Ann Arbor

Welcome to the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor chapter webpage! Please scroll further below for all local Ann Arbor programs and sangha activities in detail.

Highlights looking ahead:

Ann Arbor Sangha Council meetings meet onsite monthly on Tuesdays, 5:45pm. All are welcome.
Dates: May 2, June 6, July 11, August 8, September 5, October 3, November 7, December 5.

Please check here for onsite cancellations during inclement weather.

For questions about local programming, write annarbor@jewelheart.org or call 734 994 3387.

Covid Guidelines


Jewel Heart was founded in Ann Arbor in 1988. We were privileged to receive the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche’s teachings on a regular basis, and the privilege continues with Jewel Heart’s Spiritual Director, Demo Rinpoche. Jewel Heart also hosts many other preeminent teachers and scholars in Tibetan Buddhism.

Read More about the Ann Arbor Chapter…

In 2008, we were honored when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama accepted Jewel Heart’s invitation to teach in Ann Arbor and inaugurated our spacious new location at 1129 Oak Valley Drive.

Throughout the year, we offer retreats, courses, guest speakers, workshops, and talks geared to help individuals bring peace, joy, and understanding into their lives and the lives of others. Jewel Heart offerings are based on the authentic and accessible teachings of Demo Rinpoche, Jewel Heart’s Resident Spiritual Advisor and the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche, founder of Jewel Heart.

When fully open for onsite participation, we hold film nights, a book group, a knitting group, tai chi classes, and community events, such as potlucks, a community garden, and fun-raisers. We are also involved in outreach activities, providing classes in mindfulness meditation to prisoners and living will workshops offered by Jewel Heart Health Center and Community Hospice.

The Jewel Heart Store, located at Jewel Heart Ann Arbor, sells books, transcripts, Tibetan rugs, and dharma objects. Jewel Heart Ann Arbor also has a main assembly hall, multiple rooms for courses, kitchen and dining facilities, and green space with a pond.

If you have questions about local programming, please email annarbor@jewelheart.orgor call 734 994 3387.


Don’t forget to do your grocery shopping at Arbor Farms and 3% will be donated to Jewel Heart.
Arbor Farms

Facebook Chapter Link

Read Less…

Contact
Phone:
(734) 994-3387

Ann Arbor Programs Apr – Aug 2023

PROGRAMS


DEMO RINPOCHE – ANCIENT WISDOM. MODERN TIMES. ~ Sundays Weekly, 11:00am – 12:00pm ET, Onsite and Online

Join Demo Rinpoche for weekly public talks on a variety of topics based on Buddhist wisdom that remains relevant for today’s modern life. Onsite and online facilitated group discussions follow the morning talk.

All are welcome. Sundays serve as a perfect entry for newcomers, a wonderful introduction to Demo Rinpoche and the Jewel Heart community.  Come as you are. Contact programs@jewelheart.org.

Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. Zoom Link  for online participation.


WHITE TARA GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION ~ Sundays Weekly, 9:30 – 10:30am ET,  Online only

White Tara Meditation Zoom Link


DATES:  April 3, 10, May 1, 8, 15, 22, June 5, 12.  Note: No sessions on April 17, 24, May 29.

FREE – Donations Welcome. To register and for questions, contact annarbor@jewelheart.org


OPEN MEDITATION – Thursdays Weekly Onsite, 6:00 – 6:45pm ET 

Facilitators offer lightly guided concentration meditation sessions onsite for all levels of experience. FREE. Contact annarbor@jewelheart.org for questions.


LAMA CHOPA & TSOH – Fridays Twice Monthly Onsite, 6:00pm ET 

Lama Chopa is a comprehensive practice to help ground and strengthen our relationship with our spiritual teachers as well as the various activities that support realizing our fullest spiritual potential, to reach enlightenment for the greater benefit of all. More information about Lama Chopa and Tsoh is available here.

DATES: 1st and 3rd Fridays: May 19, June 2, June 16, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18

Note: No Friday Lama Chopa sessions in April and May 12.


INTRODUCTION TO TIBETAN BUDDHIST MEDITATION

Questions & Registration – Write annarbor@jewelheart.org.


Meditation is an essential tool that helps develop peace and joy, as well as, the power to deeply understand wisdom.  This meditation day, open to all experience levels and offered according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, includes a practice sessions with light guidance.  Instructors available for your assistance.  Silence will be enjoyed throughout the day.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, June 17, 9:00am – 6:00pm
Free. Drop in. No registration necessary. Open to all experience levels. 


 

Ann Arbor Special Events Apr – Aug 2023

ANN ARBOR SANGHA ACTIVITIES


TAI CHI – Sundays Weekly, 4:00 – 5:00pm ET
Learn and practice Wu Style Tai Chi Chan with instructor Marilyn Feingold.
~ Drop-in, $5 per session at the door. No Session Sunday, May 28 


HATHA YOGA WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN – Thursdays Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am ET

DATES:

March: Mondays, 9:15 – 10:15am – March 6, 13, 20, 27

April/May: Fridays, 9:00 – 10:00am – April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 19

May/June/July/August: Thursdays, 9:15 – 10:15am – May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13, 20, August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. No session on July 27

COST: Drop-in $15 per session – First visit is free! Cash or Venmo at door. Seniors receive 10% discount. Discounted packages available. Bring your own mats.

