Nanaimo Buddhist Meditation Group
Buddha House is open for meditation Saturday mornings. Please arrive with time to get seated by 10:00. Newcomers to meditation are very welcome to join us.
Please visit our website at:nanaimobuddhistmeditationgroup.org
Last Week's ReadingFollowing the Breath
Breathing in, I calm my body.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment,
I know this is a wonderful moment.
Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in.
Breathing out, I know
as the in-breath goes deep,
the out-breath grows slow.
Breathing in makes me calm.
Breathing out brings me ease.
With the in-breath, I smile.
With the out-breath, I release.
Breathing in, there is only the present moment.
Breathing out, it is a wonderful moment.
In, Out
Deep, Slow
Calm, Ease
Smile, Release
Present moment, Wonderful moment
Sangha News and EventsZen Master Thich Dieu-ThienZen Master Thich Dieu-Thien and her western assistant nun are coming to give a teaching on Saturday, October 31st from 10am to 4pm and Sunday, November 1st from 2 to 4pm in English.
They came last year and gave us a very clear and deep teaching, understanding of life, and some practical approaches to be happy and peaceful. The resident monk Tai Haian invited them for our Sangha.
Everybody is welcome!
Donations for the teacher would be welcomed.
You are invited to stay for lunch after the teaching. Tam from the Vietnamese community has generously offered to make us all lunch after Saturday's teaching.
Please join us for this wonderful opportunity to deepen your practice and understanding of the dharma.
Learn more about them here: www.universaldoor.org
Business MeetingEvery second Saturday of every second month, we will hold a business meeting.
The next meeting will be Saturday, November 14th. Everyone is welcome to join. The meeting will be held after the regular meditation practice.
Community EventsMonday MeditationRiver of the Heart Sangha meets at 5 pm on Mondays. The group practices in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The format is opening, introductions, meditation (chanting, guided meditation, silent meditation), offering of teaching and Dharma sharing. The offering of teaching varies week to week. Everyone is welcome to attend. Drop-ins are welcome. The location rotates, please contact Nadine at nadine.schwager@gmail.com or 250-591-7590 for the current locations.
The Heart Sutra: The Heart of Dharma with Lama Mark WebberThursday, December 3rd - Sunday December 6th
The Heart Sutra: The Heart of Dharma. Essentials of Buddhist Meditation and Compassion.
Lama Mark Webber will be teaching from the Heart Sutra during this mini-retreat.
* Thursday and Friday evenings 7:00pm at the Rotary Field House, Nanaimo.
* Saturday at 10:00am and 2:30pm in Duncan.
* Sunday empowerment and teachings at 10:00 am in Duncan.
More details can be found at: islanddharma.com under Classes and retreats
Thanks for everyone's support in keeping the Buddha house open for meditation practice For information about teachings and retreats with Island Dharma please subscribe to the Island Dharma newsletter by emailing: IslandDharma@shaw.ca

 The web site is run by volunteers, our events page is not always kept up to date. We are open for meditation unless posted here otherwise. For up to date events please leave a comment on our Contact page. We will add you to our email  list.  We always welcome newcomers!

Please note that there will be no yoga practice on Wednesday June 24th.

Buddha House is open for meditation Saturday mornings. Please arrive with time to get seated by 10:00. Newcomers to meditation are very welcome to join us.
Please visit our website at:nanaimobuddhistmeditationgroup.org

Upcoming EventsPlease join us for a 90 minute Mindfulness Yoga practice that embodies the principles of physical and mindfulness yoga into a learning experience at all levels. Principles of Yoga (Asana) and mindfulness meditation.
Please bring your own mat.

Date : Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Cost : DANA (by donation according to one's means)
Location: Buddha House - 587 Seventh St. Nanaimo, BC

Last Week's ReadingFrom 'Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book' compiled by Tich Nhat Hanh
Discourse on the Middle Way

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the guest house in a forest of the district of Nala. At that time, the venerable Kaccayana came to visit him and asked, "The Tathagata has spoken of Right View, How would the Tathagata describe Right View?"

