SFZC practitioners are friendly and serious about the practice. The teachings here are excellent…read moreand have helped in my spiritual exploration. Also the food is delicious.

Sexual harassment, psychological abuse, negligence, dishonesty, and poor ethics. Please please…read morebeware if you are looking for something real. They are not unbiased, are prone to dangerously self-interested thinking, and lack integrity. Unfriendly to meditation practice that is not thoroughly dominated by their teachers, who are less equipped than they want you to think. Very manipulation-prone and small-minded community - you are likely to be scapegoated and abused if you are internally healthier than the people who are running things. They will take any opportunity to gaslight you into hating yourself and doubting your sanity, if you aren't insecure enough. A few bright spots but not enough to assuage the aggressive onslaught of egotism and brutality from a few genuinely unstable people who want to run the show and mimic wisdom without embodying or truly respecting it. They have a hard time listening when it matters - will aggressively force you into sharing more of yourself than you want or feel comfortable with in order to exploit and dominate you. They will not tell you they're doing this. Serious narcissism and cult dynamics. They equate wisdom with social power, which is why they're so threatened by anyone who seems to possess any - because it could meaningfully topple their own place in a hierarchy they've built their sense of self on. They will do this with new students who mean no harm. Do not come with faith in their ability to wield power well - the staff and teachers abuse it, and they give you no options for dialogue, after claims that you're the problem to imagine that they don't. Please watch out for triangulation dynamics. Very very toxic, and it's baked in, so it's hard to avoid even if you just want to sit, work, and enjoy the beautiful setting - if you appear to have any openness to people, or if you unintentionally trigger them for any reason - for being too peaceful - they will draw you into intensely toxic dynamics you have no interest in, then blame you for their unhealed parts. These are the staff and teachers who do this - everyone here generally needs real therapy and a reality check, and you'll know because if you are sane, they will tell you you're the problem. The role of the scapegoat is to absorb and express the toxic dynamics in the environment - if I'm saying it, it's happened, and if they don't "see" it, it's because part of the toxicity is in their giving their dysfunction over to me. The abusive mechanism is to blame the one who holds the trauma - the messenger - and absolve true perpetrators of emotional responsibility - which plays into patterns of avoidance and manipulation others may also be prone to. Scapegoating is possible because of the amount of people benefiting from it, who choose to Dorian Gray their suffering instead of dealing with it. It is abusive and dysfunctional, not wise. This message is for anyone who may be seeking true refuge and who doesn't want to fall prey to toxic spiritual communities. My experience here was about 10 months cumulative in residence, ongoing close contact with a teacher, and friendships with others who have spent time in residence. Be very very wary of their ability to treat you well. Sexual assaults and suicides committed in residence, probably more than I know, without care for victims or meaningful resolution. There is something wrong here, and they work hard to cover it up - do not give them the benefit of the doubt and end up psychologically brutalized like I did. I came here at 25 on multiple recommendations, from a trusted friend and from my therapist, and I was immediately roped into their problems without mercy. I was sexually aggressed and assaulted as a new guest student, in 2019, and a good friend killed herself last spring after spending time here in residence - she may have been in residence at the time. They will not communicate with me about either of these events, following aggravated attempts on their part to get me to open up, be vulnerable with, and talk to them. If you have anything going for you, do not come here. They want to be able to eat your soul.

I've tried a few meditation practices. I found this one to be flat on my expectations. You're asked…read moreto give a donation based on income. I donated 1k and when I arrived the mediation coach was warm and friendly but she complained to me about the fact that she knows how much people make and that their donations don't reflect that. I found that strange to share. I wouldn't recommend this place - there are so many others in SF that are more effective imo.

Jane and Brett are wonderful teachers. I had heard about TM before and finally decided to try it…read morebecause I'd read that there are studies that show it can help with high blood pressure and anxiety. I'm always a skeptic but I figured it couldn't hurt! The cost of the program is not low, but I appreciate that they are very upfront about it (no hidden fees or add ons or upsells - just one course fee) and it does scale with income. No one has asked me to pay for anything since then and I'm always welcomed back for group check ins or meditations. About a month in, other people have already noticed positive changes in my mood and general anxiety. I also really enjoy the meditation sessions. And for what it's worth (small sample size, I know) my blood pressure is down about 8-10 points on average. The training was absolutely worthwhile for me. I'm really glad I decided to start doing TM and I highly recommend Brett and Jane as instructors.

James teaches you a way to find consistent peace and inner happiness in your life. He helps…read moreintegrate meditation into your daily life (I still meditate twice a day after taking his Vedic Meditation course two years ago). The practice has helped me have a calm mind and live life in HD with a higher level of presence ... life flows, music sounds better, I appreciate the details of nature more. I feel very lucky that I took James' course and I hope you will too!

