Spiritual Centers & Shops on the West Coast
Centers
Self-Realization Fellowship, founded in 1920, by Paramahansa Yogananda – An international non-profit society for self-realization offering a Home-Study Lesson Series, instructing the practice of techniques and lessons.
Vedanta Society of Southern California, established in 1930 is a temple and residence center with a “jungle-like garden with orchids, ponds, secret passageways and hidden shrines…”
Zen Center of Los Angeles, founded in 1967, ZCLA teaches the philosophies of Zen Buddhism, while offering classes in sutra, zazen and chanting work. For an on-line class schedule, please visit:
www.zcla.org/news/may2004cal.html
Zen Center of Orange County, Introduction to Zen Workshops, with a residential Zen Center, which assists individuals in structuring and developing a regular practice in family and daily life, with regards to relationships, work, stress, anger, and difficult emotions.
TriYoga Malibu Center, Offering instruction by Swami Kali Ray and others, offering workshops, teacher trainings and satsang. Their philosophy is based upon Being Vegan, “Pure food is to the body as positive thought is to the mind. Both forms of nourishment are the basis for a peaceful life.”
Khandakapala Buddhist Center, western Buddhism temple in Los Angeles, CA; with a peace garden, meditation room and bookstore, dealing with challenges positively, and learning to maintain an inner sense of calm.
Shops
Bodhi Tree, a bookstore on Melrose featuring, “world’s finest collections of instructive and challenging spiritual books from all disciplines, Eastern and Western,” in addition to “statuary, incense, greeting cards.”
www.bodhitree.com
Shiva Imports, located in Santa Monica, CA has an extensive inventory Eastern statues, and spiritual candles.
www.shivaimports.com/
Now & Zen, Founded in 1995, based in Boulder, Colorado, “mail-order and online house offering, the essentials of Zen products, for example chimes, gongs, etc. with the philosophy of, “quality of thought and stillness of being.”