The Joy of Living program is a path of meditation that is open to everyone, regardless of religious or cultural orientation. This program offers six types of events that provide teachings on meditation and opportunities to deepen one’s practice:
- Joy of Living meditation workshops
- Intro to meditation classes
- Meditation groups
- Mini–retreats
- Weekend practice retreats
- Residential practice retreats
Joy of Living meditation workshops are the heart of the Joy of Living program. With guidance from trained Tergar instructors and facilitators, video teachings by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, and plenty of time for short periods of meditation and group discussion, Joy of Living workshops provide a rich introduction to the world of meditation. Anyone may attend Joy of Living level I. Those who attend Joy of Living levels II and III must meet certain requirements.
Intro to meditation classes provide a brief, accessible way to learn the basics of meditation. Using teachings from Mingyur Rinpoche’s Introduction to Meditation and facilitated by Tergar practice leaders, facilitators, or instructors, these classes welcome participants to the Tergar community and introduce them to the relaxed, spacious approach to meditation taught by Mingyur Rinpoche.
Joy of Living meditation groups meet regularly to explore Mingyur Rinpoche’s teachings with the support of a community of meditators and the guidance of a comprehensive meditation group program. This program, based on Mingyur Rinpoche’s books, The Joy of Living and Joyful Wisdom, covers core meditation practices, such as mindful awareness meditation, and includes guided meditations, experiential exercises, and questions that foster group discussion. Sessions are held on a drop-in basis and are offered without charge, though donations are welcomed. There are no prerequisites for attending meditation groups. More information on the Joy of Living meditation group program can be found on the Tergar Learning Community site.
Joy of Living mini–retreats are meant to provide continuing support to those who have participated in Joy of Living meditation workshops and residential retreats. Each session includes video teachings by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (featuring material that is not shown in Joy of Living meditation workshops), as well as guided meditations, group discussion, and walking meditation. These drop–in sessions are open to those who have attended the relevant Joy of Living level. A Joy of Living I mini–retreat, for example, may be attended by anyone who has attended a Joy of Living I workshop or residential retreat.
Joy of Living weekend retreats are for those who wish to deepen their meditation through periods of dedicated practice. In contrast to Joy of Living workshops, which focus more on learning how to meditate, weekend retreats provide the space for a further exploration of the practices one has learned. Retreats involve periods of sitting meditation, movement meditation, and short video teachings by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. Meditators may attend one or both days of any given weekend retreat. Some prior experience with meditation is recommended for those who attend.
Joy of Living residential retreats offer a unique opportunity to deepen one’s experience of the Joy of Living teachings in a secluded environment and with the support of a community of meditators. Each retreat includes approximately six to eight hours of formal meditation each day, along with periods of silence, DVD teachings by Mingyur Rinpoche, group discussion, and presentations on the key points of meditation by Tergar instructors. There are no prerequisites for attending a Joy of Living residential retreat.
Ready to Get Started?
Starting to meditate isn’t as difficult as you might think. If you’re ready to begin, you can start by taking our free Intro to Meditation course on the Tergar Learning Community website. When you are ready for more, you can attend a Joy of Living Level I workshop at one of our many local groups and communities or online at the Tergar Learning Community website.