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Ann Arbor

Welcome to the Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Chapter Webpage!

HIGHLIGHTS FOR ANN ARBOR PROGRAMS & SANGHA ACTIVITIES follow.  Please scroll further below for a full listing of both local Ann Arbor Dharma Programs and Sangha Activities. Please note our new online registration process for Ann Arbor onsite only Dharma Programs.

JEWEL HEART SUNDAY PROGRAMS – Local/National, Onsite/Online

SUNDAY PROGRAMS

Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. with Demo Rinpoche. Free weekly Sunday Talks, 11:00am – 12:00pm, Onsite/Online. All welcome. Onsite, tea/snacks and optional discussion follows the morning talk. No onsite/online discussion on Sunday, April 20, May 25, July 27, and October 5.

White Tara Guided Meditation.  Free Sundays, 9:30 – 10:30am. Onsite/Online. All welcome. Click to explore the White Tara Meditations/Practice webpage. No White Tara Guided Meditation session April 20, May 25, July 27 and October 5..

ONSITE ONLY LOCAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

LAMA CHOPA AND TSOH, Monthly, 6:00pm. Dates: Monday, April 7, Wednesday, May 7, Thursday, June 5 Onsite only. Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap will lead the 10th lunar day practice. All welcome.
 
Join the SPRINGTIME BRUNCH on Sunday, April 13 after Demo Rinpoche’s 11:00am weekly Sunday Talk. Suggested donation $12. All Welcome. We invite you to bring a savory dish or salad. 
 
WHAT IS MEDITATION? with Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap on Sunday, April 13, 3:00 – 4:00pm Onsite Only. See details in Program section below. 
 
MEDITATION with Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap – Tuesdays weekly, beginning April 15th, 6:00 – 6:45pm FREE. Onsite only. No registration required.
Meditation will be held in the Joyful Paradise Room. Bring a friend!

EARTH DAY ONSITE PROGRAMMING , Sunday, April 20 – 10am – Smoke Puja, 11am – Onsite & Online Earth Day Sunday Talk by Demo Rinpoche remains scheduled as usual, 12pm – Garden Blessing by Demo Rinpoche & Garden Architect Richard Thomas’ Slide presentation, 12:30 or 1:00pm – Afternoon Tea. No April 20 online/onsite facilitated discussion.

ONGOING SANGHA ACTIVITIES HIGHLIGHTS – Free (unless otherwise noted). Scroll further below for detailed Sangha Activities section.

LOVING KINDNESS CRAFTERS, Sundays monthly, 1:00pm. Dates: January 26, March 23, April 27, May 18 No February session

TAI CHI, Sundays weekly, 4:00 – 5:00pm, $5 per session No session April 13 and 20, May 25, July 27, October 5 .

OPEN MIC@Jewel Heart, Second Sunday monthly, 6:00pm. Dates: March 9, April 13, May 11

DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF, Third Sunday monthly, 2:00 – 4:00pm – April 20, 3:00pm Date/Time exception – We’ll meet on April 20 at 3:00pm for our Season Opening Extravaganza. Prizes will be awarded to participants, including those new to Dharma Disc-ers. Discs will also be available for use for newcomers. Meet and play at Mary Beth Doyle Park.

YOGA STRETCH with Samantha Lieberman, Thursdays weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am, $18 per session

STRETCH with Samantha Lieberman, Fridays, 9:15 – 10:15am, $18 per session

FREE FILM & DISCUSSION, Fridays monthly, 7:00pm. Dates: January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11: Melancholia 

HAPPY HIKERS, Saturdays, Monthly, 1:30 – 2:30pm. Dates: January 18, March 15, April 19: Barton Nature Area Loop

Please check here for onsite cancellations during inclement weather.

ANN ARBOR SANGHA COUNCIL MEETINGS –  Onsite, first Tuesday monthly, 5:45pm. All welcome. Next Sangha Council monthly meeting is May 6. Dates: March 4, March 16: All Ann Arbor Sangha Meeting, April 1, May 6, June 3. Questions contact Wendy at [email protected]

For local Jewel Heart Ann Arbor Programs and Sangha Activities questions – write [email protected] or call 734 994 3387.

Covid Guidelines

Jewel Heart was founded in Ann Arbor in 1988. We were privileged to receive the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche’s teachings on a regular basis, and the privilege continues with Jewel Heart’s Spiritual Director, Demo Rinpoche. Jewel Heart also hosts many other preeminent teachers and scholars in Tibetan Buddhism.

