Six Thursdays
October 16–November 20
6:00–7:30 pm
Buddhism is primarily a study of mind and a system for training the mind. It is spiritual in nature, not religious. Its goal is self-knowledge, not salvation; freedom, not heaven. It relies on reason and analysis, contemplation and meditation, to transform knowledge about something into knowledge that surpasses understanding.
― Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Rebel Buddha, p20
Discovering Oneself is the second class in the Nalandabodhi Introduction to Meditation series. Anyone with an interest in learning to meditate is welcome to join.
Who: beginners to meditation and those who can benefit from a review of the basics of calm abiding (shamatha) meditation.
Since the course has only six classes which are designed to build on one another, we recommend that new students only join during the first and second classes.
When: Thursday evenings, 6:00–7:30 pm, October 16 through November 20, 2025
What: This course is designed to help beginners establish an ongoing meditation practice, and will include meditation instruction, guided meditations, short videos, and discussion. We will be using Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche’s book, Rebel Buddha, as a guideline for the study of some basic Buddhist tenets and the practice of meditation.
Rebel Buddha can be purchased at the Nalanda Store at Nalanda West.
Where: onsite at Nalanda West in the Mahabodhi shrine room
Facilitator Bios
Karunika Colleen Paul is a very fortunate recipient of Dharma teachings. She has been a member of Nalandabodhi International since 2009 and is a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Colleen received a Masters degree in Psychology; Contemplative Psychotherapy from Naropa University. She is a licensed mental health counselor and enjoys looking at her mind while in the company of others who are interested in, aspiring to or actively doing the same.
Karunika Karen de Luna has been practicing meditation for over 20 years. In 2015 she became a student of Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche. Currently the co-director of Nalandabodhi Seattle, she enjoys helping others improve their flexibility so that they can sit with an inward smile, just like the Buddha.
The “Karunika” title: In 2021, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, with the support of the Nalandabodhi Acharyas, Lamas, and Mitras (the most senior group of designated teachers in Nalandabodhi), appointed over eighty long-time students to serve in a newly created supporting teacher’s role to assist in guiding our sangha members and to help share with the general public Nalandabodhi’s unique approach to spirituality. The Sanskrit term “Karunika” means “one who has compassion.” Possessing a wide range of backgrounds and sets of individual expertise, as well as formidable experience in the study and practice of the Buddhadharma, the Karunikas offer programs on themes connected to the paths of study, meditation, and mindful activity and on the “five fields of knowledge”: healing, the arts, language and communication, logic and epistemology, and the inner science of mind.
Date/Time
Date(s) - Thu., October 30, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Location Nalandabodhi Seattle @ Nalanda West
