I studied at a Chenrezig Center in TX for 6 years, 3 sessions a week, never missed one. they had a monk there that had been the chant master at the Dalia Lama's Monastery, and an attendant to HH. I quit drinking using Meditation on my own, I couldn't find a group anywhere. after 3 months of very dedicated solo practice I ran into a their monk at the library he invited me to a Mandela dismantling, then later to study with them. till we moved here in the south.
i'm 65, i'll be 70 before I get a niche to practice. but this is my Spiritual calling, so that is what I will do as best I can working 65 hours a week. an important week end training I REALLY NEED is $250 + $377 flight and car rental + $170 for motel. then I have to eat. but I can afford 4 trainings in 2015. 2 are local.. $250 for the workshop + $130 motel.. food I can bring. only have to drive about 300 miles. another is 5 1/2 drive north to WV but it is at a Zen center, so it only costs $180 for work shop + gas + $50 lodging and about $30 for food.
I live in the bible belt, most of the trainings are in the Northeast, because most of the intelligent people into compassionate Spiritualism are in the Northeast, not in my area... so I have to go there.
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