Giving Birth to the Wisdom River Meditation Center

After 4 years online and several years of searching to find the “perfect” place to for a sanctuary for Vajrayana Buddhist study and practice, the Wisdom River Meditation Center opened its doors to a rousing and wonderful Grand Opening celebration on September 7. More than 80 celebrants joined us to initiate the center.

When we first saw the space, it was a shell filled with light and potential. Despite its unfinished interior, it had an aura of peace. After many thoughtful discussions by the Board of Directors, the decision was made in May to commit fundraising efforts to ensure its financial well-being and spiritual success.

“Many Sukhasiddhi members have been waiting a long time for this new center. A place to practice together in person where spiritual batteries could recharge, and people could feel held in community and in the dharma. As a board member I had a chance to see the space while under construction, and even then, it felt very special. It mattered so much to everyone involved in bringing this space to fruition that the needs of our dharma community were met with loving intention. I haven’t seen the finished space yet but knowing how happy the Lamas are, and how happy our community is, brings great joy to my heart. – Alicia Bell, long time practitioner, songstress, Shangpa program graduate

I walked into the building that was to become our new home a few months before the grand opening. What struck me immediately was the light and the feel of the space. Open, luminous and clear, just like the nature of mind. There was a resonance that filled my body with a sense of relief, like coming home.
– Barbara Juniper, Community Dharma Leader, Monday meditation, singer, Shangpa grad

As we negotiated with the landlord, he agreed to all our requests – adding a wall to create a reception area separate from the shrine room, removing a wall to create a larger office, and installing a kitchen where one wobbly sink stood. The 3339 square foot space met all our needs – ample parking, near the freeway, space for a lama room and office. Photos and comments below show its evolution into a beautiful space.

As we were boxing and unboxing our beloved shrine items and statues, I felt like we were giving them a rooted home again. Such delight! The re-emerging of the mandala, with familiar pieces in a new place. For me, being an in-person kind of girl, our first practice together in the center, Riwo Sang Chö, was pure bliss. As soon as we started chanting the refuge prayer in unison, my heart exploded with gratitude and appreciation. To be together in the same physical space, the harmonics of our voices united in prayer, felt so powerful. - Barbara Juniper

I recently supported a friend who was taking refuge for the first time, attending the Refuge/Bodhisattva ceremony at the center. During the pandemic, I also participated in an online refuge ceremony to support a fellow "first-time" friend, and we both noticed a significant difference. Most of us understand that practicing in person allows for greater connection with one another, but there's something equally, if not more, tangible about being in a Vajrayana-specific space surrounded by exquisite thangkas, blessed statues, and designated shrines that create a vibratory field that enhances the entire experience and offers a profoundly meaningful connection to the dharma. – Suzanne

Although I live out of the area, being able to take my Refuge and Bodhisattva vows in person at the new center was incredibly important and moving for me. After attending classes online for the past year, it was very powerful to connect with the Sangha in person. To share hugs, see the array of beautiful objects and artwork, to hear Lama Palden’s voice directly, and to sweep rice and help to clean up after the ceremony really helped me to cement my commitment to the Dharma path and feel connected to my fellow travelers and the lineage of Sukhasiddhi. – Kerry, Dharma Training Program participant

Our new center, Wisdom River, is serene and spacious. It is a blessing to be able to re-center ourselves back, physically, all together into what matters - cultivating awareness, loving-kindness and compassion for the benefit of ourselves and others. Virtual space has been, and is, still amazing to allow us to continuously receive teachings, practice the Dharma and stay connected. But nothing beats the in-person experience of being together, feeling our friendship for one another, and supporting each other in our quest for the ultimate. Like any sanctuary, our coming together infuses the space with blessings and aspirations, the loving presence and care of our teachers and an invitation for the awakened ones to abide in this sacred space. Each time we are here together, I feel these gifts we are given again and again. – Martyne, Shangpa Program

Returning to Sukhasiddhi and the new space at Wisdom River has been a blessing in my life. Coming back to a physical space to practice with the community feels very supportive and connected. The new location is very beautiful and is filled with the same blessings as the previous location and already feels like home. – Darren, Dharma Training Program participant and college student

My beginnings at Sukhasiddhi started post COVID and the teachings were all done via zoom. Now with the new Sukhasiddhi center opening my connection and motivation to learn more about Mahayana practice has deepened. The interaction in person with the sangha and Lama Dondrup is very encouraging and supportive. The center brings to life all the teachings with its beautiful environment. – Jim, Retreat participant, committed student and practitioner

I spent many days, weeks, and years at our previous center in Fairfax. I remember feeling heartbroken when we had to close our doors in April 2020; a lesson in impermanence. But every cloud has a silver lining and the way that our sangha grew over the next few years has been truly wondrous. Zoom has been amazing in the way that it has connected us to practitioners all around the country and the world. So as we continue forward on the path of adaptation and flexibility, we get to combine the best of both worlds...the hybrid. Our distance sangha and our local sangha together in prayers for all sentient beings and our beloved earth. E Ma Ho! - Barbara Juniper

After so many years of meeting exclusively online, there is a renewed appreciation for the preciousness of community and the direct exchange of energy, kindness, and support that unfolds when we gather together. Bringing our online community into the new shrine room which is vibrating with this enthusiasm has added another dimension and level of energy to our virtual connection. This hybrid format is energizing our classes and retreats, and is significantly enhancing the depth of our practice as we experience both the felt sense of shared space and connection across time zones. This will only increase as both our physical and virtual doors welcome more and more practitioners, and the center truly becomes a sacred space, infused with the sincerity of our devotion, practice, and shared care and love for one another.
- Lama Döndrup, Resident Lama

Looking Forward ~ An Invitation from Lama Palden

We are rejoicing in having a physical space to meet in person again. And we have a big Zoom screen for people who are out of the area, so we can all be together. We are very grateful to everyone who helped make this a reality, whether by actually securing a great place or by giving donations so that everything could come together. Already center members are spontaneously coming together to practice in person. I’m sure more meditations will be happening in the months ahead. We also plan to hold our June All Sangha retreat at the center, and people who live out of the area can get an Air B&B close by to the center. We will also be holding retreats of 4 days where we can practice together.

All of our primary offerings will continue to be on Zoom as well. We can still use more volunteers, so if you are willing, please see the list below, fill out the Google form.

• Event Support – various roles of greeter, set-up shrine room, food prep, empowerment support

• Local publicity – help post info on digital bulletin boards, social media, Next Door, newspapers

• Audio/visual support support – assist with zoom, camera, and mixer board

• Photographer – help take photos of events and activities that can be shared with our marketing folks

• Sales cabinet – Help set up and manage items in the sales cabinet in the foyer

• Cleaning the center – help clean the floors and general dusting