led by our Lay Sangha

Sundays, January 3 – March 7, 2027
(10 Sunday sessions)
9:00am – 11:00am PST (Pacific Standard Time)

in-person and online
Local students are encouraged to attend in-person.

Program Category: Meditation, Dharma Education — Introductory

Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or searching for something more?

The Buddha taught that our suffering has causes and that genuine happiness can be cultivated. Inspired by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist Lam-Rim tradition, Spoonful of Wisdom offers practical teachings, meditation, and discussion for anyone seeking greater peace, compassion, and meaning in everyday life.

No previous experience is required. Bring your questions, curiosity, and an open mind.

Each week offers a "spoonful" of Buddhist wisdom: practical teachings, meditation, and reflections that can be applied immediately in daily life. Sessions begin with guided meditation, followed by an exploration of the mind, compassion, and well-being through both Buddhist wisdom and scientific understanding. Discussion and inquiry create space for personal reflection, deeper understanding, and connection within a supportive community.

These sessions are led by experienced local teachers and dedicated Buddhist practitioners who share authentic teachings with warmth, humility, and practical insight.

In this program, you will:

• Learn meditation methods to cultivate a calmer mind, a more open heart, and a wiser way of relating to your world
• Engage with teachings grounded in authentic Buddhist wisdom and enriched by contemporary scientific insight
• Explore how suffering and happiness arise in the mind
• Strengthen your natural capacity for compassion, warmheartedness, and wisdom
• Develop practical tools for mental balance, resilience, and meaning in daily life
• Connect with a supportive Dharma community through shared practice and conversation

This program is welcoming to both newcomers and experienced practitioners. Drop-ins are welcome.

All are welcome. Questions, curiosity, skepticism, and respectful debate are encouraged.

Don Isaacson is an advanced Dharma student having followed the FPMT Basic Program courses in person for many years, and the FPMT Masters Program online, 2008 to 2013. Don currently serves on the Board of Directors at Ocean of Compassion Buddhist Center and at Vajrapani Institute in Boulder Creek.

Ania is a dedicated dharma practitioner, inspired by Insight/Theravada tradition and the Spirit Rock Center. She has been teaching mindfulness and meditation at a local outpatient recovery treatment center since 2010. Currently Ania is a second-year student of the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, a two-year training program taught by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach to teach mindfulness and meditation.

Kate Norton has been studying and practicing Buddhism for more than a decade. She began her Buddhist studies in New York City through the Interdependence Project, where she completed a year-long Meditation Teacher Training program under Ethan Nichtern and developed a strong foundation in meditation, Buddhist philosophy, and contemplative practice. She studied for a few years with the Shamabhala tradition in NYC. She took refuge with Venerable Robina Courtin in 2013 and has continued her studies through retreat practice, ongoing Dharma education, and community engagement.

Today, Kate studies within the FPMT tradition under Geshe Tenzin Legtsok and considers Venerable Robina Courtin her principal teacher. She is nearing completion of Discovering Buddhism, is currently completing Exploring Buddhism, and plans to continue into the Basic Program.

Kate is also a software engineer and longtime teacher who has worked with students of many ages and backgrounds. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a neurodivergent practitioner, she appreciates that people come to Buddhist teachings from many different life experiences. She strives to create a welcoming environment where everyone can engage with the Dharma through curiosity, reflection, kindness, and mutual respect.

Richard (Rick) lives in Anchorage, Alaska. His day job (and sometimes night job) is as an Emergency Physician. He is also a Clinical Associate Professor with the School of Medicine of the University of Washington.

While still in high school, he "discovered" Buddhism after watching an interview of HH Dalai Lama in 1984. Much of his initial learning was self-directed and haphazard, however, over the last 10 years he has slowly developed a consistent practice and has completed many classes and teachings mostly through FPMT centers.

He has completed the Discovering Buddhism series, and is currently taking Exploring Buddhism with Geshe Legtsok and Basic Program with Gen Don Handrick. He is currently teaching introduction to meditation to teens and councilors at Covenant House in Anchorage.