Long Beach Meditation, one of Southern California’s oldest meditation centers, has recently moved into a new dedicated facility and is holding an open house to give members and the public an opportunity to learn more about the organization and all it has to offer the Long Beach community.
Located in the Peace Builders Building on 741 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach Meditation invites anyone who is interested in learning more about meditation or the organization to attend the Open House on Saturday, September 13 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM, where visitors will be able to meet with teachers and other members of the group. Light refreshments and tours of the facility will be offered.
Founded in 1993, Long Beach Meditation’s mission is to spread mindfulness and tranquility through the time-honored method of insightful focus. The center welcomes visitors from all faiths and/or no faith, with regular attendees coming from every corner of Long Beach, as well as its surrounding communities in Los Angeles and Orange County.
As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, Long Beach Meditation says they never turns anyone away due to lack of funds. Thanks to the generosity of its long-time members and donations from local businesses and individuals, the center’s mission to offer a place of silent refuge in the heart of Long Beach is possible.
Dr. Victor Byrd, founder and guiding teacher for the center, has been a psychotherapist in Long Beach for the past twenty years, has studied Eastern traditions for nearly forty years and has recently published a book, called The Bare Bones of Buddha’s Teaching. Dr. Byrd is joined by Wendy Block, Jane Broadwell and Brad Gibson in leading sits, retreats and offering guidance.
According to Byrd, in a recent article written for Long Beach Health and Human Services, one study showed that meditating for about 27 minutes a day can increase the gray matter density of the brain that is essential to memory, attention and compassion. Meditation also has psychological benefits like providing better emotional stability and decreasing mild symptoms of depression.
Long Beach Meditation offers guided mindfulness activities such as beginner, intermediate and advanced meditation courses, weekly meditation sits and dharma talk on Sundays at 3:00PM, weekly meditation on Wednesday evenings at 7:00PM, 6:00AM mediation on Friday mornings and a variety of half-day retreats, all-day retreats and weekend retreats.
For more information about the center and all it has to offer, visit the Long Beach Meditation site or call (562) 606-0643.