Read More about the Ann Arbor Chapter…

In 2008, we were honored when His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama accepted Jewel Heart’s invitation to teach in Ann Arbor and inaugurated our spacious new location at 1129 Oak Valley Drive.

Throughout the year, we offer retreats, courses, guest speakers, workshops, and talks geared to help individuals bring peace, joy, and understanding into their lives and the lives of others. Jewel Heart offerings are based on the authentic and accessible teachings of Demo Rinpoche, Jewel Heart’s Resident Spiritual Advisor and the late Kyabje Gelek Rimpoche, founder of Jewel Heart.

When fully open for onsite participation, we hold film nights, a book group, a knitting group, tai chi classes, and community events, such as potlucks, a community garden, and fun-raisers. We are also involved in outreach activities, providing classes in mindfulness meditation to prisoners and living will workshops offered by Jewel Heart Health Center and Community Hospice.

The Jewel Heart Store, located at Jewel Heart Ann Arbor, sells books, transcripts, Tibetan rugs, and dharma objects. Jewel Heart Ann Arbor also has a main assembly hall, multiple rooms for courses, kitchen and dining facilities, and green space with a pond.

If you have questions about local programming, please email [email protected]or call 734 994 3387.

Arbor Farms

SHOP AT ARBOR FARMS MARKET AND JEWEL HEART RECEIVES A 3% DONATION ON YOUR ORDER. IT’S SIMPLE … When Checking out, mention you’d like to benefit Organization #79 Jewel Heart. It’s Good for you…. with Local and Organic Produce and more. Arbor Farms Market – 2103 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103. 734 996 8111. Visit arborfarms.com.

Don’t forget to do your grocery shopping at Arbor Farms and 3% will be donated to Jewel Heart.
 
Facebook Chapter Link

 

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Location and Events

View Location

View Calendar of Events

Archived Programs

Contact

Phone:
(734) 994-3387

Email:
[email protected]

Location and Events

View Location

View Calendar of Events

Archived Programs

Contact

Phone:
(734) 994-3387

Email:
[email protected]

Ann Arbor Programs Jan – April 2025

NEW – ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR ANN ARBOR  DHARMA PROGRAMS AND COURSES 

WHAT IS MEDITATION? Sunday, April 13, 3:00 – 4:00pm Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap Onsite Only. No registration required.
Ever tried on your own to meditate, not quite sure how to? Or if you do meditate, looking for a refresher and some new methods to calm your mind, de-stress, focus, be happy and increase your good qualities of compassion, wisdom, patience and so on? Come to this foundational meditation workshop with Jadal Tulku, incarnate Tibetan lama, accomplished meditation master and Geshe Lharampa from Drepung monastery.

Biography – Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap was recognized by the 100th Ganden Tripa, and His Holiness the Dalai Lama in 1999. He then studied at DrepungLoseling monastery through 2014. Next he attended Gelugpa University focusing on advanced studies on the five major treatises of Buddhist philosophical texts. He received the bachelor’s level Karam Degree and master’s level Lopon degree, and then the Geshe Lharam degree in 2020. In 2021 Jadal Tulku also studied tantra at Gyume Tantric College, in Hunsur, and then at the National Taiwan Normal University Mandarin Training Center in Taipai City, Taiwan.

MEDITATION with Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap – Tuesdays weekly, beginning April 15th, 6:00 – 6:45pm FREE. Onsite only. No registration required.
Meditation will be held in the Joyful Paradise Room. Bring a friend!

MONTHLY LAMA CHOPA & TSOHS with Jadal Tulku Lobsang Sherap – 6:00pm – January 9, March 9, April 7, May 7, June 6. No session February 10. Onsite only.  Jadal Tulku will lead the sessions in the Joyful Paradise Room on the monthly 10th lunar day. No registration required.

DEEPENING AWARENESS Meditation Course – Mondays, March 3 – April 7, 2025,  7:00 – 8:30pm. Onsite only. Free. Donations Welcome. Registration required

Becoming more aware of our thoughts, feelings, sensations and phenomena through meditation opens the door to understanding the natuure of our  mind and how it influences our experiences. This course is based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness taught in all traditions of Buddhism, as well as meditations on compassion.  All levels of experience are welcome. Click here to register. 

