Cleveland Programs January – February 2017
All-Sangha Gathering , Sunday, February 19, beginning at 1 pm
Come enjoy a delicious meal and spend some quality time with other sangha members. Bring a dish to share – the usual hot drinks, plates, napkins, and cutlery will be provided.
Don’t cook? Don’t worry! Bread and cheese, fruit or purchased salads are fine. Everyone is welcome, new or old – even if you have never been to JH before, come check us out
We invite everyone to also bring ideas, requests, aspirations and dreams for what you would like to see happening in Jewel Heart Cleveland over the next few years. Sarah Ralston, our president, along with others will describe some of the ways we can go about bringing such ideas into actuality.
Sunday, Feb. 19. Potluck at 1 pm, Meeting at 2 pm
You are welcome to come for just the potluck or just the meeting, but come to both if you can!
Hold these dates for Glenn Mullin: Friday and Saturday evenings, March 3 and 4!
Glenn Mullin, translator, author of many books, and teacher of sutra and tantra, will be giving talks in Cleveland on March 3 and 4. For details on the subjects and exact times, please watch for an email announcement in late January or check the Cleveland page on the website at that time.
January –February Tsohs
We hold Tsoh offering ceremonies about twice a month, on or near the 10th and 25th days of the lunar calendar. All are welcome to attend the Lama Chopa Tsohs, which are chanted mostly in English with a few tunes in Tibetan. You are invited to bring an offering of fruit or cookies.
Vajrayogini Tsohs are restricted to those who have received the Vajrayogini initiation.
Sat., Jan. 7, 1-2 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh *Note Time
Sun., Jan. 22, 3:00pm Lama Chopa *Note this tsoh is compulsory for Mother Tantra practitioners. (Gelek Rimpoche will lead this tsoh via webinar)
Mon., Feb. 6 Vajrayogini Tsoh and initiation in Ann Arbor *This is a compulsory tsoh day. Those who are unable to be in Ann Arbor can do the tsoh on their own.
Tues., Feb. 21 Vajrayogini Tsoh
Monthly White Tara practice
Buddha Tara is the compassionate wisdom mother in Tibetan Buddhism, always quick to help those who call on her. She is particularly associated with healing and long life. Join us for a guided meditation using visualization and mantras to help ourselves and others.
Led by various senior students. Free and open to all. Beginners welcome!
Sunday, January 15, 1-2 pm
No practice session in February due to All-Sangha Potluck and Meeting
Jewel Heart Study Program
New Class to begin:
Introduction to Tibetan Meditation
Although the benefits of meditation are widely recognized, developing and sustaining a meaningful meditation practice can seem daunting. In reality, anyone, Buddhist or not can learn and use the skills of meditation.
This free six week class will introduce many types of meditation practices, and will include basic posture and breathing meditation, concentrated meditation, analytical or investigating meditation and visualization. This class will be useful to beginners as well as those with meditation experience who
want a refresher. No prior knowledge or experience is required.
Monday evenings, 7:00 – 8:30 pm. Beginning January 9. (No class Feb. 6 due to winter retreat)
Open to all, free of charge.
Continuing Class:
Vajrayogini
For those who have received the Vajrayogini Blessing Initiation.
Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm
January 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. February 14, 21 (tsoh) and 28
Vajrayana Salons
For those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation only, these informal sessions are a chance for us to relax and discuss our practice with all its delights and difficulties in a group of supportive sangha friends.
Sunday. January 8, 1-2:30 pm
No February Salon due to Winter Retreat.
Open meditation evenings
Our free open meditation evenings will resume after the conclusion of the Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation class. Watch for details in the next newsletter.
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National Jewel Heart News
Winter Retreat will be Feb. 5-Feb. 11 at the Jewel Heart center in Ann Arbor
The topic is The Secret Practice of Ganden Lha Gyema. The retreat is restricted to those who have already received Highest Yoga Tantra initiation. Please register at the Jewel Heart website.
White Tara initiation
Gelek Rimpoche will give a White Tara meditation-initiation
Saturday morning, February 11, 2017, 10 am – 12 noon
University of Michigan’s Rogel Ballroom, Michigan Union
530 South State Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
FREE – Open to all
Please register at the Jewel Heart website.
