Sundays
3:00PM - 4:30PM
In Person and Online via Zoom
On Sunday afternoons Long Beach Meditation offers meditation practice and a Dharma Talk by one of our established Teachers and on special occasions invited guests. This class invites participants to find support, guidance, and the energy to do the challenging work of awakening. After a welcoming introduction, the bell is rung to begin our 30-minute meditation. There is a short break to stretch our legs, use the restroom, have a cup of tea, and chat with others. Returning to our seats, the remaining time allows for a Dharma Talk followed by discussion and questions and answers. We concluded with a brief metta chant for those who would like to join:
May all beings be happy and safe from harm.
May all beings be healthy in body and in mind.
May all beings be peaceful and free from suffering.
This class is suitable for all levels of experience and is held both in person and online. All are welcome and no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Special Series From April 27th to June 29th: The Ten Perfections
The Ten Perfections are qualities of heart and mind that cultivate wisdom, compassion, and freedom on the path of awakening. Deeply rooted in our Buddhist tradition, these virtues—Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, Wisdom, Energy, Patience, Truthfulness, Determination, Loving kindness, and Equanimity—offer practical guidance for living with greater integrity and clarity.
In this Sunday series, held over ten consecutive Sundays from April 27th to June 29th, we will explore each perfection, reflecting on how these qualities can be nurtured in daily life. Through teachings and discussion, we will see how practicing the perfections can serve as both the seed and the fruit of realization, gradually transforming how we relate to ourselves and the world. Join at any time!
April 27th - Generosity - Jokai Blackwell Roshi
The Perfection of Generosity forms the foundation for cultivating wholesome virtues. Our practice begins with a commitment to generosity, which benefits both the giver and the receiver. Through the transcendence of our greed and self-centeredness, we gain access to a deeper awareness, where giver and receiver are not separate. Awareness is in itself generosity.
May 4th - Morality - Tim Colohan JDPSN
Morality, the Shila Paramita, aka the "Perfection of Precepts," is an intimate connection to our thought, speech and actions through mindfulness practices. Unlike a morality or moral authority from the top down which can be used to oppress people, control their bodies and wage wars, this is a loving wisdom which springs up spontaneously when we remove our hindrances.
We embody this perfection by using mindfulness practices to protect our body, mind, family and society. This is an act of love for the world. Supported by those before us, each other now, and a sense of humor about our failures, we carry it on lifetime after lifetime.
May 11th - Renunciation - Franz Manfredi
For many of us renunciation can suggest giving up something we want, or maybe worse, getting something we don’t want and being satisfied with that. At the very least it probably evokes the more stern and disciplinary aspects of the Path. But, looking deeply into this Paramita and its spiritual applications, we may find a doorway into the true freedom we actually desire.
May 18th (ONLINE ONLY) - Wisdom - Jokai Blackwell Roshi
True wisdom is far more than intellectual understanding. Through meditation, we develop direct, experiential insight into the nature of reality. Going beyond concepts, wisdom cuts through delusion by revealing the conditioned nature of all things, illuminating our attachment and aversion. This deep understanding of interdependence and our place in the world naturally gives rise to compassion.
May 25th - Energy - Rosamaría Segura
The Buddha invites us to look into how we use our energy to bring awareness to the qualities of mind that accompany our effort. Are we rushing, striving, resisting? Or are we moving with presence, clarity, and care?
While wisdom shows us the way, guiding us to discern what is skillful and true, energy gives us the strength and resolve to walk that path, transforming intention into action. When these two qualities come into balance, we can cultivate a steady, compassionate, and insightful effort that supports the unfolding of awakening.
June 1st - Patience - Robert Lurye
The Perfection of Patience begins by recognizing a yearning for things to be different than they actually are. As we learn to face impatience with deeper awareness, we can transform resistance and reactivity into clarity, equanimity, and compassionate action.
Through practices that include Right Effort, we can learn to face dissatisfaction without aversion, without grasping for temporary relief or yielding to habitual cravings. Instead, we can cultivate an inner shift to meet suffering with calmer presence and an open heart, embracing non-striving, allowing moments to unfold naturally with Patience.
June 8th - Truthfulness - Brad Gibson
Truthfulness is the discovery of what is true. It is the cultivation of wise mindfulness and speech. It lends itself to a sense of inner calm and purity, and peace. Through practice we discover a truth that is deeper than our thoughts, ideas, and beliefs.
June 15th - Determination - Tim Colohan JDPSN
The Virya paramita, determination is sometimes translated as diligence, energy, or perseverance. In Zen we might say "wholehearted practice." What is the right amount of effort? Does our sense of determination come from our small "I, my, me" or from our true self? Are they even separate?
If we can control our mind from moment to moment then it is possible to change our lives, and prevent our live from being an automatic product of our karma. The practice of the paramitas is the practice of our daily lives.
June 22nd - Loving Kindness - Jampa Kalsang
Loving-kindness, metta, is the cultivation and perfection of an all-embracing attitude or state of mind that is imbued with love, goodwill, and friendliness towards all beings, without bias. An attitude with which we can work to selflessly bring about the well-being and happiness of others and a step or path, to ultimately actualize our own true nature.
June 29th - Equanimity - Jokai Blackwell Roshi
Equanimity is the manifest expression of a deeply developed spiritual practice. By following in the footsteps of countless generations of Dharma practitioners dedicated to the Perfections, we can awaken to the freedom and peace of our true, original nature for the benefit of all.
Cost: Suggested donation of $20 to help keep our doors open, compensate our teachers, and make classes available for those who cannot afford them. No one is turned away for lack of funds. If you would like to join us in this practice of dana or generosity, please consider contributing:
In-Person Information
Location: We meet in the Gabrielson Chapel of Bay Shore Church on The Toledo and Granada in Belmont Shore. This space is ADA Accessible, LGBTQ+ welcoming, and there are gender neutral restrooms.
Bay Shore Church
5100 E. The Toledo
Long Beach, CA 90803
The doors will close promptly at the start of the program. We recommend arriving 5-10 minutes early to make tea if you prefer and get settled. Upon entry we ask that you silence your devices. If you arrive after the start of the program, please knock and we will happily open the door for you.
Parking: There is a free lot across Granada Ave. There is free public parking available except from noon Saturday through noon Sunday. Street parking is also available. Please observe all parking signs.
Equipment: We have different styles of zafus (firm sitting cushions), zabutons (floor mats), benches and comfortable chairs on hand.
Please: Do not wear scented perfumes and fragrances as others may have allergies.
Questions: Email us at info@longbeachmeditation.org
Zoom Connection Information
We welcome you to join us via Zoom. Please use the connection details below.
Join Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9014566014
Meeting ID: 901 456 6014
Password: 042020
Dial in on your phone (Voice only) +1 669 900 9128
One tap mobile +16699009128,,9014566014#