New Director at the Victoria Shambhala Centre

With great delight, the Co-Directors and Council of the Victoria
Shambhala Meditation Centre are pleased to announce the outcome of the
Spontaneous Insight Assembly held on Sunday March 8th, 2009.

Following the heartfelt and thoughtful participation of all those
present, Mr. Jack Lalonde was selected as Centre Director, and he has
cheerfully accepted this position.

Jack has been practicing the dharma for more than thirty years, and
is well known and respected as a teacher and Shambhala practitioner.
His energy, sense of humour, deep commitment to practice, and
friendliness to all, will stand him in good stead as the Centre
Director.


The current Co-Directors will work with Jack during the transition
period between now and June. At that time, there will be an official
retirement and installation ceremony.

We would like to thank all those of you who participated in the
Assembly, and those who were unable to attend in person, but contributed their wisdom
through the voices of other members. Your contribution to the magical
process of Spontaneous Insight is very much appreciated.

Members at the Assembly expressed their wholehearted wish to support Jack’s work as Director in every way possible. We encourage everyone to do whatever you can to work together in whatever concrete way you can offer, for the benefit of our community, with Jack’s leadership.
This event will take place on June 23 after the routine sitting. This will start at 8PM-9PM
KI KI SO SO!

Victoria Vipassana Community Sit - May 3rd

7:00 - 9:00 pm
Helga Beer Yoga Studio
202 - 1600 Bay Street
(Shakespeare St. entrance)

On May 3rd, join us for a 45 minute sit followed by a taped dharma talk "Intention" by Tara Brach. Isabelle House will facilitate.

For details: http://www.victoriavipassana.org/weekly_groups.htm

Victoria Vipassana Community Special Non-Residential Weekend for New Meditators

The Victoria Vipassana Community is hosting a special non-residential weekend for new meditators on Sat and Sun, May 30 and 31, 2009 from 9am to 4:30pm each day at Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Rd., Victoria BC.

Heather Martin will lead this non-residential weekend meditation retreat. Using a workshop format, she will provide a basic introduction to Mindfulness Meditation (also known as insight or vipassana meditation). The weekend will include periods of instruction, explanation, and practice, with ample opportunity for questions and clarification. Heather will describe both the ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of this profound yet simple practice, which benefits us in many obvious and immediate ways. You will learn how to reduce the stress and anxiety in which we so often find ourselves, while increasing your well-being and inner calm, and ability to respond appropriately and kindly to each other. This retreat is offered particularly for those new to or unfamiliar with meditation who are interested in learning about this brilliantly effective skill, and for those who have some understanding of the practice, but would like a more thorough foundation.

Registration:

Please complete the registration form below and email it back to the registrar, Rod House at rodhouse@shaw.ca with the word 'register' in the subject line. Once you have registered, he will contact you with more specifics about the retreat (what to bring, etc.). We strongly encourage people to set aside both days for this retreat, although there will be space for people only able to do one day. Preference will be given to new meditators attending both days. If you can only come for one day you would benefit most by attending Saturday instead of Sunday, because Sunday will provide longer periods of practice and build on Saturday’s teachings and discussion.

Cost:

The Victoria Vipassana Community uses the practice of generosity or dana (dana is the word for generosity from the language in the Buddha's time) to cover the costs of putting on the retreat (costs for rental, teacher's travel etc.) For your information, we suggest a $30 donation for the weekend to cover our costs. Any funds we receive over and above our costs are used for scholarships for those members of our community who wish to attend residential retreats but are unable to afford retreat fees. If $30 is beyond your means, please feel free to come and simply donate whatever is comfortable given your means. There is no need to submit your donation in advance; there will be a basket set out at the retreat for you to do so. The teachings are offered freely by the teacher in the Buddhist tradition of over 2500 years. If you feel the teachings have been of value to you, there will be an opportunity to also practise generosity or dana for the teachings at the end of the retreat; this money will go directly to the teacher. There will be another basket out at the retreat for this, and more information about dana will be provided at the retreat.

