What Types of Meditation Techniques are Best for Me?
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
What exactly is meditation?
You ask people and they will very likely refer you to the internet to “Google” it. On the internet, you’ll find thousands of web pages defining the exercise of meditating and trying to explain it in their own terms. Unfortunately, a lot of these sites explain meditating in a very complicated and esoteric fashion…extremely difficult to understand and just plain boring.
So far, the site that most clearly defines meditation is Wikipedia. One of the best ways to define this exercise is probably an action or exercise that increases your awareness.
In specific, meditative techniques allow you to achieve an awareness of self. An extremely useful tool for this is following a guided meditation video. If you click on the link on the previous sentence, you’ll see a list of Free Guided Meditations available to you. It does this because meditation techniques focus the mind to pass the clutter of thoughts and jumbled thinking patterns. The idea is to be able to think clearer and become more relaxed. Hence, all these techniques allow us to accomplish this.
The stresses of life can have a dramatic effect on us. As we attempt to deal with all the various problems that come our way, we are mentally worn down. Much in the same way our bodies need proper exercise to remain healthy, so do our minds need proper stimulation to stay efficient. By becoming better attuned with our consciousness, we achieve this. In fact, practicing meditation techniques is really the only way to permanently accomplish this endeavor. If you meditate properly, you free your mind of burdensome and chaotic thought patterns. Who doesn’t want to be less stressed and more focused?
Ok, so basically these techniques will help you become more relaxed, think clearer, concentrate better and more. But these things in and of themselves are not the act of meditating. Concentrating on something is not meditation. Finding one self in a relaxing position or performing certain poses is not it either. There are a number of meditation techniques that will help a person achieve plenty of benefits in their life.
Popular Meditation Techniques
1. Zen – One of the most popular and well known meditation techniques is called Zen Meditation. This meditation technique was developed by Zen monks. Zen is about achieving a state of absolute stillness and emptiness. While Zen meditative techniques are regarded as some of the easiest and most effective to perform, they take time and effort to master. This technique is centered on sitting in the lotus position to achieve a stillness of thought.
2. Mantra – Another well known meditation technique is Mantra. Mantra is an exercise that many people tend to associate with meditating in their minds. Mantra techniques involve chanting or ‘mantra repetition.’ This is a meditation technique that achieves a state of awareness through the use of sound. In fact, one of the most popular techniques in the United States – transcendental meditation (TM)- is an example of a mantra meditation.
3. Vipassana – A third well known technique is Vipassana. Vipassana is a Buddhist technique that focuses on breathing. If we consider the fact that breathing is an every moment occurrence and a necessity for living, then we can begin to see how concentrating on this aspect of life can have a significance. Vipassana is a meditation technique that essentially teaches one to be aware of their breathing, from which (when done properly) there is a state of awareness that is attained.
Other Techniques
There are many other techniques that are available. These three just happen to be the most well known and practiced in the west. What you will notice is that all three have the same goal in mind – which is to attain a higher state of awareness. Remember, one of the most common purposes of meditating is to become better aware of the self, which in turn, produces a healthier mind. It’s interesting that regardless of the differences between meditation techniques, the goal remains the same.
All of the differences in the techniques mentioned in this article are actually examples of how each of them lead to the same goal- that of achieving awareness. It’s like the saying goes “all roads lead to Rome.”
In this case, all these different techniques lead to enlightenment and awareness in addition to many other kinds of mental, psychological, social, and physical benefits.
Whether the meditation technique you use focuses on sitting, walking, laying down, breathing, repeating a mantra, or chanting, it will lead to benefits in your daily life and to benefits in the lives of those around you.
