Please don’t miss this opportunity. You’re boss will understand if you take the afternoon off. Seriously. They will.

Proceeds from this event will be donated to Project Tibet Society, which is overseeing the implementation of the immigration program to help resettle Tibetans living in Arunachal Pradesh to Canada.

I think much of this comes from me spending my years of study and practice in both the Shambhala and Nalandabodhi (predominantly Tibetan Buddhist / Western Tibetan Buddhist traditions). I’ve stuck pretty close ‘home base’ and although did dabble a bit in Zen when I first discovered Buddhism, never really investigated it beyond reading and attending a few practice sessions. I’m not knocking Zen. Not at all. I just became so immersed in studying the Hinayana and Mahayana teachings of the Tibetan path, that that was enough to fill my head with at the time.

I’m aware that we can become blinded to the allure of our own practices, however I’m quite mindful when readers do ask me to recommend local centres that I offer up an equal-opportunity approach to Tibetan, Zen, Vipassana and any other traditions whose centres or teachers I can think of. I know that I’m sadly ill-informed on many of the goings on around the community and I’m looking to change this, mainly from a need to better educate myself in the meat-space and get offline for some real-world interaction.

So I’m calling on all of the Montreal centres, teachers, study groups, dharmic-folks and anyone else who has an affinity to this blog, to what I”m into or if you want to drop me some science, to contact me if they’d like to introduce me to their group or centre. I’d love to do a video profile on you, your centre and what you do. I can also simply list you on the blogroll on the side or doing a blog post to profile you if you aren’t interested in anything further than that.

Interested? Let’s connect.

Oh I know I shouldn’t be all attached to the label of Montreal, but I’m just thrilled to see that another person in my region is sharing their experiences on the path – well, so close to the proximity of the actual physical path that I’m on.

So check out Searching for Satori who is doing a great job of documenting the journey with honesty, truth and widsom. I wish I would have found your blog earlier.

For all you other Montreal Buddhabloggers, Buddhatweeters, Spiritual Seekers- I’d love to organize a get together (online or offline) to share stories, help you get started online or generally just meet other members of the Montreal sangha. Please drop me a line if something like this interests you.

What Is Enlightenment?

Friday, February 4, 7:30 p.m.

As meditation practitioners, we aspire to reach a state of enlightened mind that we hear so much about in the Buddhist teachings. But how are we to relate to the teachers as our guides, the practices as our path and the ultimate goal of enlightenment in a practical and effective way both in our spiritual and daily lives? Rinpoche will help us make the connection between our aspiration to discover innate pure wisdom and the true nature of our minds.

Born in 1977 in Kalimpong, India, Khenpo Rinpoche became a monk at the age of 15 and did a three-year retreat in the Karma Kagyu tradition. He began his ten-year monastic education and Doctorate in Buddhism at the Dzongsar Institute in northern India when he was 18. In 2004, under the direction of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and His Holiness the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, Khenpo Rinpoche went to Rumtek Monastery, the main Seat of the Karmapa, located in Sikkim, India, where he is the main Abbott of Karma Shri Nalanda Institute for Higher Studies.

Teachings will be in Tibetan, English and French.

Suggested donation :

$20 ($15 for members of Rigpe Dorje Center) per session

For information, please contact

jcutler@rigpedorjecanada.org
tstpierre@rigpedorjemontreal.org

514-485-8886

I’ve been teaching meditation at the NHC Institute in Montreal (aka the birthplace of William Shatner – how rad is that!!!) I really enjoy teaching and hope that it is somewhat enjoyable and painless for the few brave souls willing to listen to me drone on about breathing. When I first taught the class, I was soooo prepared. I had a fistful of notes, citations and was ready for anything. This time around, I’m a bit looser and more fluid (attributed fully to the fact that I am running from work to class and completely a frantic stressball). As much as the folks in the class say that they are helped by learning how to sit still, I am immensely grateful at the chance to share this with them and to have some moments of calm myself.

Back to the NHC and to busyness… I will be delivering a presentation on meditation as part of an open house that they are holding on November 27th so if you are in Montreal and up for it, please do stop in. The session will be from 3:15-3:45pm and closes out a full day of lectures. Other topics include “The Wonder of Weeds – The healing properties of herbs”, “Beyond the Surface- Exploring the depth of beauty” and “Using Food to build a strong immune system”

Ironically, I am using the Presentation Zen technique to prepare myself for this talk. How meta! Do check out this post on the author, Garr Reynold’s blog on “Lessons from the world of Aikido” as it is a must read in dealing with hecklers. (not that I’m anticipating any trash-talkin’ thugs to show up at a holistic health centre to start pushing me around…)

I’m currently listening to the latest from The Sainte Catherines, a local band that I enjoy very much. Here they are playing the Fest… Excuse the cruddy sound…

What else… What else. I got to hang out with the fabulous Brad Warner a few times during the Montreal leg of his tour. While he was here I got to see him speak at Casa del Popolo (which featured an impromptu backing band who were practicing in the flat next door). We checked out a benefit for the upcoming Montreal Zen Poetry Festival to be held in March 2011 and he was monkhandled by my two rambunctious pugs.

That is all for now…. I need to rush myself back to work. Friday ahhhh you feel soooo goooood!

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere, tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Insights into the ancient narrative are offered by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. There will be a discussion following the film. Full-time students $5, all others, $10.

And away we go….