Teacher:

Heather Martin lives on Salt Spring Island is the teacher for Salt Spring Island, Bellingham and Victoria Vipassana communities. She began practicing meditation in 1973. She has been practicing vipassana meditation in the Thai Forest and Burmese tradition of Theravadan Buddhism since 1981. Heather has been taught by many of the western teachers from the Insight Meditation Society, Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California, and Gaia House in the UK, including: Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Christina Feldman. Trained by Jack Kornfield, Heather has been teaching meditation since 2001 both in Canada and The United States.

REGISTRATION FORM

Victoria Vipassana Community

2-day non-residential retreat for new meditators

Date: May 30 & 31, 2009

Teacher: Heather Martin

Place: Goward House

2495 Arbutus Rd., Victoria, BC

Thank you for your interest in our upcoming retreat. Please complete the following form and return it to the registrar, Rod House at rodhouse@shaw.ca as soon as possible. Rod will respond by sending further information about the retreat.

1. Name:

2. Email address (or street address, if no email):

3. Phone number:

4. Will you be attending both Saturday and Sunday? Yes or No

If no, please specify which day you will be attending?

4. Are you able to offer another meditator a ride? Yes or No

If yes, please indicate your neighbourhood or geographical location.

5. Do you need a ride? Yes or No

If yes, please indicate your neighbourhood or geographical location

6. Are you able to billet out of town meditators? Yes or No

If yes, please specify how many.

7. Do you need to be billeted? Yes or No.

Pema Chődron “Choosing a Fresh Alternative”

The Victoria Shambhala Centre invites you to join us for
a series of six talks on DVD

Pema Chődron

“Choosing a Fresh Alternative”

Tuesday evenings in May & June 2009

Sitting practice from 7 pm – 8 pm, followed by the talk

May 5 Practice the Three Difficulties. Acknowledging that you're hooked; doing something different; and making this a way of life. Becoming enthusiastic about not sowing the seeds of suffering.

May 12 Shenpa and the Pause. Emphasis on 'acknowledging that you are hooked'. The eight worldly dharmas.

May 19 Karmic Seeds. Sowing seeds in the basic ground of alaya. Burning up the sees of resistance. Connecting with the immediacy of our experience.

May 26 Loving-Kindness to Ourselves. Giving your full, direct attention to anything is the same as expressing loving-kindness. Gentleness. Access to the vast blue sky.

June 2 Bringing Together Practice with the Teachings. The different degrees of shenpa when we're meditating. Working with hope and fear.

June 9 Choosing a Fresh Alternative. "Do something different". Be curious.
A donation of $5.00 for each session
would be appreciated

Pema Chődron is a leading exponent of teachings on meditation and how they apply to everyday life. She is widely known for her charming and down-to-earth interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism for Western audiences. Pema is the resident teacher at Gampo Abbey, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, the first Tibetan monastery for Westerners.

#1-2033 Belmont Avenue, Victoria BC V8R 3Z7

Introduction to Zen Meditation (4-week) - Victoria Zen Centre

May 9-30, 2009 – Saturdays 9:00-11:30am

July 6-27, 2009 – Mondays 7:00-9:30pm

If you are interested in learning how to meditate, this is the course for you. For people that are seeking to reduce stress, clarify a busy mind, improve focus and awareness, boost immune function, improve sleeping patterns, or gain insight into the mental, physical, and emotional habits that are preventing you from living life fully, this course offers a gradual combination of study and practice, individual and group interaction, and personal guidance that will provide a strong foundation to experience the profound change that Zen meditation practice offers. The fee for this four-week course is $295 and includes:

• Four weekly Sessions for a total of ten hours of class time.
• Small class size (max.8).
• A meditation cushion for each participant to keep.
• Course manual and supplementary materials.
• Teachings and group discussions on eight core aspects of Zen Practice.
• Peer Support
• 2 chanting practice CDs
• The opportunity to become a member of the Victoria Zen Centre.

For program information:

http://www.zenwest.ca/zen_introduction.htm

Victoria Vipassana Community Sit - April 5

Join us for a 45 minute sit followed by a reading from an article in Buddhadharma magazine "You Mean I'm Going To Die Too?" and group discussion.

Brock Brown will facilitate.

Everyone Welcome. By Donation.

