Online Orientation to Zen Practice

"For over twenty years I had read book after book on the subjects of Zen and Buddhism, but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew all that reading was not enough. I was not DOING. The 'Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice' course was that huge nudge I needed to get myself truly participating and practicing." - Seishin Susanne Ledingham

Discover the impact that consistent Zen practice can have on and in your life! The Victoria Zen Centre now offers a comprehensive Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice training package to help you develop a stable Zen practice, no matter where you are.

Once the program has been completed, your knowledge and physical Zen practice should be well established enough for you to begin formal practice with the Victoria Zen Centre, and the experience you gain through practice will also ease your entry into virtually any other Zen or Buddhist group you choose to engage with.   

Online Training Materials
The online course is structured as a gradual and progressive four-week program, utilizing online videos, audio files, and a practice journal. Course materials are available at http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course and are free for you to use any time, as often as you like, and to share as widely as you wish to. These resources are made possible through the generous support of the Members and Associates of the Victoria Zen Centre.

Course Support
In addition to the online materials, we also offer one-to-one Course Support. By registering for support, you will receive a once-weekly, 30-minute Skype support meeting with one of our training guides for each of the four weeks of the Orientation program (for a total of four meetings). These one-to-one sessions provide a forum for discussion of your experiences as you engage in the the program, and an opportunity for support and feedback from experienced practitioners regarding the challenges of establishing a consistent Zen practice.

Participation with a training guide is not required to access the online course materials, but is a requirement for completion of the Orientation to Zen program (a pre-requisite for further training with the Victoria Zen Centre).

To register for Course Support visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

Practice Assessment
When you have completed the Orientation to Zen program, if you wish to as a next step undertake further training with the Victoria Zen Centre or become a member of the VZC, you must first complete a formal Practice Assessment. This can be done online, or in person. When you register for a Practice Assessment you will be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time to conduct your assessment.

To register for a Practice Assessment visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

 UVIC FREE LECTURE
Thursday November 1st

CSRS Public Lecture Series
Are Good Intentions Enough? On the Place of Knowledge in Buddhist Ethics

Speaker: Martin Adam
CSRS Faculty Fellow
Department of Pacific and Asian Studies, UVic

This lecture explores how knowledge is considered to be a virtue in Buddhist thought. Buddhist texts describe “right view” as one of ten courses of wholesome action, a classification that reveals some interesting differences between Buddhist and non-Buddhist understandings of action (karma). What is action? What makes an action good or right? Right view is itself defined as belief in karma and its results, and, for those with higher insight, an understanding of the truth of no-Self. These considerations lead us to conclude that from a Buddhist perspective meditation is a profoundly moral activity, essential to the attainment of the highest good (nirvāṇa).

Martin Adam (PhD McGill University) is director of the Religious Studies Program and professor of Pacific and Asian studies at the University of Victoria. His current research is centred in the area of Buddhist ethics.


Related Website    http://www.csrs.uvic.ca
Location    SOCIAL SCIENCES & MATHEMATICS
A104      

VENERABLE DR. PANNAVATI BUDDHIST NUN TO SPEAK IN VICTORIA

Venerable Pannavati

Saturday Nov 3rd 2012

Public Talk

7:00 - 8:30 p.m.

Garry Oak Room 1335 Thurlow Rd. Victoria, BC

Sunday Nov 4th 2012

Meditation and Talk

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Lynn Wylie-Helga Beer Yoga Studio

#202-1600 Bay St. (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Sponsored by the Victoria Insight Meditation Society
and the First Unitarian Church of Victoria

Both evenings are free.

Donations to Ven. Pannavati's social action projects gratefully accepted.

Venerable Pannavati is the founding co-Abbot of Embracing Simplicity Hermitage in North Carolina Well-known for ordination of Thai and Cambodian nuns, work with homeless youth in Appalachia and ministry to the “untouchables” in India, her presentations promise to be rich in compassion, wit and humour. Those attending will have the opportunity to contribute to her important work.

www.VictoriaIMS.org

Salt Spring Zen Circle Web Site

Salt Spring Zen Circle is happy to announce that this week, eleven years after our founding, we finally launched our sangha website, which can be found at SaltSpringZenCircle.Org 

We've tried to include many lovely photos to give the feeling of the beautiful island where we practice, and enough information about our sangha, our teacher, our schedule and its various practice opportunities so you will feel welcome to join us whenever you can. 