Meditation – Thoughtless State of Awareness
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Indian scriptures describe the following four states of human awareness:
- Jagruti – the waking state of consciousness
- Swapna – the dreaming state of consciouslness
- Sushupti – the state of deep sleep in which the mind, the ego and superego are still
- Turya - the state of thoughtless awareness beyond the mind
The first three states of awareness are commonly experienced in our daily lives. The fourth state in which the constant rising and falling of thoughts in the mind comes to an end. At first a gap – vilamba – begins to appear between the thoughts. As this gap grows the thoughts diminish and, with regular practice of meditation, the mind enters easily into thoughtless awareness. The attention becomes still like a lake without any ripples on it and a deep inner peace begins to dawn upon our awareness.
In the state of thoughtless awareness we think neither of the past nor of the future. We are entirely in the present moment, in the state of being and do not waste the precious moments of life thinking about times that are finished forever or yet to come. We start enjoying our Self, our Spirit, our own inner beauty and the beauty of creation. We start to enjoy being.
In this state, we start to feel the vibrations of our chakras and our surroundings (and the effect of our behavior and lifestyle) on our fingertips. As a result we spontaneously and naturally change ourselves and our environment so that we maximize the joy, both for ourselves and for those around us. Shri Mataji has described this as “innate religion”.
Meditation Beats Depression
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Clinical depression is far more than feeling blue. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 20 million people in the U.S. have persistant depression that can interfere with everyday life, impact health and even lead to suicide. Now, for the first time, a study has shown that treatment based on meditation is an effective alternative to prescription drugs, even for people suffering from serious, long-term depression.
The research, just published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, found that the group-based psychological treatment called Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was as good or better as treatment with anti-depressants like Prozac in preventing a relapse of serious depression — and the non-drug therapy was more effective in enhancing quality of life. What’s more, the study concluded MBCT is cost-effective in helping people with a history of depression stay well for the long term.
The research team, which included British investigators from the Mood Disorders Center at the University of Exeter and the Center for Economics of Mental Health (CEMH) at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College in London, looked at 123 people who had suffered repeated episodes of clinical depression. In a randomized control trial , the research subjects were assigned to one of two groups. Half continued their on-going drug treatment with anti-depressants and the rest participated in an MBCT course and were also given the option of stopping their anti-depressant medications.
MBCT focuses on targeting negative thinking and helps people who are at risk for recurring depression to stop their depressed moods from spiraling out of control into a full episode of depression. During the eight-week trial, groups of between eight and fifteen people attended meetings with a therapist who taught them a range of meditation exercises that they could continue to practice on their own once the course ended. The MBCT exercises were primarily based on Buddhist meditation techniques and helped the study participants learn to focus on the present, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about future tasks.
Although the meditation exercises worked in a different way for each person, many reported more control over their negative thoughts and depressed feelings. Over the 15 months after the trial ended , about 47% of the group following the MBCT course experienced a relapse — but those who continued normal treatment with anti-depressant drugs experienced a much higher, 60 percent relapse rate. In addition, the group practicing the mindfulness meditation techniques learned in the MBCT program reported a far better quality of life, more overall enjoyment and better physical well-being.
In a statement to the media, Professor Willem Kuyken of the University of Exeter , who headed the research, explained that people treated with anti-depressants are highly vulnerable to relapse when they stop their prescription drug therapy. “MBCT takes a different approach – it teaches people skills for life. What we have shown is that when people work at it, these skills for life help keep people well. Our results suggest MBCT may be a viable alternative for some of the 3.5 million people in the UK known to be suffering from this debilitating condition. People who suffer depression have long asked for psychological approaches to help them recover in the long-term and MBCT is a very promising approach. I think we have the basis for offering patients and GPs an alternative to long-term anti-depressant medication. We are planning to conduct a larger trial to put these results to the test and to examine how MBCT works,” Kuvken said.
Meditation Reduces Heart Attack, Stroke and Death in Heart Disease Patients By Half
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Now a $3.8 million study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has reached a first-ever finding: patients with coronary heart disease who practiced TM had a nearly 50 percent lower rate of heart attack, stroke, and death compared to a matched group that didn’t meditate.
