Recommendations for meditation classes in Los Angeles?

July 6, 2008 8:42 PM

Can anyone recommend meditation classes in Los Angeles?

I was really interested in Transcendental Meditation but the proper classes cost about $3000. I'm intrigued by all forms of meditation, and have never taken a class. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I live in the Hollywood area.

posted by wannaknow to Religion & Philosophy (5 answers total)

Goda Yoga in Culver City will frequently have either introduction to meditation workshops or workshops that combine yoga poses with a long meditation period. Check their workshops page for upcoming events. It doesn't look like there are any planned right now, but check frequently; it changes more-or-less weekly. Either Cheryl Moss, the owner of the studio, or Nathalie Canessa, who leads the meditation workshops, could also help point you in the right direction.

(Not affiliated with the studio, just a very very happy participant!)
posted by fuzzbean at 9:19 PM on July 6, 2008

I'm intrigued by all forms of meditation

Well, then. I welcome you to try the Art of Living. It was not for me, but maybe it will be for you, or at least help out on your scale of mediation experiences.

Also, a lot of the events are free in LA, it seems. There's a lot of closed eyes and deep breathing and being comfortable and sharing your experiences.

Art of Living International
Art of Living - Los Angeles
LA introductory seminars
posted by whatzit at 4:46 AM on July 7, 2008

Check in with some of the local community centers. When we lived in Hermosa Beach my wife and I enrolled in a meditation class that was fantastic and very reasonably priced. I'd been doing TM for a long time but had lapsed and needed a kick-start. It did the trick.
posted by Umhlangan at 6:03 AM on July 7, 2008

I suspect my saying this won't matter, but just in case I can save you some cash, classes are not necessary. You may wish to meditate with a group, or go on a retreat, but instruction isn't something you need to pay for.

Here's the 'instructions' from Charlotte Joko Beck who has been practicing Zen for forty years.

"It is very simple, when you sit, be aware of your thoughts, and be aware of your bodily sensations. That's it."

You aren't going to find a better guide, but you will find someone who will lighten your wallet.

"I'm intrigued by all forms of meditation"

Meditation has one form, awareness of sensation and thought. There are numerous forms of trances. I'm not sneering at trance, it can be of great benefit. However, dissociation, which is one way of defining trance, is the exact opposite of meditation.
posted by BigSky at 7:09 PM on July 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

The technique can be learned from the book, The Relaxation Response, available from Amazon for $8.

It is also available on-line from various disgruntled teachers and professional skeptics. Keep in mind that the technique is at best an overhyped stress-reduction procedure and at worst self-hypnosis that the TM community combines with indoctrination.

That said, I was an active TM-er for about four years and I don't regret it, just the $600 my family spent on it.
posted by anotherpanacea at 2:31 PM on July 8, 2008