Please note that our next sesshin begins on Oct 11th and there are still a few spots remaining. You will be able to find out information or request a registration form at the site itself or by scrolling down on this site to the entry for September 13th.  We do our best to billet those who attend from off island, so please be sure to contact us soon. 

Zen courses in October

The Victoria Zen Centre (VZC) has two courses beginning in October 2012.

Intensive Preparation
Saturday mornings, 9:00-11:30 AM
October 6 & 13, 2012
Victoria Zen Centre – Sooke
Open to VZC Members and Associates who have completed the free online Orientation to Zen and a practice assessment.

If you have successfully developed a stable daily practice of Zen meditation, and are wondering how to go further with our Sangha, this course is your next step. Participants will be introduced to the subtleties and differences involved in intensive training, and will receive an orientation to, and experience of, practices that are specific to intensive training in the Zen tradition. The Intensive Preparation course is the gateway to deepening your practice.

For Full members of the VZC, the course fee is included as part of membership dues. For Basic members the course fee is $95 and for VZC Associates the fee is $195. Course fees includes a course manual and materials.

Fundamentals of Zen Practice
Thursday evenings, 7:30-9:30 PM
October 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2012
Victoria Zen Centre – Sooke
Open to VZC Members and Associates who have completed the free online Orientation to Zen and a practice assessment.

Building on the foundation of training established through the Orientation to Zen, you will be introduced to some of the fundamental teachings of Zen Buddhism. Group activities and training assignments ask that we take these teachings out of our head and engage them in the day to day unfolding of our lives.

This course also provides you with the opportunity to explore the ceremony of Jukai, which is commonly considered formally “becoming Buddhist”. The Jukai Ceremony consists of four distinct aspects, each of which is introduced and discussed in an intimate environment of friendship and community. The four aspects are:

1. Sange (repentance/purification).
2. Taking the Threefold Refuge.
3. Receiving the Five Sila (precepts).
4. The Four Bodhisattva Vows.

For Full members of the VZC, the course fee is included as part of membership dues. For Basic members and Associates the course fee is $295.

For further information about these courses or to register: visit our website or email registrar@zenwest.ca

ANNUAL AUTUMN ZEN RETREAT ON SALT SPRING ISLAND

The Salt Spring Zen Circle, which practices in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, author of the classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, will be offering our annual Autumn Retreat, called sesshin, on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The retreat is non-residential, and beginning and experienced meditators are most welcome to attend. Free billeting is offered to as many off islanders as we can accommodate.

 

This traditional retreat, held at the beautiful Gatehouse and gardens on Stowel Lake Farm, begins at 7 PM on Thursday, October 11th, and ends at 3 PM on Sunday, October 14th.

 

In keeping with our tradition of offering authentic practice for the least possible fee, the cost of the retreat is $130 for the entire sesshin, including all meals, plus voluntary dana (donation) for teachings by poet and founding teacher of the Salt Spring Zen Circle, Eihei Peter Levitt.

 

 

 

 

Known for the warmth, humour, clarity and depth of his teachings, Peter is an authorised Zen teacher in the Suzuki-roshi lineage. He is also the author of fourteen books of poetry and prose. Recently, he served as Associate Editor of the Zen classic, The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo (Shambhala, 2010) and in 2013 he and coeditor Kazuaki Tanahashi will be publishing The Essential Dogen: Writings of the Great Zen Master. 

 

We encourage off-island visitors who may want billeting to register early since billeting will be on a first come first served basis.

 

For details and to receive a registration form, please contact Ann Colburn at acolburn@verizon.net or call coordinator Judith Daylen at 250-537-2062. Judith may also be reached at jdaylen@telus.net

Connecting to Sacred World

Throughout history traditional cultures revered and honored the natural world for its life-giving power. T­he intimate bonds between humanity and the environment can be a source of tremendous inspiration and magic, or of chaos and destruction when the relationship is not respected. The 21st century is marked by urgent messages from the earth calling us to heal our separation from the greater web of life.

