I've been driving past this place at least once a week for the past 2 years, and I've always wanted…read moreto check it out. Finally got there, although it wasn't to attend one of their meditation services (Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays). I came by on a Sunday afternoon, and it appeared to be deserted except for a couple of people doing landscaping to the already lovely gardens. They told me to feel free to wander around and to go inside if I wanted, which I did. The horses next door were very interested in what I was doing, and they kept me company for part of the stroll. After removing my shoes, I went inside the new dharma (meditation) hall. What a gorgeous, organic space it is! Bamboo floors, rich wood and glass walls, curved wooden ceiling, and an adobe-like back wall. Such a serene, harmonious setting, perfect for meditation, tai chi, and other spiritual pursuits. I will be back.

A warm and serene atmosphere here at the Won-Buddhism Meditation Temple. There is a lovely garden…read moreout back, with a horse stable next door, and the temple itself is made right from the earth around it (local mud and wood is what I'm sayin'.) If you'd like to stay for a service, you will be treated to chanting, meditation, stretching, and sharing of thoughts. No one is pushy, everyone is welcoming, and happy to answer any questions you have about this religion (and I had a few.) I find my center here, now. And am glad I discovered it. They're always looking for volunteers to help with the upkeep, so earn some karma points and help out!

I have been a student at Moving Mantra since I moved to Raleigh 3 years ago from the Northeast…read more Not only do they offer very well instructed yoga classes, you can also take Yoga Philosophy classes, guided meditation, attend workshops with nationally known instructors, weekend retreats and more. I thought I understood what yoga was in my practice prior to coming to Moving Mantra. My affiliation with this studio has taken me to a whole new level. The sense of community has been an added bonus to someone like me who is new to the area. Cyndi Powers Bulka, the owner, is an amazing instuctor and one of the Nations' best kept secrets! Even if you have never tried yoga before, this is the place to go. From beginners to expert practitioners, there is something for everyone here.

Cyndi Bulka now teaches yoga classes at the Won Buddhist Meditation Center on Pleasant Union Church…read moreRoad in North Raleigh after closing the studio on Sawmill Road. Cyndi has extensive experience teaching yoga (over 20 years) and her classes are a wonderful mix of breath, meditation and movement accessible to any age and level of yoga experience. She also leads amazing yoga retreats in NC and overseas.

Gentle meditation and workout. Thorough full body and mind experience. Best exercise for all.read more

This practice helps with total mind body connection. Not only is Susan a great instructor she also…read morehas coached me through some tough life issues. The stretching we do in class helps with my back pain as well helping my balance. This isn't your typical yoga, it's a health plan.

Imitation? I think not! We have a Larampa Geshe teaching here with annual visits from the abbot of…read moreSera-Je Monastery in India. We have both male and female ordained sanghas. Our founding members are almost 60 year students, very experienced, silver and long in the tooth! We also have very well-educated former monks and nuns who have both academic and life experience with all Buddhist traditions, and who have studied extensively-as visas allowed-in Asia and been ordained in more than one tradition. This is a Tibetan Buddhist center in the Kadam/Geluk tradition. It is a good place for study, but not for steady group meditation. For regular sitting and sesshin, go to Chapel Hill Zen Center to sit Soto Zen. No personal attention or guidance is given here, as you experience during Zen sesshin and Vipassana retreats, unfortunately, and that is a real loss. Catch as catch can. This is the best we have for Buddhist studies in the Raleigh area. We are a satellite of the FPMT, originating from Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu Id say we are as much an imitaton as any Dharma Center in the West could be called an imitation of its founding tradition's culture. Hope that helps to clarify the "imitation". If you really seriously want and need a good recipe for making a Buddha, you will find it here.Take time, because its a huge, deep and profound kettle of fish. A two thousand year old tradition at your doorstep. Because its wonderful and it works. Come and see! If nothing else, its good to be a well-educated, "Renaissance Man or Woman". And the art is worth seeing and learning about for itself.