The results of the study, which was conducted at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee in collaboration with the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa, were presented recently at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Orlando, Florida. “Previous research on Transcendental Meditation has shown reductions in blood pressure, psychological stress, and other risk factors for heart disease, irrespective of ethnicity,” Robert Schneider, M.D., the study’s lead author and director of the Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, said in a statement to the media. “But this is the first controlled clinical trial to show that long-term practice of this particular stress reduction program reduces the incidence of clinical cardiovascular events, that is heart attacks, strokes and mortality.”
The randomized controlled trial followed 201 African American men and women for nine years. The research subjects had an average age of 59 and all were diagnosed with narrowing of arteries in their hearts. The study participants continued taking their regular medications and continued other usual medical care during the study. But half were randomly assigned to a group that practiced stress reducing TM and the other half were placed in a non-meditating group that received health education classes covering standard cardiovascular risk factors.
In addition to a dramatic reduction in the risk of death, heart attacks, and strokes in the TM group, the researchers found a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure. Mediation also reduced psychological stress in a sub-group of patients who were experiencing high levels of anxiety and other signs of stress.
“This study is an example of the contribution of a lifestyle intervention — stress management — to the prevention of cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients,” Theodore Kotchen, M.D., co-author of the study and associate dean for clinical research at the Medical College, said in the press statement.
Meditation Reduces Heart Disease Deaths
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
The Medical College of Wisconsin in conjunction with Maharishi University in Iowa funded a study about the effects of transcendental meditation on health. Researchers discovered that over the course of nine years, the group assigned to meditate saw a 47 percent reduction in strokes, heart attacks and deaths.
Two groups of African-Americans were assigned either to meditate or to make certain lifestyle changes. The group told to meditate was instructed to do so twice a day for 20 minutes. The other group was given instruction on traditional methods to reduce the risk of heart disease. After nine years, 20 incidences of stroke, heart attack, or death occurred in the meditation group while 31 incidences occurred in the health education group.
Dr. Robert Schneider, lead author of the study and the director of the Centre for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University, stated that the meditation group experienced an overall reduction in blood pressure as well as a significant reduction in psychological stress. Supporters of transcendental meditation claim that the study proves the long-term positive effects of the practice on those who participate in it.
Researchers noted, however, that among those in the health education group, very few followed the instructions and made any sort of significant changes in their lifestyles. Such lifestyle changes may have proven more effective if group participants would have followed the instructions in the same way as those in the meditation group did. For this reason, the study does not accurately capture the positive benefits of lifestyle changes apart from meditation.
Because transcendental meditation involves spiritual practices that conflict with the beliefs of various other faiths, some may wish to pursue other avenues of achieving better health and preventing the onset of heart disease without violating their convictions.
CoQ10, omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs), vitamin C, B vitamins, and vitamin D are a few of the many vitamins and nutrients that work to maintain heart health. Blueberries are an excellent source of pterostilebene, a compound identified by the U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help prevent heart disease and type-2 diabetes.
Resveratrol, another powerful antioxidant found in the skins of both grapes and blueberries has received a lot of attention recently for its powerful effects in bolstering cardiovascular health. A Harvard Medical School study showed that high doses of resveratrol given to obese mice allowed them to live long, healthy lives despite eating diets high in fat.
Meditation Good For Brain
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Scientists say they have found evidence that meditation has a biological effect on the body.
A small-scale study suggests it could boost parts of the brain and the immune system.
Meditation has been practised since ancient times, mainly in the East.
There is increasing evidence that meditation is a useful and, for some people, a powerful therapy. Dr Adrian White, University of Exeter
It is now catching on worldwide as a means to reduce stress or to help with pain caused by various illnesses.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the United States enrolled 41 people in a trial of so-called “mindfulness” meditation.
It is a technique developed by an American stress reduction specialist – Jon Kabat-Zinn – for helping hospital patients deal with pain and discomfort.
Encouraging
Twenty five of the subjects attended a weekly class and one seven-hour retreat during the study; they were also given exercises to carry out at home. The others did not receive meditation training and acted as a control group.
