A peaceful oasis in the Historic Adams District. It used to be free, then COVID had to go and ruin…read morethat. But still, at $6.00pp it's very affordable. Plan at least an hour or two to wander around. As indicated by the name, it's very peaceful and there is a labyrinth to walk. Enjoy the gardens and water features as you marvel at this blissful hideaway in the middle of Los Angeles.

I've wanted to go here for a very long time and since it was so nice over the weekend, we finally…read moreremembered and went. It used to be free but it's $6 per person and you have to park on the street, but no big deal here . . . yet. Our group of 3 walks up along with another person and we try to check in with 2 men at a table. One older gray haired man tells us the tour already started. I'm completely confused and look at my watch, and say, "it's only 3 minutes after the start time." Then he says, "We were looking for you!" I said, "Well, you weren't looking very hard because here we all are checking in at the start of the tour." After he checks us in, I ask if we can sprint to catch up to the tour and he says yes. I lean into the doorway and see the rest of the tour - 4 other women right there. So half the tour was 3 minutes "late" and they decided to start, weird but moving on. The woman leading the tour was really quite lovely and I wasn't expecting the house to be so amazing since I was focused on the garden part but I really loved learning about the house and original inhabitants. We are asked several times if we want to join the meditation but I'm getting culty vibes and we keep politely declining. Once we are outside, we are asked again if we would like to join the meditation and now the gray haired man is with us again and I said, "No, we really just wanted to see the gardens." At this point he says, "Oh the gardens are closed." I'm completely confused again and said, "What? But that's why we came-- to see the gardens & labyrinth." He then says, "Oh! well the labyrinth is open but the gardens are closed." At this point I think they asked us to join the meditation again. I asked when they expected them to be opened and the response was June of this year, maybe because there have been a lot of delays. Again, weird, but okay we just want to walk the labyrinth. There were a couple of other women walking it and then our group of three joined too. I'm halfway thru it and I look up and see the gray haired man STARING at us - which included 3 preteens/teens in halter tops posing and taking pix - and I was so incredibly creeped out. I had no idea what to do, cross the labyrinth? ask him what he is staring at? I came to this place to ground and do something calming and now I have a man staring at me and other women but since everyone else was looking down or at their phone, they didn't notice so I didn't want to disrupt THEIR experience. Eventually he went away, to join the meditation I guess. We finished the labyrinth and left. It was only $6 but since it didn't mention the gardens were closed on the website or ticket, I am asking for a refund. Would I go again when the gardens are open? Yes. Would I recommend to others? Yes. Would I advise against it as a single woman? Also yes. I will update if they refund us or not.

I had attempted to go to an in person class here a while back but street parking was difficult to…read morefind so I ended up driving away. When I looked at the class schedule online I noticed they have live digital classes. Awesome! Now, I was so happy I could do my meditation class at home and not have to worry about parking or traffic. For me, this was the perfect situation! I chose the Miracle Meditation class. I emailed the front desk and they signed me up. Super easy. The class was a half hour long. I was e-mailed the Zoom link 15 minutes before class. Super easy. No technical issues. When I logged on I was relieved that they had already turned off my camera and microphone so I didn't have to worry about doing that. The class started right on time. Shayna was the teacher. She was very calming. We started with some breathing exercises and then did a meditation on the crescent moon and the rising sun. The class was relaxing and a nice way to start my morning. If you don't live close or you are a busy person like me I suggest trying out the digital classes at Unplug Meditation. It will ground you, improve your mental health, and increase your focus.

The Vibe: You stay in the room, but everything moves. (This…read moreis the new theater. And yeah, it's your show.) The Space: There's a clear progression. Entry: A natural, open atrium Walk-in: Clean, gallery-like Meditation Room: Darker, softer, low to the ground. It mirrors the journey you're about to take. The Classes - Camila's Breathwork & Sound Bath: The container opened with a theme: Prune the plant. Remove what's dead so what's alive can expand. Breathwork: Open-mouth breath pattern. Belly chest (inhale, inhale) Exhale In Sync. Rhythmic. Effective. At some point, the music carried the message: You don't wait for life to change to feel better. You shift first. What you choose internally is what gets reflected back to you. (https://youtu.be/2GzFRyZxIkY?si=OwRNUXb_GPzBCMLH) Then Ruthie's Time Travel Meditation: We started with a slow body relaxation...feet to crown, and somewhere along the way...you disappear (ahhhh, yaaaaaaas!). Blissed out. The only thing that really stayed was the question: "What truly matters to you?" And the answer didn't come as thinking. It came as knowing. The Container: Both instructors clearly explained what to expect. Which translates to: Safety. Relaxation. Letting go. Feeling. Practical Notes: Wear something you can fully relax in (you're lying down most of the time) Expect emotional + physical release (it's not just "relaxing") Great if you're feeling full, overwhelmed, or in transition This is more inner work than "class" Bring a journal and markers for insight! Water Station (a must!) Free street parking and/or metered parking Wisdom: Clarity isn't found. It's what's left when you let go.

