Adults

There are many programs for adults at UUCPA. This includes special classes offered by the Adult Learning Journey committee as well as ongoing group meetings and events.

Adult Learning Journey (ALJ)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto, through the Adult Learning Journey committee, offers an array of classes, groups, and events designed to support and enhance the lifelong spiritual explorations of our adult members, friends, and visitors.

Our offerings encourage participants to open their minds and hearts to new understandings, to share their diverse experiences with one another, and to engage in compassionate action outside of the congregation.

Classes encourage the continued spiritual and ethical exploration of Unitarian Universalist values through learning about diverse faiths, philosophies, and wisdom traditions, as well as pursuing a deeper understanding of our Unitarian Universalist identity and principles. All Adult Learning Journey classes are offered at no charge.

For information on any Adult Learning Journey class, seminar or workshop, contact the church office (650-494-0541), or send an email to aljclasses@uucpa.org.

Vision and Mission of ALJ

Vision: All adult members and friends of UUCPA know about and can choose to participate in inclusive programs that address their diverse interests and needs in furthering their individual spiritual journeys and that enrich our community and world.

Mission: The Adult Learning Journey Committee offers classes that align with the UU Principles and with the mission of UUCPA (see below). The classes aim to enrich the mind and spirit and seek to:

support our faith development and spiritual growth;
respect the many, diverse ways to be human;
enhance knowledge of the self;
address the specific interests and needs of the adult UUCPA community;
foster connection and compassion with each other and with the world; and
recognize and promote diversity and inclusion in our community and world.

Adult Learning Journey Class Schedule

We welcome your participation in the following explorations, generally held in the Fireside room at UUCPA in hybrid fashion:

ALJ Class - Buddhi-Tarianism? A Friendly Meeting with a UU (Buddhist) Monk

05/24/2026 at 11:45 AM

Buddhi-Tarianism? A Friendly Meeting with a UU (Buddhist) Monk

Date:May 24, 2026
Time: 11:45-1:30
Location: Fireside Room In person only (ZOOM not available for this class)
Presenter: Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu
Light snacks will be available after the service.
Child care will be provided.

Description

Meditation, Conversation, and Q&A with Ajahn Kovilo of Clear Mountain Monastery Seattle, Washington

Join Ajahn Kovilo Bhikkhu, a Unitarian-born American Buddhist monk, for conversation, several short guided meditations, and Q&A centering around Buddhism as seen through Unitarian eyes. Topics for discussion may include:

The Four Noble Truths (an exploration of the foundation of Buddhism)
The similarities and differences between Unitarianism and Buddhism
The beauty of cognitive flexibility around how and when to pick up your ego
The utility and practice of deep meditation
The aspects of faith and transcendence in Buddhism
Being Buddhist in America
The beauty of Buddhist ceremony

Presenter Bio

Ajahn Kovilo is a Unitarian-born, Theravāda Buddhist monk. Having been introduced to meditation through the Goenka Vipassana tradition in the early 2000s, Ajahn entered the monastery in 2006 and received full ordination at Abhayagiri Monastery, California in 2010, spending the next decade training at monasteries in the Ajahn Chah tradition in America and Thailand.

Ajahn is now helping to found Clear Mountain Monastery in Seattle/North Bend, Washington – a vibrant community with beautiful in-person and online gatherings and now land! For more information, visit www.clearmountainmonastery.org and check out their YouTube interviews with many Buddhist luminaries such as Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, the Walk for Peace monks, and others.

ALJ Class - Buddhi-Tarianism? A Friendly Meeting with a UU (Buddhist) Monk

05/24/2026

11:45 am - 1:30 pm

Fireside Room

ALJ, Spotlight

Buddhi-Tarianism? A Friendly Meeting with a UU (Buddhist) Monk Date:May 24, 2026 Time: 11:45-1:30 Location: Fireside Room In person only (ZOOM not available for this [...]

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