After eight weeks, the researchers measured electrical activity in the frontal part of the brain. They say this region was more active on the left side in the individuals who meditated and was associated with lower anxiety and a more positive emotional state.
Participants were also given a flu jab at the start of the study and those who meditated had higher levels of antibody, say the researchers, led by Dr Richard Davidson.
“Although our study is preliminary and more research clearly is warranted we are very encouraged by these results,” he said.
Meditation Classes Los Angeles Meditation Classes at Ananda LA
January 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
How to Meditate
by Jyotish Novak
Meditation Classes
How to Meditate
4 Week Series
In just a few weeks, you can learn how to meditate.
“ I very much enjoyed the class. Thank you for making such a spiritual meditation so easily available to people newly interested as well as absolutely enjoyable.”
—Laura
For: Beginners, meditators never having had live instruction, and those wanting a review
Time: 7:30-9:30pm, Tuesdays.
On the first evening come early to register (7:15pm) or pre-register online for discount.
Location: Location to be announced
Instructor: Sean
How to Meditate
by Jyotish Novak
Saturday How to Meditate Workshop
In just one day, you can learn how to meditate:
For: Beginners, meditators never having had live instruction, and those wanting a review
Time: 10am – 1pm, Saturdays.
Come early to register (9:45am) or pre-register online for discount.
Location: Heaven on Earth Holistic Center
7122 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90036.
Note: One block West of La Brea, second floor, above Starbuck’s and Susina Bakery. Entrance is on Detroit.
Parking: Plenty of free parking. There is a free, two-story parking garage diagonally behind the building. Map, directions, and free parking garage.
Instructor: Sean Meshorer
Cost: $60;
For a limited time, you can pre-register on-line for the Learn to Meditate Workshop for only $50.00.
Unable to take scheduled classes? Private meditation classes are available.
Testimonials
“Great class last night. Had another fantastic meditation this morning. I wanted to commend your ability to answer questions. Fantastic stuff. I really enjoy it very much.”
—Matthew Payne, Los Angeles, CA
“ Krishna Das’ s meditation class was outstanding! I loved that he taught from such depth of experience. Besides learning some powerful techniques, it was great to share in discussion and group meditation with both people brand new to meditation, as well as people with long term meditative practices. ”
—Lisa
“ I have searched for a method of meditation for a long time and am happy to say that I finally found one. The Learn to Meditate class not only taught me a proven and practical technique for how to meditate regularly, but it also explained, in a most clear and concise way, why it works so effectively. This is due to the unparalleled wisdom of Paramhansa Yogananda, and to Ananda LA’s wonderful teacher, Krishnadas, who imparted these practices in a most insightful, intellectual, and inspiring way. ”
—Heidi
“I wanted to just thank you for your class last night. My meditation this morning was much simpler and much deeper and I am very excited to continue to learn from you.”
—Matt
“ I wanted to thank you for teaching the meditation class and sharing your knowledge and experience. I truly enjoyed the classes and it all has been very helpful in my search for inner peace and happiness. I will continue my daily morning meditations and my spiritual growth. Thanks again. ”
—Susanne
Meditation Classes – Level II
Deepening Your Meditation:
Energy & Magnetism
On the first evening come early to register (7:15pm) or pre-register online for discount.
Location: Location to be announced
Instructor: Sean
Toronto, ON, M5T 1S2
A technique using directed movements of the breath to release tension and facilitate deep healing and revitalization of body and mind. Please register in advance.
DDMBA Ontario Mindfulness Meditation Workshop
Toronto, ON, M2N 5V7
Have you ever wanted to know how sitting meditation can be applied to all aspects of daily life?
This workshop is designed to introduce people to the basics of meditation as applied to everyday living. Whether we are sitting, eating, working or involved in any movement, the principles of mindfulness can be evenly applied across all of these activities. This workshop will show you how to do this, under the guidance of an ordained teacher, Venerable Chan Teacher Guo Xing from Dharma Drum Retreat Centre in New York.