Information: Linda (250) 380-6383 or http://www.victoriavipassana.org/weekly_groups.htm

April 5, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Helga Beer Yoga Studio, 202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Introduction to Zen Meditation - Victoria Zen Centre

April 25-June 27 (no class May 2 or June 5^th) – Saturdays 9:00-11:30am

July 6-August 31 (no class August 3) – Mondays 7:00-9:30pm

If you are interested in learning how to meditate, this is the course for you. For people that are seeking to reduce stress, clarify a busy mind, improve focus and awareness, boost immune function, improve sleeping patterns, or gain insight into the mental, physical, and emotional habits that are preventing you from living life fully, this course offers a gradual combination of study and practice, individual and group interaction, and personal guidance that will provide a strong foundation to experience the profound change that Zen meditation practice offers. The fee for this eight week course is $495* and includes:

• Eight weekly Sessions for a total of twenty hours of class time.
• Small class size (max.8).
• A meditation cushion for each participant to keep.
• Course manual and supplementary materials.
• Teachings and group discussions on eight core aspects of Zen Practice.
• Peer Support
• 2 chanting practice CDs
• The opportunity to become a member of the Victoria Zen Centre.

For program information:

http://www.zenwest.ca/registration.pdf

The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies presents

“Union of Shamatha-Vipashyana”


A community intensive weekend
with Acharya Jenny Warwick

Friday April 3rd, 2009, at 7 pm
(Registration at 6.30 pm)
Saturday April 4th, 9 am to 5.30 pm
Sunday April 5th, 9 am to 5.30 pm

Being fully awake is possible only when the inherent union of precision and vastness, of shamatha and vipashyana is realized. This community weekend, you are invited to deepen your practice and further your understanding of these foundational Buddhist teachings.
Acharya Warwick lives in Bellingham WA. A senior teacher appointed by the Sakyong, Mipham Rinpoche, she teaches extensively in the Pacific Northwest and in North America.
Cost: $65.00 (includes lunches)
Please pre-register with David Clarke: rangdral@yahoo.com

* It is recommended that participants have had shamatha meditation instruction & some familiarity with practice. Previous participation in Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies programs is desirable but not essential.



Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
#1-2033 Belmont Avenue, Victoria BC, V8R 3Z7. 383-9108
www.shambhala.org/centers/victoria

Victoria Vipassana Community Sit - March 1st

Join us for a 45 minute sit followed by a talk on Loving Kindness by Peter Kedge, CEO and Director of the Maitreya Project.

The Maitreya Project is based on the belief that inner peace and outer peace share a cause and effect relationship and that loving-kindness leads to peace at every level of society — peace for individuals, families, communities and the world.

Everyone Welcome. By Donation.

Information: Linda (250) 380-6383 or http://www.victoriavipassana.org/weekly_groups.htm

March 1st, 7:00 - 9:00 pm Helga Beer Yoga Studio, 202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Medicine Buddha-Five Wisdom Energies

Hi Folks!

we are about to embark on a wonderful and very interesting exploration of
the Five Wisdom Energies/Maitri and the Medicine Buddha (Menla), with the
guidance of Jim Sacamano... Jim has written an introductory note which I
attach below...

if you're interested, please come along - we'll be doing this in our
sessions February 2 and 16, March 2 and 16, and April 6 and possibly 20...
We might even consider an irregular session March 30, but we'll talk about
that along the way (we usually only meet 1st and 3rd Mondays...)

If you've any questions, please email me back or call me at 250-595-0070 - I
don't guarantee answers, but I can try...

in the spirit

Walter Quan
for the Medicine Buddha Study Group

here's Jim:

***

FIVE WISDOMS MENLA

Dear Friends on the Healing Path,

With the blessings and great kindness of Walter and Linda, I have managed to
provoke another crisis in our collective sanity by asking you to join us in
a study of Menla through the five wisdom eyes of the Maitri postures and
practices. This may be short notice for some of you, but anyone who has
done a Medicine Buddha course is welcome to attend any or all of this
venture.