To understand Kadampa Center, it might help to know about little about the spread of Buddhism into…read morethe West and into North America. In (very) short, Tibetan Buddism and Zen (born from Japanese and Korean traditions) all are part of Mahayana Buddhism - one of the two main sects of Buddhism. "Yana" translates to "vehicle" in English which partially explains how and why this particular type of Buddhism spread so well in America - a largely Judeo-Christian country very familiar with the conduits of "spreading" faith and ideas. Now, this center is a small and simple place of practice and worship. It's budget is small, and it relies heavily on small member contributions. They have a resident teacher as well. He's Tibetan, very highly regarded, but speaks in a heavily accented voice with an intermediate grasp on English. Still, he has been there for a long time and is very much a part of Kadampa. Aside from the regulars, the visitors or attendees generally range from the curious to the disenchanted Christians who want to learn more about Buddhism. They are genuine in their desire to change themselves and learn. Personally, I have a hard time attending here. For me, part of Buddhist practice deals heavily with aesthetics, location, and environment. Having practiced Buddhism for years in Korea, I can't get over the disconnect between the message, the location, and the ambiance with the peaceful bliss of silent temple or mountain meditation. For an extreme lack of a better word, it comes across as an imitation. That being said, it is the only English-speaking Mahayana site in the Triangle (there is one in Chapel-Hill but it is different on all fronts), and we need it. The more it grows, perhaps, the better it will get.

I booked a private sound bath, and it was absolutely wonderful!! Definitely go here if you are…read morelooking for an amazing sound bath. Marnie and David played soft and soothing sounds for an hour. It was very relaxing and healing. Highly recommend.

Peace in the Forest is a sanctuary located in the historic district of Wake Forest. If you are…read morelooking for a peaceful and calm environment, this is the place to go. You will be accepted for who you are and welcomed. Peace in the Forest offers guided meditation classes; sound baths; drum circles; Reiki, massage and reflexology. With COVID, the number of participants are limited and masks are required. I have attended the weekly guided meditations and the monthly sound baths with Marnie. Mats, pillows and blankets are provided and sanitized between uses all you need to do is bring yourself and relax. The guided meditations help me relax and get away from the hecticness of the world while providing energy. The sound baths you relax to the healing sounds. They both calm the mind and body and each time the experience is unique. I've also had a massage in the healing room with Amy. She has helped with the healing of my injured shoulder while providing a relaxing environment. With COVID, a mask is required during treatment. You can find many products in the shop from art work to essential oils to soaps and lotions to books to jewelry among other items. I highly recommend checking out Peace in the Forest.

What a great experience speaking with you. Thank you for your insights and helping me clarify some…read morethings I have been questioning. Your energy feels so authentic and genuine, which I have found to be rare in your field. Thank you!

Stacey is absolutely awesome and helped me so greatly! Her insights into my situation was spot on…read more She knew exactly what I needed to do to progress and advised me of future endeavors and how they might go. Her spirit made me feel so comfortable and relaxed during our session and her follow-up was unexpected but very welcomed. If you need help and direction please don't hesitate to call and schedule a session with Stacey, she'll provide you with everything you need!!!

I LOVE this studio! I have attended Yin Yoga and Slow Flow classes for over a year. Christine…read morecustomizes the classes, everyone is kind, and the portal is great. In addition, she has a soothing voice, perfect for meditation. She even created a special event at Cary Arts Center in collusion with my art show! She goes above and beyond.

During this pandemic I was searching for zoom yoga classes and I found a great place. I've been…read moreattending virtually for six weeks now. Zen Yoga offers a variety of classes and excellent instructors. One of my many favorites is Renee Baker's Yoga Basics. The name sounds like it is a class for beginners but actually it is an opportunity to improve and make your practice more interesting and challenging. Each Basics class focuses on a different part of the body; i.e. feet, knees, etc. I had been doing a pose that never really felt exactly right. Renee gave me a tip that aligned my hips, was great in explaining how to get in and out of the pose, and suddenly everthing clicked into place. I keep thinking "If only I had known that sooner."