Topics for this event include:
-Living Meditation: Levels and Functions
-The Basics: Observing the Body and Mind
-Eight Form Moving Meditation
-Mindfulness and Eating
-Walking Meditation
-Methods of Identifying and Transforming mind and environment
We hope you can all join us for this in depth opportunity to learn and practice under a qualified and experienced Chan teacher.
This event is Free (donations welcome). Due to limited space, registration is required. To register, send an email to meditation@ddmba-ontario.ca.
Thank you, and Blessings to All,
DDMBA Ontario
http://www.ddmba-ontario.ca
Mindfulness for Stress Reduction: Intro to Six Part Workshop
Toronto, ON, M4K 3S7
In this introductory talk, Theodore will discuss the nature of stress and its causes and demonstrate basic mindfulness techniques. This workshop is based primarily on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn who has worked with those in chronic pain and depression. Theodore also will share from the standpoint of 30 years of meditation practice and his own human condition. The Workshop is intended for those who have had no prior meditation experience or wish to deepen their beginning practice. The 6 part workshop will be lead by Theodore and assisted by Adele Brown. The dates for the workshop are Feb. 24 and Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31.
Reservation for the talk is not necessary but pre-registration for the workshop is required. Register early as space is limited.
Theodore Tsaousidis has been practicing meditation and psycho-spiritual healing for the past thirty years. Born in a rural community in Greece and immersed in a tradition of village healers, he was always innately connected with nature and the spirit world. Consequently, he has been conscious of his spiritual journey from an early age. Over the years, Theodore has deepened this ancient connection. He has studied healing and shamanic teachings with various teachers and in diverse traditions including the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist tradition. Since 1983, he has been a formal student of Zen Buddhism. He sees meditation and shamanism together as a great alchemy for the healing of self and others. Theodore is blessed to be guided by three teachers, Sensei Sunyana Graef, his foundational and meditation teacher, Zasep Tulku Rinpoche, who guides in Tibetan healing teachings and Gitta Bechsgaard, his classical yoga teacher. Theodore is also the steward of Snow Lion: The Meditation Shop.
www.sittingatthegate.ca theodore@sittingatthegate.ca
Adele Brown MSW is a Registered Social Worker in private practice. Her focus, along side her general practice, is Bereavement Counselling and Stress Reduction Using Mindfulness Training. Adele takes a holistic approach and understands that a “spiritual” component is not separate from life’s crisis, difficulties or goals. Adele is sensitive to different faith systems including Buddhist philosophy and psychology, Christianity, and Earth-centered spirituality. She believes that every individual is innately connected to their source of healing but through life’s conditioning and experiences that connection is veiled. Her practice reflects and honours the conviction that through support and guidance we can move toward the realization of that healing source. Adele uses a variety of modalities to facilitate growth.
Geshe Sherab Free Burlington Public Talk: Why Buddhism?
BURLINGTON, ON
Geshe Sherab will share what he values personally about the Buddha’s teachings and how these teachings may benefit curious Westerners.
GESHE SHERAB FREE PUBLIC TALK KITCHENER/WATERLOO: STEPS FOR A HAPPY LIFE
GESHE SHERAB is a humourous and fluently articulate teacher and speaker. His Kitchener/Waterloo talk will focus on the Preliminary Practices. These practices purify obstacles and accumulate positive energies, leading to a direct experience of truth and greater sense of peace and happiness.
Geshe Sherab Workshop: Thriving in Troubled Times
Burlington, ON
THE CENTRE FOR COMPASSION AND WISDOM IS pleased to host Geshe Sherab from the celebrated Kopan Monastery in Nepal. Geshe Sherab will be teaching in Burlington for 10 days in February as part of his North American Tour. On his first weekend at the centre, he will give three free public talks in Toronto, Kitchener/Waterloo and Burlington. All are most welcome. No advance registration is required for talks.
