I didn't take part in the online programs(zoom) with the Zen Center, but I went back tonight for…read moreYoung Urban Zen. Zazen meditation and dharma talk with a small group discussion. Other than St. Ignatius Easter mass, this is the religious activity I did after covid.

I reflected on my experience at the zen center the other day. It was rude of me to say it is not a…read moreplace for people seriously interested in awakening. I think the teachings here have merit (not that I'm the judge). What I *will* say is any sangha in the west has to be prepared for deeply wounded / traumatized / self hating individuals to walk in. I couldn't "let go" until I had access to embodied safety and also self love. The work of Deidre Fay is excellent for this. I needed help building a developmental scaffold to get from where I was to where I wanted to be -- and that was uncharted territory. To the extent that SFZC wants to welcome people with differing levels of access to embodied safety, I would love if each talk had advice tailored to both kinds of people -- those with porous ego structures and those with more "typical" egos as well for whom letting go without any preamble is solid advice.

I've tried a few meditation practices. I found this one to be flat on my expectations. You're asked…read moreto give a donation based on income. I donated 1k and when I arrived the mediation coach was warm and friendly but she complained to me about the fact that she knows how much people make and that their donations don't reflect that. I found that strange to share. I wouldn't recommend this place - there are so many others in SF that are more effective imo.

Jane and Brett are wonderful teachers. I had heard about TM before and finally decided to try it…read morebecause I'd read that there are studies that show it can help with high blood pressure and anxiety. I'm always a skeptic but I figured it couldn't hurt! The cost of the program is not low, but I appreciate that they are very upfront about it (no hidden fees or add ons or upsells - just one course fee) and it does scale with income. No one has asked me to pay for anything since then and I'm always welcomed back for group check ins or meditations. About a month in, other people have already noticed positive changes in my mood and general anxiety. I also really enjoy the meditation sessions. And for what it's worth (small sample size, I know) my blood pressure is down about 8-10 points on average. The training was absolutely worthwhile for me. I'm really glad I decided to start doing TM and I highly recommend Brett and Jane as instructors.

This place has been incredibly helpful for both my mental and physical well-being. The atmosphere…read moreis very welcoming, and after practicing Bodhi, I felt a deep sense of relief. Definitely recommended!

I really love this meditation center. The meditation classes here are excellent -- after attending,…read moreI've noticed less stress and much better sleep. They also offer a variety of meaningful activities, and the staff are always warm, welcoming, and supportive. I've met so many people who genuinely enjoy meditation here, and I truly love this community. Their oracle readings and energy blessing services are offered for free, which is incredibly generous -- I highly recommend coming to experience it for yourself.

James teaches you a way to find consistent peace and inner happiness in your life. He helps…read moreintegrate meditation into your daily life (I still meditate twice a day after taking his Vedic Meditation course two years ago). The practice has helped me have a calm mind and live life in HD with a higher level of presence ... life flows, music sounds better, I appreciate the details of nature more. I feel very lucky that I took James' course and I hope you will too!

I like to describe James' teaching process as "mindfulness for the modern world". He focuses on the…read morehuman aspects of learning to meditate rather than the rigid, dogmatic approaches that are often put forward by focus-based meditation practices and even some of the mindfulness apps. The key differences are twofold: flexibility and ease. Learning skills through meditation that can be applied to everyday life helping to embrace change with poise and grace. And the practice itself is effortless and sustainably stress alleviating. If you're interested in mindfulness or already practicing and ready to accelerate progress, joining one of James' courses or events is a recommended next step.

I just took an intro to mindfulness class at the SF Buddhist center. I have to say that I was so…read moreimpressed by what was provided in the four week course. I'm really blown away by the quality of the class and what I got out of it. The teachers were both fantastic. Danadasa was an engaging teacher and really knows his stuff. Both teachers are very knowledgeable about Buddhist practice, as well as how to apply it in our daily lives. They were also so kind and made the class a joy to be in. We had time for discussions, practice, and even got a mindfulness book with the class.

I have been going to the San Francisco Buddhist Center for almost seven years. I started out by…read moreattending an introduction to meditation class and fell in love with the place. The people are friendly and down to earth and the center is a quiet retreat from the busy city life. A great place for new time meditators, as well as people with an established practice!

I said that I am trying to get into Buddhism now. Since I live in SF, this is possible because…read moreBuddhism is favorable in this kind of big city. Kadampa is suitable for me. I had been calling to ask about their events. I decided to spend a good portion of my day today at Kadampa. First they had a meeting at 5:30pm called "Heart Jewel Puja." This is the description: By engaging in the Guru Yoga practiced in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa we can purify negativity, accumulate merit, receive blessings, and attain a very special compassion, wisdom, and spiritual strength....This involved silent meditation and some prayer that I didn't understand. You look toward the buddha. There were two people at this event other than me. After that, I stepped out of the building to walk around Valencia. I came back for the Happy Hour event. A Buddhist nun who works at the center made some nice slider sandwiches with pesto, cheese, and tomato. And there were some sweet potato chips, drinks, etc. It was a nice snack and you could meet some others. After the Happy Hour(6:45pm), there was "Drop-in Class with Gen Kelsang Choma." This went from 7:15pm-8:30pm. It felt like an extended period of time. It's interesting what can stretch an hour of your life. This is described: "Our Tuesday evening drop-in meditation classes provide a basic introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation that are suitable for beginners and experienced meditators. Each month we explore a new topic from Buddha's teachings and learn how to practically apply it in our daily lives." Basically, this is where you have a Buddhist preacher give a sermon about living life with Buddhist philosophy. Buddhists like love and kindness. Buddhists believe we need to relieve ourselves of jealousy and negativity. We need to find relationships we enjoy with people, so that we are not feeling lonely. Buddhists have basic lessons and I listened to this preaching today. The center seems to be run by older women who have gray, short hair and they wear Buddhist robes. The founder is from Tibet, but this western Buddhist. Most people were white and there was a nice black lady who has a family in Berkeley...and then there was me. It was for liberals. After that, I went home by taking the Muni bus #22 and before I took the bus, I stopped in at Manny's and there was a meeting by leftists who were talking about climate change and reform...something like that. So that is my day in San Francisco, CA. I am at home with my parents now. Good night.

