Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society

This has been an nice educational experience and the best part is it’s free! I received much helpful education. The people are nice and atmosphere is casual.

Came in for the Sunday 11AM class for the first time, and it was awesome!
Will be coming back weekly.

Best meditation place I’ve ever been to. I can’t believe I’m getting this type of education for free. I absolutely love this place and will be coming here every day.

Against the Stream is all about the truth of kindness, the truth of meditation and contemplation. I’ve only been going for a few weeks but it has been pivotal in helping me get back to the heart of meditation and mindfulness. Also, at the moment I am out of work and money, yet not one person would ever turn me away from a class for lack of funds. Mind you I am not encouraging you to not donate money to the center, I’m just saying that they are a true non-​profit organization that wants to help all in need as opposed to other centers that seem to sell some sort of capitalism based ‘experience with a guru’ for a higher price.
There is no other choice for me.

I have been going to the Sunday Morning sits for a little over a month. The people are nice… the talks are enlightening… vibe is very casual.

Best place ever! ATS has something for everyone. Flexible class schedules, retreats and cool clothes available for purchase. Speaking of money, normally places like this charge a lot to attend their classes. ATS is donation based and the teachers are authentic and teach because they truly want to give back (and aren’t arrogant or better than). You have the option of sitting on a chair or on a cushion on a floor mat. There is a sense of community and love. I need them to open a center in Orange County (Costa Mesa) please!!!

What a wonderful experience Against the Stream is. I’ve gotten to meet a group of people who are real and allow their guard down and give themselves up for criticism. Noah Levine, George Haas, Pablo Das, JoAnna Harper, Kusala Bhiksu, Ken McLeod, and others have engaged me, assisted me in my practice, and make me a better human being. There’s much love for these people and the sangha in general. It’s a safe harbor for the storms in my life.

I am so grateful that I found this place. My life has changed for the better since I started meditating here over a year ago. It’s amazing.
I still haven’t tried all the different classes. I do love Thursdays with Pablo and Saturdays with Mary. I’ve had the opportunity to sit with Noah a few times as well and have read his books. I love everyone there! The community is wonderful– I’ve made some really great friends.
This is now my go-​to for New Years Eve. Get there early! Over a hundred people sharing their intentions and meditating together through midnight. Awesome.

I came here 2 years ago and didn’t know what to expect. I’m so glad I pushed myself to go. I am part of a DBT program which is partly based on mindfulness. So they together they are very useful. Great ppl. Get there early though.

I went to try the guided meditation class on Wednesday night and I had a great experience. It was my first time trying any kind of meditation so I didn’t know what to expect.
We got there a little bit late and saw about 50 people in attendance. Everyone takes off their shoes at the entrance and you could either sit on the floor on pads or sit in padded chairs. I thought the leader Pablo was great and I really enjoyed the guided meditation which was about 30 minutes. He also lead a very casual and fun darma talk which I thought was very cool and opened up the discussion to allow people to ask questions.
Being an atheist, I also enjoyed the fact the class was not focused on the spirituality aspect of Buddhism but more about the principles and how they can be applied to our daily life.
The class starts at 730pm on Wednesdays and 11am Sundays with a suggested donation of $ 15. However, they emphasize that no one will be turned away and they encourage people to pay what they can. They also offer free coffee and water.
There’s only street parking so you have to be aware of the signs and meters which run until 8pm during the week.

Great group of like-​minded individuals. Can’t wait to go back. :)

I attended Ken McLeod’s sutra session here. A peaceful, enlightening afternoon with one of my favorite teachers, and that too in a beautiful space.

I used to attend the Monday night Mediation often. The place is a great introduction to meditation and I always enjoyed the discussions afterwards.
I really enjoy Matthew for his insight and Noah for his life experience and stories.
The focus of this group seems to aimed towards recovering addicts, which I was not so some of the questions asked may seem out of place or irrational. However, there is a lot of great information available here and everyone could use a little meditation in life!

I’ve been attending meditations here for almost 2 years. everyone is very friendly and Noah is an excellent teacher. Very wise, patient and compassionate. On Wednesdays night when Noah teaches the place is packed.
Parking can be tricky. So read the signs to avoid a ticket.