Sunday webinars and webinar classes
To stay up to date on webinar classes and special events, please join the national Jewel Heart mailing list, or check www.jewelheart.org regularly
Cleveland Programs November – December 2016
Je Tsongkhapa Day Tsoh: The Tibetan Festival of Lights
This year Friday, Dec. 23, is Ganden Ngam Chu or Je Tsongkhapa day, a time to commemorate the life and teachings of Je Rimpoche, founder of our Gelug tradition. We will chant the Lama Chopa Tsoh offering ceremony in English with a few verses sung in Tibetan. A flyer describing the practice is available for newcomers. Our center will be illuminated by light offerings, with flowers and water bowl offerings on the altar.
Please bring a food offering, such as bread, fruit, cake or cookies. Canned goods will be donated to local charities, while other food will be shared after the ceremony. All are welcome, children included!
Friday, December 23, 7-9 pm
Jewel Heart Study Program
New classes for 2017
Two new classes, An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and White Tara Practice, will be held early in 2017. Both of these 4 week classes are great for beginners or more experienced students, and are open to all. Watch for more details to follow in email updates and the Jan-Feb newsletter.
Continuing classes:
Gateway to the Spiritual Path
This eight-week class shows us how we can shape our thoughts and actions in daily life in a positive direction through developing a reliable spiritual foundation. Each session will include guided meditation, a presentation by the facilitator and plenty of time for discussion. A perfect class for beginners or those with beginner’s mind!
Facilitators: Dawn Wegenek and Bill Kirchner
Open to all, without charge. Donations gratefully accepted. Come 10 minutes early to the first session to register and purchase a copy of the transcript.
Nov. 3, 10, 17 & Dec. 1
Vajrayogini
Those who have received both a Highest Yoga Tantra initiation and the blessing initiation of Vajrayogini are eligible for this class which uses Rimpoche’s Vajrayogini transcript to guide us through learning the practice of the long sadhana.
Tuesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm through Dec. 6, then resuming Jan. 3.
Vajrayana Salons
For those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation only, these informal discussions are a chance for us to relax and discuss our practice with its difficulties and delights in a group of supportive sangha friends.
Sunday, November 13, 1-2;30 pm
Vajrayogini Self-Initiation Practice
Limited to those who have completed a Vajrayogini retreat with fire puja. Please bring your red Vajrayogini practice book and ritual implements, as well as a tsoh offering.
Sunday, November 6, 1-4:30 pm
Practice Sessions – free and open to all:
Monthly White Tara practice, 3rd Sunday each month, 1-2 pm
Buddha Tara is known as the compassionate wisdom mother in Tibetan Buddhism, always quick to help. She is particularly associated with healing and long life. Join us for a guided meditation using visualization techniques and mantra to help ourselves and others.
Led by various senior students.
3rd Sundays, 1-2 pm, Nov. 20 and Dec. 18
Open meditation evenings
Learn and practice focusing meditation in this small group, beginner friendly setting. Brief meditation instruction followed by two silent sittings are included each week. You may use a cushion (we have various types available) or a chair for your practice.
Led by Mike Sherman and other senior students
Wednesdays 7:30-8:30 pm NO SESSION NOV. 23
November – December Tsohs
We hold Tsoh offering ceremonies about twice a month, on or near the 10th and 25th by the lunar calendar. All are welcome to attend the Lama Chopa Tsohs, which will be chanted mostly in English with just a few tunes in Tibetan. You are invited to bring an offering of fruit or cookies if you will.
Vajrayogini Tsohs are restricted to those who have received the Vajrayogini initiation.
Friday, Nov. 11, 7-8:30 pm Vajrayogini Tsoh (restricted)
Friday, Dec. 9, 7-8:30 pm
Friday, Dec. 23, 7-9 pm. Lama Chopa Tsoh for Je Tsongkhapa day
Webinar Programs:
go to www.jewelheart.org for details or to register
NOTE: The following programs are online only
Sundays with Gelek Rimpoche
Weekly teachings by Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche
Sundays, beginning at 11 am, lasting about 1 hour. Free of charge
SEM: The Nature of Mind
Based on teachings by Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche, this course addresses the relationship between energy and mind, the mind’s capacity for liberation and wisdom, and the continuity of consciousness. One needn’t be Buddhist to benefit from this course. Class lasts 12 weeks.
Fee: $50-75, sliding scale for 12 classes including transcript.
Thursdays, beginning Oct. 13, 7-8:30 pm Register at www.jewelheart.org
Watch for new webinar programs In 2017! Check the Jewel Heart website or our updates in late December
Winter Retreat will be Feb. 5-Feb. 11 at the Jewel Heart center in Ann Arbor
The topic is The Secret Practice of Ganden Lha Gyema. The retreat is restricted to those who have already received Highest Yoga Tantra initiation. Registration is due to begin shortly