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Classes, Workshops and Practice Sessions

A Joyous Path: Exploring the Core Wisdom of Buddhism with Nisa King
A 5-week Class Series Beginning Saturday March 7

As the deep stillness of Winter gives way to the vibrant energy of Spring, it is the perfect time for a season of spiritual renewal and growth. Join us for an immersive 5-week journey that returns you to the essential truths and the simple, transformative heart of the Buddha's message—the very "beginner's stuff" that is, in fact, the most profound teaching of all. For more information click here.

Classes are offered by members of the community covering various aspects of Buddhism and meditation practice. The classes listed below are offered periodically.

Types of class enrollment

Drop-in. You may attend any class session.
Registration is required. Watch for an email notice of the enrollment period, containing instructions on how to sign up.

Please contact the teacher or facilitator with any questions or to show interest in the class. Showing interest in a class may make it happen sooner!

A Joyous Path: Exploring the Core Wisdom of Buddhism

a 5 week series
Led by: Nisa King

When the mind is untrained, suffering (Dukkha) seems inevitable. How do we cultivate the stable, inner joy necessary to meet this suffering with wisdom, rather than reaction?

Why This Class?

This course offers you a chance to cultivate a new way of encountering your world. Many practitioners often overlook the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, dismissing them as basic knowledge. Yet, as the revered teacher Ajahn Sumedho reminded us, these truths offer the clearest, most reliable map for navigating life’s challenges and transforming suffering into wisdom.

This course is your chance to deeply reconnect with that foundational wisdom.

What You Will Discover:

The Blueprint for Peace: We will meticulously explore the Four Noble Truths, not as abstract philosophy, but as a practical, step-by-step diagnostic for understanding the cause of stress and the path to freedom.
A Clear Way Forward: Learn how the Noble Eightfold Path provides a moment-to-moment guide for mindful living, ethical choices, and profound meditation.
Beyond the Book: This is not purely academic. Each two-hour session is designed for embodiment and discovery, featuring:
- Lively Discussion & Insight
- Guided Meditation
- Mindful Movement (Qigong)

Expect to leave each week feeling refreshed, inspired, and more connected to the simple, transformative joy that lies at the heart of the Dharma.

Contact Nisa King with questions.

Accessing Mindfulness

a 4 week series
Mick Malotte

Suitable for Non-Buddhists and Buddhists alike.
A good introduction for those new to mindfulness meditation, also a good refresher for those with experience who want to establish a regular daily meditation practice and see more benefit in daily life.
Similar to courses Mick teaches at Stanford Medical School and UCSF Medical Center with added dharma depth.
Based on original mindfulness texts and current contemplative neuroscience. Optional companion books: “Introducing Mindfulness” by Bhikkhu Analayo and “Peak Mind” by Amishi Jha.

Daily Meditation Commitment: Minimum of 12 minutes every day for 5 weeks, based on recent neuroscience findings (reduced distress and improved well-being). Once benefits are experienced and meditation becomes an enjoyable habit, then natural motivation follows to continue and increase practice time, if desired, with greater benefits.

Mick’s passion is in making deep rooted mindfulness practices accessible, relevant, and helpful to those engaged in modern life in order to lessen distress and bring well-being and joy. He has been practicing and studying mediation for 30 years, mostly in the Insight and Mahamudra traditions. He is married, has two children, two grandchildren and is a retired physician.

Accordion Widget

More about Mick

Mick was trained as a meditation teacher through Spirit Rock Meditation Center. In 2017 Mick completed Spirit Rock’s two and a half year CDL training program where he received instruction on how to lead dharma practices from Bhikkhu Bodhi, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Sylvia Boorstein, Tara Brach, Gil Fronsdal and many others. Mick leads a Spirit Rock affiliated mindfulness sitting group at the White Heron Sangha in San Luis Obispo.

He has also been trained through UCSD to lead secular Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction courses and is a certified MBSR instructor. He teaches MBSR courses in the San Luis Obispo area.

Additionally, Mick trained at the University of Rochester with Ronald Epstein to lead mindfulness practices for healthcare professionals and graduated from their Mindful Practice Facilitator Training.

Mick now leads mindfulness trainings in person and virtually at academic medical centers around the country including Stanford Medical School, UCSF, UCLA, University of Washington, Baylor University and many others. He is an instructor at the UCSF Center for Mindfulness in Surgery.

Contact: Mick Malotte with questions.

Basics of Mindfulness and Meditation

Four Saturdays, August 15, 22, 29 and September 5, 2026
10-11:30am

Laura Liss

This class is offered to help meditation practice become more accessible.

The series will explore meditation as one among several integral practices of spiritual Buddhism and is designed for people who are curious about meditation, new to the sangha, and/or wanting to revitalize their practice.

The basics will include grounding posture, anchors to present moment experience, lightly guided practice and gentle inquiry. As we cultivate our natural capacity to observe direct experience through the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (the body, feelings, mind and phenomena), we'll also explore the motivation and dedication of practice which is to benefit all beings, as well as the significance of the three jewels - the Buddha, dharma and sangha.

Laura has been teaching Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses since 2016 and is a Certified MBSR Instructor. After a number of years as a social worker and psychotherapist, she has taught various forms of yoga including Classical Yoga since 2005. Laura began attending retreats and studying Buddhism in 2017 and recently completed the WHS Leadership Development Program.

Contact: Laura Liss with questions. All are welcome.

Conversations on the End of Life

a monthly class series

Susan Quinones

This group gathering gives us an opportunity to explore the many topics that have to do with life’s end. Once a month, we will explore a different topic both as a group and in small groups to delve deeper into the beliefs, thoughts and feelings that we hold around these ideas.

It is my hope that we can learn from each other and be able to share about things that are not easily talked about in the wider community. How can we benefit from exploring things from a Buddhist lens and in doing so, support each other so that we can live each day with meaning?

The class is facilitated by Susan Quinones, a member of White Heron Sangha and registered nurse trained in Hospice and End of Life Care.

Contact: Susan Quinones with questions.

Tara Meditation

Held occasionally - Check the schedule

James Coleman

Tara is the embodiment of enlightened mind, a manifestation of our own deepest wisdom. In this group, simple practices are performed together that help to connect us with her awakened wisdom and to manifest her love and power in our daily lives.

The visualization of the female Buddha Tara not only builds concentration, it helps balance our female and male energies, and helps free us from the limitations of our deluded sense of self.

Everyone is welcome, including newcomers.

Contact: James Coleman with questions.

Classes, Workshops and Practice Sessions

A Joyous Path: Exploring the Core Wisdom of Buddhism

Why This Class?

What You Will Discover:

Accessing Mindfulness

Conversations on the End of Life

Tara Meditation

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