Meditation Classes
In Surprise, AZ
January 7-28, 2026
Developing a Meditation Practice
with Susan Smith
We devote so much energy and time in our lives developing our outer world—pursuing careers, building relationships, organizing our responsibilities, and responding to the constant demands around us. While these efforts are important, they often leave little room for exploring our deeper landscape within.
Through meditation, we open the door to that inner world. As this inner world becomes more familiar, it naturally develops into a source of genuine, lasting happiness
Join us for this inspiring series to learn, step by step, how to deepen this inner development.
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This series is based on the book The New Meditation Handbook by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso
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Wednesdays | 10:30 - 11:30 am
Class price | $10.00 Free for Members
at The Unitarian Universalist of Surprise
17540 Ave of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378
with Kadampa Teacher, Susan Smith
January 7 - The goal of meditation
January 14 - What exactly is meditation?
January 21 - What do we need to know in order to meditate?
January 28 - How to actually meditate
Upcoming Classes
The Path to Enlightenment
with Susan Smith
The Lamrim instructions form the main body of Buddha’s teachings. By integrating these instructions into our daily life, we can learn how to control our mind and always keep a good motivation in our heart. Everyone can benefit from practicing Buddha's teachings. This is because there is no difference between Kadam Dharma and people's everyday experiences. Everyone needs it to make their lives happy and meaningful and temporarily solve their human problems, and to enable them ultimately to find pure and everlasting happiness through controlling their anger, attachment, jealousy, and especially ignorance.
Over the next several months, we will be studying the Kadam Lamrim meditations using Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s text ‘The New Meditation Handbook’. This will provide practical guidance for those new to meditation as well as for more experienced meditators, helping you to build confidence and discover the benefits of a calmer and more peaceful mind.
Wednesdays | 10:30 - 11:30 am
Class price | $10.00 Free for Members
at The Unitarian Universalist of Surprise
17540 Ave of the Arts, Surprise, AZ 85378
with Kadampa Teacher, Susan Smith
February 4 - Our Precious Human Life
February 11 - Death and Impermanance
February 18 - The Dangers of Lower Rebirth
February 25 - Refuge Practice
March 4 - Actions and Their Effects
March 11 - Developing Renunciation
March 18 - Developing Equanimity
March 25 - Recognizing That All Living Beings Are Our Mothers
About the teacher
Susan Smith has been studying Buddhist teachings for nearly 30 years and is currently enrolled in the Teacher Training Program. Susan is passionate about sharing her understanding and personal experience of Dharma with others. She exemplifies how to practice Buddhism as a layperson in a busy city and presents Buddha’s teachings in a clear, eloquent, and inspiring way.