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.