Geshe Sherab is young, articulate, fluent in English and an inspiring speaker. Geshe-la is also the headmaster of Kopan Monastery, Nepal, the spiritual centre of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). He has lived for several years in the U.S. also, so is familiar with North American culture, and knows how to relate the Dharma to the western mind.
Born in Nepal of Tibetan parents, Geshe Sherab received his education at Kopan Monastery as a boy, and completed his studies at Sera Je Monastic University and at Gyume Tantric College in India. He has lived in the U.S. working at the FPMT Central office and several nearby Dharma Centres in New Mexico. He returned to Nepal after several years in the U.S. to become Headmaster of Kopan Monastery. Geshe-la has just retired from his role as headmaster in order to have more time to devote to meditation and teaching internationally.
WEEK LONG TEACHING – “THRIVING IN TROUBLED TIMES”
Mon Feb 15 to Sun Feb 21st
PART ONE: “STEPS FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE” – Monday morning to Friday afternoon sessions, Feb 15 -19th.
PART TWO: “INTERDEPENDENCE & SELFLESSNESS” – Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Feb 19th – 21st.
Single, day, afternoon and evening sessions also available. See website for event fees, options, and registration details www.centreforcompassionandwisdom.com
WEEK LONG TEACHING – “THRIVING IN TROUBLED TIMES”
Mon Feb 15 to Sun Feb 21st
PART ONE: “STEPS FOR A MEANINGFUL LIFE” – Monday morning to Friday afternoon sessions, Feb 15 -19th.
PART TWO: “INTERDEPENDENCE & SELFLESSNESS” – Friday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Feb 19th – 21st.
Single, day, afternoon and evening sessions also available. See website for event fees, options, and registration details www.centreforcompassionandwisdom.com
TRUE AWAKENING – an enlightenment intensive
Orangeville, ON, L9W`2Y8
Have…Do… Be
We walk, we talk, we drive, we work, we buy, we pay, we sleep, we dream… in an endless cycle of having and doing where we “have-do-be” a particular person while we’re doing what we do, to get what we want. Often the way we have to be is not the way we are, but the way the world requires us to be. So we act out the parts, play the roles and wear the masks…over and over again.
Over time, “one develops a false sense of self in order to survive… After years of acting, performing and pretending, one’s loses sense of who one really is … One’s True Self is numbed out!” (John Bradshaw)
We wonder what the having, doing and being are all about.
We ask: “Is there more to life than this? Is this all there is to us?
Who am I ?
What is life?
We search through the books, videos, philosophies, religions and seminars only to find that, just like the roles we took on, the explanations we have believed have come externally from a source other than ourselves.
We question the answers.
Perhaps you are at this stage in your life…searching, questioning, exploring, wanting to know the truth through your own experience…wanting to live more fully…more from the depth of your true self? Perhaps you are ready for one of the biggest leaps in your spiritual growth:
TRUE AWAKENING is a remarkable process that brings you to the “direct consciousness” of your true self and the true nature of life. The retreat is a 4 evening/5 day process that combines the eastern practice of contemplation on an age-old question such as “who am I?” with a communication structure based on modern methods of western insight psychology. Periods of sitting, walking, meals, rest and silent meditation are spaced optimally within a monastic-like rural environment so that you can take full advantage of the opportunity to focus on realizing the Truth without the usual distractions of everyday life. The process is followed by a half day of integration to bring the experience of the weekend into your life.
No religious or philosophic belief system is taught.
The workshop leader only gives instruction on the technique and guides you through any difficulties that occur as you do it. Remarkably, the process produces spiritual realization that is similar in depth to that which is recorded in writings from many diverse spiritual traditions but without years of meditation and spiritual practice.
Self-Realization
When Self-Realization occurs you become aware of the fact of your true self, life or another. The illumination is simple, obvious and indisputable. You are enveloped in a sense of unity and completeness. A profound feeling of peace, contentment and lightness permeates your body. You feel totally embodied as if you have finally “come home” to your Self.
