When you sign up for your first meditation class, you’ll begin a 3-month free trial period where you can register for and take as many classes as you like with any of our teachers.

For each class, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a short bio of your teacher and an option to add the class to your calendar—which we recommend so you don’t accidentally miss it! We’ll also send you a few friendly reminders.

A meditation class includes a short Dharma talk, an introduction to our meditation technique, time to practice, and sometimes a Q&A. Sessions last 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the teacher. During the Dharma talk, the teacher shares spiritual wisdom through personal insights and experiences, making ancient teachings relatable and applicable to daily life.

​No prior experience is necessary. Simply bring an open mind and open heart. While no special equipment is required, wearing loose, comfortable clothing can be helpful. 

If joining remotely, find a quiet, peaceful space where you can sit comfortably for about an hour without distractions. If you’re comfortable, turning your camera on is recommended, as it helps foster a sense of connection within the group.

Most of our introductory program sessions are online, but we also offer in-person classes in select locations, primarily in the Bay Area. Availability varies by teacher, so if you don’t find a workshop that fits your needs, please reach out at [email protected].

Once you become a Mandala of Light member, you'll also have opportunities to gather in person—both within your local community and through meditation trips that bring members together in various locations.

At the end of your introductory period, you’ll have the option to join the Mandala of Light as a Contributor member where you’ll continue to have access to weekly meditation classes as well as monthly community Satsangs (spiritual gatherings) and additional courses to deepen your practice. Becoming a member includes a monthly contribution that supports our community—covering events, Satsangs, operations, and more. The first tier is $30 per month, with a scholarship for those who may need financial assistance. For more detailed information, please see our FAQ on membership levels.

We offer three membership levels: Contributor, Sustaining, and Steward. Each level is designed to deepen your connection to practice, community, and the transformative power of spiritual growth. 

Contributor Membership – $30/month

The starting point for those looking to engage with our community and core offerings. This level provides access to foundational practices, gatherings, and the support of a like-minded community.

Sustaining Membership – $120/month

For those who have completed course prerequisites and are ready to immerse themselves more deeply, this level offers access to more advanced courses, retreats, and enriched teachings. Your commitment directly nurtures the expansion of programs, ensuring that wisdom and support reach even more people on their journey.

Steward Membership – $500/month

A path for those who feel called to lead, guide, and support the Sangha’s mission in a profound way. As a Steward, you engage in mentorship, deeper learning, and community leadership, actively shaping the future of our shared path. This is more than a membership—it’s a commitment to holding space for others and walking the journey together.If you are interested in exploring these levels further, we encourage you to speak with a mentor or teacher to discuss the path that aligns with your journey.

The main meditation technique we practice and teach is chakra meditation. Chakras are energy centers in the body that correspond to different aspects of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Originating from ancient Indian spiritual traditions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism, chakras are spinning wheels of energy aligned along the spine. In chakra meditation, the focus is placed on one of these energy centers, allowing the mind to settle, restore balance, and deepen inner awareness.

Our teachings are rooted in Buddhism but draw from multiple wisdom traditions, including Zen, Vajrayana, Hinduism, Taoism, Advaita, and Sufism. We call it Experiential Buddhism, emphasizing direct experience, meditation, and practical application - integrating insights from these traditions in a way that is relevant and supportive for modern seekers.

Before forming Mandala of Light, many of our teachers and founding members studied with Ahjan Samvara, formerly an American teacher of Buddhist mysticism who now focuses on humanitarian and world peace initiatives. Vajrayana Buddhism, martial arts, and healing modalities influenced Ahjan’s teachings.

The closest parallel to our practice today is Vajrayana Buddhism, which holds that enlightenment is attainable within your current life situation, rather than being a distant or unattainable ideal. Ultimately, our path is a spiritual practice, not a religion, centered on direct experience and personal transformation.

All our meditation teachers are ordained community members with years of dedicated practice in meditation, mindfulness, and spiritual growth. As empowered teachers in the Mandala of Light, they have undergone specialized training and follow the Association for Spiritual Integrity (ASI) standards, ensuring the highest levels of ethics, right conduct, and professional competency.

Yes! You’re welcome to join any teacher’s class that resonates with you. During the introductory program, you can attend as many classes with as many teachers as you like, giving you a deeper experience of the Mandala of Light.