In this issue:

• “Getting Unblocked: Working with the Five Hindrances in Meditation” by Saddhamala
• Reflections on 2011 from the Aryaloka Buddhist Center Council
• “Releasing the Butterfly: Living with Impermanence” by Ashley Davis Bush
• Movie Review: “Travelers and Musicians,” by Daniel Bush
• Tom Gaillard shows that the year’s finances end on a positive note
• Online Insight: The Best Buddhist Blogs
• New additions at Buddhaworks, the Aryaloka bookstore
• Men’s sangha spends a d... Read more

Dates: January 8, March 17, April 28, 2012
Times: 9 am. to 1 p.m.

In these three workshops we will be focusing on Death and Dying from a Buddhist perspective and within a Buddhist context. Each workshop will explore a different aspect of death and dying, ranging from the philosophical to the very practical. The format of the days will involve a mixture of talks, meditation, reflection and personal sharing. Participants may register for one, two, or all three of the workshops in this series.

These workshops will be led by Karuna... Read more

Start Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
End Date: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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On these six Wednesday evenings we will learn traditional Buddhist meditations and also explore basic Buddhist teachings. Meditations taug... Read more

Date: January 22, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully others, pleasure (niram... Read more

Start Date: Friday, January 27, 2012
End Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012

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CANCELED – CANCELED – The traditional form of a stupa has many layers of meaning and purpose in the Buddhist tradition, all pointing us to... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012
End Date: Sunday, January 29, 2012

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Join Barbara Steiner for a one-day workshop designed to help you explore and nurture your writer˙s voice. In a spirit of support... Read more

Dates: February 5 & June 3, 2012
Times: 9 am. to 1 p.m.

The Going Deeper series of workshops allow for a greater depth of practice and study than is possible at an evening class. They are intended to provide support and guidance for the newer members the Aryaloka community, although everyone is welcome to attend. Led by Arjava, these workshops explore topics through meditation, short presentations, and discussion, all in an atmosphere that encourages the deepening of friendship among participants. For the months of February and Ju... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, February 5, 2012
End Date: Sunday, February 5, 2012

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This month’s men’s day will be focused on meditation practice. There will be three sits starting on the hour. The day will begin at 9 AM and t... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
End Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012

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Once again, we welcome Seacoast writer Lin Illingworth, as well as our own Dh. Viriyagita and Joan Rochette, who will share seated and written meditations. Expl... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012
End Date: Saturday, February 11, 2012

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These Saturday or Sunday workshops are intensive introductions to meditation. Basic ... Read more

Date: February 12, 2012
Times: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

One of the great – and difficult – truths of existence is that of impermanence. All conditioned things are impermanent and what has come into existence will change and one day will cease to exist. Death is one of the things about life that we can depend on. Even the Buddha, enlightened and in complete harmony with Reality, died. On Parinirvana Day we wil... Read more

Start Date: Friday, February 24, 2012
End Date: Sunday, February 26, 2012

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What does it means to live mindfully? How do we bring more calm and inner clarity into our daily lives? How ... Read more

Date: February 26, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully others, pleasure (... Read more

Start Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
End Date: Wednesday, April 18, 2012

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Learn to change your mind! There’s a lot more to meditation than just the bare techniques of the mindfulness of breathing and loving-kindness practices. On this e... Read more

Start Date: Friday, March 2, 2012
End Date: Sunday, March 4, 2012

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North American Order Convener Ashokashri invites us to come together as Order members away from all our other roles and create a living sense of the Triratna Order. On this weekend she will guide ... Read more

Start Date: Thursday, March 8, 2012
End Date: Sunday, March 11, 2012

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Embrace your authentic self in a supportive and transformational environment through the practice of Kripalu yoga, th... Read more

Start Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012
End Date: Friday, March 16, 2012

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Do you want to communicate compassionately? This workshop is for you if yo... Read more

Start Date: Friday, March 16, 2012
End Date: Sunday, March 18, 2012

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These trainings are designed for practicing skills learned in your Basic Training, PLU... Read more

Date: March 18, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully others, pleasur... Read more

Start Date: Friday, March 23, 2012
End Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012

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Yoga and Buddhism may be described as complex spiritual traditions, each teaching us about ourselves and our way in the world. Both traditions, while drawing upon mi... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012
End Date: Saturday, March 24, 2012

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Aryaloka Men’s Practice Days are an opportunity for men in the sangha to spend time together in meditation and discussion around aspects of the Dharma. One of t... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012
End Date: Sunday, March 25, 2012

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These Saturday or Sunday workshops are intensive introductions to meditation. Basic w... Read more

Start Date: Friday, March 30, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 1, 2012

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What are we looking for? What gives our lives a sense of meaning? How can we find a sense of confidence in a world marked by change? In the Noble Quest sutta from the Middl... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012
End Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012

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This day will be led by Saricitta. Women’s practice days are an opportunity for women in the sangha to spend time together in meditation and discussion around asp... Read more

Start Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012

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Utilizing all three vehicles – yoga, meditation, and mindfulness – as a means of deepening awareness, this retreat creates an opport... Read more

Dates: April 14, May 5, June 9, 2012
Times: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This series is a repeat of our popular offering from earlier this year (Jan. 8, Mar. 17, and April 8). In these three workshops we will be focusing on Death and Dying from a Buddhist perspective and within a Buddhist context. Each workshop will explore a different aspect of death and dying, ranging from the philosophical to the very practical. The format o... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012

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Give yourself the gift of a day spent just being…nothing to do, nowhere to be, enjoying exquisite silence, and punctuated with meditation,... Read more

Start Date: Friday, April 20, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 22, 2012

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On this weekend retreat we will be exploring the practice of Noble Silence – stillness of body, speech, and mind – and learnin... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
End Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012

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Aryaloka Men’s Practice Days are an opportunity for men in the sangha to spend time together in meditation and discussion around aspects of the Dharma.... Read more

Date: April 22, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully others, pl... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
End Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012

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For those of you who missed our wonderful ink day last July and for those who want more time with brush, ink, and paper, do come. Dh. Kiranada will lead us... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, April 29, 2012
End Date: Sunday, April 29, 2012

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In this daylong workshop we will explore several fundamental teachings of the Buddhist tradition. We’ll cover such topics as Who was the Buddha? What is the goal of ... Read more

Start Date: Wednesday, May 2, 2012
End Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012

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On these six Wednesday evenings we will learn traditional Buddhist meditations and also explore basic Buddhist teachings. Meditations taught wi... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
End Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012

Register for this Event

Aryaloka Men’s Practice Days are an opportunity for men in the sangha to spend time together in meditation and discussion around aspects of the Dharma. One of the day... Read more

Date: May 27, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully others, ... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, June 2, 2012
End Date: Saturday, June 2, 2012

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Masako Yatsuhashi, Master Ikenobu Ikebana (flower arranging) teacher will be joined by Dh. Kiranada to explore this art form that was developed as a meditative di... Read more

Start Date: Saturday, June 16, 2012
End Date: Saturday, June 16, 2012

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Aryaloka Men’s Practice Days are an opportunity for men in the sangha to spend time together in meditation and discussion around aspects of the Dharma. One of the ... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, June 17, 2012
End Date: Sunday, June 17, 2012

Register for this Event

These Saturday or Sunday workshops are intensive introductions to meditation. Basic ways to set ... Read more

Date: June 17, 2012
Times: 4-6 p.m.

Come join others in the sangha for an ongoing monthly poetry group at Aryaloka. Read what you’ve written, what you’ve been struck by that someone else has written, or just listen.  These evenings are free – donations toward the maintenance of Aryaloka are appreciated.

“I’m not writing just for myself. I’m writing to give myself, and hopefully o... Read more

Start Date: Friday, June 22, 2012
End Date: Monday, July 2, 2012

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The intention of this intensive retreat is to create an atmosphere conducive to extended meditation with the... Read more

Start Date: Thursday, July 26, 2012
End Date: Sunday, July 29, 2012

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Embrace your authentic self in a supportive and transformational environment through the practice of Kripalu yoga, the Metta Bhavana (development of... Read more

Start Date: Friday, September 21, 2012
End Date: Sunday, September 23, 2012

Register for this Event

Yoga and Buddhism may be described as complex spiritual traditions, each teaching us about ourselves and our way in the world. Both traditions, while drawing... Read more

Start Date: Friday, September 28, 2012
End Date: Sunday, September 30, 2012

Register for this Event

On this retreat you will learn and practice the four Brahma Viharas, or ‘sublime abodes,’ of metta, karuna (compassion), mudita (sypathetic joy), and uppeksha (equa... Read more

Start Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012
End Date: Saturday, October 20, 2012

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The Anapanasati Sutta, one of the most detailed meditation instructions in the Pali Canon, takes us step by step from a simple awareness of the breath and body, through aware... Read more

Start Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
End Date: Tuesday, October 30, 2012

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The intention of this intensive retreat is to create an atmosphere conducive to extended meditation... Read more

Start Date: Thursday, November 8, 2012
End Date: Sunday, November 11, 2012

Register for this Event

Embrace your authentic self in a supportive and transformational environment through the practice of Kripalu yoga, the Metta Bhavana (dev... Read more

Start Date: Friday, December 7, 2012
End Date: Sunday, December 9, 2012

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In meditation, the body and posture are not mere preliminaries. Mindfulness is all about opening up our awareness. And how else would... Read more