Practices:

At KTCJax, we practice in many ways, and we offer several types of opportunities for you to visit, socialize, learn, discuss and practice with us. 

For formal practice, the Karma Kagyü (‘Whispered’) lineage focuses on several core practices. KTCJax follows this tradition, so we train in Shinay or Shamata Meditation techniques, and we regularly engage in chanted Sadhanas (prayers) several times a week.

Our main chanted prayer practices are for Buddha Amitabha and Bodhisattva Chenrezik (Also known as Lokeshvara, Avalokiteshvara, or Quan Yin), and these are the prayers we do every Saturday morning at KTCJax. We generally chant in Tibetan, but English translations accompany the texts we use, and everyone is welcome to chant, read along, or simply listen.

Shinay (or Calm Abiding) Meditation helps us train our minds to find peace and quiet, even in the midst of our busy lives. This method focuses on a simple object such as the breath or the sound of a bell, and making the effort to prevent or catch the mind’s (apparently inevitable) wandering. As we improve our ability to control and direct our minds, this brings spaciousness to our mental landscape and strengthens our abilities to calm anger or compulsion during our daily activities.