May 29: "Peace Begins With Me" workshop

Below is a message I received recently from my family doctor, who is Buddhist and teaches meditation. I thought it might be of interest to folks in the Mahasangha so am posting it here with his permission.

I can't attach the PDF poster he refers to, so have pasted it in as a small image below at the end of his email. You can click on the poster to see a larger image. If you want more information or a copy of the poster to put up, contact Dr. Sherman at communityhealthcoop@gmail.com.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: "Peace Begins With Me" workshop at UVic
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 23:50:11 -0700
From: Mark Sherman

Dear VCHC members,

As part of the SpiritHeals Conference at UVic from May 29-31, I will be facilitating a pre-conference workshop called Peace Begins With Me. The 3 hour workshop will focus on mindfulness meditation as a practice and way of life to bring peace to you and to your relationships. We will review material from the Creating Inner Peace courses I have facilitated and then widen the circle to look at how our inner peace affects outer peace in our relationships, our communities, our environment, and our world. The workshop is meant to be experiential with lots of opportunity for practice, and is open to everyone.

The workshop will take place on May 29th from 1:30-4:30pm. Please see the the attached poster for more details on how to register, and please do forward this poster to friends or family who might be interested and/or print a copy to post at your workplace or community center.

The SpiritHealsconference is an incredible opportunity to learn about the relationship of spirit and health and will have several reknowned speakers present. Check out the website when you have the opportunity www.spiritheals.ca

I hope that you are able to make this important workshop, and I look forward to seeing some of you there! Thank you for your help in spreading the news of this workshop!

with joined palms.

mark

--
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"
Gandhi

Buddha's Birthday Celebration-Victoria Zen Centre

What: Buddha’s Birthday Party

Who: Victoria Zen Centre, University of Victoria Interfaith Services

When: Sunday May 24th, 2009 at 10am-12noon

Where: University of Victoria, Interfaith Chapel – Parking lot 6 (free on Sunday)

A Buddha of a Birthday Party!

On Sunday May 24 from 10am-12noon, Victorians will be celebrating the birth of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, in the traditional way… by having a Birthday party! This event, co-sponsored by the Victoria Zen Centre and the University of Victoria Interfaith Services, now in its 5th year, is open to the public and all children (with well behaved parents) are welcome! This event is free, and for those that wish to, a donation of $5-20 is suggested.

The Interfaith Chapel at UVic, amidst Finnerty garden, will be decked out in flowers provided by Yukiyasu Kato, a master of Sogetsu Ikebana, and the owner of Zen Floral Studio. The event will offer families the opportunity to hear the story of the Buddha’s birth, and to experience a brief Buddhist ceremony in a relaxed and welcoming community environment. Of course, there will also be a piñata, birthday activities for the kids, a display of Buddhist resources for families, cake, and music! Uminari Taiko, Victoria’s taiko (“big drum”) troupe, will help to ensure that everybody knows its Buddha’s birthday!

Venerable Eshu Martin, abbot of the Victoria Zen Centre, and the University of Victoria’s Buddhist Chaplain will preside over the ceremony and celebration. “From the beginning, the teachings of the Buddha tell us that just as we are, we are whole and complete.” Says Eshu, “There isn’t anything missing, and you don’t need to improve upon True you. As we get involved in careers, and feel the responsibilities of family and society, we lose sight of this underlying principle, and start trying to “fix” things, often with terrible results!”

In its first years the ceremony was held as a formal event, an opportunity for the community to learn about Buddhism, “…but it wasn’t the grown ups that got the most out of it” adds Martin, “it was the kids. There was a natural understanding and joy in the celebration of just being... I never expected that!” This year, Ven. Eshu hopes that many families will attend, and that parents will come ready to learn from their children.

Watch the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zLULI34k0

For more information, please contact the Victoria Zen Centre.

Ph. 250-642-7936
Cell. 250-588-7936

Email: office@zenwest.ca

Website: http://www.zenwest.ca/

Changling Rinpoche in Victoria/CLICK ON IMAGE TO ENLARGE

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!