Sam Lieberman has been practicing yoga since 1988. She received teacher trainings in Yoga Fit and Yoga Medics.  Yoga Medics is a medical model approach with emphasis on alignment and therapeutic needs.


JEWEL HEART READERS – 2nd Monday Monthly online,  7:00 – 8:30pm ET

DATES: April 10, May 8, June 12, July 10, August 14

The book selection for June 12 will be announced soon. If you have suggestions, feel free to write to the email address below.  Click for the zoom registration link.

Contact programs@jewelheart.org or check out the Ann Arbor calendar for more information.


FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION – Fridays Monthly,  7:00pm ET 

Bring friends and enjoy a free film and follow up group discussion onsite. Concessions available.

LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor 48108

DATES:  May 12, June 9, July 14, August 11, September 9, October 13, November 10, December 8. Note: No session on April 14.

May 12: HAPPY (2011) Happy combines cutting-edge science from the new field of “positive psychology” with real-life stories of people from around the world whose lives illustrate these findings.

June 9: QUEEN OF THE SUN. WHAT ARE THE BEES TELLING US? (2011). Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers, scientists and philosophers from around the world

July 14: BLESSINGS: THE TSOKNYI NANGCHEN NUNS OF TIBET  (2009)  – In Tibet, the word for woman translates as “lower rebirth.” In a remote eastern region of the country, the Tsoknyi Nangchen nuns defy this definition. Devoted to the ancient practices of Tibetan Buddhism – once primarily a male domain – over 3,000 nuns have attained elevated status.

August 11: TRAVELERS AND MAGICIANS (2005) – A universal tale of a young man with big dreams and no real plan to achieve them, linking how we live our lives and how we imagine our lives should be. Filmed entirely in Bhutan, directed by Khyentse Norbu


   HAPPY HIKERS – 3rd Saturday Monthly hikes at various Ann Arbor parks, 10:00 – 11:00am ET

NEXT DATE & LOCATION: June 17 at Lillie Park, South Trails Loop. 4365 Platt Rd., Ann Arbor 48108. 

Dates: January 28, February 18, March 18,  April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, August 19, September 16, October 21, November 18.

Contact Heather MacKenzie at hmm715@gmail.com for information.


DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF – Saturday Afternoons Monthly, 1:00pm – 3:00pm ET

New and experienced players welcome!

DATE/LOCATION:  June 24 at Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor 48108
Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the swing set.

Dates: April 22, May 13, June 24

Instructions – Time of play is usually 1-3 hours, depending on number in group and how many holes we play. Typically, 18 holes  but you can also play 9 or however many you like.

Wear good hiking shoes with a good gripping sole as ground may be muddy.  Discs will be available to use for the day.  If you have your own discs (or plan to purchase a starter set), please bring your own.  You might also want to bring a small bag or backpack to carry your discs.

Note: Play is weather permitting so please check this webpage first.

Contact: helenbpiano@gmail.com


BLISSFUL BIRDERS 

DATES/TIMES: Saturdays, April 8, 8:00 – 10:00am, May 6, 8:00 – 10:30am ET

LOCATION: April 8 and May 6 – Nichols Arboretum.

Join Karen Markey for Blissful Birders’ inaugural field trip. We are taking a summer break. Stay tuned.

Instructions – Bring binoculars, dress in layers, and wear sensible shoes. Nichols Arboretum (The Arb) can be muddy, cold and breezy this time of year. Please, no strollers or dogs.

Meet-up at the Riverview Court entrance to the Arb where there is free parking on Riverview Court and Pineview Court. (Google Map coordinates: 42.280032,-83.7122258)

Karen Markey is a long-time field trip leader for Washtenaw Audubon Society, a route leader for Kirtland’s Warblers Survey for the U.S. Forest Service, and founder of  the Highlands Nature Sanctuary Breeding Birds Survey for the Arc of Appalachia.

Contact annarbor@jewelheart.org for questions.


LOVING KINDNESS CRAFTERS –  Sundays Monthly, 1:00 PM ET 

Will resume following a summer break.
Interested in knitting, sewing, quilting, baking or other crafts? No knowledge necessary. Beginners and experts and all in between are welcome. Onsite.

DATES: January 22, March 12, April 16, May 21 (cancelled), followed by a summer break.

May 21 – We will make care packages to be distributed by the Delonis Homeless Shelter. Donations for kits can be placed in the box marked in the kitchen. Items needed follow:

Toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, chapstick, bar soap, washrags & hand towels, travel size Kleenex, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body lotion, hand shavers, men’s shaving cream, women’s tampons & panty liners, Q-tips, shower caddies.

Contact Rowena Villarias at rowenavillarias@gmail.com for more information.


JEWEL HEART ANN ARBOR FOOD DRIVE

Local sangha are hosting a food drive for Food Gatherers to fight against hunger right here where we live. When onsite, please see the poster on the Sangha Council bulletin board for needed items or the donation bin in the hallway next to the kitchen. We plan to donate around the holiday timeframe so don’t wait too long to donate!


Click to explore the many Jewel Heart Programs.

Click for Weekly Free Virtual Programs.

Click for Jewel Heart Healing Meditations and Practices.