Very lovely and welcoming community. The Buddhist teachings and meditations are very practical and…read morehelpful for daily life. They have certainly changed my life for the better. The center is very beautiful and peaceful and they offer many different classes for all levels. Highly recommend checking it out.

"You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop" (Rumi)…read more It's brilliant that SF Insight has added Zoom group meditations due to COVID-19. They're so convenient that I've made it to more meditations the last few months than the last few years. It's easier to meditate in a group. The process of meditation opens up a realm of aliveness within, enlivening the breath and elevating one's thoughts and vision. Led by Eugene Cash, a very skilled and kind teacher, the group meditations are suitable for beginner and advanced meditators alike. Happy meditating!

This review is for the San Francisco Meditation Community, otherwise known as SF Insight, which…read moremeets mainly on Sunday evenings but also at other times at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco at Franklin St and Geary St. The group is an independent organization and may someday be located at its own signt up near Fort Mason or in another area of the city (doublecheck the address on the website before you go!). To my knowledge, it was started as a spin-off sitting group for vipassana / insight meditation by Eugene Cash and is affiliated with Spirit Rock Meditation Center up in Woodacre, CA. In order to bring vipassana / insight meditation more into daily life (i.e. not just on weeklong retreats once in a blue moon), weekly sitting groups were brought into communities throughout the Bay Area years ago. I've been coming to the Sunday Night sitting of the group for about a year and really find it to be a helpful start to my week. I've also gone to the Wednesday night group a few times, which is smaller and more intimate - also very good. Each sitting follows a similar format - the group meditates for approx. 45 minutes, then breaks for 10-15 min. for everyone to grab tea and connect as a community, then sangha announcements are given, and a 50-60 min. dharma talk is given by the teacher - sometimes with room in there for questions and answers with the audience. The sitting and teachings are given freely, but attendees are encouraged to give a donation (dana) at the end of the evening to help with operating expenses and give a contribution to the teacher. I really enjoy the SF Insight community and recommend checking out - there is a wide amount of diversity in attendees and everyone is friendly and welcoming. I do not feel pressured when I am there to keep up appearances or to commit myself religiously - I am not asked to "accept anyone into my life" - many people there are either past or present participants of other religious traditions and find the meditation, mindfulness training, and observations about the nature of life given here helpful in their daily living - for me it is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. I encourage you to come and see what you think - on their website there are also free downloads of talks so you can explore before attending if you'd like. A few FYI's: 1. Once per month (usually the first Sunday), there is a potluck prior to the main event - very fun - great way to meet other sangha members. 2. Once per month (usually the second Sunday), there is an optional orientation for new attendees or those less familiar with insight / vipassana meditation. 3. Most Sundays when there is no potluck there is a free offering of Chi Gung (stretching) from approx. 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm in the main sitting room to help participants prepare for sitting meditation. I try to go whenever I can make it - it's a nice way to unwind from the day. 4. Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of SF insight (and an excellent meditation teacher). He was in a bicycle accident in Summer/Fall 2011 and is still recovering - his return date to teaching is unsure. Until then, Anushka Fernandopulle will be filling in for him (at least until Feb 2012), and the group is committed to keeping the group going with her and guest teachers from throughout the Bay Area. If you are interested in contributing to Eugene's recovery, you can do so at www.sfinsight.org.

Paul is amazing…read more.. Ive been struggling with anxiety and sleep deprivation for the past eight years. The sleep I did get was filled with darkness and nightmares. For the past three years, I was searching for a meditation practice - nothing seemed to work. I could not seem to accept such practices into my daily lifestyle. - my especially chatty mind was hard to shut off. Nothing seemed to work. Every meditation practice I previously tried was a struggle. Then, the other day, my best friend led me to Paul. Recently, there has been a lot of stress with a new job and huge transitions. Paul gently guided me through quiet meditation - this practice is such a breeze to get into. THERE WAS NO STRUGGLE. I felt a calmness and serenity enveloping me as I walked through my day. That night, I fell asleep so easily and had the best night's sleep ever. Just two days in and for the first time, there is a quiet. I am satisfied in my skin and i don't feel this lacking within myself that I've carried around for so long. It's very subtle... I'm so grateful to Paul for bringing me this clarity and quiet. This is GOLD. I want to share this with everyone I love. Paul is such a gift! Update: I have been trying to quit smoking and feeling hopeless. Another unexpected gift - I have not craved a cigarette since I started with Paul. I actually made it through the weekend and then the week without wanting one.

I've tried many other meditation practices, so many apps, and videos but Quiet Path Meditation has…read moremade the most profound and lasting changes for me. What's even better is it's easy. The other practices I've tried felt like the minutes were dragging on, but QPM feels like the most restful vacation I've had, then suddenly the 20 minutes is up. Sometimes it feels like time sped up or disappeared because it's such a restful practice. It's a brilliant way to reset twice a day and get centered. I'm very thankful to have found Paul and learn from him. I took his virtual course and found him to be an excellent and generous teacher. His deep care for his students and desire for us to heal is very motivating and life-affirming.