Benefits
Self-Realization is completely satisfying because it is fulfilling in and of itself. It gives you the ability to be more open and authentic in relationships, the persistence to accomplish personal goals, the centeredness to face life’s difficulties and a greater capacity for joy.
What participants have said about TRUE AWAKENING:
“I can’t property express how blessed I feel. All I know is that it (self-realization) is more real than anything…this sense of deep meaning and connection helps me trust that the human spirit has limitless possibility. Brenda McMorrow – Singer/songwriter, London
“All of my worries about the future…and past hurts seemed in that moment of awakening, very small when compared to the vastness of which I was apart. In that moment I knew real joy…” – Oriah Mountain Dreamer – Author from “The Invitation”, Toronto
“Within one year of the workshop I left my business and took a chance on a new career…money is not important, nor is status. What is important is that I am now doing what I was originally meant to do with my life” – Mel Steiner – Artist, Toronto
“It’s like I did 5 years of meditation in one weekend!” Beth Clark – Yoga Teacher, Kingston
“I now have a strength that comes from a different source, an inner strength. It just is. Coming from that source life is easier and when things get difficult, I have the power and deep knowledge to deal with it” – Suzy Wasitis – Homemaker- Mississauga
Retreat Leader
Russell Scott has coordinated healing programs and worked as a counselor in treatment centres in Northern Ontario. As well as having been the director of the Ecology Retreat Centre near Orangeville, Ontario for over 10 years he now owns “True Source Seminars” through which he has lead personal growth workshops across Ontario for the last 20 years. As a seasoned workshop leader, he has been involved in over 50 TRUE AWAKENING retreats.
NEXT RETREAT
February 18 (6pm) to 22 (2pm) 2010
For more information:
519-942-8339 or
info@TrueSourceSeminars.com
www.TrueSourceSeminars.com
3-Day Mindfulness (Vipassana) Meditation Retreat
Toronto, ON
3-DAY MINDFULNESS (VIPASSANA) MEDITATION RETREAT
WHEN: Feb. 18th and 19th, 2010, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Feb. 20th, 2010, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that this is a non-residential retreat. Participants will be returning to their homes at the end of each day of meditation.
This 3-day Mindfulness (Vipassana) meditation retreat introduces Buddhist practices that help us achieve deeper levels of insight into who and what we are, while promoting peace in our daily lives. By focusing moment-to-moment awareness on body sensations, feelings, and thoughts, we begin to clearly see life as a constantly changing process.
A sustained practice in Mindfulness meditation helps us to experience for ourselves the impermanence of all conditioned phenomena. This penetrating insight helps us to cultivate equanimity in regard to pain and pleasure, loss and gain, and other aspects of life’s ever-changing circumstances. Mindfulness meditation, and the greater wisdom and peace it brings, allows us to relate to life with less fear and clinging.
People of all faiths are welcome to attend this event, which is suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.
Please register in advance at www.SpringRainSangha.com. Application and orientation forms can be found in the “Retreats” section of the website.
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The retreat will be led by Philip Starkman, Jim Bedard, and Randy Baker of Spring Rain Sangha.
A psychotherapist and Lifestyle Counselor/Coach in private practice, Philip has more than 40 years of experience in many forms of meditation. His eclectic background includes years of intensive practice in the monasteries, temples, and ashrams of Asia.
In 1980, Jim began practicing Zen meditation and soon after became a student of Roshi Philip Kapleau of the Rochester Zen Centre. He practiced with Roshi Kapleau and his dharma heirs for the next 20 years. After completing his formal training in Zen, Jim spent several years practicing with senior Vipassana teachers in the Theravada tradition. Today, he offers a balanced, direct approach to practices that point directly to the heart of the teachings.
Randy began Dharma practice in 1977 and practiced Zen for 20 years, including 10 years on the staff of the Rochester Zen Centre. He took up insight (Vipassana) and metta (loving-kindness) meditation in 1997.
