Dharma Bum Temple — Attraction in San Diego

I have been going off and on to the Dharma Bum Temple since they moved from Downtown SD to University Heights. It's a great spot. People of all ages, color, sexual orientation, etc. If nothing else its worth visiting to check out their gift store which has a bunch of Buddhist and meditation type stuff and also an inventory of antique Buddha statues which I found very cool. The whole place is cool and down to earth with an interesting history too. Not a lot of Buddhist religion-y feeling...just normal folks so welcoming (not that Buddhists aren't normal!!). They have college groups, teen groups, family groups, etc. It's in this really old and very interesting old church building in a residential neighborhood. There are two main meditation halls and different meditation classes everyday. I tend to go to one of the two morning mediations in the morning, the Friday night Movie Nights where recent showings were Bill Murray's Groundhog Day, Into the Wild, and Seven Years in Tibet (they have a solid AV set up). I also go when they have famous monks, nuns and scholars visit for lectures. Oh, yeah, and EVERYTHING is always free and they have a policy to never ask for donations in the temple which I thought was badass (I still voluntarily donate online to their annual campaign). I am currently participating in their "Dharma Bum Life Program" which meets for two hours twice a week and attends four silent meditation retreats at other Buddhist centers around San Diego County. It's basically like an intro to Buddhism class where you get to know your classmates and transform together. Let's see, I sometimes join their "Food Redistribution" program on Thursdays which is another great way to meet like minded people. You make a few 100 sandwiches together at 5pm then drive them Downtown to hand out to the homeless. There's always a list of volunteer stuff to do too which can be good for meeting new friends and just for feeling good helping out. The "intro to meditation" at 7pm on Tues and 11am on Sat seem to be main events there, and taught by the executive director Jeff who is just an ordinary cool young dude. They don't have just one kind of Buddhism, and instead offer classes and groups in many (Zen, Tibetan, Vipassana, Theravada) and they also have quite a few addiction recovery groups that meet there every week. All in all a great place....

I am re-editing my review now that I have gone here for several months and have become more familiar with the facilities and offerings.

This is my safe place to come to knowing when I leave I will be in a much better head space. Whether it's recovery from drugs/alcohol or just a jumbled racing mind, my time spent here has been precious to me and the friendships that have grown out of attending these practices are ones I will cherish forever. Jeffrey Zlotnick has really enlightened me and has motivated me to keep coming back while never having a hand out asking for money/donations. This to me is a true sign of a space that is there for the people, by the people with practices that are authentic and not designed to be a money maker. I don't donate as much as I should being that I'm just starting my life over again from the wreckage of my past, but in the future I plan to donate and have a contribution drive for my birthday next month on FB. Such a great asset to the community and I'm forever grateful to have this place in my life because it has truly changed me and my overall perceptions of life and brought me to a place where I can be comfortable with spirituality and with myself. Peace...

I’m sad to say I had a negative experience my first time here tonight. I was belittled by the leader of tonight’s meditation (I think his name is Steve?) after asking a question about a body sensation I was having in meditation of rocking side to side, I was curious to see if he or anyone experienced that as well. His condescending and judgmental response in front of everyone was shocking to me. I’ve been meditating and connecting with spiritual communities for 12 years and have never been felt ashamed for asking a question. There are plenty of spaces I feel safe to speak without being torn apart publicly. I won’t be returning after the way I was...