Facilitators – Birgit Roller and Figen Lacin. Birgit Roller has studied with Gelek Rimpoche and many other great Tibetan masters, for 25 years. She is the Executive Director of a non-profit benefiting the health and education of veterans. Figen Lacin began studying Buddhism in 2010 when she met Gelek Rimpoche. She has a PhD, working as an engineer with a clean air focus and appreciates connecting with people.

CREATING SPACE: Clarity & Insight through Meditation – Mondays onsite only, January 6 – February 3, 2025,  7:00 – 8:30pm. No session January 20, due to holiday. FREE – Registration required

Meditation provides us with a clear stable mind, necessary for a happy life as well as the foundation for deepening our spiritual journey. This is a condensed four week course, offering hands-on experience with all of the basic elements of meditation – attention to breath, posture, plus techniques for coping with distractions and laxity of mind. All levels of experience are welcome. Jewel Heart Facilitators – John Madison and Wendy Weiner. Click here to register. 

SEM: THE NATURE OF MIND – Wednesdays onsite only, January 8 – March 19. 7:00 – 8:30pm. No session February 19. Click here to register. 

This course addresses the relationship between energy and mind, the mind’s capacity for liberation, wisdom, and continuity of consciousness, as well as highlighting the mind as an object of concentrated meditation.

The course format includes: Reading assignments based on Gelek Rimpoche’s SEM transcript, and sessions that include concentrated meditation, facilitator presentations, group  discussion, and guided analytical meditation. Jewel Heart Facilitators: Elizabeth Hurwitz and Helen Breault.

 

Visit the Jewel Heart store onsite to purchase the SEM paperback transcript or the Jewel Heart Store online to purchase the SEM downloadable digital pdf.  Click here to register.  Jewel Heart Members FREE, Non-Members $40 or Pay what you can

GOM: DAY OF MEDITATION – Saturdays onsite only, January 25 and March 29, 2025, 9:00am – 5:00pm. FREE

Meditation is an essential tool to help develop peace, joy, concentration and wisdom. GOM Days provide an opportunity to participate in silent group meditation sessions. Instructors will provide light guidance and will be available for assistance. Participants are welcome to come and go as suits their personal schedules throughout the day.

No registration required. Come when you can.

SCHEDULE

9:00am-10:30am session, 10:30am-11:00am break/questions
11:00am-12:30pm session, 12:30pm-1:00pm break/questions
1:00am-2:3pm session, 2:30pm-3:00pm break/questions
3:00am-4:30pm session, 4:30pm-5:00pm break/questions

Participants are welcome to meditate through break if you choose.

MONTHLY LAMA CHOPA AND TSOHS – 6:00pm onsite only  – January 9, March 9 (4:30pm this day only), April 7, May 7, June 6.  No session February 10.

Meeting onsite on the 10th lunar day monthly at 6:00pm with Lama Chopa Practice and Tsohs. Jadal Tulku will lead the sessions.

ANCIENT WISDOM. MODERN TIMES. WITH DEMO RINPOCHE

Join Demo Rinpoche for weekly public talks on a variety of topics based on Buddhist wisdom that remains relevant for modern life. Followed by optional facilitated group discussion, onsite and online.

Sundays Weekly 11:00am – 12:00pm, FREE, Onsite and Online – Earlier recordings will be posted on the Ancient Wisdom. Modern Times. webpage on those dates to view at your convenience.

WHITE TARA GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION

Tara, mother goddess of Tibetan Buddhism, is known for her quick and compassionate activity. White Tara is particularly associated with healing and long life. These guided meditations use visualization techniques to overcome physical, mental, and emotional suffering.

Sundays Weekly, 9:30 – 10:30am, Online/Onsite – 2025 sessions resume January 12. No White Tara guided meditations session on Jan 5, February 16 and 23 (Winter Retreat), April 20 (Special Earth Day program), May 25 (Spring Seminar), July 27 (Summer Retreat), October 12 (Fall Seminar), December 28 (Holiday Intensive). 

Ann Arbor Sangha Activities Jan – April 2025

LOVING KINDNESS CRAFTERS – Monthly Sundays, 1:00pm
DATES: January 26, March 23, April 27, May 18 – No session February 23 due to Winter Retreat.

Interested in knitting, sewing, quilting, baking or other crafts? No knowledge necessary, beginners and experts and all between are welcome. The Loving Kindness Crafters have recently been creating patient blankets and blankets for homeless children – simply cutting cloth edges and tying. Update: On March 23 and April 27 – We hope to complete 2 more Polarfleece Tie Blankets. On May 18, the monthly project will shift to making felted beads for jewelry, using wool fiber, olive oil soap and water. Materials and instructions will be provided.