I like to describe James' teaching process as "mindfulness for the modern world". He focuses on the…read morehuman aspects of learning to meditate rather than the rigid, dogmatic approaches that are often put forward by focus-based meditation practices and even some of the mindfulness apps. The key differences are twofold: flexibility and ease. Learning skills through meditation that can be applied to everyday life helping to embrace change with poise and grace. And the practice itself is effortless and sustainably stress alleviating. If you're interested in mindfulness or already practicing and ready to accelerate progress, joining one of James' courses or events is a recommended next step.

I said that I am trying to get into Buddhism now. Since I live in SF, this is possible because…read moreBuddhism is favorable in this kind of big city. Kadampa is suitable for me. I had been calling to ask about their events. I decided to spend a good portion of my day today at Kadampa. First they had a meeting at 5:30pm called "Heart Jewel Puja." This is the description: By engaging in the Guru Yoga practiced in conjunction with Je Tsongkhapa we can purify negativity, accumulate merit, receive blessings, and attain a very special compassion, wisdom, and spiritual strength....This involved silent meditation and some prayer that I didn't understand. You look toward the buddha. There were two people at this event other than me. After that, I stepped out of the building to walk around Valencia. I came back for the Happy Hour event. A Buddhist nun who works at the center made some nice slider sandwiches with pesto, cheese, and tomato. And there were some sweet potato chips, drinks, etc. It was a nice snack and you could meet some others. After the Happy Hour(6:45pm), there was "Drop-in Class with Gen Kelsang Choma." This went from 7:15pm-8:30pm. It felt like an extended period of time. It's interesting what can stretch an hour of your life. This is described: "Our Tuesday evening drop-in meditation classes provide a basic introduction to Buddhist teachings and meditation that are suitable for beginners and experienced meditators. Each month we explore a new topic from Buddha's teachings and learn how to practically apply it in our daily lives." Basically, this is where you have a Buddhist preacher give a sermon about living life with Buddhist philosophy. Buddhists like love and kindness. Buddhists believe we need to relieve ourselves of jealousy and negativity. We need to find relationships we enjoy with people, so that we are not feeling lonely. Buddhists have basic lessons and I listened to this preaching today. The center seems to be run by older women who have gray, short hair and they wear Buddhist robes. The founder is from Tibet, but this western Buddhist. Most people were white and there was a nice black lady who has a family in Berkeley...and then there was me. It was for liberals. After that, I went home by taking the Muni bus #22 and before I took the bus, I stopped in at Manny's and there was a meeting by leftists who were talking about climate change and reform...something like that. So that is my day in San Francisco, CA. I am at home with my parents now. Good night.

Very lovely and welcoming community. The Buddhist teachings and meditations are very practical and…read morehelpful for daily life. They have certainly changed my life for the better. The center is very beautiful and peaceful and they offer many different classes for all levels. Highly recommend checking it out.

I've been attending classes at Anchor for several months now, and cannot recommend the studio and…read moreits teachers enough. They offer a variety of different classes, which are both welcoming to beginners and helpful for more advanced students looking to deepen their practice. What makes Anchor truly special, however, is the openness and love of its community. It's a one-of-a-kind place. Definitely take a class or sign up for a workshop or training if you're considering it - it will probably be one of the best things you do for yourself this year.

I miss Anchor so much! It had such an impact on my life when I was living in San Francisco. I…read moreeven bought one of the comfy beds and I'm searching for them again if anyone knows where I can buy them? I bought it back in 2021 and don't have records of where. Sand is amazing!

They have many different weekly meditation groups to choose from, as well as special events. The…read morestaff/volunteers are friendly and welcoming. And the space itself is comfortable and calming.

Some of the groups are really well facilitated.... Wonderful offerings and I recommend keep…read moreexploring until you find a group you resonate with

Looking for lunchtime meditation in the FiDi? This is it…read more All meditation at WITHIN is lead, and the teachers vary quite a bit in their style. Still, I'm always glad I've gone when I walk out of there. Devon is my preferred teacher by a mile. Classes appear to be made up of folks who are relatively new to mediation, and in need of a break from their office jobs, with the occasional serious devotee thrown in the mix. You don't need to bring anything, or wear anything special. Just show up.

