Foundation Program

with Kadam Lucy James

Thursday Evenings | 6:30-8:30pm

How to Sign Up

Please e-mail the Education Program Coordinator, Erica, for any more information you need and to learn how to become an official student of the program.

Email: EPC@meditationincolorado.org

Deepen Your Understanding & Practice of Buddhist Meditation

We are so happy to announce that we have restarted our Foundation Program (FP)! Foundation Program is a 2-hour class once a week during term times, and is available both in person and online*.

Are you ready for FP? Learn more below about the program, what book is being studied, what a typical class consists of, and how you can attend. We look forward to seeing you!

What is the Foundation Program exactly?

The Foundation Program is a global study program that is offered in hundreds of Buddhist Centers around the world.

Our FP gives you the opportunity to engage in a step by step study and practice of the essential teachings and meditations of the Buddhist spiritual path to enlightenment, right here at KMC Colorado, with a highly qualified Buddhist teacher.

To make successful and consistent spiritual progress, it is important to have a close connection with a qualified teacher who can give us personal advice and encouragement, to listen to pure Dharma teachings, and to be a part of a strong spiritual community. Through regular teachings & meditation, in-depth study, contemplative prayers, and group discussion, the FP offers the same training followed by spiritual practitioners in an unbroken lineage dating all the way back to Buddha Shakyamuni.

What are the benefits of this program?

By studying on this program we shall gain great confidence in meditation – from basic techniques for overcoming our everyday problems to practices leading to unsurpassed happiness and permanent inner peace.

Warm friendships develop as students inspire each other, sharing insights and experiences of the spiritual path.

What is the structure of the class & what is a typical class like?

The secret of the Foundation Program’s success lies in the manageable commitment made by the student and in the clear structure of study. Students sign up to study a book, and agree to attend every class (or catch up), read the material, and discuss with an assigned partner in the class.

Prior to class, students read a portion of the text, usually a few pages long, and take to heart the essential points. Most classes consist of contemplative prayers, guided meditation, and a reading and explanation of the text. The students then divide into pairs to discuss the material. Once the teacher has answered any questions, she and the students conclude by deciding how to bring these insights into daily life that week. Some classes are group discussions, which are helpful and enjoyable.

What book will we be studying?

The New Eight Steps to Happiness: The Buddhist Way of Loving Kindness

This is a practical explanation of one of Buddhism's best-loved teachings, Eight Verses of Training the Mind, by the great Tibetan Bodhisattva, Geshe Langri Tangpa. Clear methods are simply presented for transforming all life's difficulties into valuable spiritual insights.

Studying this book together will definitely improve our relationships and bring greater patience, empathy, and compassion into our daily lives. These methods have inspired generations of Buddhist practitioners for almost a thousand years, bringing lasting peace, inspiration, and resilience to countless people.

How and when do I attend?

This class is once a week on Thursdays from 6:30-8:30pm. You can attend either in-person or online*, depending on factors such as health, distance or family situation. 

* to qualify for online classes you must meet certain criteria such as living too far away or disability. Everyone else is asked to attend classes in-person