TAI CHI – Sundays Weekly, 4:00 – 5:00pm 
Learn and practice Wu Style Tai Chi Chan with instructor Marilyn Feingold.
COST: Drop-in, $5 per session at the door. No sessions February 16 and 23 due to Winter Retreat, all of March and April 13.

OPEN MIC@JEWEL HEART – Second Sunday Monthly, 6:00pm Sign-up  5:30pm.

DATES:  January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11

All welcome. Email [email protected].  Donations welcome.

LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor, 48108

HATHA YOGA WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN – Thursdays Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am – No session February 20
COST: Drop-in $18 per session, Cash or Venmo at door. Seniors receive 10% discount. Discounted packages available. Bring your own mats.

Sam Lieberman has been practicing yoga since 1988. She received teacher trainings in Yoga Fit and Yoga Medics. Yoga Medics is a medical model approach with emphasis on alignment and therapeutic needs.

NEW STRETCH WITH SAMANTHA LIEBERMAN – Fridays Weekly, 9:15 – 10:15am, No session February 21 and March 14  – Try and see.

Come educate yourself on how, why and the importance of stretching! Bring your own mat. $18 per session/Venmo or cash the door. 10% senior discount.

FREE FILM AND DISCUSSION – Fridays Monthly, 7:00pm

Bring friends and enjoy a free film &  follow up group discussion onsite. Free concessions available.

LOCATION: 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor 48108

January 10 – After Sun (2022) – Sophie reflects on the shared joy and private melancholy of a holiday she took with her father twenty years earlier. Memories real and imagined fill the gaps between, as she tries to reconcile the father, she knew with the man she didn’t…

February 14 – Don’t Look Up (2021) – Two low-level astronomers must go on a giant media tour to warn humankind of an approaching comet that will destroy planet Earth, portrays how not listening to Science can turn out.

March 14 – Take Shelter (2012) – Plagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband & father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm or from himself.

April 11 – Melancholia (2012) – A marriage celebration despite best efforts is a fiasco, family tensions mounting and relationships fraying. Meanwhile, a planet is heading directly at earth threatening the very existence of humankind.

 HAPPY HIKERS – 3rd Saturday Monthly at various Ann Arbor parks, 1:30 – 2:30pm  

DATES/LOCATIONS: January 19, No session this February, March 15, April 19, May 17.  We take a break in June, July, August and resume September – December.

April 19: Barton Nature Area Trail

January: Parker Mill County Park, 4650 Geddes Rd, Ann Arbor; March: Bird Hills Park Newport Rd., Ann Arbor; April 19: Barton Nature Area Trail, Michigan, May 17: Lilly Park-South Trails Loop 4365 Platt Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108

Questions? Contact Heather MacKenzie at [email protected] for information.

DHARMA DISC’ERS DISC GOLF – Sunday Afternoons Monthly, 2:00pm – 4:00pm – New and experienced players welcome!

DATES: April 20*, May 18, June 8, July 13, August 17

*April 20 – 3:00pm this date only – Season Opening Extravanganza.  Prizes will be awarded to participants including those new to Dharma Disc’ers. Join the fun! New players are always welcome.

LOCATION: Mary Beth Doyle Park, 3500 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor 48108. Meet in parking lot adjacent to swing set.
Instructions – Time of play is usually 1-3 hours, depending on number in group and how many holes we play. Typically 18 holes but you can also play 9 or however many you like.
Wear good hiking shoes with a good gripping sole as ground may be muddy. Discs will be available to use for the day. If you have your own discs (or plan to purchase a starter set), please bring your own. You might also want to bring a small bag or backpack to carry your discs.
Note: Play is weather permitting. Please check this webpage first.
Contact: [email protected]

SANGHA GAME NIGHT – February 2, 1:30pm
LOCATION: Jewel Heart Cafe, 1129 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor 48108
Everyone is invited to bring a favorite game or two, otherwise take their chances with what others bring. A few games anticipated are – Uno and variants, Codenames, Splendor, Pictionary, Monikers Late arrivals welcome.

In general, it is anticipated someone will join a group of 3-6 people and agree to a game for 30-60 minutes. One person will take the lead explaining the game and facilitating game play. Then a NEW game is selected by someone else for variety as people move in or out as desired.
People sharing their favorite games and learning new games is encouraged. Snacks will be provided.

 

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