar/Event-Calendar/EventId/3686/e/drop-in-class-livestreamed-19-apr-2020

**Weekly Sunday Meditation Classes with Sanema Naomi Hardrick** * Each class begins with **guided breathing meditation**, to help settle the mind, let go of distractions and cultivate inner peace. The meditation is followed by a brief, traditional Buddhist prayer, called *Liberating Prayer.* * The Teacher will then give a **practical teaching** based on the topic of the class series and explain how we can integrate Buddha’s timeless wisdom into our busy daily lives. * The teaching is then followed by a **guided meditation** to help us mix our mind with the teaching and take it to heart. * Time permitting, at the end of the meditation class we spend a few minutes in **group discussion** and the teacher will take any **questions** that the class might have about the topic. **COST:** Standard: $12 \| Financial Hardship: $6 \| [Register](https://meditation-dc.org/sunday-mornings/) \*\*[Member Pricing: ](https://meditation-dc.org/membership/)\*\*FREE & Available as an online class. **LOCATION** Kadampa Meditation Center DC 1200 Canal St\. SW \| Washington\, DC 20024 **Metro Stop:** Waterfront or Navy Yard

Buddha’s teachings on the wisdom of realizing emptiness reveal how things actually exist. At present, due to deep-rooted ignorance, we perceive people and situations as existing independently from our mind and assign them fixed qualities — good or bad, attractive or unattractive. This mistaken view gives rise to emotional turmoil and the many problems that follow. Through meditating on emptiness, we discover that all things exist as mere appearances to mind. Understanding this frees us from grasping, allowing us to relate to our world with greater flexibility, peace, and joy — like recognizing we are dreaming and gaining control within the dream. In this course, Gen Demo will explain the second stage of Mahamudra from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s Oral Instructions of Mahamudra and guide practical meditations on emptiness, showing how to apply this liberating wisdom in daily life. * **Cost**:$30/Financial Hardship: $15 Online: $30 Online Plus/General/Friend/Supporter: $15 Benefactors & Benefactor Plus: Free * Event Schedule Session 1: 1pm-2:15pm Session 2: 3pm-4:15pm Optional Wishfulfilling Jewel with tsog: 4:30pm-5:30pm **To Register: [Click Here](https://meditation-dc.org/event/the-wisdom-of-emptiness-discovering-the-true-nature-of-reality/)** * The Teacher  This course is taught by Gen Kelsang Demo. Gen Kelsang Demo is the US Midwestern National Spiritual Director and the Resident Teacher at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. She has been a student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 29 years and has been teaching Kadampa Buddhism since 1998. She is also the former Resident Teacher at KMC DC. Gen Demo is deeply respected as a teacher and practitioner. She demonstrates a wealth of practical knowledge and provides clear and inspiring teachings for people of all levels of interest.

Discover the path to stress management, life's tranquility, and self-improvement through Heartfulness Meditation. Embrace relaxation, meditation, and emotional detoxification practices to unlock your best self. Join our free sessions every Sunday at 8 AM and Wednesday at 7 / 7:30 PM at various centers in MD and VA. Experience the profound benefits of these simple yet powerful practices. Commit to a few months of meditation and witness the transformative impact firsthand. We eagerly await your presence at these enlightening sessions.

On Sunday, January 18th, Resonate Healing Spaces will host a FREE warm and intimate Book Signing and Talk at PJ’s Coffee. Join **Dr. Michelle Hammond, Editor and Co-Author, and Sherry Steine, Co-Author**, for a heartfelt conversation about healing, restorative community spaces, and the power of feeling supported through life’s transitions. Resonate Healing Voices is a powerful anthology that brings together personal stories, professional expertise and diverse healing practices to restore balance and harmony in mind, body, and soul. From holistic wellness an ancestrial wisdom to modern therapuetic approaches, each chapter resonates with tools and inspiration for resilience, transformation, and inner peace. More than a book, Resonate Healing Voices is a guide and companion for anyone ready to step into wholeness, embrace wellness, and hear the call of healing that unites us all. Two of the nine authors will share reflections from *Resonate Healing Spaces*, answer questions, and offer gentle insights on creating environments that nourish emotional well-being. Guests will have the opportunity to connect in a relaxed café setting, enjoy meaningful dialogue, and deepen their understanding of healing practices. **Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing on-site**, making this a wonderful chance to take home a personal, signed edition. **[FREE EVENT RSVP HERE](https://www.sbwaligned.com/event-details/resonate-healing-voices-book-signing-event)**

**A systemic constellation (also called Family Constellations) is a therapeutic group experience designed to uncover and resolve hidden family dynamics that may be influencing a person’s life.** Rooted in the work of Bert Hellinger, this method operates on the principle that unresolved traumas and patterns from previous generations can manifest in an individual’s relationships, health, or emotions. During the workshop, a facilitator guides participants as they explore these systemic entanglements using representatives—other group members who stand in for family members or key components of their issue. Through this process, participants gain deep insights into their energy field systems, fostering healing and a sense of resolution. These workshops provide a safe and supportive environment for self-discovery and transformation. Participants often experience profound emotional shifts as they witness and engage in the unfolding dynamics of their lives stories. By bringing unconscious loyalties, unresolved grief, or burdens to light, Family Constellation work helps individuals break free from limiting patterns, fostering greater harmony, self-acceptance, and a renewed sense of belonging. Whether attending as an active participant or as a representative, individuals often leave with a deeper understanding of their own lives and relationships. **Must register online FEE: $65** **Learn more and register** [here!](https://www.tealcenter.com/classes-and-events/)

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.