The transition to a post-carbon, compassionate society involves not only the movement to a sustainable way of life, but also restoring a sense of interbeing and connection to place. Connecting to Sacred World is an experiential program introducing meditative practices, ceremony and dialog for discovering natural mind and cultivating a direct relationship to the vital energies of the phenomenal world. The program draws on the wisdom of the Shambhala Buddhist teachings and the pioneering work of eco-philosopher Joanna Macy.  http://www.joannamacy.net/

This program is open to all interested in deepening a connection to the natural world in everyday life and clarifying one’s unique role as an agent of positive change. Previous meditation experience is recommended but not required; instruction will be provided as needed.

Space is limited to 10 participants. Preregistration is recommended.

Schedule: Four consecutive Thursdays, September 20 – October 11, 7:00 – 9:00 PM; and Saturday, October 13, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (we will have a potluck lunch and spend part of the day outdoors)

Fee: $75.00. If finances are a concern, please contact Silas Rosenblatt at silasmail@gmail.com in advance.

About the facilitator: Silas Rosenblatt has been a student of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and Shambhala Buddhism for over 10 years. He currently serves as a meditation instructor and assistant director/teacher of Shambhala Training. He is a registered acupuncturist and health coach in Victoria. His interests focus on creating deeper connections to people and place as a path for healing and societal renewal.

Preregistration: To reserve a place, or for more information, contact Silas at silasmail@gmail.com.

Beyond Mindfulness: A Monthly Meditation Retreat for Service Providers – Victoria, BC

Sept 23 – Feb 10 (one Sunday each month)

Facilitators – Scott Lawrance (Ed.D., R.C.C.), Brian Dean Williams (M.A., C.C.C.)

This monthly retreat will provide participants with an opportunity to not only develop a personal mindfulness practice, but to extend and enrich this to include the uncovering of what are known traditionally as “the Four Immeasurables”: equanimity, loving-kindness, compassion and joy, and will finish with an introduction to the practice of tong-len, or sending and taking, to deepen one’s capacity for presence and compassionate service. 

Meeting for a full day on one Sunday each month, this opportunity is available to all service providers interested in the burgeoning field of mindfulness-based practices who recognize the need for a stronger experiential foundation in this work.  You may have already worked with ACT, DBT, MBSR, or any of the other mindfulness-based therapies gaining credence, be interested in using these practices yourself to resist brown-out, burn-out, or compassion fatigue - or perhaps you are simply interested in waking up more fully to this life we are given.  Over six months, with an increasing capacity for active attention as a foundation, we will explore the development of the positive emotions, which are the basis for empathic and caring presence with ourselves and others.  Brian and Scott have facilitated with this material alongside service providers in Vancouver, and part of their ongoing practice is to broaden the understanding and context for mindfulness-based practices.  Included will be opportunities for interviews and individual support from the facilitators. 

Scott Lawrance is a therapist who has worked extensively in schools, private practice, wilderness therapy, counsellor education, and EAP.  He has been a practitioner of Vajrayana Buddhism for over 40 years.  In addition to honing his skills as a father and grandfather, Scott is also a poet and writer who has published five volumes of poetry.    

Brian Dean Williams is a therapist from East Vancouver who works in private practice and with a Housing First ACT Team.  Brian trained as a meditation facilitator in L.A. with Noah Levine, and has led mindfulness and meditation training programs for youth and adults in recovery programs. He facilitates a weekly meditation group for service providers in Vancouver’s downtown eastside.  www.briandeanwilliams.com

Course will be held at Fernwood Community Center, 1240 Gladstone Ave., Sundays, 9:30-4:30. (Sept 23, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Jan. 13, Feb. 10)

Cost: For program, $480 plus Dana (voluntary donations), no one refused for lack of financial resources!!!

