All of the meditation modalities taught here are very beneficial, easy to learn, not to mention a…read morejoy to experience. In the basic Health and Happiness Retreat, a 30 minute standing Meditation of Greater Illumination is taught, as well as a 30 minute sitting Meditation of Purity. Beginners from all walks of life can experience the serenity of meditation and start to relax their bodies and minds, letting their inner calm shine through. As opposed to something stagnant and passive, meditation is actually a very dynamic process of inner purification and strengthening. It is not easy to get into, because as a medical professional I've known the benefits of meditation for years but never got into a lasting routine. Bodhi helped me incorporate it into my life. In the Energy Bagua class, you can learn the ancient Taoist art of gathering Qi from the natural world. It borrows forms from bagua zhang, a cousin of tai chi. It was taught to our Master by his master, and was the key element in restoring Master Jinbodhi's health (he was a very sick young child growing up in poverty in China). It is super simple to learn, yet magnificent to experience. After persistent practice (more than 8 months now for me), one can feel very palpably the energy coursing through one's body and the Qi vibration at closing. Even though the movements are gentle, it usually brings out a good sweat that leaves one feeling lighter and softer. I used to run out of air quickly when I spoke, a sign of weak energy. Now I can read to my kids with enthusiasm with a loud and clear voice. In the chanting class, one experiences the joy and peace of chanting Buddha's name or the Medicine Buddha's mantra, or Om Mani Padme Hum, the heart mantra of Buddha Avalokiteshvara. It is a practice of deep spiritual purification whether done out of repentance, reverence, gratitude, or hope. Recently a lawyer of Jewish descent took a chanting class at our center. He found it a profoundly satisfying experience. He also lost 30 lbs by doing Energy Bagua for 3 months. His blood sugar dropped from 129 to 109. He went on to take a secondary level retreat which I was lucky to take as well at the Vancouver Bodhi Meditation Center. There we met hundreds of folks who felt moved by their own transformation and inspired to learn more to give back to the world. Bodhi has more than 30 centers in the world, two in Hong Kong, and is still rapidly expanding due to the unmet needs of many seeking spiritual fulfillment, health, and happiness.

I really love this meditation center. The meditation classes here are excellent -- after attending,…read moreI've noticed less stress and much better sleep. They also offer a variety of meaningful activities, and the staff are always warm, welcoming, and supportive. I've met so many people who genuinely enjoy meditation here, and I truly love this community. Their oracle readings and energy blessing services are offered for free, which is incredibly generous -- I highly recommend coming to experience it for yourself.

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.

This was my first time stepping into a Brahma Kumari meditation center. What an amazing way to…read morekick-off my solar return weekend! Everyone there was welcoming...the collective energy very positive. Atmosphere was peaceful...the harp added an angelic touch. Spirtual teachings were profoundly deep...the different exercises created a progressive relaxing and centered state. I was uplifted and transformed!! I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to enhance or to begin their meditation practice. They have weekly meditations, weekend retreats/workshops, courses, etc. This elevated experience made my first trip to SF very very special. Brothers and Sisters of Brahma Kumaris, I deeply appreciate YOU ALL.

This is a house run by people from India! They hold meetings and events everyday. You can find it…read moreon the website and sign up. I saw a harp recital the other day. It's a house with a meeting space. It's nice. India!

Chorus is the hour I look forward to most every week. All set to a fantastic playlist, the active…read morebreathing in class helps me quiet my mind in ways I've never been able to before. I leave feeling refreshed, lighter, and noticeably calmer which allows me to focus on the thoughts I want to be thinking about, not on the stuff that bogs me down or worries me. Most importantly, the tangible mental benefits of the Chorus practice are just as wonderful as the amazing duo of Ali and MK who are running the entire operation. Week after week, the two never fail to create a warm, happy, and welcoming space and community for everyone. Run, don't walk to get into this class!

I've been back twice now, and plan to go many more times. An incredible way to recapture yourself -…read moreespecially on a Wednesday during a hectic work week. I found my whole being incapable of even a stressful thought after the class. Just relaxed and energized and clear-headed. Not intimidating for first-timers or physically challenging, either! Sign up, take a friend and just breathe.

i had been dealing with some tough stuff, and I still am, I needed to find a way to calm my mind…read moredown, so i went in search to find what could help me heal holistically. After searching, meditation and this method is what i found, and i found that this meditation ( SF Meditation) is what saved my life. What i like most about this program is that they care. They are invested in our mental health and well being. I have been apart of this program for a few years now and this is the reason i keep coming back. SF meditation, has been my saving grace. I have been experiencing mental clarity and this was my reason for signing up with this program. It has definitely given me a new outlook on life. I am so happy that I am finally in a good place after so many years of mental turmoil. This method is a God send

I am in my 50's and in a place in my life where I am the sandwich generation. I am caregiving my 2…read moreelderly parents who live in San Diego while I am in the Bay, so I travel monthly to care for them. I am raising 2 kids at the same time. One who has ADHD. Through this stage in my life, there is a lot of stress I experience from caregiving my parents and there is more conflict I have with my wife and kids. Through my life, I sought help from supportive friends and relatives. I went to therapy. I also tried yoga and Taichi. It has not been enough. I researched meditation and came upon SF Meditation and met with Emily. When I first met her, her demeanor and aura was of calm and I already felt better with her presence. I did my first session with Emily and learned the overview of the method. Going through my life cycles was revealing. Learning to meditate with my eyes open showed me I can reflect and make better choices in how I handle life's situations as I go about my day. In the last weeks, my approach with my family is calmer, more open and less rigid. My son said once, "Is this really my mom?" and we had a good laugh. My daughter was experiencing some anxiety and I shared some helpful tips I learned from Emily, and my daughter found them helpful. I look forward to learning more and more. On how the meditation center runs: it is super accessible because they have virtual sessions. In these sessions, you meet other meditation leaders and people from all over the US. I feel like I am not only part of the Bay area community, but also a larger community worldwide. If there is one thing I would change (besides wishing I found the meditation center sooner!), I would want access to weekend in person sessions. But I understand even our meditation leaders need a break :) And on weekends, there is still access to virtual meditation, so still can get support that way.

