True Expression: A Zen Immersion in Yoga, Meditation, Writing and the Arts with Poet and Zen Teacher Peter Levitt

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This summer, Zen teacher, Peter Levitt, who is also an award-winning poet, writer, and translator—and a much beloved teacher of writing and creativity—will be leading the third annual 7 day summer retreat that combines a gentle and inspiring schedule of meditation, yoga, writing and other arts. Peter will be joined by top notch yoga teachers and artists for this incredible week of intimate practice and joy.

True Expression Retreat will take place at the beautiful SS Yoga Centre on Salt Spring Island from July 19th to July 26^th and, in Peter’s words, it promises to be “one of the most joyous, profound and expressive weeks I can imagine.”

Known for his gentleness, understanding, humour and warmth, Peter’s retreats and workshops have helped people to discover authentic creative expression in writing, painting and other arts since the mid 1970’s. Having also spent four decades practicing in the Zen tradition, Peter is the founding and guiding teacher of the Salt Spring Zen Circle, and is fully authorized to teach in the Zen lineage of Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, (author of the classic Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind.)

As a poet, Levitt has received high praise from Governor General Award recipient, Robert Hilles, who called Peter’s last major book, Within Within, “A master work that reveals the interconnected fabric of it all in ways that will leave you stunned.”  In the same vein, legendary poet, Robert Creeley, wrote, “Peter Levitt’s poetry sounds the honour of our common dance.”

And, in speaking about Peter’s teachings, Joanna Macy, the revered peace and environmental activist, Buddhist teacher, and author wrote: 

“With this gentle and fearless guide, the way to creative self-expression becomes a path of liberation. The wisdom and practices he offers free me to walk out into the world as into my own heart—and discover that they are one.”

To learn more about True Expression Retreat, please paste this link into your browser 

http://trueexpressionretreat.com/

Mindful Relationships: Touching joy and letting go with Acharya Susan Chapman

As humans we are wired for close relationship, yet many feel isolated and alone, even in a committed partnership. With awareness, intimacy can begin to loosen the patterns of fear and doubt that keep us from receiving the love and connection we yearn for most.

Using meditation and other mindfulness practices this program explores the difference between 'red light' (closed) and 'green light' (open) patterns of intimacy, based on the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

Drawing from her book, The Five Keys To Mindful Communication, author and marital therapist Susan Chapman provides practical instructions for shifting common relationship narratives of abandonment and power-struggle into the melody and dance of deep intimacy.

Whether you are single or in relationship, Mindful Relationships can provide a path to deeper, more fulfilling connection with others and the world.

About the facilitator
Susan Chapman has been a student of Shambhala since 1974 and currently serves as an Acharya or senior teacher.. She has an MA in Buddhist and Western Psychology from Naropa University, worked with victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, and is a licensed Marital and Family Therapist.

The suggested program fee is $135 for both days. Some accommodation is available for those with fixed income, contact the host for more info

Please register early as space is limited.

Join the facebook invite here
www.awakeinrelationship

Harvest of Peace Celebration at the Shambhala Centre

Dear  Greater Victoria Buddhist Sangha

The Victoria Shambhala centre would like to invite all Buddhists in the Victoria area  to celebrate with us!


Harvest of Peace is an annual Shambhala community gathering celebrating our connection to the earth and the rich vision of a just and peaceful world. This year Harvest of Peace is SaturdaySeptember 27th.

In the spirit of a country fair expect a full afternoon and evening with great people, food from the harvest, a BBQ, games (for adults and kids), and some awesome local entertainment.

The theme is local goodness – featuring local food and fun

Schedule of events
The festivities begin at 4 pm with the traditional pre recorded address from Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche. At 5pm there will be old-time games and contests, tarot reading, pony rides for the kids, and a tour of our new renovations.

The BBQ and potluck starts around 6 pm followed by a best in show Pie Contest (with prizes that include free Shambhala programs and a level one) and variety talent show starting at 7:30. We will wrap up at 10 pm after a dance party clean up blitz.