In case there is anyone not familiar with Maitri, this teaching and practice
is one of the brilliant mind treasures of my root teacher and benefactor,
Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Maitri relates to and actually shows us in a very
personal way the natural display of primordial wisdom as we humans can
experience it in ordinary life. This is done through the five colors and
five body postures. These in turn relate to the five elements, seasons,
directions and everything in life. These are also part of Menla practice as
demonstrated by the walls of Menla’s palace and the HUM in his heart.

I believe that by revisiting these postures in the context of Menla practice
we may be better able to find the hidden obstacles in our own path and
hidden powers as Menla healers. There is no charge for this class which
will run on the regular alternate Monday night Menla practice times for 5 or
6 sessions.

Whether or not you can attend, I wish you all the best in this new,
challenging and very “interesting” year and all those ahead. Whatever
practice you do, we all need you to do it more than ever.

Yours,

Jim Sacamano

Victoria Vipassana Community Sit - February 1st

Join us for a 45 minute sit followed by a talk by Margo McLoughlin on Stories of Women at the time of the Buddha.

Everyone welcome. By donation. Information: Linda (250) 380-6383 or http://www.victoriavipassana.org/weekly_groups.htm

Details: February 1st 7:00 - 9:00 pm Helga Beer Yoga Studio, 202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Margo translates the Jataka (the stories of the Buddha’s former births) from Pali. She performs her own adaptations, bringing to life the world of Ancient India with evocative images and the use of original Pali words and phrases. http://jatakatales.googlepages.com/

Lojong Course

The Shambhala School of Buddhist Studies presents

Lojong

With George Howell and Silas Rosenblatt.

Tuesday evenings 7 pm to 8:30 pm
March 3, 10, 17, 24 , 31 plus a full
day intensive on Sunday March 29th.

“Training the mind is known as lojong in Tibetan: In the mahayana tradition we experience a sense of gentleness toward ourselves, and a sense of friendliness to others begins to arise. That friendliness or compassion is known as nyingje, which literally means “noble heart. ”We are willing to commit ourselves to working with all sentient beings. But before we launch into that project we need a lot of training.” Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

The fifty-nine slogans that are attributed to the Indian Buddhist teacher Atisha are sometimes referred to as the “dharma for leprosy” as tribute to their efficacy in curing the incurable. They provide a method of training our minds through both formal meditation practice and using the events of everyday life as a means of awakening.

George Howell, a student of Chogyam Trunpa Rinpoche and the Sakyong, is a teacher and practioner of Shambhala Buddhism. Silas Rosenblatt is a meditation instructor and a student of the Sakyong Mipham Jampal Trinley Dradul Rinpoche.

Shambhala Community Study Programs cost $65 - $45

To register or enquire for study materials please contact:
David Clarke - rangdral@yahoo.com

(Recommended reading: Always maintain a Joyful Mind - Pema chodron, Training the Mind - Chogyam Trungpa, The Great Path of Awakening - Jamgon Kongtrul)


Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
#1-2033 Belmont Avenue, Victoria BC, V8R 3Z7. 383-9108
www.shambhala.org/centers/victoria

Ikebana-the path of Flower Arranging

Ikebana – the Path of Flower Arranging

With Lee White

Sunday February 8th, 2009

9 a.m. to 12 noon

Cost $20.00 includes flowers & plant materials.

Pre-registration is essential as space is limited – please contact Linda at lgould@shaw.ca and you will be given more information about what to bring to the class.

In 1982, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche formed a new school of ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) inspired by his own training and vision. Kalapa Ikebana, as this school is called, promotes the study and practice of flower arranging, often working closely with masters of other schools of ikebana.

Lee White is one of the founding members of the Victoria Shambhala Centre. She has studied and practiced ikebana for many years, and is also an accomplished calligrapher.

