Dear Friends,

January 1st, 2007 MMG opened the doors to the Dharma Bum Center, our first urban meditation studio located in downtown San Diego. Throughout the year the DBC offered classes in various types of meditation and yoga to the community every night of the week. We also had the pleasure of hosting many special guests including Noah Levine, Kali Ma, Tibetan lamas and teachers, aspiring young film makers, and other artists. All of this was offered to the San Diego community free of charge and was supported by the generous donations of MMG sponsors, and we thank you!

As 2007 came to a close MMG accepted the unique opportunity to move its operations as a non-profit organization into a 95 year-old historic building known as the Ideal Hotel. This building has been vacant for 7 years and requires major renovations, much of which has already been completed by MMG volunteers and the Dharma Bums. Moving into the Ideal Hotel will allow MMG to open a larger studio for yoga, and to offer more daily classes in meditation. MMG will also be re-opening the Dharma Bum Center, now with its own Tea House and Reading Room.

As you can see, it's been an amazing first year for MMG, and we are excited about the future, but we need your help!!!! Coming into 2008 MMG has been successful in establishing several Meditation Outreach Programs in the local San Diego community. We now offer meditation and yoga classes at King Chavez Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School, Lindsay High School (to pre & post natal teen mothers), Morse High School, Cortez Hill High School, and the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

MMG needs financial assistance in order to keep these programs going, and to maintain the operating expenses of the building. To fulfill these needs, MMG has created a new donor-ship program called the Red Lotus Society. Continuing an ancient Chinese tradition of community-based meditation and charity organizations, we are asking everyone we have touched this past year to consider becoming a member of the Red Lotus Society.

Memberships start at $12 a month. As a member of the Red Lotus Society you will be helping to support the Dharma Bums in their effort to promote peace through meditation. In addition to receiving all the good karma you can imagine, memberships will include: A subscription to Dharma Bum Life Magazine, MMG's new monthly newsletter; A free night's stay at the Ideal Hotel, which your donations will help complete; And discounts at participating yoga studios and local retail shops.

Thanks to everyone for supporting our effort. We are so fortunate to have an opportunity to share these moments together and appreciate all your kindness!

***MMG is an educational 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible***