Paramita Center Southeast

10/27/2025

5 days until the November Calm Abiding Meditation class begins.

The class offers the opportunity to build systematic practice foundation in the practice of meditation as taught by the Tibetan Buddhist masters.

Four Saturday afternoons exploring calm abiding meditation: the preliminaries, conditions, nine stages, obstacles, and traditional antidotes. Not philosophy about meditation—actual training in concentration techniques refined over centuries.
Small group maintains quality instruction. Both in-person and online options. Classes recorded for flexibility.

Starting Saturday, November 1: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

For those who attended, the momentum from Jason's teachings creates ideal conditions for beginning systematic practice.

10/26/2025

Meditation isn't relaxation.

Yes, calm abiding practice often produces relaxation as a side effect. But that's not its purpose. The goal is training attention—developing the ability to place the mind on an object and sustain focus despite distractions.

This is why meditation can feel effortful, even uncomfortable initially. You're building mental muscle. Like physical exercise, the process requires effort - joyful effort, but effort nonetheless.

Relaxation techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, listening to calming sounds) aim for immediate stress reduction. Valuable, but different.

Meditation trains the mind's capacity for sustained attention, mental stability, and clear seeing. These qualities then support everything else—better decisions, deeper relationships, reduced reactivity, genuine insight. Ultimately, enlightenment.

The classical texts are clear: this training requires proper instruction in systematic methods. Not just 'sit and breathe.'

November intensive provides that foundation: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

10/25/2025

Saturday reflection: This week we've explored the first stage of calm abiding, the five obstacles that arise, the conditions that support practice, and the nine progressive stages that describe the journey.

These teachings come from classical Buddhist texts refined over centuries, transmitted through unbroken lineage, tested by countless practitioners.

If you attended Jason's teachings last week and/or this week's posts have sparked curiosity about systematic meditation training, the November intensive starting next week offers the opportunity to go deeper.

Not merely collecting information. Actually learning the techniques.

Four Saturday afternoons starting in one week. Both in-person and online. Classical Gelug instruction in the same lineage you experienced with Jason, and as taught by Lama Samten.

Details: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

The dharma is here. If the causes and conditions have come together for you to engage with it, join us!

10/24/2025

The nine stages of calm abiding, briefly:

Stage 1: Stabilizing the mind within (starting the path, turning inward)
Stage 2: Continuous placement (brief moments of sustained focus)
Stage 3: Re-stabilzing the mind (quickly noticing wandering, returning faster)
Stage 4: Close placement (attention rarely leaves object completely)
Stage 5: DIscipline (seeing the faults of laxity & agitation, we tame the mind)
Stage 6: Pacifying (seeing the benefits of mediation, we let go of agitation)
Stage 7: Thorough pacification (obstacles appear but don't disturb practice)
Stage 8: Single-pointed concentration (effortless sustained attention)
Stage 9: Balanced placement (perfect mental stability and clarity)

From awkward beginner to accomplished meditator—mapped systematically by practitioners who walked this path before us.

The stages aren't achievements to collect, or trophies to show how skilled we are. They're descriptions of what naturally unfolds through consistent, properly guided practice.

One week until we explore these in depth, November 1, for anyone interested: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

10/23/2025

Classical texts teach that certain conditions support the development of calm abiding:

Staying in a conducive place - Quiet, safe, minimized distractions
Reducing desires - Not constantly seeking new experiences or possessions
Being content - Satisfaction with what you have
Letting go of excessive activity - Not filling every moment
Maintaining ethical discipline - Living with integrity reduces mental turmoil
Abandoning obsessive thinking - Not over-analyzing everything

These aren't moral judgments. They're practical observations about what supports vs. undermines mental stability.

Notice these are mostly about simplification—doing less, wanting less, thinking less. Modern life pushes the opposite direction: more activity, more stimulation, more complexity.

This explains why meditation feels so counterintuitive. We're training qualities our culture actively discourages.

Nowhere does Buddhism expect us to be perfect, and especially not austere. The middle way is always the path, and that means we have to find a way to live in the world, to be in relationships, to work and support ourselves. The question is, can we do that without so much distraction that we undermine our peace of mind?

The preliminaries for calm abiding practice address how to create these conditions realistically in contemporary life. For those interested, that's where our November class begins—Week 1, November 1: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq"

10/22/2025

Why is meditation so difficult?

The classical texts identify five veils that interfere with meditation:

Desire-attachment - The mind chasing after and clinging to pleasant experiences
Ill will - Aversion, irritation, anger
Dullness/sleepiness - Mental fog, lack of clarity
Restlessness/worry - Agitation, fleeting thoughts
Doubt - Questioning whether practice works, whether you're capable

These aren't signs you're bad at meditation. They're universal obstacles that every practitioner encounters. The difference between someone who develops concentration and someone who gives up? Learning to recognize these obstacles and working with them skillfully.

Tibetan Buddhist tradition provides specific methods for working with each veil. Grounded in philosophy, but with practical techniques refined over centuries.

For anyone interested, understanding veils, hindrances, and their antidotes is central to our November intensive: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

Daily Dharma

10/21/2025

The first stage of calm abiding is called 'placing the mind.' Sounds simple - just put your attention on the meditation object.

The classical texts are honest about this: even maintaining focus for a few seconds proves difficult initially. The mind wanders constantly. This isn't failure - it's normal, and why systematic training in the stages matters.

In fact, noticing that our mind wanders is real progress! Our minds wander constantly, but it isn't until we slow down that we notice. Tibetan Buddhist tradition tells us that the key to developing is 3-fold: listen (hear and read the teachings), contemplate (dive into and seek to understand the teaching, testing it for ourselves), and practice (confidently apply what we have understood to practice in meditation and in daily life).

For those interested, we're exploring all 9 stages in more detail starting November 1: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq"

Join our Intensive Calm-Abiding Meditation course and find tranquility in a chaotic world through in-person or online sessions.

10/20/2025

This past week we experienced authentic Buddhist teaching. Many of you asked for more about the 9 stages of calm abiding that Jason described.

November brings the opportunity to explore those stages in depth—not as philosophical concepts but as actual training in concentration meditation. Four Saturday afternoons, starting November 1.

For those who attended last week's events: this is your natural next step. The overview becomes detailed instruction. The inspiration becomes systematic practice.

Details and registration: https://bit.ly/48zbzbq

This is what sustaining momentum looks like—converting genuine interest into actual training.

10/20/2025

This past week we had a wonderful week with Jason. 3 extraordinary introductory events with strong engagement, a one-day repeat that was at capacity that was very well received, and time for a lovely hike when we took a break. Thanks to everyone who came, and especially to Jason for his wisdom and energy!

10/17/2025

Unfortunately, we've had to cancel the Murfreesboro event for Sunday afternoon. We hope to see you in the future online, at other events in the Murfreesboro/Nashville area, or in Chattanooga.

Explore meditation and Tibetan Buddhism with the Paramita Center Southeast through classes, retreats, and events. Grow in calm & compassion.

10/17/2025

Thursday evening, we had another excellent teaching with Jason (Tenzin Gawa). Thank you to everyone who attended! May all beings benefit!

10/16/2025

Another outstanding teaching from Genla tonight, and a great group in Chattanooga. So grateful!