For information and registration, scottlawrance4@gmail.com or connect@briandeanwilliams.com  

 2 Day Retreat with Eva Decker

         "Music and Dharma"  and the Brahma Viharas  

Saturday Sept 29th and Sunday Sept 30th, 2012

9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Goward House 

2495 Arbutus Road

Victoria, BC V8N 1V9

Please use rear entrance at Goward House.  The #11 bus from UVic stops nearby.

Lovingkindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity…these are the ‘Brahma Viharas’; also known as the Divine Abodes of the Heart. We will use traditional practices and music (you are invited to sing along or just listen, as you prefer) to deepen our experience of these beautiful states. There will also be periods of silent sitting meditation practice as well as walking meditation.  No musical experience necessary. 

Beginning & experienced meditators are welcome but we ask that you commit to attending both days.  If space allows, two weeks prior to the retreat, we will open registration to those who can only attend one day.  The retreat is from 9:00 am until 4:30  

Beginning & experienced meditators are welcome but we ask that you commit to attending both days.  If space allows, two weeks prior to the retreat, we will open registration to those who can only attend one day.  The retreat is from 9:00 am until 4:30 pm each day.  

Eve Decker has practiced meditation since 1991 and recently completed the Community Dharma Leader training program at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Eve uses traditional Buddhist chants, as well as folk songs and original music, to teach Dharma throughout Northern California. She teaches for regular sitting groups, performs Dharma music, and leads Dharma Music Singing Circles. She released a CD of original songs based on the ‘Paramis’ (a Buddhist list of ten qualities to awaken the heart) in 2006. For more information on Eve, see www.evedecker.com.

Registration:  

https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?llr=gmecm6gab&oeidk=a07e662049k93f178b4

Cost

Support of our teachers and our organization occurs through the generosity of donations.  This retreat is offered freely and we welcome whatever offering you are able to make.   

The suggested donation to cover organizational costs for this one day retreat is $40.  Donations for the teachings and for VictoriaIMS can be made at the retreat.   Thank you.

Shambhala Training Level I: The Art of Being Human

Victoria Shambhala Centre

2033 Belmont Ave.
Date:  Saturday September 8^th from 9-5

           Sunday September 9^th from 9-1

As human beings, we long for sanity, compassion and inspiration in our lives. According to the Shambhala teachings, this longing is a manifestation of basic goodness—the dignity and wakefulness that we all possess. Level I, a key introductory program open to all, presents the practice of meditation as a way to uncover and contact this innate dignity and wakefulness.

Shambhala Training is a sequence of contemplative weekend workshops, suitable for anyone looking to explore the transformative benefits of meditation.

The program involves the study and practice of Shambhala warriorship—a path of nonaggression born from the willingness to meet our world without bias or judgment. This path shows how to take the challenges of everyday life as opportunities for both contemplative practice and social action.

The workshops include thorough instruction in meditation, the practice of sitting and walking meditation, one-on-one interviews to clarify questions, group discussions and talks by senior teachers.

To register go to victoria.shambhala.org

 

For more information email : victoria.shambhala@gmail.com

Meditation In Everyday Life

The Meditation in Everyday Life:
Schedule: Consecutive Thursdays from September 20-October 18.   From 7-9PM

The course  is designed to provide students with the introductory tools and teachings for working with Meditation in Everyday Life.  With simple instructions and support, Mindfulness Meditation Practice can become part of our lives, bringing greater stability, strength and clarity.
This is the first weeknight course of the Way Of Shambhala Curriculum.  The course includes guided meditation, talks and open discussion of the challenges that meditators face in their practice.  It pairs with the Weekend program Shambhala Level 1.

Suggested Price: $85, $50 for graduates of Shambhala Training Level 1.  A generosity policy applies.
Questions: contact us at Victoria.shambhala@gmail.com
To register go to the Victoria Shambhala Website at http://victoria.shambhala.org/

OCTOBER ZEN RETREAT ON SALT SPRING ISLAND

The Salt Spring Zen Circle, which practices in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, author of the classic Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, will be offering our annual Autumn Retreat, called sesshin, on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The retreat is non-residential, and beginning and experienced meditators are most welcome to attend. Free billeting is offered to as many off islanders as we can accommodate.