Beginning Buddhist Meditation

Experience your Mind in the space created through Shamatha (Calm Abiding) Meditation Practice, a Buddhist gateway practice to understanding yourself and your world.
A three hour Introduction to Meditation is being offered at the Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre, #1 - 2033 Belmont Ave. in Fernwood, on Saturday, February 7 from 9:00 to noon.
Come and meet yourself on the spot. No previous meditation experience is required.
For information or to register contact John at mmadventures@shaw.ca or by calling 250-598-6433
Registration suggested as participation is limited to 35. Cost $10.00
John Cowan

Introduction to Zen Meditation - Victoria Zen Centre

January 24th-March 14th, 2009 (Saturdays from 9:00-11:30am)




February 16th-April 6th, 2009 (Mondays from 7:00-9:30pm)

If you are interested in learning how to meditate, this is the course for you. For people that are seeking to reduce stress, clarify a busy mind, improve focus and awareness, boost immune function, improve sleeping patterns, or gain insight into the mental, physical, and emotional habits that are preventing you from living life fully, this course offers a gradual combination of study and practice, individual and group interaction, and personal guidance that will provide a strong foundation to experience the profound change that Zen meditation practice offers. The fee for this eight week course is $495* and includes:

• Eight weekly Sessions for a total of twenty hours of class time.
• A free meditation cushion for each participant to keep.
• Chanting practice CDs.
• Weekly course materials and Practice Manual.
• Small class size (max.8).
• Teachings and group discussions on eight core aspects of Zen Practice.
• One-to-one meetings with Eshu.
• One free practice consultation with Eshu upon completion.

Buddhist Art at the Victoria Art Gallery.

Thursday February 12th: 1PM
Lecture: The Architecture of East Asian Buddhist Monasteries with Dr Jordan Paper.

Thursday February 26th: 1PM
Lecture:Thai Buddhist Art: The contemporary Temple Rong Khun with Genevieve Gamache

Thursday March 12th: 1PM
Lecture: Shinto tombs and shrines with Dr. Judith Patt.

4 Noble Truths & The Eightfold Path

Tuesday January 6th. 8 – 9 pm

Martin White will present a talk from the foundational Buddhist teachings from the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

The Four Noble Truths (suffering, the origin of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path).

Cost: donation



Tuesday January 20th. 8 – 9 pm

Martin White will present a talk from the foundational Buddhist teachings from the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma.

The Eighfold Path, which includes the three trainings of shila, Samadhi and prajna.

Cost: donation


Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
#1 - 2033 Belmont Ave., Victoria, BC V8R 3Z7
Tel. (250) 383.9108 Email: victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

New Years Day Celebration

Your Invitation Please join us New Years Day, 10:30 am for our Nichiren Buddha Sangha Service and Celebration. This years services will be held in Ladysmith. Come share, participate, enjoy, resolve to have a great 2009. Respectfully, Henry, Buddha Guide Teacher, Nichiren Buddha Sangha of Vancouver Island. Info: 250. 710. 7594 Website: www.penlan.com e-Mail: buddha@penlan.com

Monthly Community Sit

The Victoria Vipassana Community holds a community sit on the first Sunday of each month. All are welcome to attend. There are chairs, yoga mats, bolsters and blankets for our use, but bring your own sitting gear if you wish.

The next Community Group Sit will be held:

Sunday December 7, 2008
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Helga Beer Yoga Studio
#202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Joan Glover will facilitate.

As well as an opportunity to sit together, a taped dharma talk will be presented. We will also have an opportunity to reflect and share our understanding of this talk.

Everyone welcome. By donation.

For more information...
http://www.victoriavipassana.org/weekly_groups.htm

Introducing Buddhist Meditation

Introducing Buddhist Meditation" is the title of a day-long workshop to be held November 15 at Royal Roads University.

The formal practice of meditation has enormous potential to open our hearts to the whole range of experience we encounter in our lives.


Led by storyteller and teacher Margo McLoughlin, the course will combine an introduction to the history of Buddhism with an exploration of sitting meditation and walking meditation. The day will include time for discussion and reflection on the applications of mindfulness in daily life.

Facilitator: Margo McLoughlin, BA Linguistics, MA Divinity, Harvard Divinity School, is a writer, editor, storyteller, puppeteer, and researcher. Margo is a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School and a student of Buddhism for over twenty years, having practiced with Joseph Goldstein, Larry Rosenberg and other teachers in the Insight Meditation tradition. For three years she taught “Introduction to Insight Meditation” for the Harvard Buddhist Community. She was the Interfaith Chaplain with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Mass, leading interfaith healing services and a special storytelling series. Her research has included museum studies, comparative religion, Pali and Sanskrit.