Events

 

Login Info

The Zoom link will be provided upon registration and a reminder email will be sent out each week with the login info. Please note: Confirmation emails from Eventbrite often end up in spam/promotions tab. Please check there if you do not see the confirmation email with the Zoom info.

Tuition: Our intention is to make this workshop financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you.

If program costs present a financial barrier or you are interested in a stipend to offset the cost of childcare, please contact rachel@namchak.org.

Invite a friend! 

Sangha or community, is one of our favorite elements of the Buddhist path. That’s why we’re happy to share that when you register for the Stepping into Meditation and Community course, you can bring a friend, family member, or loved one to the course for free!

Upon registering for the course, you’ll receive a discount code via email for your guest to use for complimentary registration. They simply have to register for the course through our website and use the promotional code that you received in your email. We look forward to seeing you and your friend at our next course! Please email emily@namchak.org if you have any questions.

Course testimonial:

“Connecting with others who were, just like me, wanting to learn more about the Dharma, develop a daily practice, and be a part of something special has made this tumultuous and overly uncertain year a lot more enjoyable and gratifying. I loved the weekly conversations, the learning about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation methods, and the camaraderie that grew in spite of and because of our differences. I hold the greatest gratitude for Namchak for hosting these events and I’m looking forward to being a part of many more.” – Laura

“This is an awesome human experience. At the end of the course I could feel my difference and see amazing changes in others. A weekly session is so nice to keep the pace up. Rachel is extremely authentic and I can’t say enough about her professionalism and representation of Namchak’s philosophies.” – Sandy

About Rachel:

Rachel has been working with Namchak since 2017, serving on the Community Advisory Board before moving into her current position as the Community Steward. Before her role with Namchak, she worked as an educator in a variety of settings for over 15 years with elementary through college-aged students teaching English, Language Arts, dance, movement, mindfulness, and meditation. Her enthusiasm for teaching inspired her Education degree from Ithaca College, her Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University, as well as her training in various mindfulness and meditation programs over the years.

Her exposure to spiritual practice and Buddhism started at a young age from the inspiration of her mother and time spent in nature. It wasn’t until after college that Rachel attended her first Buddhist retreat, which completely changed the direction of her spiritual path. Since then, she has been studying the Dharma and considers herself a devoted Vajrayana Buddhist practitioner.

What students are saying about Rachel:

“Rachel was wonderful. Her calm and reassuring demeanor made for a perfect leader for this group. She was available and open to questions. Great job 👏 “- Amy

” This is an awesome human experience. Participants change in front of us. After 12 weeks, I could feel my difference & see amazing changes in others. A weekly session is so nice to keep the pace up. I did another 12-week session & felt a lot more comfortable with the material. All the students are people I want to know! Our presenter Rachel, is extremely authentic & is perfect in her career. I can’t say enough about her professionalism & representation of Namchak’s philosophies. She walks the talk as well as talks the walk. I am always happy to see her!” – Sandy

Our Community Commitments

In order to co-create a brave, inclusive, anti-oppressive, and learning-centered space, in our community, we each agree to:

• Be inclusive of diverse opinions and backgrounds through treating each other with respect and appreciation.
• Commit to words and actions of non-harm within our group interactions.
• Learn by immersing in and committing to the practices at hand.
• Hold personal sharing in confidence.
• Be present, practice mindful listening, and not offer unsolicited advice.
• Allow and invite for equal sharing of voices as well as the right to pass.
• Take care not to speak for others in the group.
• Assume good intent and come from a place of curiosity and care.
• Come as we are with permission to be “raggedy.”
• Be mindful of and take personal and collective responsibility for our own biases including the use of language that may “other,” “cancel,” or dehumanize any person, groups of people, and/or their experiences.
• Ask for consent before hugging or initiating physical contact during in-person gatherings.
• Use the “Ouch/Oops” tool to address hurtful comments and language in the moment and to allow space for repair.*

We aspire for this sangha to be a place of refuge

*Ouch/Oops . This is a tool for addressing hurtful comments/language in the moment. If someone says something hurtful, anyone can bring attention to it in the moment by saying “Ouch” and then explaining what was hurtful. If it is a word choice issue, be sure to give the first speaker the chance to rephrase and try again (remember, it’s okay to be raggedy, and we are all assuming good intent!) When someone says something that comes out wrong or hurts someone else, they should start with “Oops” – first, acknowledge the impact of their words, and then try again. This can also be done outside of the event if someone feels an “Ouch,” but does not feel comfortable sharing it with the group at that time. We aspire for this sangha to be a place of refuge.

 

Register