Love, love, love WITHIN Meditation! I come here through Satori Yoga Studio - I bought an "Urban…read moreYogi" package ($69/month) that includes 4 classes/month and unlimited meditation. Funnily enough, I ended up using the meditation way more than the yoga - because it helped me so much! Meditation is guided (though there are silent classes as well), and instructors vary in their style. Devon seems to be the most popular, but the others are great also - I've never had a bad experience. I regularly try to go to sessions with Renee on Thursday afternoon, where she offers a special, personal element I haven't felt elsewhere. I've tried meditation on my own and nothing seemed to "click" until WITHIN - the supportive instructors (and fellow students) makes a HUGE difference. Before and after each class, we talk about our practice and the reasons we're in the class. People come for all sorts of reasons - work anxiety, stress around having a baby, looking for clarity on major life decisions. There's no pressure to share (as a Yelper, you may guess I'm one of the more vocal ones), but sharing is a key element that makes WITHIN so valuable to me - Devon once tailored a class to me because I was the only one who shared about having work anxiety! Renee has chatted with me after class about work, relationships, and meditation - and has become a key voice in my life. I feel very fortunate that I found WITHIN. In hectic San Francisco, it's often difficult to find a healing place of refuge. I highly recommend it!

I've tried many other meditation practices, so many apps, and videos but Quiet Path Meditation has…read moremade the most profound and lasting changes for me. What's even better is it's easy. The other practices I've tried felt like the minutes were dragging on, but QPM feels like the most restful vacation I've had, then suddenly the 20 minutes is up. Sometimes it feels like time sped up or disappeared because it's such a restful practice. It's a brilliant way to reset twice a day and get centered. I'm very thankful to have found Paul and learn from him. I took his virtual course and found him to be an excellent and generous teacher. His deep care for his students and desire for us to heal is very motivating and life-affirming.

I have been practicing Pauls QuietPath of Meditation for about 3 years now, Its a simple, natural,…read moreeffortless technique practiced twice a day while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. This technique allows my active mind to easily settel inward, through quieter levels of thought, until i experience the most sielent and peaceful level in my own awarness thanks Paul your the best.

The business actually belongs to the Kong Chow Benevolent Association…read more Growing up in Chinatown, I learned a lot of things in my childhood years from my parents who owned a business in the neighborhood. My father was particularly active in this association as well as the related Bo On Tong. Besides the political groups, family associations, and provincial associations, new immigrants found their comfort zones in joining these and making friends and business contacts in starting their life in a foreign country; it was particularly challenging for those who did not speak a word of English. These men, as it was a very sexist culture in those days, found refuge with people who shared their political views, spoke their dialect of Chinese, or came from the same districts or villages. Kong Chow mainly serves immigrants from the greater Guangzhou (Canton) area and its neighboring districts (Toishan, Chung Shan, Jiang Men, and my dad's Sun Wui). This association has changed over the years with mainly only members living in Chinatown being here on a regular basis. There is a shrine on the upper floor the building, a memorial to members who passed over the years. To get a spot for a memorial, one must make a donation to the association. I learned of this after ordering a plaque for my late father a couple years ago. The association also has its own memorial park in Colma but I am not sure they are still offering plots and the site is pretty well filled now. During the Spring memorial holiday, flocks of family will come to the memorial park for picnics, either family only or along with the family associations. Remains to be seen how this will go this year on April 4th. This association also used to host annual banquets as a fundraising source as well as a community reunion for its members. Needless to say, it's been a while since the last event which used to be held at one of the few remaining banquet hall restaurants in Chinatown (see Far East Cafe and New Asia Restaurant - one is struggling to survive and the other is now a converted supermarket). Let's hope and pray that the pandemic is closer to its end than start and the community can restore its life like before. After all, if we lose our culture, who are we?

Love this place. Always take out of town guests here. They will be taken through a ceremony and…read morehave their fortune read afterward for a $5 donation. I don't speak any Cantonese, and the people who work here are not quite fluent in English and are a little shy at first. But once they warm up they are actually very welcoming and love to joke which is difficult with no common language. Oh, don't even think of taking pictures here. This temple is located above the post office on Stockton, on the top floor, with an elevator!

I just took an intro to mindfulness class at the SF Buddhist center. I have to say that I was so…read moreimpressed by what was provided in the four week course. I'm really blown away by the quality of the class and what I got out of it. The teachers were both fantastic. Danadasa was an engaging teacher and really knows his stuff. Both teachers are very knowledgeable about Buddhist practice, as well as how to apply it in our daily lives. They were also so kind and made the class a joy to be in. We had time for discussions, practice, and even got a mindfulness book with the class.

I have been going to the San Francisco Buddhist Center for almost seven years. I started out by…read moreattending an introduction to meditation class and fell in love with the place. The people are friendly and down to earth and the center is a quiet retreat from the busy city life. A great place for new time meditators, as well as people with an established practice!