This class will lead beginning and experienced meditators through the tenets of Buddhist teachings, history and tradition. The aim is to provide students with a basic overview and grounding in Buddhist teachings that will help deepen their meditation practice. Topics include: The life of the Buddha, benefits of meditation (why meditate?), examination of taking refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, introduction to basic Pali terms, and introduction to the four foundations of mindfulness. Each class will include a Guided Meditation.

When: April 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 7:00 - 8:15 PM
Teacher: Jason Murphy
Registration: Not Required
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

Join us for the annual Vipassana Santa Cruz Retreat at Land of the Medicine Buddha.

Mindfulness meditation is a simple technique offered by the Buddha for awakening the mind and heart. This retreat will be a time of silence, with periods of sitting and walking practice, and formal presentations. It will be suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Click here to download the Retreat brochure for more information and the registration form.

Adobe Reader is required to view these forms and can be downloaded from the Adobe web site.

When: Wednesday May 21, 3:30 PM - Monday May 26 after lunch
Teachers: Mary Grace Orr, Bob Stahl, Carla Brennan
Cost: $410 - $510, teaching is supported by dana at the end of the retreat.
Registration: Required, See the Brochure for registration information. A completed release form is also required and can be downloaded here.
Contact: Carol Van Den Bos, by phone: 831-763-2724 or email:
Location: Land of the Medicine Buddha, Soquel, CA.

As we walk upon the journey of life, unexpected things happen and we may need the help and support of our community. We will begin to learn the following skills:

When: May 31 (9:30 – 4:30)
Teachers: Bob Stahl and Jan Landry (Hospice Chaplain and Nurse).
Registration: Please email or call (831) 469-3338.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

"The world may quarrel with me, but I do not quarrel with the world." - the Buddha

What would it be like to live without contention, to experience life without demanding that it be otherwise, to care for others' well being without needing them to fulfill our wishes or desires?

In this 6 week course, we will practice metta through sitting, walking, chanting, reading and sharing experience. Metta is open and appropriate for those new or experienced. The book Loving Kindness, by Sharon Salzberg will be used.

When: Wednesday nights (6:30 - 8:30): 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/28, and 6/4
Teacher: Jill Hyman
Registration: Registration requested. No new students after the second class. Please call Jill Hyman at 408-353-3177, or email at
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

On this evening, we will celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. All activities will be planned with the entire family in mind, so please bring your children!

5:30: Potluck dinner. Please bring vegetarian food to share!
7:00: We will have our usual silent sitting meditation for adults and we will also have a period of walking meditation especially for children. This time will be followed by a period of Dharma talk, stories, discussion and ritual-- children will be most welcome the entire time!l

In addition to your food to share, please bring your favorite Buddha image as well as candles and flowers for a ritual gifting of the Buddha.

When: June 5 5:30 – 8:30 PM
Teachers: Mary Grace Orr
Registration: Not Required
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

The Buddha said craving is the cause of suffering. Twelve Step programs work with the deepest forms of craving. How can these two traditions come together to deepen our spiritual life?

Through a combination of traditional and contemporary Buddhist meditation practices, interactive exercises, talks, and discussion, we will explore the ways that Buddhism and the Steps complement each other.

The day is open to all those interested. You need not be in a Twelve Step program, nor have a background in Buddhist meditation. The day will include introductory meditation instructions. Beginners are welcome.

When: June 8, 10:30 - 5:30
Registration: email Jason at jasmurph40@gmail.com
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.
Teachers: Kevin Griffin and Jason Murphy

Kevin Griffin is the author of "One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps" (Rodale Press 2004) and is one of the leaders of the mindful recovery movement. A longtime Buddhist practitioner and Twelve Step participant, he teaches nationally on the synthesis of these two traditions.

Jason Murphy has been practicing meditation for 17 years. He is a teacher and counselor who has been working with youth and families for the past 15 years. He is a certified addictions counselor. Jason has taught mindful awareness in a variety of settings and now leads a weekly Mindfulness group for young adults in Santa Cruz.

A Day of Meditation for Deepening Concentration, Mindfulness and Insight:

Concentration and mindfulness are two important qualities developed in Vipassana meditation. Concentration and mindfulness are often taught as separate practices, and though they can be approached as distinct practices, the Buddha emphasized the importance of developing both together, as different aspects of a single practice.

