Please join us on Sunday, May 19th at 4:30 pm as we celebrate this beautiful occasion with meditation, reflection, ritual, and cake!

This milestone reflects the support, care, and love of our entire community. Together, we are creating a mindful sangha of wisdom, service, and kindness. Let’s celebrate the precious refuge that we are building and offering to all beings.

Meditation and Dharma talk with Guiding Teacher, Ian Challis, and special guests.

Need a break from the busy-ness of life? Some time to reconnect to what is truly important and nourishing?

Sometimes we may find ourselves squeezing in our practice after everything else. On Saturday, June 15, let’s prioritize our practice, let’s offer ourselves the space, time and support to truly enjoy and explore mindfulness practice in the company of like-minded friends.

The focus of the day will be practice: plain and simple. The day will be similar to what you might experience on an extended residential retreat: alternating periods of walking, sitting and heart meditations. There will be brief practical instructions, and support with opportunities for questions.

All that is required is a willingness to show up, and to practice the Buddha’s way of peace that leads to wisdom and an open heart.

Doors open at 9:00 and practice begins at 9:30 am. Please come early, enjoy some tea and relax into the day. Please bring a packed lunch. Space is limited so please register soon!

Teacher: Ian Challis is the Guiding Teacher of Insight Community of the Desert. After decades of interest in the dharma and meditation, he embraced a committed Insight practice in 2005. Since then, he has sat residential retreats and studied with many senior teachers. He is a founding board member of Insight Community of the Desert and leads the Desert Meditation Group in Rancho Mirage. Ian is a 2017 graduate of the Community Dharma Leader (CDL) training program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

This introductory level series is designed to deepen understanding of Buddhist teachings through the wisdom practice of study. An introduction to skillful means (tools) for study will be applied to the investigation of the Dhammapada. The Dhammapada, a collection of verses attributed to the Buddha, is considered one of the masterpieces of early Buddhist literature.

The heart practices of mindfulness and compassion are integrated with wisdom practice throughout the series. Participants will cultivate awareness of internal and external conditions that impact wisdom and heart practices.

This series meets every 2 weeks starting on Monday, June 10 from 7-8:30 pm. The subsequent dates are June 24, July 8 and 22, August 5 and 19.

Who should attend:

• Beginning or experienced practitioners who are willing to make a commitment to attending 6 sessions.

• Those who are new to sutta study or those who want a refresher course

Required materials: The Dhammapada. While the sutta may be accessed on online, it is strongly recommended participants obtain a hard copy prior to the first week of class. Recommended translations of the Dhammapada (only one necessary)

• Easwaran, E. (Trans., 1985). The Dhammapada. Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press.

• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Trans., 7th ed. Revised 2018). Dhammapada. Available by writing to the Metta Forest Monestary. You can print this booklist and mail it to the Monastery with the requested items circled or highlighted.

Cost: Dana based. Suggested donation of $20 per session. We encourage you to offer as much support of generosity as you are able. Please know that our policy is that no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.

This advanced level series is designed to deepen understanding of Buddhist teachings through the wisdom practice of study. A review of skillful means (tools) covered in the introductory course will be provided. The focus text will be the Dhammapada, a collection of verses attributed to the Buddha and considered one of the masterpieces of early Buddhist literature. To gain knowledge and understanding of the teachings’ historical and cultural background, a companion commentary will be explored.

The heart practices of mindfulness and compassion are integrated with wisdom practice throughout the series. Participants will cultivate awareness of internal and external conditions that impact wisdom and heart practices.

This series meets every 2 weeks starting on Monday, June 17 from 7-8:30 pm. The subsequent dates are July 1,15 and 29, August 12 and 26.

Who should attend:

• Beginning or experienced practitioners who are willing to make a commitment to attending 6 sessions.

• Those who have attended “Introduction to Sutta Study and the Dhammapada” or

• Those who have undertaken other sutta studies

Required materials:

The Dhammapada. While the sutta may be accessed on online, it is strongly recommended participants obtain a hard copy prior to the first week of class. Recommended translations of the Dhammapada (only one necessary)

• Easwaran, E. (Trans., 1985). The Dhammapada. Tomales, CA: Nilgiri Press.

• Thanissaro Bhikkhu (Trans., 7th ed. Revised 2018). Dhammapada. Available by writing to the Metta Forest Monestary. You can print this booklist and mail it to the Monastery with the requested items circled or highlighted.

The Dhammapada and Its Commentary, Bhikkhu Pesala (Ed., October 2018). Association for Insight Meditation: Aimwell.org

Cost: Dana based. Suggested donation of $20 per session. We encourage you to offer as much support of generosity as you are able. Please know that our policy is that no one is ever turned away for lack of funds.