Reconnecting to Life

Reconnecting to Life, with Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler, 7th Annual Residential Retreat
Saturday, November 8 - Tuesday, November 11, 2008
New Location, Glenairley Centre for Earth and Spirit in the lovely Sooke Basin.
$440, scholarships available


This popular retreat welcomes everyone who cares about our planet and all its beings and our scholarship program ensures accessibility. This is a time for social justice and environmental activists to slow down for a few days and connect to their own passionate hearts, and with with others who love this world with its extraordinary challenges of climate change, environmental degradation and human suffering. It is a time to find refuge and renewal in our hearts, in nature and in community, and to find ways forward which are heart-felt, thoughtful and sustainable.


Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler are active in labour, social justice and environmental movements. Both have extensive facilitation experience and have co-facilitated Reconnecting to Life retreats together for many years. Their work, inspired by the writings and mentoring of Joanna Macy - eco-philosopher, activist and workshop guide - also integrates a wide range of diverse experiences and influences.


For registration and scholarship information, contact Jackie Larkin at jlarkin@gddc.com or Maggie Ziegler at maggieziegler@telus.net

Victoria Street Retreat

"When we go... to bear witness to life on the streets, we're offering
ourselves. Not blankets, not food, not clothes, just ourselves."
- Bernie Glassman, Bearing Witness

On Tuesday, July 29, the UVic Zen Meditation group will be followed by a discussion with Sensei Genro Grover Gauntt of the Zen Peacemakers Order. Sensei Grover Gauntt is the dharma successor of Bernie Glassman and student of Taizan Maezumi Roshi for twenty-five years. He will discuss with the group his experience of leading street retreats all over North America.

July 29th, 2008 7:00-9:00 pm
Location: University of Victoria, Interfaith Chapel
(http://uvic.ca/buildings/cha.html)


What is a Street Retreat?
For those who do not know, during the street retreat, a group of participants live on the streets with no resources other than true nature. They experience homelessness first-hand, having to beg for money, find places to get food, shelter, to use the bathroom, etc. By bearing witness to homelessness, we begin to see our prejudices and boundaries directly and to recognize our common humanness. Participants are together throughout the retreat, meeting several times a day for meditation and sharing, and spend the night together as a group.

For information, contact Eric Jordan: ericremyjordan@gmail.com

Movie night at the Victoria Shambhala Center

Movie night at the Victoria Shambhala Center
Thursday July 24th ... Garbage Warrior.

What do beer cans, car tires and water bottles have in common? Not much unless you're renegade architect Michael Reynolds, in which case they are tools of choice for producing thermal mass and energy-independent housing. For 30 years New Mexico-based Reynolds and his green disciples have devoted their time to advancing the art of "Earthship Biotecture" by building self-sufficient, off-the-grid communities where design and function converge in eco-harmony. However, these experimental structures that defy state standards create conflict between Reynolds and the authorities, who are backed by big business. Frustrated by antiquated legislation, Reynolds lobbies for the right to create a sustainable living test site. While politicians hum and ha, Mother Nature strikes, leaving communities devastated by tsunamis and hurricanes. Reynolds and his crew seize the opportunity to lend their pioneering skills to those who need it most. Shot over three years and in four countries, Garbage Warrior is a timely portrait of a determined visionary, a hero of the 21st century.
Film starts at 7 pm,
By donation – proceeds to go to the Shambhala center
#1 - 2033 Belmont Avenue
Victoria, B.C. V8R 3Z7
(250) 383-9108
About Film for Thought
The truth of change or impermanence is central to the doctrine of Buddhism. At no other point in history has humanity endured such a period of dramatic change, touching all aspect of life. Rarely do we have an opportunity to pause amidst this whirlwind to reflect on our place in the cultural, political, social, and environmental transformation we find ourselves in. Film for Thought explores the theme of Buddhism and change in our modern world expressed through contemporary films and documentaries.
After the viewing there will be an opportunity to share thoughts and feels through a facilitated group discussion for those who are interested.
Volunteers and ideas needed
If you would like help out with Film for Thought movies or have relevant movie suggestions lease contact Silas at silasmail@gmail.com