 

This traditional retreat, held at the beautiful Gatehouse and gardens on Stowel Lake Farm, begins at 7 PM on Thursday, October 11th, and ends at 3 PM on Sunday, October 14th.

 

In keeping with our tradition of offering authentic practice for the least possible fee, the cost of the retreat is $130 for the entire sesshin, including all meals, plus voluntary dana (donation) for teachings by poet and founding teacher of the Salt Spring Zen Circle, Eihei Peter Levitt.

 

 

 

 

Known for the warmth, humour, clarity and depth of his teachings, Peter is an authorised Zen teacher in the Suzuki-roshi lineage. He is also the author of fourteen books of poetry and prose. Recently, he served as Associate Editor of the Zen classic, The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye: Zen Master Dogen's Shobo Genzo (Shambhala, 2010) and in 2013 he and coeditor Kazuaki Tanahashi will be publishing The Essential Dogen: Writings of the Great Zen Master. 

 

We encourage off-island visitors who may want billeting to register early since billeting will be on a first come first served basis.

 

For details and to receive a registration form, please contact Ann Colburn at acolburn@verizon.net or call coordinator Judith Daylen at 250-537-2062. Judith may also be reached at jdaylen@telus.net

Online Orientation to Zen Practice

"For over twenty years I had read book after book on the subjects of Zen and Buddhism, but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew all that reading was not enough. I was not DOING. The 'Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice' course was that huge nudge I needed to get myself truly participating and practicing." - Seishin Susanne Ledingham

Discover the impact that consistent Zen practice can have on and in your life! The Victoria Zen Centre now offers a comprehensive Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice training package to help you develop a stable Zen practice, no matter where you are.

Once the program has been completed, your knowledge and physical Zen practice should be well established enough for you to begin formal practice with the Victoria Zen Centre, and the experience you gain through practice will also ease your entry into virtually any other Zen or Buddhist group you choose to engage with.   

Online Training Materials
The online course is structured as a gradual and progressive four-week program, utilizing online videos, audio files, and a practice journal. Course materials are available at http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course and are free for you to use any time, as often as you like, and to share as widely as you wish to. These resources are made possible through the generous support of the Members and Associates of the Victoria Zen Centre.

Course Support
In addition to the online materials, we also offer one-to-one Course Support. By registering for support, you will receive a once-weekly, 30-minute Skype support meeting with one of our training guides for each of the four weeks of the Orientation program (for a total of four meetings). These one-to-one sessions provide a forum for discussion of your experiences as you engage in the the program, and an opportunity for support and feedback from experienced practitioners regarding the challenges of establishing a consistent Zen practice.

Participation with a training guide is not required to access the online course materials, but is a requirement for completion of the Orientation to Zen program (a pre-requisite for further training with the Victoria Zen Centre).

To register for Course Support visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

Practice Assessment
When you have completed the Orientation to Zen program, if you wish to as a next step undertake further training with the Victoria Zen Centre or become a member of the VZC, you must first complete a formal Practice Assessment. This can be done online, or in person. When you register for a Practice Assessment you will be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time to conduct your assessment.

To register for a Practice Assessment visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

Celebration of Buddha's Birthday

Two Day Retreat with Heather Martin

 Idealism and Realism:

Accessing and Living by Our Best Intentions

Saturday + Sunday, May 26 + 27, 2012

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Goward House

2495 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC 

We may "know" our truest values and highest intentions but often they remain tantalizing beyond reach, and can even turn around and bite us.  How can we live in accord with our best intentions while coping with the confusions of being constantly bombarded by the myriad joys and sorrows of everyday life? During this weekend non-residential retreat, we will practice mindfulness meditation, flavored by compassion and appreciative joy, as we explore just how accessible our ideals really are. 

The retreat is open to everyone, regardless of experience.  There will be periods of sitting and walking meditation.

Cost:  The retreat is offered freely and we welcome whatever offering you are able to make.  The suggested donation to cover organizational costs for this retreat is $40.

Donations for the teachings and for Victoria IMS can be made at the retreat.

