Programs

Joy of Living Meditation Group Program

The Tergar Community holds regular meditation groups that provide a thorough course of training in the fundamentals of meditation practice. Based on Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s two books, The Joy of Living and Joyful Wisdom, our groups use guided meditations, discussion, and daily meditation exercises to explore the cultivation of awareness, empathy, and insight – the cornerstones of spiritual practice.

The Tergar approach emphasizes direct experience and the integration of meditation with everyday life, presenting techniques that can be practiced by anyone, regardless of faith or cultural background. If you are new to meditation, our regular meditation groups offer a gentle immersion into the world of mindfulness. For those who are following our Joy of Living or Path of Liberation programs, these groups provide a wonderful opportunity to deepen knowledge and experience of the core elements of the spiritual path.

There is no need to attend every session. Feel free to drop in any time!

Find a Tergar Center or Joy of Living Meditation Group near you.

Course Outline

Series I: Calming the Mind – The View

• The Joy of Living: Finding Peace of Mind in the Present Moment 
• The Heart of Meditation: Awareness as a Gateway to Joy
• The Problem is the Solution: Transforming Adversity into Awareness
• Illuminating the Darkness: The Three Stages of Awareness Practice 

Series II: Calming the Mind – Meditation

• Posture & Open Awareness
• Meditating with Sensory Experience
• Meditating with Thoughts
• Meditating with Emotions

Series III: Calming the Mind – Integration

• Bringing Awareness to Relationships
• Bringing Awareness to Work
• Facing Challenges with Awareness
• Awareness in Daily Life

Series IV: Calming the Mind – Going Deeper

• Stabilizing Awareness
• Nuts and Bolts: The how, when and where of meditation practice
• Temporary experiences, lasting realization: Working with the ups and downs of daily practice
• The Stages of Practice

Series V: Opening the Heart – The View

• Opening the Heart: The Path of Loving-kindness and Compassion
• Widening the Circle: The Path of Unconditional Love
• Enlightened Self-Interest: Compassion & the Causes of Happiness
• Wisdom of the Heart: Uprooting the Source of Suffering

Series VI: Opening the Heart - Meditation

• Loving-kindness and Compassion for Ourselves
• Loving-kindness and Compassion for Loved Ones
• Loving-kindness and Compassion for Those We Have Difficulties With
• Immeasurable Loving-kindness and Compassion

Series VII: Opening the Heart - Integration

• Bringing Loving-kindness and Compassion to Relationships
• Bringing Loving-kindness and Compassion into the Workplace
• Facing Challenges with Loving-kindness and Compassion
• Loving-kindness and Compassion in Daily Life

Series VIII: Opening the Heart - Deepening

• Stabilizing Loving-kindness and Compassion
• Awakened Mind: The Vast Attitude of Aspiration Bodhichitta
• The Positive Activity of Application Bodhicitta
• Sharing the Wealth: Dedicating the Merit of One's Practice to the Wellbeing of All

Series IX: Awakening Wisdom, Part I: The View

• The Fact of Suffering
• The Web of Self-Created Suffering
• Transcending the Limited Mind
• Seeing Through the Solidity of Experience

Series X: Awakening Wisdom, Part II: Meditation

• Is the Self Permanent?
• Is the Self a Single Thing?
• Does the Self Exist Independently?
• Does the Self Exist at All?

Series XI: Awakening Wisdom, Part III: Integration

• Bringing Insight to Relationships
• Bringing Insight to the Workplace
• Facing Challenges with Insight
• Insight in Daily Life

Series XII: Awakening Wisdom, Part IV: Deepening

• The Empty "I"
• The Empty "other"
• Buddha Nature Blockers
• Stabilizing Insight