"You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop" (Rumi)…read more It's brilliant that SF Insight has added Zoom group meditations due to COVID-19. They're so convenient that I've made it to more meditations the last few months than the last few years. It's easier to meditate in a group. The process of meditation opens up a realm of aliveness within, enlivening the breath and elevating one's thoughts and vision. Led by Eugene Cash, a very skilled and kind teacher, the group meditations are suitable for beginner and advanced meditators alike. Happy meditating!

This review is for the San Francisco Meditation Community, otherwise known as SF Insight, which…read moremeets mainly on Sunday evenings but also at other times at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Francisco at Franklin St and Geary St. The group is an independent organization and may someday be located at its own signt up near Fort Mason or in another area of the city (doublecheck the address on the website before you go!). To my knowledge, it was started as a spin-off sitting group for vipassana / insight meditation by Eugene Cash and is affiliated with Spirit Rock Meditation Center up in Woodacre, CA. In order to bring vipassana / insight meditation more into daily life (i.e. not just on weeklong retreats once in a blue moon), weekly sitting groups were brought into communities throughout the Bay Area years ago. I've been coming to the Sunday Night sitting of the group for about a year and really find it to be a helpful start to my week. I've also gone to the Wednesday night group a few times, which is smaller and more intimate - also very good. Each sitting follows a similar format - the group meditates for approx. 45 minutes, then breaks for 10-15 min. for everyone to grab tea and connect as a community, then sangha announcements are given, and a 50-60 min. dharma talk is given by the teacher - sometimes with room in there for questions and answers with the audience. The sitting and teachings are given freely, but attendees are encouraged to give a donation (dana) at the end of the evening to help with operating expenses and give a contribution to the teacher. I really enjoy the SF Insight community and recommend checking out - there is a wide amount of diversity in attendees and everyone is friendly and welcoming. I do not feel pressured when I am there to keep up appearances or to commit myself religiously - I am not asked to "accept anyone into my life" - many people there are either past or present participants of other religious traditions and find the meditation, mindfulness training, and observations about the nature of life given here helpful in their daily living - for me it is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. I encourage you to come and see what you think - on their website there are also free downloads of talks so you can explore before attending if you'd like. A few FYI's: 1. Once per month (usually the first Sunday), there is a potluck prior to the main event - very fun - great way to meet other sangha members. 2. Once per month (usually the second Sunday), there is an optional orientation for new attendees or those less familiar with insight / vipassana meditation. 3. Most Sundays when there is no potluck there is a free offering of Chi Gung (stretching) from approx. 6:15 pm - 6:45 pm in the main sitting room to help participants prepare for sitting meditation. I try to go whenever I can make it - it's a nice way to unwind from the day. 4. Eugene Cash is the founding teacher of SF insight (and an excellent meditation teacher). He was in a bicycle accident in Summer/Fall 2011 and is still recovering - his return date to teaching is unsure. Until then, Anushka Fernandopulle will be filling in for him (at least until Feb 2012), and the group is committed to keeping the group going with her and guest teachers from throughout the Bay Area. If you are interested in contributing to Eugene's recovery, you can do so at www.sfinsight.org.

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 am so grateful to have found Nat's yoga classes - gosh, 7 years ago, I think! Yes, this review…read moreis long overdue! So, where do I start? Nat is a master of creating and leading an asana sequence that feels truly organic. He is equally gifted as a musician and, although I haven't always gravitated towards classes with music, with Nat's classes, I changed my mind. Nat selects music that brilliantly enhances the practice, encouraging breath and flow. It is one of the loveliest things about the whole experience. Nat's classes can be as challenging as you want to make them, yet he makes students feel completely welcome no matter their level of skill or experience. But, Nat's classes also encourage us to see that yoga is much more than a physical practice. In each class, the wisdom he shares from such a humble and compassionate place is absolutely gold. Beginning and finishing class with Bhakti chanting, joining voices, invites us to be present with ourselves and with each other, and to sense quite palpably the divine - in everything. My life is better with Bhakti yoga, thanks in large part to Nat, my dear teacher and friend.

Nat is, without a doubt, the most exceptional yoga teacher I've ever practiced with--and yoga has…read morebeen a cornerstone of my life for over 20 years. Having participated in teacher trainings, retreats, and classes across the Bay Area and around the world, I consistently find myself returning to Nat's classes. His classes are physically demanding in the most rewarding way, but what truly sets him apart is the depth of his devotional and philosophical teachings. Over the past 15 years of practicing regularly with Nat, my life has undergone a profound transformation. I've shifted from chasing external markers of "success" to discovering true and lasting peace through focusing on my intrinsic wellbeing. Nat's wisdom and guidance have been pivotal on my journey. His teachings not only carried me through the hard work of personal growth but were instrumental in shaping the person I am today. It's no exaggeration to say that practicing with Nat has been life-changing in every sense of the word.