Heather Martin has been meditating since 1972 and has been practicing Vipassana since 1981.  She teaches up and down the West Coast of the USA and Canada and is the guiding teacher for the Victoria Insight Meditation Society.  Her approach is encouraging, accessible and practical.  Heather is a long time resident of Salt Spring Island.  

Registration:  http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e5uh40yf9f7c6684&llr=gmecm6gab

Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice

"For over twenty years I had read book after book on the subjects of Zen and Buddhism, but somewhere in the back of my mind I knew all that reading was not enough. I was not DOING. The 'Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice' course was that huge nudge I needed to get myself truly participating and practicing." - Seishin Susanne Ledingham

Discover the impact that consistent Zen practice can have on and in your life! The Victoria Zen Centre now offers a comprehensive Orientation to Zen Buddhist Practice training package to help you develop a stable Zen practice, no matter where you are.

Once the program has been completed, your knowledge and physical Zen practice should be well established enough for you to begin formal practice with the Victoria Zen Centre, and the experience you gain through practice will also ease your entry into virtually any other Zen or Buddhist group you choose to engage with.   

Online Training Materials
The online course is structured as a gradual and progressive four-week program, utilizing online videos, audio files, and a practice journal. Course materials are available at http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course and are free for you to use any time, as often as you like, and to share as widely as you wish to. These resources are made possible through the generous support of the Members and Associates of the Victoria Zen Centre.

Course Support
In addition to the online materials, we also offer one-to-one Course Support. By registering for support, you will receive a once-weekly, 30-minute Skype support meeting with one of our training guides for each of the four weeks of the Orientation program (for a total of four meetings). These one-to-one sessions provide a forum for discussion of your experiences as you engage in the the program, and an opportunity for support and feedback from experienced practitioners regarding the challenges of establishing a consistent Zen practice.

Participation with a training guide is not required to access the online course materials, but is a requirement for completion of the Orientation to Zen program (a pre-requisite for further training with the Victoria Zen Centre).

To register for Course Support visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

Practice Assessment
When you have completed the Orientation to Zen program, if you wish to as a next step undertake further training with the Victoria Zen Centre or become a member of the VZC, you must first complete a formal Practice Assessment. This can be done online, or in person. When you register for a Practice Assessment you will be contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time to conduct your assessment.

To register for a Practice Assessment visit http://www.zenwest.ca/courses/90-online-orientation-to-zen-course or email registrar@zenwest.ca.

Victoria Zen Centre: Intensive Preparation course

Victoria Zen Centre: Intensive Preparation course

Saturday mornings, 9:00-11:30 AM
May 19 & 26, 2012
Victoria Zen Centre – Sooke, BC
Open to VZC Members and Associates who have completed the Orientation course

If you have successfully developed a stable daily practice of Zen meditation, and are wondering how to go further with our Sangha, this course is your next step. Participants will be introduced to the subtleties and differences involved in intensive training, and will receive an orientation to, and experience of, practices that are specific to intensive training in the Zen tradition. The Intensive Preparation course is the gateway to deepening your practice.

For Full members of the VZC, the course fee is included as part of membership dues. For Basic members the course fee is $95 and for VZC Associates the fee is $195. Course fees includes a course manual and materials.


For further information about this course or to register: visit our website or email registrar@zenwest.ca

Seeing for Oneself

Victoria Insight Meditation Society

One Day Meditation Retreat

Sunday, April 29th, 2012

9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

With Brock Brown

at

Goward House

2495 Arbutus Road Victoria, BC

On this day of mindful awareness we will combine sitting and walking meditation practices with an investigation of the teachings of the Buddha with particular attention to the Kalama sutta. In this sutta, the Buddha encourages us to see for ourselves what thoughts, words and actions lead in the direction of liberation. Beginners and experienced meditators welcome.

Brock Brown has been practicing in the Theravada Buddhist tradition since 1989. He is completing the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and is a graduate of their Dedicated Practitioner's Program. His teachers include Heather Martin and Guy Armstrong. He is also inspired by the Ajahn Chah lineage of the Thai Forest Tradition. Brock is a facilitator for the Victoria Insight Meditation Society Sunday Night Community sit, offers Beginner's Meditation courses, and is a co-facilitator of an Awakening Joy group in Victoria. Brock is also the chair of VictoriaIMS.

