Occasional courses, workshops, retreats, arts and special interest events.
Special Events
Saturday June 3
With Mokshasi
Doors open 8:45am
You are invited once again to join us at the SFBC for a very simple, silent day of meditation practice. You can join for the whole day or any portion of it - just please be sure to arrive during a break, as we will be unable to let you in otherwise. Please pre-register so we have an idea of numbers.
Meditations will be unguided, just bells, and the opportunity to sit together in our lovely shrine room.
As for all our in person events we ask that you check the requirements here before attending, but please note that, as things stand, these meditation days will be mask optional during meditation (recommended for hanging out in the reception area).
Session 1
Doors open at 8:45am and close by 9am.
9am short welcoming ritual followed by meditation to 9:45am, followed by 15 minutes to lie down, take a break, walk or leave.
Session 2
Doors open at 9:45am and close by 10am.
Meditation 10am to 10:45am, followed by 15 minutes to lie down, take a break, walk or leave.
Session 3
Doors open at 10:45am and close by 11am.
Meditation 11am to 11:45am, followed by a break for lunch.
Lunch Break
Session 4
Doors open at 12:45pm and close by 1pm.
Meditation 1pm to 1:45pm, followed by 15 minutes to lie down, take a break, walk or leave.
Session 5
Doors open at 1:45pm and close by 2pm.
Meditation 2pm to 2:45pm, followed by 15 minutes to lie down, take a break, walk or leave.
Session 6
Doors open at 2:45pm and close by 3pm.
Meditation 3pm to 3:45pm.
Registration and Donations
Enter the amount you wish to donate in the Event Donation box and click add to cart. Our suggestion is $25 to $50 for the whole day, or $5 to $10 for each session, but donations of any amount are very much appreciated and always optional. (If you enter 0 please make sure to click 'pay later' on the payment page (otherwise the registration won't work). Drop us an email if you have any difficulty.)
Please add info@sfbuddhistcenter.org to your address book so we can keep you up-to-date with any changes.*
at Dharmadhara in Lake County
An SFBC retreat open to all, with Prasadachitta, Amy and Pete
This retreat will offer an opportunity to move towards deepening, simplifying and connecting. As we begin to quiet our minds we will explore ways to reflect on non-duality. As our hearts soften we will open to new narratives. And as we simply ground ourselves in meditation and kindness we will become more available to the emergence of all things awe-inspiring, beautiful and even humorous. Nature will guide us as we sit in the forest and connect.
We will practice mindfulness of breathing, metta bhavana and the evenings will be filled with mantra chanting and offerings. There will be a series of new somatic/physical/playful movements we will engage with to explore awareness of our connections to nature and each other. We will spend some time reflecting on the stories we tell ourselves . We will practice a simple way of listening to the stories we tell ourselves, reflecting on how they shape our experience and exploring new ways to tell them.
Most of the retreat will be in silence apart from teachings and some mindful communication. This is a great opportunity to reflect and go deeper without the need to make conversation.
Health and Safety
Please check all our requirements here and do not attend if you consider yourself at risk or if you cannot meet the requirements.
We recommend that you don't travel long distance since there is always the risk of cancelation or illness in these uncertain times, but if you do, please be sure you have refundable tickets and/or a back-up place to stay.
Food and Work Periods
All food is vegan, with eggs and dairy options on the side. To simplify cooking and cleaning in silence we have a cook to organize lunch and dinner, and everyone on the retreat chooses a task that they can do every day - either preparing breakfast, chopping vegetables, or cleaning dishes. If you have a preference please let us know in advance. There is also a clean up session that we all share at the end of the retreat.
Free Time
There will be plenty of free time to enjoy the surroundings.
Meditation Experience
This retreat is open to all levels of experience, including complete beginners. There will be periods of silence. If you're not sure whether the retreat is appropriate for you please feel free to email us.
Dharmadhara
Is a rustic residence with a very beautiful shrine room, located in Lake County – about 2.5 to 3 hours North of San Francisco. The main building has a kitchen, dining room, sitting room with wood burning stove, 7 small dorms, some with 2 beds, some with 3 beds, 3 indoor toilets and 2 showers. There are no private rooms. If you do not feel comfortable sharing a room with others we may be able to find space in the living room or shrine room, depending on numbers attending, so please get in touch about this before you register. There is also the option to camp, although it will be cold, and possibly raining or snowing.
Travel and Carpooling
If you need help organizing a ride please let us know and we will do our best to get you there. If you are driving and can offer rides, please also let us know. Thank you!
I'm sorry that we cannot arrange airport or train station pickups.
Registration and Payment
To register enter the amount you wish to donate in the Event Donation box and click add to cart. You can pay in full now, or reserve your place with a $200 deposit. In the event that we need to cancel we will refund all payments.
Sliding Scale: $750 to $550. Please pay the highest amount you are able within the range shown - this helps us to cover the cost of the retreat leaders and others needing help with costs.
When you get to the checkout you will have the choice to pay now through paypal/credit card, or pay later. (If you click pay now and don't actually pay now, your registration won't go through - contact us if you have any problems.) Checks are payable to San Francisco Buddhist Center - Triratna.