In this day of silent sitting and walking meditation and talks, we will explore methods that integrate concentration and mindfulness into one practice, strengthening both together, leading to deep states of peace, clarity and insight.

Richard Shankman has been a meditator since 1970 and teaches regularly at dharma centers and groups throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Richard has been active in bringing meditation and dharma to prisons and schools, and is a co-founder of the Sati Center for Buddhist Studies and the Community Partnership for Mindfulness in Education. Richard is the author of a forthcoming book "The Experience of Samadhi: An In-Depth Investigation of Buddhist Meditation" to be published by Shambhala Publications in December.

When: June 21 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Teachers: Richard Shankman
Registration: Not Required
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

During this daylong we will spend periods of silent sitting and walking meditation, interspersed with talks and discussion examining issues of special interest to men, especially in the context of dharma practice.

How do we relate to our roles and expectations from family, partners, and society? How do we deal and practice with sexuality, money and power? How do we relate to dharma qualities such as love and compassion, which may be viewed by society as soft or weak?

Using both small and large groups, we will explore challenges we may experience and share together what it means to be a "spiritual" man in our culture and in dharma practice.

When: July 12 (9:30 – 4:30)
Teachers: Bob Stahl Dan Landry Bruce Hyman
Registration: Please email or call (831) 469-3338.
Cost: There is no charge, dana accepted.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.

Online Course with James Baraz. Monthly group meeting with Carla Brennan.

The principles of this course are universal, although much of the material includes Buddhist philosophy drawn from James Baraz's 29 years as a Vipassana meditation teacher. Three of these principles that work together are at the heart of the program:

1. Developing and increasing wholesome states

2. Focusing on gladness that arises with wholesome states

3. Inclining the mind toward wholesome states

MONTHLY THEMES ONLINE: There is a presentation on a theme for the month, along with meditations and experiential exercises. All participants will receive access to the letters describing the monthly themes and practices via email. Click here to go the Awakening Joy website for more information or to sign up for the class.

MONTHLY GROUP MEETING. We will meet each month to practice the suggested meditations together and to discuss the readings and ideas from the online course. The purpose of this group is to bring more clarity, support and inspiration to the process of awakening joy.

When: Tuesdays, 5-7 pm, 2/26, 3/18, 4/22, 5/20, 6/17, 7/22, 8/26, 9/23, 10/21, 11/18
Teachers: James Baraz, Carla Brennan
Cost: The suggested course fee is $250,although you can pay what you wish. The monthly group is on a dana basis.
Registration: Registration Required. You must sign up for the course online with James Baraz AND register with Carla for the in-person monthly group. Click here to go the Awakening Joy website to sign up for the course.
Contact: Carla Brennan 831-336-0136 or email
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz,1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA

We are happy to announce a very special and rare opportunity to practice the Thirty-Two Parts of the Body meditation that is being offered by Vipassana Santa Cruz. In the Buddhist tradition, this mediation practice takes 33 weeks to complete.

This meditation was introduced to the west by the late Taungpulu Kaba-Aye Sayadaw of Burma who said: "This meditation is one of the most eminent among all Satipatthanas. The meditation on the Body is unlike any other kind of meditation. It is brought to light and taught only in the times when the Buddhas arise."

The methodical practice of the Thirty-two Parts of the Body Meditation can help one penetrate and understand the true nature of the body. To see impermanence and comprehend that the body is made from the four primary elements of earth (solidity), air (motion), fire (temperature), and water (liquidity). This methodical practice of the Thirty-two Parts of the Body Meditation can build immense levels of concentration, potentialities for healing, and experience the taste of deep freedom and peace.

What is said about the benefits of practicing the 32 Parts of the Body Meditation?

When: Every Friday Morning, Oct. 19 – June 20, 2008 (10:00 – 12:00) NOTE: No classes on Nov. 23 and Dec. 28
Teacher: Bob Stahl.
Prerequisites for taking this Class: This practice is for serious students of mindfulness meditation that are able to keep the multi-month commitment to practice. It is recommended to come as many of the weekly classes as possible.
Registration: Please email or call (831) 469-3338.
Cost: According to the Buddhist tradition, the teachings of the Dhamma are priceless; therefore one is welcome to make an offering that is suitable for their means. No one will be turned away.
Location: Vipassana Santa Cruz, 1010 Fair Ave, Santa Cruz, CA.