The Pleasure of Breathing - My First Meditation Workshop, Saturday April 14

Because of the number of inquiries I have been receiving about my first meditation workshop on Saturday April 14th, I am reposting this earlier post. Please note that the address given in the very generous Union Democrat article about this workshop was an error. The Central Sierra Arts Council is at: 193 S. Washington Street, Sonora, CA 95370 (directly opposite the Bank of America building at the intersection with Stockton). Thank you, Alexander...

Photograph by Hudson Chow-Stuart.

My first meditation workshop in Sonora will be on Saturday April 14th from 1:30pm-3:30pm at the Central Sierra Arts Council, 193 S. Washington Street, Sonora.

It is called The Pleasure of Breathing and will explore the role meditation and Buddhism have played in my life for the past 21 years. 

I will read beautiful, inspiring passages from some of the books I reflect upon daily, such as T S Eliot's Four Quartets, The Dhammapada (Buddha's Teachings) and the Bhagavad Gita - and I will teach the basic elements of Tibetan anapanasati, or Mindfulness of Breathing, the meditation technique I have practiced most over the past two decades.


It is very simple: a matter of focusing your mind on your breathing and using that to slow - and ultimately still - the constant current of thoughts and emotions that assault our minds at every instant of the day, so that we can appreciate more the expansiveness and beauty of each single timeless moment. 

I like to call my approach Lazy Buddhism, because I believe that meditation and Buddhism should be enjoyed and experienced without pressure or recrimination, not something that you have to force yourself to do or feel guilty about.



You don't have to be a Buddhist or even want to be a Buddhist to come. The readings are from multiple sources.  Eliot's Four Quartets, for example, which I consider to be the most spiritual work of the 20th Century, was written by a poet who identified himself as an "Anglo-Catholic" and Four Quartets is filled with beautiful Catholic imagery - yet accessible to anyone with an open mind.


Meditation can benefit everyone - and everyone is welcome! If you have a yoga mat or a large cushion, please bring it with you. You can try meditation in any position, but kneeling or sitting on the floor creates a different energy than sitting on a chair.  Chairs will be provided, however, for the discussion on meditation and the readings.

Rena Bass FormanBuddha/Mandala, Sri Lanka (2005)

For a glimpse of the importance meditation plays in my life, please read my post, A Meditation On Meditation (revisited).


Starbucks at the Junction will very kindly provide calming herb teas.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students.