IN THE TEMPLE: Wednesdays 7 – 8:30pm

Ending Bad Habits, Creating Inner Change

April 16 - May 21

We all want to change. We all want to become better people. 

Often our approach to ending bad habits and creating inner change doesn't work because it is based in internal conflict. When we hear the teachings of Buddha, we so desperately want to change and start to embody the beautiful ideals of universal compassion, wisdom, loving kindness, inner peace, and freedom from anger, that Buddha taught. However, in doing so we come up against our own inner negativities that weigh us down - we are like birds trying to fly that have stones tied to their legs. Therefore we feel conflicted and frustrated.

These negativities may be in the form of simple bad habits like mindless physical and verbal behavior that causes us to shoot ourselves in the foot as soon as we start to make some progress. Or they may be in the form of deeper ingrained habits of mind that really hold us back - deep ingrained anger, spiritual laziness, uncontrolled desire, self-centered patterns of thinking, or a habitually scattered, distracted, and stressed out mind.

We have within us a great inner strength and power to change. We simply need to tap into this so that our efforts for inner transformation come from this deep inner power rather than inner conflict. This quiet inner strength is a power that we can tap into everyday and is totally indomitable. When combined with a few other spiritual techniques alongside receiving blessings and the power of prayer nothing can stand in our way. We become spiritually bulletproof!

Buddha taught us how to develop this ability through cultivating the Five Forces. These are:
– The force of motivation
– The force of familiarity
– The force of white seed
– The force of destruction
– The force of aspirational prayer

During this series we will explore in an extremely practical and accessible manner how we can use these techniques to bring about real change in our life whilst living in contemporary society.

April 16: First gain clarity 
April 23: Tap into your Great Inner Strength 
April 30: The Power of Small Wins and Meditative Transformations
May 7: Creating Positive Energy 
May 14: A Powerful Technique to Eliminate Bad Habits and Negative Behaviors 
May 21: The Power of Prayer in Inner Transformation

No Class May 28 Due to Spring Festival or June 4 Due to Offering Our Faith Retreat

Transforming Difficult times Into Inner Strength


June 11 - July 16
We do not have to accept our old patterns of thinking. Buddhist “Training the Mind” or “Lojong” teachings have been beloved for a thousand years. They offer an elegant, potent way to shift one’s perspective and respond to the challenges of life productively and courageously.

In this series, we will explore a step-by-step method for growing our good heart, enhancing our acceptance of things we cannot control, and using life's conflicts to our advantage. Our usual coping mechanisms of dealing with stress and difficulty may provide a temporary reprieve from our discomfort, but they’re not a lasting solution. We’re left fighting a battle day after day, week after week—stuck in the same stressed-out loops.

Through training the mind, we can build real resilience. We can feel balanced in the face of adversity, and, over time, thrive in even the most unpredictable conditions. Everyone welcome!

No Class June 25 Due to The Emptiness of Change: An Ocean of Nectar Silent Retreat


Teacher: Gen Samten Kelsang

Resident Teacher of KMC New York: One of Venerable Geshe-la’s senior disciples, Gen Samten Kelsang oversees the spiritual program at KMC New York, and teaches throughout the US and around the world. Having engaged in a three-year meditation retreat, he is renowned for the clarity of his teachings, ability to help students improve their practice, and skill in leading practitioners to profound meditative insights.


SHARE A MEAL WITH US! Enjoy a delicious meal with our residential community, including ordained Buddhist monks and nuns, and other class attendees and enjoy meaningful conversations with like-minded people. Our self-serve, vegetarian meals are lovingly cooked by volunteers, and include a main dish, side dish and green salad. We use fresh and local products as much as possible and vegan/wheat-free options are available.

Class: 7 – 8:30pm | $10 | Free for Members
Dinner:
6 – 6:45pm | $10
Pre-Booked Class & Dinner: $16 (must register at least 24 hours in advance)