Vipassana, or mindfulness meditation, was first taught by the Buddha 2,500 years ago. In this style of meditation, widespread today in Southeast Asia and increasingly popular in the West, one learns to watch what arises without judgment or reaction. In so doing, the mind can become clear and steady, and we begin to see things as they really are, without the distortion of our hopes, fears and confusion. Some apply mindfulness to reduce stress and control pain, and many find the practice a help with daily life, but the Buddha's purpose was clear: this way of seeing leads to freedom from suffering.

We gather on Wednesdays, and welcome others ... the merely curious, the earnest beginner, the dedicated practitioner ... to join us. We generally begin with 30 minutes of silent meditation with enough guidance to introduce visitors to the basics. Afterwards we hear a dhamma talk from a visiting teacher (most, but not all of whom, are primarily grounded in the Theravada tradition of Buddhist practice). There is usually time for Q&A at the end of the evening, or for another short sitting. There is no charge for the teachings, but we welcome donations to support the teachers and our hosts at the hostel.

Teachers and Topics -- Sometimes we know the topic of a dhamma talk ... such as when we have arranged a series of talks on a specific topic ... but often a visiting teacher will talk on whatever is foremost in their life and practice at the moment.

Our Coastside Vipassana Dhamma Talk Archive: click here

Dhamma Service Day at the Lighthouse Photos: click here

• February 1st, 7 pm: Tony Bernhard - lighthouse not available

We will meet at Mike and Martha's home at 210 Weinke Way in Moss Beach: map and directions

As one of Spirit Rock’s community dharma leaders, Tony hosts sitting groups in Davis and periodically teaches around the bay area and central valley. Tony’s practice is guided by study of the Pali scriptures (in translation!) and by contemporary scholarship of these texts.

• February 8th, 7 pm: Tony Bernhard
• February 15th, 7 pm: Berget Jelane

Berget Jelane has been a student of the Dharma since 1986. She is a graduate of the SRMC Community Dharma Leaders Program and the Sati Center Chaplaincy Training. Recently, she was ordained by Gil Fronsdal as a lay Buddhist minister. As a psychotherapist, she uses mindfulness and other Buddhist principles in her work with people.

• February 22nd, 7 pm: Daniel Bowling

Daniel Bowling is a mediator and mediation trainer for the US District Court for Northern California. He co-edited/co-authored Bringing Peace into the Room -- the first book on mediation to focus on the importance for resolving conflict of the mediator's personal qualities. He helped start mediation in South Carolina, where he practice law after graduating from Harvard Law School. He was the first yoga teacher in Charleston, SC and started a spiritual educational center there in the 1980s. He was also a teacher and General Counsel for Kripalu Yoga Center, in Lenox, Massachusetts and founded the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association. He has practiced meditation since 1976 and participated in Spirit Rock's Community Dharma Leaders Training. He currently is a member of the Spirit Rock Board of Directors.

• February 29th, 7 pm: lighthouse not available

	Lighthouse, fog-signal building and Montara Mountain in the distance.

Pt. Montara Lighthouse Hostel is located on Highway 1 at 16th Street in Montara. We meet in the Fog Signal building next to the lighthouse. (The building is heated by a wood fire, but can still be a bit chilly on cold, foggy days; dress appropriately. The floor is carpeted, but you might want a pad or folded blanket if you plan to sit on a cushion. There are also plenty of chairs available.)

Please see these directions for getting here safely!

The hostel is run by a non-profit organization with the intent of "helping all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hosteling." Guests of all ages stay at Pt. Montara and at hostels world-wide. We are grateful to the hostel staff for their support.

This page is usually updated at the end of the month.