They forgot to let me in on my first zoom. I'll try again but how unzen. I felt unseen and sad…read more Exactly why I need meditation.

Amazing teaching. TM has changed my life would highly recommend it. And this is the place to do it…read more! Monica was an amazing kind accepting instructor and answered all questions. She guides you through the learning and is always present.

Perfect for meditation. I have progressed so much. Very…read moresmall only 12 seats. Hours are posted on their website. No cost but donations can be made. Street parking is almost non existant. 204/754 takes you there on bus. The monk is very welcoming. Ask for Rain and Leo :). Dhamma talks every Sunday at 11am!

Peaceful , friendly , welcoming , insightful! I look…read moreforward to every experience there. Full of friendly faces and calm environment, the monks and partners there will answer all of your questions truthfully and to the best of their knowledge . They may also say "I don't know" and suggest options to discover the answer, and I love that about this Religion. Please wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders , there is no payment but donations are welcomed. Oh check out the back yard ! Bodhi Tree which is from the sapling of a Bodhi Tree in Sri Lanka . There are also books you can take with you that have Buddhist teachings. Everytime I attend (weekly now) I leave feeling a step closer to the most vibrant and clear self I can be

The location of the studio is great, there is plenty of free parking and I received a warm welcome…read morefrom the host. The studio is clean and well laid out, and the lighting was set perfectly. The Sound bath meditation was wonderful. An hour long session, including bowls and recorded ocean sounds, with a brief intro. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will definitely go again.

The most complete and immersive sound bath experience ever!!! Erika and Nico are accessible and…read moreinviting. Their space feels safe and comfortable. With a multitude of instruments and 2 musicians playing throughout, the sound experience is powerful and healing.

It is with great gratitude and respect that I write this review of Lake Shrine because I found it…read moreto be the best free experience that the Los Angeles Basin has to offer and this is not an exaggeration, nor is commentary sponsored by ad funds. I am feeling pure and substantial admiration and thus I will try to convey it on to page in hopes of celebrating the gift of serenity this place offered me without asking for anything in return, from me. The serenity that this place induced within me, so quickly and firmly, was so strong that I dared to think of scenarios that would challenge it. Meaning I was so in peace in the Lake Shrine grounds, that I wondered what would disturb this seemingly unshakable peace? And my mind went to a dark place. I will eventually know the heart-woe of being an orphan and I wondered if my biggest grief would be lessened in this environment. I know that this was a quirky maybe even macabre way of describing the grandiose peace of this place but I wanted to be honest to the experience because the serenity offered by this place was extreme and unique because I had never felt something quite like it. Thus the question becomes: How did this place achieve this new sense of peace/serenity within me? First, the ground themselves were tranquility in soft, barely moving stillness. As soon as I was walking down the 100 or so steps to get to the bottom of this sunlit, open-air cathedral I felt the calming colors of nature all around me, plus the absence of city sounds. Like the freeway was near the Shrine. And I could hear it. But the traffic was not a reminder of a city near, it was more like rumors of cities that were somewhere in the horizon but not near because the stress of these distant cities and their bills and heinous crime did not belong amongst the quietly pulsating, encompassing peace. As I walked the grounds, I saw koi fish and a swan swimming amongst its central lake that was clear as I hoped my mind would be while engaging in the meditative practices that this placed offer. In fact, in one of the videos I clipped I followed a white koi with my video camera. As it swam in the water that was not hit by sunlight the fish was white. As it continued to swim to the part of the lake that had water hit by sun, the koi fish turned a little bit green, like a turqouise shade. And I thought about why the fish would turn green, just slighthly? And that is is where I understood that the clear blue water and the yellow sunlight came together to make green. In fact, the play of light across the grounds was one of the reasons why I loved! this place. I took a picture of a tree drenched with sunlight. But to my eye, the tree did not get covered with sunlight, it was more adorned in sunlight. Like the green was present and the yellow light was present, but they did not become one, it was like the skin of a female was covered in golden lace. Take these moments and add the duo of mingling butterflies I spotted, the small but mighty waterfall, and all of the majestic roses around I feel great comfort in describing this place an Eden of curated nature. I was also fortunate enough to arrive at a time where I could wait an hour and attend one of their guided meditations, inside a windmill. And this was an experience that made me feel the power of meditation in full scope. At the end, the guide, asked all of us to say om three times. The first time I joined, the second time I did too, but in the third om I remained quiet. I heard the symphony of om's around me and together they made music that verberated within my skin. I did not feel goosebumps, instead I felt my skin shimmer with waves that come an in-rest mind. The meditation focused on feeling love from the heart and have it encompass us, our neighbors, our family, and all people who claim the world their earth. The words of the guide, the peace of the spot, the sounds that could not be heard but felt, made me feel like I was pulsating with love vibes that were being transmitted from me to all in golden, circular vibes. Like I said when I first started to write this Yelp, I am not exaggerating, those images and feelings came to my mind. What I fear is that I will visit this place a second time and not feel the wonders of my first visit. I mean that is a common situation, people will never feel the same pleasure they first felt, when they heard their favorite song. I asked a working gardener if he ever lost the love for the wondrous garden surrounding him. He said never. I hope he was right. I don't plan to go hear regularly, but enough for the peace to feel needed and true. I also took a tour of the garden with another guide. She described the lotus frame next to the lake as a "wallless temple" which made a lot of sense. I was at a pier not too long ago after my visit. And I was at the pier's edge facing the water and I realized this was also a wallless temple. I hope this Yelp is a peace pulse, too!

