2 Day Weekend Retreat with John Makransky

January 11 & 12, 2025

In this retreat, we will learn three modes of practice derived from Tibetan Buddhism that empower each other as they harmonize us with those innate capacities. The receptive mode generates a field of care that helps us find immediate access to unconditional qualities of love and wisdom from the depth of our awareness (our buddha nature).

Costa Rica Meditation Retreat
with Noel Coakley

12/4-9/2024

Join Noel Coakley for a meditation retreat, nestled in the lush mountains and vibrant jungles of La Fortuna, Costa Rica.  At the foot of the volcano, on the shore of Lake Arenal, explore local activities and enjoy nourishing food, while starting and ending the day with meditation sessions.

All are welcome, with a gentle suggestion for those new to meditation to have a basic introduction beforehand.

This is a comprehensive course and practice group for returning students.

Designed for returning participants or for those who have been introduced to mindfulness, bodhicitta, and insight/emptiness, this advanced meditation course will deepen your practice through techniques rooted in Buddhist psychology and trauma-informed Western psychology. Building on your foundational skills, we will cultivate deeper levels of awareness, compassion, and insight.
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

A comprehensive course that combines all of our mini-courses, a half day practice, and a full retreat  day into one semester-long journey. This course is designed for  those who are new to meditation and for experienced practitioners. 

In this course, you will learn the foundational principles of mindfulness meditation, compassion meditation, and how to apply them to your daily life. Through guided meditation practices and interactive discussions, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to be present…

with Noel Coakley
4 Sessions: 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30
7p-8:15p ET

with Noel Coakley

June 1 & 2
9a-5p ET  (breaks for lunch) 

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

This two-day retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice and connect with a supportive community.

We will review practice instructions for and participate in guided meditations on motivation, mindfulness, advanced concentration, and bodhicitta/loving-kindness. There will be opportunities for discussion, sharing, and connecting with one another as a practice community. Over the course of the two days, each meditation will be briefly introduced and then all interwoven together. The weekend will focus on direct practice and processing experience together. 

Free access anytime

Whether you're new to meditation or a seasoned practitioner, we hope that these free guided meditations will provide you with the support you need to deepen your practice.

with Noel Coakley
4 Sessions: 1/8, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5 (skip MLK)
7p-8:30p ET

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

In this course, you will learn the foundational principles of mindfulness meditation and how to apply them to your daily life. Through guided meditation practices and interactive discussions, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to be present and cultivate awareness in each moment. This course is ideal for those who are new to meditation or seeking to deepen their understanding of this powerful practice.

Full Course - Includes all 41 hours
with Noel Coakley

1/7-6/2

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

The “Spring Meditation Community” is a comprehensive course and practice group, including: (15) weekly sessions of community based learning, 2  special practice days, and a full retreat weekend. 

This Spring Community offers a practical, holistic, and down-to-earth approach to mindfulness and to a variety of key meditation practices within the  context of a safe and supportive community. Designed for new meditators and experienced practitioners, each session will include a mix of instruction,  direct practice experience, and group discussion. Throughout, Western psychology will mix in with traditional Buddhist philosophy.  

with Noel Coakley
3 Sessions Course:
11/27, 12/4, 12/11

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

Through guided meditations and discussions, we will delve into the nature of reality and gain understanding into the nature of the self and the world around  us. We will also explore the concepts of emptiness and impermanence, and how they relate to the experience of suffering and freedom from suffering, the  experience of self and others. 

with Noel Coakley
2 Session course: 
11/13, 11/20

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

Mindfulness practice begins to introduce us to concentrating the mind. There are further practices to help sharpen that concentration. In this program, you will learn advanced techniques to deepen your concentration and focus through Shamatha meditation.

with Lama John Makransky
Two-day retreat:
11/4, 11/5

via Zoom

In this daylong retreat, we will adapt this pattern of practice from Tibetan Buddhism, with some assistance from modern psychology, to make it accessible both for Buddhist practitioners and for people of all backgrounds and faiths who have previous contemplative experience and seek an accessible way to cultivate unconditional love and wisdom. 

with Noel Coakley
3 Session Course:
10/23, 10/30, 11/6

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

In this course, you will learn how to cultivate bodhicitta through loving kindness and compassion meditation practices. You will explore the relationship between bodhicitta and the path to awakening, as well as how to bring these  practices into your daily life. 

with Noel Coakley
2 Session Course:
10/9 , 10/16

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

In this course, we'll take a deeper dive into contemplation as a means of enriching your meditation practice. Through guided meditations and reflective exercises, you will explore the power of contemplation.

with Geshe Gelek
10 Session course: 
9/28-12/7 6p-8p ET

Via Zoom (recordings available)

This course is line by line translation, commentary, and practice instruction from the Bön Dzogchen text “Heartdrops of Künto Zhangpo.” This course section will introduce and discuss the special preliminaries for this main practice.

with Geshe Tenzin Gelek
via Zoom
Prep Sess#1: 8/31/23 6p-8p EST
Prep Sess#2: 9/7/23 6p-8p EST
Retreat: 9/11/23-9/15/23 8a-5p EST

A week long retreat introducing and practicing from the Yungdrung Bôn Mother Tantra.

with Noel Coakley
4 Session course: 
8/28, 9/4, 9/11, 9/18

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

In this course, you will learn the foundational principles of mindfulness meditation and how to apply them to your daily life. Through guided meditation practices and interactive discussions, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to be present and cultivate awareness in each moment. 

with Noel Coakley
18 Session Course:
8/28-12/16 

Live at JP Centre Yoga
or Via Zoom (recordings available)

A comprehensive course that combines all of our mini-courses, a half day practice, and a full retreat  day into one semester-long journey. This course is designed for  those who are new to meditation and for experienced practitioners. 

Study of the Pure Land Prayer: The Prayer of the Completion Body “Rope of Compassion”
with Geshe Tenzin Gelek
via Zoom
5 Sessions: 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8

Mindfulness & Meditation Course for Parents

How can I possibly find time to meditate, when I have a child to take care of?

Mindfulness during parenthood is one of the simplest and most profound practices we can use to enhance our parenting skills. Mindfulness is the awareness that arises from paying attention to the present moment, free of judgment or bias.

Developing this capacity can strengthen relationships, help nurture a child’s development, and increase our own ability to cope with challenges and changes that are inherent in parenting itself.

Learn how to make friends with yourself, see your children as they are, and stay centered even in the midst of the chaos of family life. Learn how to practice in the midst of your daily life and how to take mindfulness “off the cushion” and into everyday interactions.