NON-RESIDENTIAL URBAN RETREAT – MINDFULNESS IN DAILY LIFE – October 3-9
Taught by Daryl Lynn Ross and Pascal Auclair. This bilingual, non-residential insight meditation retreat includes a daylong retreat on Sunday, October 3, followed by early morning and evening meditation sessions from Monday to Friday, concluding with a half-day retreat on Saturday, October 9. Weekday sessions include meditation each morning and evening, a dharma talk and discussion each evening, and a dharma theme for practice and inquiry each day. The emphasis is on bringing the practice into daily life through mindfulness and inquiry with an exploration of various themes relevant to daily life. If you want to energize your practice this fall and find a practice community, come join us for this retreat! For more information, including costs and schedule, please go to http://www.truenorthinsight.org/en/schedule.html. For questions, phone Héloise Rinfret-Pilon at 514-271-7924 or email helobolo@hotmail.com

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY WEEKLY MEDITATION PRACTICE
This fall  Daryn Lynn will be offering meditation practice sessions at Concordia at a new location and day of the week. Beginning on October 14th, there will be meditation sessions at Loyola Chapel, 7141 Sherbrooke Street West, (on the Loyola Campus) every Thursday at 5:15 to 6:45 PM. The Chapel is a beautiful, warm and quiet space. Walking as well as sitting meditation. The sessions will run weekly until November 25th. There is no charge; freewill donations are invited.

PADUA CENTRE WEEKLY MEDITATION PRACTICE
Meditation sessions are held every Sunday at the Padua Centre, 1950 St. Antoine West, (metro Georges Vanier) at 3:00 to 5:00. The sessions include meditation instruction, (beginners welcome) a 30 minute sitting, walking meditation and a Dharma talk and discussion. A donation is requested. All are welcome. Please arrive by 3:00, as the door must be locked by about 3:15. It is lovely to have this rhythm of sitting with Dharma friends each week; showing up is a gift to ourselves and to the others in our practice community.

LGBTQ GROUP EN FRANCAIS AVEC PASCAL AUCLAIR
Nouveau: Un groupe de méditation LGBTQ voit le jour à Montréal! Vous êtes invités à participer au cours de méditation qui sera offert aux membres de la communauté LGBTQ (lesbiennes, gais, bisexuels, trans, queers, qui‐se‐questionnent) chez
Equilibrium à partir du 12 octobre! Ça aura lieu les mardis donc de 17h00 à 18h30.
Chez Equilibrium, 4812 Rue St‐Laurent, local 3 (coin Villeneuve, au‐dessus du Rachelle‐Béry)
‐Pas d’expérience requise
‐Vous venez quand vous voulez
‐Vous serez invité à faire un don pour couvrir les frais de location de la salle et pour soutenir l’enseignant

YMCA MEDITATION
Members of the YMCA are invited to attend meditation sessions that Daryl leads on Thursdays, 12:05 to 1:20 at the Westmount Y, (4585 Sherbrooke St. W – corner Strathcona) in the studio. Beginning September 30th. Free with membership.

DAYLONG RETREAT
On Saturday, October 16th, Daryl will be offering a Daylong Retreat on the theme of “Opening to Joy.” This will be held at the Padua Centre, 1950 St. Antoine West, (metro Georges Vanier) at 9:15 to 3:30. Please bring a lunch – tea will be provided. There is a registration fee of $15; in the tradition of Insight (Vipassana) Meditation retreats, this fee covers only the cost for the facility and administrative expenses. The teacher is paid by donation at the end of the daylong retreat. To register or if you have questions, please contact the folks at the True North Insight group.

Many of my favourite teachers were those who encouraged me to discover things on my own, but were there to give guidance at the times when I needed it. I want to be that kind of teacher.

I’ve spent a bit of time on McGill’s Religious Studies website to see if this would help me in my search and I was inspired by looking at much of the research coming out. I was even more thrilled to read that a monograph will be coming out, titled “Wild Geese: Studies of Buddhism in Canada” which really would do much to help me out in my current desire to find out more information on pursuing my Masters.

So I take it to the community now. Is there anyone who can weigh in on McGill’s Buddhist Studies classes? Buddhist Studies in Canada? Feel free to leave a comment (I’ll keep it private if you indicate that you don’t wish to have it published).

We’re so fortunate to be able to welcome such a joyous and inspiring teacher here in Montreal. I’m just thrilled to be able to be able to attend the teaching session.

The Montreal Shambhala Centre have announced their Fall schedule and there are plenty of activities going on worth checking out. More details on their offerings can be found by visiting their website but here’s a little snapshot of what’s going on.

If you’re new to Buddhism, you could always attend one of their Sunday Open House sessions to meet other practitioners or you could also attend an Introduction to Meditation session. A very relevant public talk on the topic of “Stitting Still in a Speedy World” will be held on October 20th and the new introductory program to Shambhala and Buddhist teachings will be launched in the Fall as well.

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Of particular interest to me (as I seem to really appreciate taking courses about death and dying for some reason?) is a series of classes on “Getting Ready for the Long Journey” which are based on the book “Mind Beyond Death” by Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.

The Venerable Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche will be teaching in Montreal August 21-22 on the topics of “Joyful Wisdom” and “Embracing Change, Finding Freedom”. More details on these talks can be found on the Rigpe Dorje website. I’m very much looking forward to this weekend.

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Dharma Punk, Noah Levine will be visiting Montreal September 25th and 26th providing talks, instruction and meditation sessions on the topic of “The Way of Wisdom and Compassion”. For more details or to purchase tickets, do check out www.dharmapunxmtl.com

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Ah music.. Well that’s all covered too with some cool shows coming up like Bouncing Souls, Dead Mechanical, Statutes and Punk Rock Karaoke there’s much fun to be had for a girl like me.