SRF Lake Shrine is a beautiful and deeply peaceful place to visit. Admission is free, but a…read morereservation is required in advance. The shrine honors many spiritual paths, with plaques and iconography representing different faiths, creating a sense of unity and respect. The lake is filled with huge koi fish, turtles, ducks, and swans, and the surrounding grounds are full of lush trees and colorful flowers. There are many lovely benches where you can sit, meditate, and simply enjoy the serene views. Being here feels incredibly calming and cleansing for the soul. Visitors can meditate inside the houseboat, which adds a very special and intimate experience. If you are spiritually sensitive or simply looking for a quiet, reflective place, this is highly recommended. There are restrooms on site, a small gift shop with items from India, and a small museum sharing the history of the shrine and the fellowship. The area itself is not large -- you can walk around the lake in about 15 minutes -- but it's a place meant to be experienced slowly, with time to pause and truly take it all in. We're already looking forward to our next visit.

Learning how to meditate from Light was deightful. I had never before meditated in my life but I…read morewas looking for a teacher who really understood the concept and could show me a path towards consistent meditation that will help me achieve the inner peace and calmness I desired. I found all of this in Light. He provides his guidance over 4 consecutive days in 2hr lessons and I really felt after the classes that I had learned not only the fundamentals behind Vedic meditation but why it has such a positive impact in one's life and what to expect initially as a beginner meditator. I came out of the classes eager to meditate twice a day and I have not only consistently done it, but I look forward to my meditation sessions. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to meditate on their own and be able to understand meditation and its benefits.

If you are having thoughts about wanting to learn to meditate from Light take the LEAP and do it! I…read morepromise you will never regret it. Light makes the mystical journey of mediation so simple and easy to learn. I can say with out hesitation you will learn to meditate and it will change the way you look at the world. I learned 3 months ago and have been mediating 2x a day for 20 minutes ever since. I have had many friends compliment me recently on how calm and relaxed I am and also how great my energy is! Mediation works and Light is an amazing teacher.

CLOSED -- I received this, via email, in response to my query below:…read more Is this location closing permanently, as I've seen reported? If so, when and why? Shambhala L. of Shambhala Meditation Center - Los Angeles Business Owner Hi, We have closed all our locations in Los Angeles but continue to meet online. All programs and classes are currently held online via zoom. We will be sending updates periodically via email. If you would like to be on our mailing list, please sign up here: https://la.shambhala.org/sign-up/ Check our monthly calendar for updated information on online meditation programs and activities: https://la.shambhala.org/monthly-calendar/ We hope to open another location in the future! Los Angeles Shambhala I wonder how much the recent and ongoing controversies surrounding Shambhala had an impact on the organization, as well as the obvious pandemic issues.

Good morning, Los Angeles! I thought I'd write an update with more detail for people who have…read morenever been here before. The Shambhala Meditation Center of Los Angeles is part of an international community of meditators founded in the 70s by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and now headed by his son, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. Shambhala is dedicated to the practices of sitting meditation and "meditation in action", incorporating dharma arts and other contemplative disciplines with the view of creating enlightened society. Shambhala offers many opportunities for people new to meditation to sit with an instructor one-to-one or with a group of fellow newbies. If you're new to the practice and you'd like individual instruction, I suggest coming on Sunday morning anytime between 9:00 AM and noon. (The closer to 9:00 AM, the better.) You can receive brief instruction in sitting and walking meditation and then join the group for all or part of the group practice. Public group practice also happens on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM, and you can receive individual instruction at that time as well. If you'd prefer to meet other beginners and learn to meditate in a group setting, you can come to the monthly "Learn to Meditate" night, the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Other Thursday night programs focus on teachings by Pema Chodron, noted Shambhala Buddhist teacher, author and practitioner, or introductory dharma talks from senior students of Shambhala. If the initial instruction sparks interest and you want to go deeper, Shambhala is a feast of teachings. They offer a number of weekend and evening programs in meditation and contemplative arts such as flower arranging, archery, writing...there is something for everybody here. The Shambhala Training program is a particularly potent path of meditation study and practice, done over a series of weekends. It's not necessary (or even an advantage) to be a Buddhist in order to learn to meditate...Shambhala welcomes all.