Foundations of Buddhist Practice: An Introductory Course in Training the Mind & Heart

With Emily Ballentine | Namchak Facilitator

September 15 - October 20, 2026

Date and Time Details: Tuesday, September 15 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026 9:00 am - 10:30 am MDT

Location: Online via Zoom

Contact: info@namchak.org

Tuition
  • Supported Online – $35.00
  • Suggested Online – $50.00
  • Sponsored Online – $75.00

Join us on Tuesday mornings for a 6-week online course to support cultivating a meditation practice and deepening a sense of community!

About This Course

Through inner exploration and engaging with community in reflection and discussion, you will learn accessible, time-tested Tibetan Buddhist practices and dharma teachings that will support you in awakening to deeper peace, happiness, and compassion in three spheres of engagement in your life: personal, community, and the world.

What You’ll Learn 

  • Week 1 (Sep 15): Course Overview, Intention Sharing & Community Foundations
  • Week 2 (Sep 22): Intro to Shamata Breath Practice & Four Noble Truths
  • Week 3 (Sep 29): Continue with Shamata Breath Practice & Four Noble Truths
  • Week 4 (Oct 6): Loving Kindness Practice Starting with Ourselves
  • Week 5 (Oct 13): Introduction to Tonglen- A Compassion Practice of Giving and Receiving
  • Week 6 (Oct 20): Engaged Bodhicitta: Exploring our Work in the World & Carrying the Gems Forward

Who Is This Course Suited For? 

  • If you’re new to meditation
  • Curious about or new to Buddhism
  • Wanting to create the habit of a daily meditation practice, supported by others doing the same
  • A more experienced Buddhist practitioner looking to meditate and contemplate the Dharma with others
  • Wanting to connect with the Namchak Sangha

Course Format & Login Info

  • We will meet for six consecutive 90-minute weekly sessions on Tuesdays. We will have participants joining online from all over the country (and possibly world!) for a sweet sangha experience.
  • The Zoom link for this course will be sent out in a confirmation email immediately following registration.
  • We encourage online participants to create an immersive and focused environment, free from distractions. Recordings of these teachings will be made available after each course session has ended. These recordings are shared with the intention of making the session content available to those who had a conflict that prevented them from attending live. 

Tuition

Our intention is to make this offering financially accessible to all, so we offer a tiered fee structure. Please choose whichever level works best for you. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds. If you would like to apply for financial assistance to attend this offering, please reach out to kmorris@namchak.org.

  • Supported – For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the course.
  • Suggested – For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
  • Sponsored – For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others.

Tuition Options

  • Supported Online -$35
  • Suggested Online -$50
  • Sponsored Online -$75

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 Foundations of Buddhist Practice 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 kmorris@namchak.org if you have any questions.

About the Guide

Emily Ballentine | Namchak Facilitator

Emily has been part of the Namchak family since 2018, dedicating her heart and skills to building community and supporting students’ meditation journeys. As our Community Engagement and Programming Specialist, Emily brings her passion for connection and her rich background in mental health to every Namchak offering. With a degree in Psychology and experience researching […]

Learn more about Emily Ballentine | Namchak Facilitator

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