Newcomer Information

Dana
Dana is a Pali word meaning generosity. It is an important Buddhist tradition that the teachings are given freely because they are considered priceless. Interviews are also given on a dana basis, in the same spirit of generosity. A monetary offering is one way you can practice dana and experience the positive feelings that arise from it. Dana is not a payment for goods or services rendered; it is given from the heart. Your generosity is a gift that supports not only the teachers, but the Sangha and the larger Dharma community, and your own practice. The Marin Sangha maintains separate dana baskets for the teacher, the space, and the monthly small group interviews.

Metta
These are the metta phrases with which we close our second sitting each week. Metta means unconditional loving-kindness. It is cultivated and practiced as one of the four sublime states known as brahma-vihara and is also one of the ten paramitas, or perfections of character.

May you be safe from internal and external harm.
May you have a calm, clear mind and a peaceful, loving heart.
May you be physically strong, healthy, and vital.
May you experience love, joy, wonder, and wisdom, in this life, just as it is.

Group Interviews
Once a month Phillip holds a group interview for 4-5 students. It is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your practice. Dates and times are announced at Sangha and sign-up is done at that time. For more information...

Sangha Daylongs
Once or twice a year, Phillip teaches a daylong retreat exclusively for members of the Sangha. These are offered at an off-site location for a modest fee to cover expenses. However, no one is turned away for lack of funds. Announcements will be made in the Sangha, via email, and on this website.

Introductory Meditation Course
This free five-week introductory course is offered two or three times a year to Marin Sangha members and covers both core Buddhist teachings and the basics of Buddhist meditation. It is intended both for beginners with no residential retreat experience who wish to learn the core principles of the Dharma and for those with some retreat experience who want a refresher or small-group setting in which to ask questions. For more information on our Intro Meditation Course, please click here.

Vipassana basics courses are also offered periodically at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre. Information is available at: www.spiritrock.org.

Reading Study Group
This informal group meets on Sunday afternoons at 4:30pm before class at an outside location. Drop-ins are most welcome. Readers select a book and read selected sections during the week for discussion on Sundays. This is a wonderful way to meet other Sangha members and dharma friends and to enrich your practice. Book title, chapter, and location of the next meeting are announced at the end of the Sangha.

Service Opportunities
A substantial amount of labor goes into ensuring that each class proceeds smoothly. Sangha members are encouraged to volunteer to help set up before class and clean up afterwards. You may help on a regular or occasional basis. Jobs include setting up chairs, hanging Buddha's portraits, greeting new sangha members and more. This is another way to practice dana and to serve and participate in the Sangha.

Tea and Cookies
If you would like to bring a snack to share, there is time to socialize at the end of the sangha . Tea is provided.

Dinner Group
An ever-changing contingent of Sangha members goes out for dinner after class. Anyone with an appetite for food and the company of dharma friends is welcome. If you are interested, please ask the newcomer greeters for more information.

Small Group Interviews
Phillip offers group interviews of 4-6 people once a month before Sangha at 4:30PM.
This is an opportunity to present your dharma questions to Phillip and receive guidance about your practice in daily life. If you have attended Sangha five times or more, you are eligible to come to an interview.

Starting in January, 2010, interviews will be filled on a "first come, first served" basis, as opposed to the previous lottery system. Sangha member Linda Howerton, who maintains the list of yogis interested in having an interview, will contact yogis for interviews in the order in which she receives them. If you would like to have your name placed on this list, please email Linda. If you do not have access to email, please contact her at 415-459- 4976. Please include your phone number. Directions and other specifics will be provided at the time of notification.

To allow Phillip to have access to as many yogis as possible, once you have had an interview, please do not submit your name to the list for 6 months.

The Small Group Interview dates for 2010 are:

January 10
January 17
No February
March 7
March 21
Apri11
May 23
June 13
July 18
August 8
NoSeptember
October 3
November 7
December 12

The small group interviews are offered by Phillip on a dana basis; there will be a basket available at sangha that evening for your donation. As a reminder, the expectation is that anyone attending an interview will also be present at sangha that evening.