DOBOOM TULKU DIRECTOR OF TIBET HOUSE talks on FIELD OF MERIT

DOBOOM TULKU



DIRECTOR OF TIBET HOUSE

CULTURAL CENTRE OF H.H. HOLINESS THE

DALAI LAMA, NEW DELHI

will give a public presentation on:



FIELD OF MERIT



Victoria Shambhala Centre Thursday, August 7, 2008 7:00 pm



Admission: Suggested $10 donation



Doboom Rimpoche will speak on the unique tradition of Tibetan Buddhist

Concept of “Tshog Shing”, known as “Merit Field” This is the use of artistic

display in the form of Thangka painting showing a assemblage figures to

meditate on. The centre figure being that of the main deity the practitioner is

meditating on. Surrounding this figure will be the representation of the Lamas,

or the root- Gurus, followed by various images of personages and deities

arranged according to their hierarchy, in accordance with the order stated

in the text precribed for the particular Sadhana practice.



Each of the four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism, has its own system and

style of representing these images. Doboom Rimpoche will focus his talk

on the general concept and tradition of this particular aspect of Tibetan

Buddhism. Rimpoche will also explain the liturgical, historical other important aspects of images of deities. Tibetans attach great importance to the images of deities, irrespective of the material such images are made from. Also there are other spiritual and historical value system Tibetans consider when devotees acquire possession of images. Rimpoche will enlighten us on these Tibetan nuances with regard to figurines, images, paintings etc. of spiritual value.



Rimpoche will give the talk directly in English and he looks forward to a lively

session of “questions and answers.”



Doboom Tulku recognized as the incarnation of his previous incarnation at the

age of three and brought to Tehor Dhargye Monastery, Kham in Easterrn Tibet.

He remained until he was 12 years old, when entered Drepung Monastery

study Buddhist philosophy. He escaped in 1959 to India and remained with

the rest of monks who escaped at place called Buxa, in North Easter India and

continued his religious studies. Later Rimpoche joined the Instititute of Higher

Tibetan Studies, under the auspices of the Sanskrit University of Varanasi

and graduated with a Geshe Acharya Degree. Rimpoche’s full biography will be

available at the Shamabala Centre, when he gives his talk on August, 7, at 7:00pm

“Ikebana – The Path of Flower Arranging"

The Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
presents a Summer Workshop
“Ikebana – The Path of Flower Arranging”
with Lee White
Sunday August 10, 2008
10 am to 4 pm
(Registration & set-up at 9.30 please)
Cost: $40 (includes flowers/plant materials)
Pre-registration is essential as space is limited – please contact Linda at lgould@shaw.ca
Upon registration you will be given a list of supplies to bring

(Lunch break: please bring your own – tea will be served). 
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. 
Location – Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre
 #1- 2033 Belmont (at Pembroke)

Self-Transcendence Triathalon August 3, 2008-Volunteer Request

Hello all,

I received the following email request from Sheila Flood of the Victoria Multifaith Society this morning. Apparently the Sri Chinmoy Triathalon held annually at Elk lake is in need of some volunteers in order for it to run smoothly. Please see below for details!

If you can help please contact the race Volunteer coordinator Patricia Irwin at 250-592-5355 or email info@scmt.ca

Thanks for your willingness to make this worthwhile event run smoothly.

Eshu

____________________________________________________________________

Dear VMS Members,

The Self-Transcendence Triathlon/Duathlon will be held August 3, 2008. The Race Director, Sumitra McMurchy, has asked if a request could go out to our members asking for additional volunteers (about 25 more are needed).

This is a grassroots, community kind of race, intent on providing a very supportive atmosphere for athletes. The organizing group is a meditation group--the Sri Chinmoy Centre of Victoria. http://www.srichinmoy.org/

There are many perks involved, as you'll see in this letter that explains the details:
http://slc.bc.ca/attach/volunteerXrequestXmultifaithXsociety.doc

If you do volunteer, please mention that you received the invitation through the Multifaith Society.

For more information about the race see http://www.victoriatriathlon.com/

Thank you,
S. Flood,
VMS Secretary