(USED FOR TESTING) Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation
January 1 - 2, 2025
Online
Date and Time Details: Introduction to Calm Abiding is a four-week course on Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026. This hybrid course is offered at the downtown Missoula location or on Zoom from 5:30-7:00 PM (MST).
Location: Hybrid
Address: 250 Station Drive floor 2, Missoula, MT 59801
Contact: Information Inquiry
info@namchak.org
406-541-3000
Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation: This four-part hybrid course helps cultivate habits of seeing and relating to our own inner and outer worlds in a new way that brings us comfort and ease.
- $50.00 – Supported — For those with limited financial resources who will benefit from participating in the retreat. This reduced fee will be supplemented by the community.
- $75.00 – Suggested — For those with sufficient financial resources who can pay for the experience without difficulty.
- $100.00 – Sponsored — For those with the financial resources and the desire to support access for others interested in this course.
Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation — Learn to reduce stress and anxiety while gaining a deeper understanding of your mind.
About the Course
Cultivate a calm and peaceful state of mind
Our minds work from the moment we wake up until we fall asleep. How familiar are we with what’s actually happening in our minds? And how attached are we to the stories that our minds create?
When our minds are untrained, we are likely to experience stress. By gently familiarizing ourselves with our mental patterns, we can uncover and rest in the peaceful state that is always present.
The four-part hybrid course helps cultivate habits of seeing and relating to our own inner and outer worlds in a new way that brings us comfort and ease.
What You’ll Learn
A more peaceful and compassionate state of mind exists.
- Explanations of various kinds of meditations and the specific role of Calm Abiding.
- In-depth instructions and discussions on preparing to meditate.
- Step-by-step Calm Abiding guidance and practice sessions.
- Practical advice for bringing meditation into daily life.
What You’ll Experience
Your Weekly Schedule
We will meet for four consecutive weeks. Each session will last 90 minutes and blends short instruction periods with multiple brief meditation sessions.
Who is this course for?
- People who are curious about meditation.
- Experienced meditators who want to refresh their Calm Abiding practice.
- Those who attended “Stepping into Meditation and Community” and want to learn more about Calm Abiding or deepen their practice.
- Anyone with some experience meditating and who wants instruction from a teacher.
- Those who want to learn a specific technique of meditation that they can continue after the class.
- Those who are interested in our Walking the Path program.
FAQS
What else should I know?
Do I need to be a practicing Buddhist to take this course?
No, no experience is required.
If I am attending in person, what do I bring?
Wear comfortable clothes for meditation and bring a small notebook and a pen.
Is previous meditation experience required to take this course?
No, anyone is welcome to join, from beginners to advanced meditators.
If I miss class, will I have access to the recording?
Yes, recordings will be sent out within a couple of days after each teaching.
Will there be time to meditate together?
Yes, the class is divided into small instructions interspersed with group meditations.
Is Calm Abiding the same as mindfulness?
No, but mindfulness and mindfulness meditation have many different interpretations. Often, mindfulness meditation means “nonjudgmental, open awareness,” which is different from Calm Abiding, a kind of concentration meditation used to bring the mind to a state of focused rest.
Is Calm Abiding the same as Vipassana?
No, in the Tibetan tradition, Calm Abiding is the foundation of Vipassana. Vipassana is insight meditation, and Calm Abiding prepares the mind to gain that insight by focusing and stabilizing it.
What are the benefits of Calm Abiding meditation?
Calm Abiding brings your mind’s scattered and distracted energy into focus so that you may focus on one thing calmly and peacefully. The benefits include gaining a general sense of calm, an ability to focus on the task at hand, a feeling of mentally slowing down and seeing your thoughts more clearly. The traditional and foremost benefit is that Calm Abiding prepares the mind for more advanced levels of meditation.
What is the difference between the Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation and Stepping into Meditation and Community?
Introduction to Calm Abiding is a four-week program that focuses on practicing Calm Abiding. Justin Kirkwood leads each course session and offers a blend of teaching instruction and meditation practice.
Stepping into Meditation and Community is a six-week program that introduces various practices, including Calm Abiding, Tonglen or Compassion meditation, and Loving Kindness practice. Led by a facilitator, each live session blends teaching and community discussion. Students spend time meditating during each session.
Take your next step
Inner transformation awaits
Category : Introduction to Calm Abiding Meditation