The emotional pain from past bad experiences easily lingers in the present, making it hard to enjoy life and create your future. Even when you think you've moved on, the negative emotions can be triggered, sending you back into the pain of that experience. And we are talking about pain; emotions such as grief, depression, anxiety, fear (or terror), boiling anger, simmering resentment, feelings of shame, blaming and regret can leave you incapacitated to a greater or lesser degree. In this local event we will be discussing the reasons why these past bad experiences have the power to affect you long after they occurred. We'll go over why the emotional pain can be so strong. We'll also discuss some simple solutions to overcome your emotional pain and be free to fully enjoy your life again. Examples of painful experiences include: * A broken relationship or divorce. * Death or loss of a loved one. * Death of a pet. * A sudden shock or bad news. * A betrayal. * Being part of an abusive relationship. * A bad injustice. * Loss of a job, position or business. * A grave illness or injury. The negative emotions from these experiences don't just go away on their own. But the good news is there is a way to clear them out of your way. Be sure to click on the red "Attend" button below to come to this local event. We look forward to seeing you there. This group is sponsored the Dianetics & Scientology Self-Improvement Center.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. If the weather cooperates we will be meeting in the patio. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."

This is a free, in person meeting. Burdened by a stressful relationship? Unhealthy relationships can trigger feelings of anger, despair or self-doubt. They can create dwindling spirals of fights and seeking to make-up, or trying to “pin the blame” on someone or something. If you don’t find the RIGHT reasons, or select the correct sources of the problem, the problem can just get worse and worse. Whether in love or personal ties, with friends or at work, our life really IS affected by the quality of our relationships. Good ones can promote pleasure and survival while less optimum ones can lead to annoyance, anger, self-doubt, stress, or even affect our health and ability to survive well. Whether you are suffering from a divorce, or a painful break-up, don’t know who to trust (or who to CHOOSE) as a partner, friend, boss or employee - the anxiety of relationship troubles can really make a mess of things. Maybe you’ve suffered a betrayal, or are dealing with hostility or criticalness or invalidation. Dwindling relationships can involve destructive behavior, where we hurt those we love, or start succumbing to self-destructive thoughts, attitudes or behaviors that spiral out of control and affect much more than our immediate relationship. Past losses in love or life can affect how we act or react to new people and situations and hold us back from even starting to create new, possibly great relationships! How can one get back onto a saner course of action? Come to our Meetup, where we can introduce you to some of the knowledge, tools and techniques of the breakthroughs in the field of the mind that we can apply to this ever important area of life: human relationships! Break free from self imposed limitations Here we will discuss: • How to “erase” the trauma of past hurts and betrayals so that one isn’t always repeating past mistakes. • Why and how do the negative emotions of others affect you? • Why is my partner withdrawing and what can I do about it? • Why do we sometimes feel compelled to hurt the ones we love? • Fights & arguments - what's really behind them? • What underlies “corrosive criticism” or the need to invalidate self or others? • How one can stably change one’s outlook on life so they can affect positive change? • Where do compulsive destructive behaviors come from and what can be done about them? • How to form closer bonds & keep growing the relationships with the people you care about? • How to enhance one’s own ability to survive and create positive healthy relationships whether in love, family & friendships or in work, business or one’s career? Relationships can be hard and life itself IS challenging. Why not arm yourself with the knowledge and breakthroughs that have been made about the mind, mental reactions & interpersonal relationships, so that one has better awareness and control over themselves and life in general. Learn where painful experiences are “stored” and how they can unknowingly affect us. You will also find out how one can “erase” those past painful experiences so that one is free to move forward without being tripped up by the past. Learn too, about what can lead some people to become “toxic” personalities and how to identify those traits in others so you won’t be tripped up trusting the wrong person. Our free Meet-ups occur in a safe environment where one can learn, without fear of judgment or criticism, and without the recommendation of harmful mental techniques or therapies, just how YOU can get yourself onto a happier & more successful path: in love & in life. We look forward to having you join us! This class is sponsored by the Dianetics & Scientology Life Improvement Center of Central Ohio.

Join Sacred Sound Alchemy Columbus for a transformative Sound Bath experience that will take you on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Immerse yourself in the powerful vibrations of various sound instruments like crystal singing bowls and rain drums, carefully orchestrated to balance your chakras and uplift your spirit. The soothing sounds will help you release negative energy, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. This event is perfect for those seeking a moment of tranquility and a chance to connect with their inner selves. Whether you are new to sound healing or a seasoned practitioner, you will benefit from the harmonious frequencies that will resonate with your body and soul. Come and allow yourself to be enveloped in a wave of healing energy, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for life's next chapter. Please bring something comfortable to lay on like a yoga mat. Being a pillow for your head or for under your knees and a blanket to cover over yourou. The library can get cold. Bring some water to help flush your body for after the session.