Cost: The Buddha's teachings are considered to be priceless. In keeping with the teachings and spirit of generosity or dana, we offer this retreat on a donation basis. The suggested donation for this retreat is $20 to cover the cost of facility rental, and other organizational expenses. A basket will be placed at the registration table for your donation. Any money collected above the costs of the retreat will go towards other VIMS programmes.

We will also set out another basket for you to offer dana for the teachings and the teacher who has shared them with us. We will speak about the practice of dana for the teachings during the retreat.

Soon after you have completed the registration form you will receive more detailed information about the retreat.

Thank you,

Joyce Elliott, Retreat Registrar

Victoria Insight Meditation Society

Web Site: http://victoriaims.org/

ANNUAL SPRING ZEN RETREAT ON SALT SPRING ISLAND WELCOMES EVERYONE

The Salt Spring Zen Circle, which practices in the Soto Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki, author of the classic, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, will be offering our annual Spring retreat, called sesshin.  The retreat is non-residential, beginning and experienced meditators are most welcome to attend, and free billeting for off islanders is offered.

 

This traditional retreat, held at the beautiful Gatehouse and gardens on Stowel Lake Farm, begins at 7 PM on Thursday April 19th, and ends at 3 PM on Sunday, April 22nd.

 

 

 

Cost is $120 for the entire sesshin, including all meals, plus dana (donation) for teachings by poet and founding teacher of the Salt Spring Zen Circle, Eihei Peter Levitt.  Peter is the author of fourteen books and has been practicing Zen since the nineteen sixties when he lived in San Francisco. As part of the Suzuki Roshi lineage, he is fully authorized to teach and is known for his gentle manner, his humour, and his understanding.

 

We encourage off-island visitors who may want billeting to register early since billeting will be on a first come first served basis.

 

For details and to receive a registration form, please contact Ann at acolburn@verizon.net or call our retreat manager, Rowan, at 250-537-2831.  Rowan may also be reached at rjpercy@shaw.ca

Four Kinds of Liberation:
Insight Meditation with Pascal Auclair
2-day Non Residential Weekend Retreat
Saturday & Sunday, March 24 & 25^th, 2012
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Road Victoria, BC

Online Registrations Open: Click on Form (Scroll to bottom of the page on this link)

With the intention of fostering freedom and fluidity in our lives, we will investigate aspects of our lives where we get stuck, where rigidity occurs and clinging tends to rule. Pascal will help us explore how we can find more ease by releasing the holds the following have in our lives: pleasure & displeasure, views & opinions, conventions, and the ‘me-I-mine-moi’ sticky-part-of-life. Ehipassiko! Come and see for yourself! This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience. Sitting and walking meditations will be alternated.

Pascal Auclair has been immersed in Buddhist practice and study since 1997, studying with revered Asian monastic and lay Western teachers. Pascal is co-founder of True North Insight Meditation Centre (Quebec and Ontario) and teaches in Canada, the USA and Europe. With his warmth and humour, Pascal is a much appreciated teacher.

“Pascal Auclair is a wonderful teacher. His depth of insight, classical training, and creative expression all combine in a wise and compassionate presence. I’m delighted that he is now sharing his dharma understanding.”
Joseph Goldstein, meditation teacher and author, co-founder of IMS, Mass.

Cost: The Buddha’s teachings are considered to be priceless. In keeping with the teachings and spirit of generosity or dana, we offer this retreat on a donation basis. The suggested donation for this retreat is $40 to cover the cost of facility rental, and other organizational expenses. A basket will be placed at the registration table for your donation. Any money collected above the costs of the retreat will go towards other Victoria IMS programmes.

We will also set out another basket for you to offer dana for the teachings and the teacher who has shared them with us.

Please fill in the form at http://victoriaims.org/?p=2923 (Scroll down) Within 2 – 3 days of completing the registration form you will receive more detailed information about the retreat.

Thank you,

Brock Brown, Retreat Registrar
vims1retreat@gmail.com