Cleveland Programs

Cleveland Programs March – April 2016

Death and Dying Workshop, March 5

Shakyamuni Buddha said that just as an elephant’s footprints make the deepest impressions of any animal, thinking about death makes the deepest impression on our minds. Confronting our own death or the death of others, we all feel the need for guidance and practical suggestions: how do we prepare ourselves for dying and what can we do to help ourselves or others when death is imminent?

The day long workshop, led by Hartmut Sagolla, will cover some of the many teachings Gelek Rimpoche has given on this topic, presenting the material in a very down-to-earth practical way. The workshop will include guided meditation as well as plenty of time for questions and discussion.

The workshop is open to all. A free-will offering will be gratefully accepted to benefit future Jewel Heart Programs.
Saturday, March 5, 11-1 pm and 2-4:30 pm We suggest bringing a brown bag lunch or food to share.

Vajrayana Salons

These informal discussion sessions are for those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation. They offer a chance for us to relax and discuss whatever we choose – our practice with its difficulties and delights or other topics – in a group of supportive sangha friends.

Sunday, March 13, 1-2:30 Suggested topic: Vajrayogini and whatever people would like to talk about
Sunday, April 10, 1-2:30 pm Topic to be announced

February Sangha Executive meeting

These bi-monthly (6 times a year) meetings are held to discuss and plan Jewel Heart Cleveland activities and consolidate information for the newsletter. Our officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, store manager, etc., as well as dharma coordinators and instructors) attend most meetings, but other sangha members (this means you!) are also invited to attend meetings and/or submit matters for the agenda to Sarah Ralston, our prez, sarah at kpphoto dot com.

The Feb. 23, 2016 meeting discussed finances, on-going and future programs, outreach and miscellaneous business. If you are interested in seeing a copy of the minutes, please contact Sarah at kpphoto dot com Our next meeting will be an all Sangha gathering on April 24 – see below.

Potluck and all Sangha Gathering Sunday April 24, 1 pm to 3ish
(or come at 11 am for Rimpoche’s broadcast)

Our December potluck/sangha gathering/meeting was successful in getting a number of views heard and proposals made, so we are scheduling another one on Sunday, April 24.

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 always welcome. 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. Our schedule is informal, but the potluck will begin around 1 pm, with discussion of Sangha activities beginning around 2. If you have anything you would like to have on the agenda, please contact Sarah at kpphoto dot com.

Monthly Lama Chopa and Vajrayogini Tsohs

Our Cleveland sangha is now offering tsoh around the 10th and 25th days of each Tibetan month. On the 10th (or Heruka) days we will do a Lama Chopa tsoh, which is open to all, and on the 25th Vajrayogini long sadhana with tsoh, which is restricted to those with Mother Tantra initiation. You are invited to bring an offering of fruit, bread or pastries
Friday, March 4, 7- 8:30 pm Vajrayogini Tson
Friday, March 18, 7-8 pm Lama Chopa Tsoh
Saturday, April 16, Lama Chopa Tsoh

Jewel Heart Study Program

Continuing class:

Guru Devotion: The Uncommon Teachings

This class is restricted to those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.
Required transcript: Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript Guru Devotion: How to Integrate the Primordial Enlightened Mind, The Uncommon Teachings
Instructors: Anne Warren, Susan Kirchner and other JH Cleveland instructors.
Resuming Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm. The schedule of dates and readings will be emailed to class attendees

Concentrated meditation practice evenings, Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm

This free weekly practice session offers Q&A or brief meditation instruction at 7:30 pm and two silent sittings. Beginners are welcome.
Led by Mike Sherman and others
Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm

Vajrayogini Self-Initiation Practice

All who have completed a Vajrayogini mantra retreat and fire puja are invited to join group practice of the self-initiation and tsoh on the first Sunday each month from 1-5 pm. These sessions will be in addition to our twice monthly tsohs.
NO PRACTICE March 6
Sunday, Apr. 3, 1-4 pm
Reading Group Scheduling to be discussed at all Sangha potluck/gathering on April 24

Other Jewel Heart Events:

LOVINGKINDNESS with Sharon Salzberg at Jewel Heart NY and Webinar
Wed, March 9, 7pm – 9pm

Metta is the Pali word for friendship or lovingkindness. It is taught as a meditation that cultivates our natural capacity for an open and loving heart. With its roots in practices said to be taught by the Buddha himself, metta is traditionally offered along with meditations that enrich compassion, joy in the happiness of others and equanimity. These practices lead to the development of concentration, fearlessness, happiness and a greater ability to love.

On Wednesday, March 9, Sharon Salzberg, co-founder of Insight Meditation and New York Times best-selling author, will introduce these teachings and support us in our own experience and cultivation of these qualities through direct instruction and guided meditation using classical techniques in a modern idiom.