During the evening we will be running a silent auction and
cash bar to fund-raise for our renovations.

Friends, family and neighbors welcome!

PLEASE BRING
Food contributions for the potluck,
the theme is local food from the harvest.

If you can offer something to the BBQ that would also be very appreciated. Cash contributions for the grill are also welcome. If you make a wicked pie you are invited to enter the BEST IN SHOW PIE contest! .

Musical, poetic or artistic offerings for our variety talent night

  Volunteers needed! Do you have giant pumpkin in your garden?

Do you have a quirky talent, game or activity you want to contribute? Email Silas @silasmail@gmail.com

Victoria Shambhala Meditation Centre

1-2033 Belmont Ave, Victoria, British Columbia V8R 3Z7

Four Foundations Retreat

April 18th to 21st, 2014

Self-guided Ngondro • Mount Tuam, Salt Spring Island

Retreatants will be self-guided according to where they are in the Ngondro practices.

Regular scheduled pujas will also happen early morning and in the evening, when we

will recite the Green Tara/White Tara and Chenrezig/Mahakala sadhanas. This is ideal

for those wishing to start or resume their Ngondro practice, or complete it again all the

way through. Ngondro usually runs in order to include prostrations, taking refuge and

generating bodhicitta, Vajrasattva mantra recitation, mandala offering and guru yoga.

EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION

Before March 31st: $150

Cash or cheque - please make all

cheques payable to "KDOL" and

mail to 268 Mount Tuam Road,

Salt Spring Island, B.C. V8K 2W9.

REGISTRATION

After March 31st: $175

Cost includes:

retreat, accommodation, food and

transportation to and from the

ferry terminal.

Contact: For further details or to register for this retreat,

please email KDOL administrator Matthew Burrows at:

kdol268@gmail.com or call (250) 380-8610.

Please visit http://www.kkc-kdol.org/content/kdol

for more guidance on what to bring with you.

Dharma, Karma and Astrology

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 Dharma, Karma and Astrology

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Michael O’Connor is a professional Astrologer/Numerologist with over 20 years of practice. A student of Astrology and Numerology for 30 years along with a B.A. majoring in English Literature and ongoing studies in spirituality, psychology, history and philosophy, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge to his international clientele. A popular columnist and entertaining presenter, Michael brings inspiring insights and practical wisdom to his audience. www.sunstarastrology.com

UVIC free Lecture-Modern Buddhisim

Thursday February 6th. CSRS Public Lecture Series The Study of Modernized Buddhism: What Are the Issues? Victor Sōgen Hori, CSRS Visiting Research Fellow; Associate Professor, McGill University Many observers have noted (and applauded) the swift rise and dramatic spread of “modernized Buddhism” around the globe and especially in the West. In academic Buddhist Studies, research into modernized Buddhism is quickly being accepted as a new sub-field. In this new field, scholars have not yet agreed on what the basic issues are. In this lecture Victor Sōgen Hori asks a series of questions to identify the main priorities: What counts as modernized Buddhism? When and where historically does it start to arise?  What distinguishes westernization, modernization and globalization? Is modernized Buddhism “authentic” Buddhism? Victor Sōgen Hori is Associate Professor, Japanese Religions, at McGill University. After completing his PhD (Stanford 1976), he trained as an ordained Rinzai Zen monk in Japan for thirteen years. He has published Zen Sand: The Book of Capping Phrases for Zen Kōan Practice. With two colleagues, John Harding (Lethbridge) and Alexander Soucy (St Mary’s), he has received a SSHRC grant to study The Modernization of Buddhism in Global Perspective.
Related Website	http://www.csrs.uvic.ca
Location	DAVID STRONG BUILDING C122
Times	16:30:00 to 17:30:00
Pricing	This lecture is free and open to the public.
Sponsor	CSRS 250-721-6325 csrs@uvic.ca