Looking for a meditation class in San Francisco

April 15, 2009 3:30 PM

I'm in San Francisco temporarily for work, and looking to take a meditation class or two. I'm looking for something free/cheap, basic, and located in the city.

I'm not looking for anything trendy or overly hippie. Just something low-key where I can learn the basics - I don't really know anything about it.

I know - obviously - that there's plenty of places to go for meditation, since we're in San Francisco. However, there's so many that I don't know which one I should go with, given my limited time!
If anyone has good experiences or suggestions, I would appreciate them greatly.

posted by waylaid to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) is near Valencia and 21st St. They have 6-week classes as well as drop-in sessions.
posted by phliar at 4:09 PM on April 15, 2009

Best answer: San Francisco Zen Center
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:18 PM on April 15, 2009

Seconding The Zen Center. I have friends who say good things about it.
posted by mollymayhem at 4:35 PM on April 15, 2009

Best answer: The SF Insight Meditation community is another good resource, though the SFZC is a great first step.
posted by kcm at 5:23 PM on April 15, 2009 [1 favorite]

Seconding SF Insight, every Sunday evening, where the format is a 45 minute meditation followed by a talk. I believe there is usually some guidance at the beginning of the meditation.

But, there is also:

With Howard Cohn, Tuesdays 7:30–9pm
St. John's Episcopal Church, 1661 15th Street at Julian (between Valencia & Mission)
entrance on Julian St, through the garden. Info [phone]

Both are using Vipassana methods (Insight Meditation).
posted by hazel at 8:52 PM on April 15, 2009

Response by poster: thanks all! you gave me a great place to start out.
posted by waylaid at 11:36 PM on April 15, 2009