Event fee: $25
$15 for Seniors and Students

For more information or to register , go to: http://www.jewelheart.org/events/lovingkindness-with-sharon-salzberg/

INDO-TIBETAN BUDDHIST ETHICS with Dr. Tom Yarnall

Dr. Tom Yarnall, Associate Research Scholar and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion at Columbia University in New York who specializes in Indo-Tibetan Buddhist Studies, will lead a four session course in Buddhist ethics to be held alternately at Tibet House and Jewel Heart NY on Tuesdays and Thursdays from April 5 – 14. The course will also be available through Livestream. The cost for the course is $95 with a 10% discount for Tibet House US members.

For information about the course or to register, go to: http://www.jewelheart.org/events/indo-tibetan-buddhist-ethics/

Cleveland Programs January – February 2016

Death and Dying Workshop, March 5

The workshop is open to all. A free-will offering will be gratefully accepted to benefit future Jewel Heart Programs.
Saturday, March 5, 11-1 pm and 2-4:30 pm We suggest bringing a brown bag lunch.

Heruka Yab-Yum Great Bliss Festival (aka Compulsory Tsohs)

January 4 and 19 are the two Tsoh days in 2016 that are mandatory for those who have taken any Mother Tantra initiation such as Heruka or Vajrayogini. Please bring your practice texts to the group practices; we may not have enough copies at the center for everyone.

On Monday, January 4, 7-11 pm, we have the opportunity to participate via webinar in doing a Vajrayogini self-initiation and tsoh. A group will meet at JH Cleveland but individuals can also sign in to webinar or do a Vajrayogini or Lama Chopa tsoh on their own.

Tuesday, January 19, 7-8:30 pm Lama Chopa tsoh at JH Cleveland for those not at retreat.

Vajrayana Salons

Sunday, Jan.10, 1-2:30 Suggested topic: Yamantaka and whatever people would like to talk about
Sunday, Feb. 14 , 1-2:30 pm Topic to be announced

Sangha Gathering Followup

On Dec. 27, Sangha members enjoyed a potluck lunch and lively discussion during the Sangha Council Executive Council meeting held following lunch. As a result of peoples’ suggestions the following actions will be added to our current schedule:

Add information to window sign to indicate that Jewel Heart is a Buddhist Center.
Death and Dying workshop – now scheduled for March 5 (see above).
Cleveland Dharma instructors to stay in touch with each other and meet several times a year.
Explore possibility of Welcome to Jewel Heart event/s to be followed by introductory level course in 2016 – to add your input or be a part of planning this, contact Dawn wegenek at att dot net or Sarah sarah at kpphoto dot com.
Explore possible changes to weekly schedule to accommodate instructor availability.
Hold similar ‘open forum’ meetings several times a year, and continue quarterly social events.

Sangha Council Exec Committee meetings

These bi-monthly (6 times a year) meetings are held to discuss and plan Jewel Heart Cleveland activities and consolidate informations for the newsletter. Our officers (president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, store manager, etc., as well as dharma coordinators and instructors) attend most meetings, but other sangha members (this means you!) are also invited to attend meetings and/or submit matters for the agenda to Sarah Ralston, our prez, sarah at kpphoto dot com.

The next meeting will be Tuesday, Feb. 23 from 5:30-6:30 pm

Monthly Lama Chopa and Vajrayogini Tsohs

Monday, Jan. 4, 7-11 pm Compulsory Tsoh for Mother Tantra practitioners, see note above
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 7-8:30 pm Compulsory Tsoh for Mother Tantra practitioners – Lama Chopa Tsoh
Wednesday, Feb. 3, Vajrayogini Tsoh, 7-8:30 pm
Dates and times for remaining February tsohs will be announced later

Jewel Heart Study Program

Continuing class:

Guru Devotion: The Uncommon Teachings

This class is restricted to those with Highest Yoga Tantra initiation.
Required transcript: Gelek Rimpoche’s transcript Guru Devotion: How to Integrate the Primordial Enlightened Mind, The Uncommon Teachings
Instructors: Anne Warren, Susan Kirchner and other JH Cleveland instructors.

Resuming Tuesday, January 5, 7-8:30 pm. The schedule of dates and readings will be emailed to class attendees.

Concentrated meditation practice evenings, Thursdays 7:30-8:30 pm

This free weekly practice session offers Q&A or brief meditation instruction at 7:30 pm and two silent sittings. Beginners are welcome.
Led by Mike Sherman and others

No meditation session on Jan. 21.

Vajrayogini Self-Initiation Practice

NO PRACTICE Jan. 3 due to compulsory tsoh on Jan. 4
Sunday, Feb. 7, 1-4 pm
Sunday, Mar. 6, 1-4 pm

Reading Group adjourned until March

The JH Cleveland reading group will meet again in March – watch for details in the next newsletter. We will be discussing Ethics for a New Millennium by HH the Dalai Lama.