Home

About Us

Teacher Bios

Prices

Photos

Lotus Room Class Schedule

Lotus Pond Class Schedule

Purchase Class Packages

Workshops & Special Events

Yoga Retreats

Corporate Haven

Teacher Training

Healing Arts

Meditation

Links

Sahara Rodrigiuez – Meditation Teacher
Meditation Classes, Mondays, 5:30pm-6:20pm
I have been practicing meditation in some form for 10 years now and teaching for 8 years. I have been fortunate to study and train with spiritual teachers from around the world and intend to bring together these many traditions in the spirit of Oneness. I am a certified Lightwork Practitioner, Minister and author. It brings me great joy to create a safe, nurturing atmosphere where people can relax, let go of stress and ease deeply into their inner self where all healing and inspiration occur. I also love working with kids and young adults with the hope that they may learn vital tools such as meditation and yoga, better guiding them on their journey through this often stressful world.

Beginners Mind Zen Group
Dancing Waters Sangha
Relaxation Meditation

Steve Shealy, Ph.D. a Clinical Psychologist,has his office at the Lotus Room and specializes in Mindfulness-Based approaches to emotional and psychological health, stress reduction, intimate relationship enhancement and overall wellness. He offers a number of exciting options to our community including:

8-Week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with evening and weekend programs

Mindfulness Meditation, Mindfulness in Relationships, and MBSRoffered in full and partial-day programs

Mindfulness in Psychotherapy continuing education programs for Mental Health and Allied Professionals

Steve Shealy, PhD and Lena Koob-Emunds, RYT

Mindfulness is a cultivated capacity to observe our experiences (i.e. physical sensations, emotions, thoughts, sounds, etc.) without the usual overlay of interpretation, judgment and internal dialogue. Minduflness allows space between reality and the often emotionally charged story we tell ourselves about reality. The sense of urgency that arises from this story fuels unhealthy behaviors such as lashing out at others, critical selfj-judgment, dropping into anxiety or depression or reaching for a drug of choice. We learn to mindfully watch the story and not react to the urgency as it moves through so the unskillful habits don't manifest. The unhealthy cycle is broken and healthy, skillful habits can take root.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is an integrated 8-week program combining a variety of mindfulness meditation practices with mindful Hatha yoga. This is the ideal program for anyone interested in establishing an effective mindfulness practice in daily life. These programs are offered a few times a year with evening and weekend options and are lead by Steve Shealy, PhD and co-leaders Lena Koob-Emunds, RYT and Beth Meeker, MA

MBSR was developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and has enjoyed a 25-year history of success around the world. Many who have completed a MBSR program report marvelous shifts in their ability to cope skillfully with life's challenges. Some say it changed their lives and put them on a path of emotional healing and Spiritual growth.
Of course, change in one's life, even healthy change, requires commitment, effort and support. Your commitment to personal growth and strong effort in opening fully to life provide the foundation. The program provides the support of clear, progressive instruction, group interaction, four practice CDs and a host of articles expanding upon the topics addressed in class. Day-long refresher programs, offered a few times a year, are open to anyone who has completed a MBSR program at no cost. You will find all the support you need for the establishment and long-term maintenance of a healthy mindulness-based lifestyle at a very affordable cost.

Beginners Mind Zen Group offers traditional Zen Meditation in Tampa every Sunday at the Lotus Room, starting at 7:30 AM. The School of Soto Zen Buddhist practice came through China, India and Japan before Zen Master Shunryu Suzuki Roshi brought it to San Francisco in the 1950s. Experienced and beginners are welcome.  Instruction and Meditation practice are free or by donation. Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Zafus and zabotons are provided. Please plan to stay for cleaning as this is part of our practice.  Interested persons may send an email to Suzanne at ssuarez@ij.net and be added to the organization's email news.
 
SUNDAY ZENDO SCHEDULE
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM Zazen Instruction* & Discussion
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM Sitting Meditation
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM Walking Meditation ("Kinhin")
8:40 AM - 9:10 AM Sitting Meditation
9:10 AM - 9:20 AM Service (Heart Sutra Chant)
9:20 AM - 10:00 AM Cleaning
9:20 AM - 9:45 AM  Tea & Coffee
 
This schedule includes two 30-minute sitting meditations. Those wishing to participate in only one meditation period should arrive at 8:30 AM and may join us in the zendo during kinhin.

*Beginner's Mind Zen Group is affiliated with San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC). All attendees should have zazen instruction unless experienced with the Soto School of Zen and/or SFZC.

 Dancing Waters Sangha
Dancing Waters Sangha (DWS) is a group that practices in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh--a Vietnamese Zen monk, teacher and peace activist. Our group formed eight years ago with four of us who attended a TNH retreat in Key West, and we've grown over the years to over 30 people, with anywhere from 6 to 20 at any one meeting. We meet every Thursday evening, 7-9.

Our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, has been studying and practicing Buddhist meditation for over thirty-five years. He has practiced primarily in the Zen and Tibetan Buddhist lineages, but bases his teachings on the full breadth of the Buddhist philosophical, psychological and meditative traditions.

Fred began his Zen practice with Roshi Philip Kapleau (author of The Three Pillars of Zen) in the late sixties at the Rochester Zen Center in upstate New York. In the mid-seventies, he established a close relationship with Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Zen Master who has become one of the most widely known, beloved and respected meditation teachers and authors in the West today. Fred received Dharma Transmission and permission to teach from Thich Nhat Hanh in 1994.
More information can be found at www.naplesmindfulness.org. Information about Thich Nhat Hanh is available at www.plumvillage.org.

In addition to Fred’s teachings, members of DWS and guest teachers share teachings and lead guided meditations for the Sangha. Our Thursday evening schedule varies, but generally begins with a 30-minute silent meditation, followed by walking meditation, guided meditation, and/or a Dharma talk and discussion. We generally remove our shoes before entering the meditation area. You may sit in the traditional fashion on a meditation cushion (bring your own, or use one of several extras that are generally available) or sit in a chair if that is more comfortable for you. Wearing loose and comfortable clothing is suggested.

All are open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend. There are no fees for participation, however donations are accepted, which help us cover the cost of rent and to provide support to our teacher Fred, who generously shares his teachings.
If you are new to meditation, a one-hour introductory class for newcomers is also available the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. We want everyone who is interested in learning about Buddhism or pursuing a meditation practice to feel comfortable in joining us. Please refer to our Schedule for meeting dates and times.
Wheelchair access is available.

For more information, contact Angie Parrish: angie parrish@aon.com

Relaxation Meditation
Sahara Rodriguez offers 50 minute meditation sessions at the Lotus Room on Monday nights at 5:30pm. Students relax into a beautifully guided meditation to soothing music and the melodic voice of Sahara. Her meditation studies have been with Spiritual masters from around the world including best-selling authors Jasmuheen and Amorah Quan Yin. She is a certified Pleiadian Lightwork Practitioner, Evolutionary Healer, and author of the inspirational book, "Beyond the Reflection" for troubled youth. Meditation sessions are offered on a donation only basis.