If you’re a rebel, have a problem with authority or are an atheist who cannot deal with the god concept, then this is the place for you. They offer classes in Buddhist teachings and meditation. They are guided by the Buddha’s teachings, which is more about being true to your own nature and dealing with things as they really are, instead of the crazy things we make up in our head.
I found this place because I went a friend to their recovery program. I never felt awkward since I don’t have a problem with substance abuse. Yet, I found the ideas and talks informative and powerful as they relate to my life.
If you has a substance abuse problem and have issues with the 12 Step Program, which requires a higher power to fix you, then gives this a try. No god concept, but a belief that everyone has the power to heal himself or herself by choosing to make the best choices for you and your life.
If you don’t have a substance problem, come and meditate and listen to the talks. There is no recruiting or pontificating, but merely the sharing of some powerful ideas that can have a profound effect on how you choose to live and view your everyday life.
Since the pay is by donation, you can come and just check it out with no pressure to do anything, except be yourself.

I will keep this short and simple,
I have been going to meetings there off and on for a while now. And it is a great place. I always feel welcomed and everyone there is very open and accepting.
There are all different types of things going on there. womens and mens groups, recovery groups, meditation groups and more.
Their website has a full calender.
CHECK IT OUT!

Decided to attend the Intro to Meditation Class. Was a little anxious about sitting there for 3 hours, but the time flew by! Mary was a really great instructor. Totally easy to talk to and understand. She explained everything in a way that was easy to comprehend and made perfect sense. I really recommend this place to anyone that’s interested in meditation. The $ 20 suggested donation is a bargain.

I fly to Los Angeles just to have the chance to study at ATS with Noah Levine. What an honor and a gift to get to sit here.
The meditation groups are AWESOME! All of the teachers here ROCK and the venue is totally open to ALL.
It doesn’t matter if you are new to meditation, or have been practicing for a long time, there’s a place for YOU here. This inclusive venue is open to all and most groups are by donation. That’s right, you give what you can or want to. I always pay the recommended $ 15, because it’s totally worth it.
It seems like every time I fly out, there are new groups, workshops and meetings to attend.
It does not matter if you’re a Buddhist, if you’re ‘cool’, if you have tattoos, if you’re straight, gay, old, young, hip, not hip, whatever… the only thing you need to bring is an open-​mind to the idea of meditation.
Meditation has saved my mind, and has given me the opportunity to find an escape without self-​medication. I’ve managed to quit smoking, find patience, cope with anxiety and I sleep better! since I started meditating.
jai bhagwan!

I’ve been going to ATS since September and I love it there! People are really friendly and it’s exactly what I was looking for. Not a formal setting, very casual and accessible to all types and kinds of people.
There’s a 30 minute meditation and then 30 minute Dharma talk.
The teachers are awesome, whitty and very friendly!
Wednesday’s when Noah teaches it’s usually packed so get there early! And parking can be tricky so pay attention to the signs or you’ll get a parking ticket! There’s a few great cafes around the corner too!
I went to the New Year’s Eve intention setting ceremony and it was amazing. It really feels like a community of like minded people is growing there and I love to be a part of that community!
I would highly recommend ATS to anyone who is interested in learning more about meditation and Buddhism in a casual setting.
Oh ya the classes are ‘suggested’ donation. which means they ask for $ 15 but will NEVER turn anyone away for lack of funds. This was very important for me since I don’t make a lot of money but really want to go to the center. You can put as much or as little money into the donation bowl as you can afford.
They also have a great library of books that you can ‘borrow/​check out’ and read about Buddhism and Meditation.

With the holidays around the corner, and the economy as it is, this year I’m making my $ count and purchasing gifts for others that are in line with promoting a more friendly consciousness. Against the Stream has a great little merch center. I like the idea of giving someone a hoodie or tee that a) promotes this fab center and the western Buddhist movement and b) my purchase $ benefits not only a non-​profit but is also a local/​therfore green consumer transaction. And I’m also suggesting to my coworkers instead of the akward annual gift exhange, in lieu of giiving me a gift, they donate (tax deductible) to the center on my behalf. So yay! Think globally, act locally and consume consciously.