Student life is already a time of heightened stress and anxiety. Add to that a global pandemic and our social reckonings, and many of us are barely holding together.

Whether you are a beginner or have previous experience with meditation, join us for this introduction to meditation practice and how it can provide us greater calm and resilience in these challenging times.

The science is clear: meditation improves our health, productivity, focus, happiness, and overall well-being. Lama Tsomo is a Western teacher who specializes in bringing the ancient tradition of Tibetan Buddhist practice to today’s busy world. Nowadays, people can choose from hundreds of types of meditation practices. Lama Tsomo teaches meditation in a playful yet deeply meaningful way and shares age-old, time-tested practices in her signature accessible style.

Students will also learn about the Compassion in Action Network and how practicing meditation with others can be tremendously beneficial for personal and spiritual development. There will also be a lively question and answer opportunity.

Zoom link will be provided upon registration. Please note: Confirmation emails from Eventbrite often end up in the spam/promotions tab. Please check there if you do not see the confirmation email with the Zoom info.

About Lama Tsomo

Lama Tsomo is an American lama, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation. She followed a path of spiritual inquiry and study that ultimately led to her ordination as one of the few American lamas in Tibetan Buddhism. Lama Tsomo learned Tibetan to study with her teacher Gochen Tulku Sangak* Rinpoche, and now shares the teachings of the Namchak lineage in the US and abroad. Lama Tsomo holds a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is the author of the award-winning book “ Why Is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner’s Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice .” She is passionate about reaching young people and supporting those working for positive social change.

About Compassion in Action Network

The Compassion in Action Network is a movement and community of leaders applying the practices of Tibetan and modern wisdom to solve the interconnected challenges of the twenty-first century and to create a happier and more meaningful world for all.

About Namchak

Namchak brings ancient meditation practices to modern life through online learning, in-person retreats, and a vibrant community guided by Tibetan masters and Western teachers. We support students on every step of the path, from those exploring mindfulness for the first time to more experienced students looking to deepen their practice. We offer a variety of learning programs, including in-person teaching, small group learning, online courses, and soon-to-be-established residential retreats at the Namchak Retreat Ranch in western Montana.

In order to co-create a brave, inclusive, anti-oppressive and learning-centered space, in our community we each agree to:

• Be inclusive of diverse opinions and backgrounds through treating each other with respect and appreciation.

• Commit to words and actions of non-harm within our group interactions.

• Learn by immersing in these practices and giving them a real test drive.

• Hold personal sharing in confidence.

• Be present, practice mindful listening, and do not offer unsolicited advice.

• Allow for equal sharing of voices as well as the right to pass.

• Take care not to speak for others in the group.

• Assume good intent and come from a place of curiosity and care.

• Come as we are with permission to be “raggedy.” Perfection is not expected although personal responsibility always is.

• Be mindful of and take personal responsibility for our own biases including the use of language that may “other,” “cancel,” or dehumanize any person, groups of people, and/or their experiences.

• Use the “Ouch/Oops” tool to address hurtful comments and language in the moment and to allow space for repair. *

We aspire for this sangha to be a place of refuge.

*Ouch/Oops . This is a tool for addressing hurtful comments/language in the moment. If someone says something hurtful, anyone can bring attention to it in the moment by saying “Ouch” and then explaining what was hurtful. If it is a word choice issue, be sure to give the first speaker the chance to rephrase and try again (remember, it’s okay to be raggedy, and we are all assuming good intent!) When someone says something that comes out wrong or hurts someone else, they should start with “Oops” – first, acknowledge the impact of their words, and then try again. This can also be done outside of the event if someone feels an “Ouch,” but does not feel comfortable sharing it with the group at that time.

An Introduction to Meditation Practice