The Buddha told the venerable monk, "People in the world tend to believe in one of two views: the view of being or the view of nonbeing. That is because they are bound to wrong perception. IT is wrong perception that leads to the concepts of being and nonbeing. Kaccayana, most people are bound to the internal formations of discrimination and preference, grasping and attachment. Those who are not bound to the internal knots of grasping and attachment no longer imagine an clint to the idea of a self. They understand, for example, that suffering comes to be when conditions are favourable, and that it fades away when conditions =are no longer favourable, They no longer have any doubts. Their understanding has not come to them through others; it is their own insight, This insight is called Right View, and this is the way the Tathagata would describe Right View.

"How is this so? When a person who has correct insight observes the coming to be of the world, the idea of nonbeing does not arise in her, and when she observed the fading away of the viewing the world as being in extreme; viewing it as nonbeing is another extreme, The Tathagata avoids these two extreme me sand teachers the Dharma dwelling in the Middle Way.

"The Middle Way says that this is because that is; this is not, because that is not, Because there is ignorance, there are impulse; because there are impulse, there is consciousness; because there is consciousness, there is the psyche-soma; because there is the psyche-soma there are the six senses, there is contact; because there is contact, there is feeling; because there is feeling, there is craving; because there is craving, there is grasping; because there is grasping, there is becoming; because there is becoming, there is birth; because there is birth, there is old age, death, grief, and sorrow. That is how this entire ass of suffering arises. But with the fading away of ignorance, impulse ceases; with the fading away of impulse, consciousness ceases; ...and finally birth, old age, death, grief and sorrow will fade away. That is how the entire mass of suffering ceases."

After listening to the /buddha, the Venerable Kaccayana was enlightened and liberated from sorrow he was able to untie all of his internal knots and attain Arhatship.

Buddha House is open for meditation Saturday mornings. Please arrive with time to get seated by 10:00. Newcomers to meditation are very welcome to join us.

***

Upcoming Teachings

We will have a visiting monk from California that has agreed to teach us Dharma on Saturday June 6, 2015, followed by a pot luck lunch.

***

Upcoming Events

Please join us for a 90 minute Mindfulness Yoga practice that embodies the principles of physical and mindfulness yoga into a learning experience at all levels. Principles of Yoga (Asana) and mindfulness meditation.

Please bring your own mat.

Date : Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, beginning April 29th (there will be no class May 20th)

Cost : DANA (by donation according to one's means)

Location: Buddha House - 587 Seventh St. Nanaimo, BC

***

Every year during the month of May, Buddhists around the world get together to celebrate Vesak (commemoration of the Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Passing). This year for the first time in B.C., the United Saṅgha (community of Buddhist monks and nuns from the different traditions) will celebrate the Vesak together. It is our hope that the United Saṅgha will bring peace and harmony to the Buddhist Community and the Canadian society at large by introducing Canadians to the richness of Buddhist philosophy and practices. May 16th. 1:00-7:00pm at the Italian cultural center Vancouver.

http://www.unitedsangha.org/vesak2015/vesak/

***

Last Week's Reading

From 'Plum Village Chanting and Recitation Book' compiled by Tich Nhat Hanh

Discourse on the Middle Way

I heard these words of the Buddha one time when the Lord was staying at the guest house in a forest of the district of Nala. At that time, the venerable Kaccayana came to visit him and asked, "The Tathagata has spoken of Right View, How would the Tathagata describe Right View?"

The Buddha told the venerable monk, "People in the world tend to believe in one of two views: the view of being or the view of nonbeing. That is because they are bound to wrong perception. IT is wrong perception that leads to the concepts of being and nonbeing. Kaccayana, most people are bound to the internal formations of discrimination and preference, grasping and attachment. Those who are not bound to the internal knots of grasping and attachment no longer imagine an clint to the idea of a self. They understand, for example, that suffering comes to be when conditions are favourable, and that it fades away when conditions =are no longer favourable, They no longer have any doubts. Their understanding has not come to them through others; it is their own insight, This insight is called Right View, and this is the way the Tathagata would describe Right View.

"How is this so? When a person who has correct insight observes the coming to be of the world, the idea of nonbeing does not arise in her, and when she observed the fading away of the viewing the world as being in extreme; viewing it as nonbeing is another extreme, The Tathagata avoids these two extreme me sand teachers the Dharma dwelling in the Middle Way.

"The Middle Way says that this is because that is; this is not, because that is not, Because there is ignorance, there are impulse; because there are impulse, there is consciousness; because there is consciousness, there is the psyche-soma; because there is the psyche-soma there are the six senses, there is contact; because there is contact, there is feeling; because there is feeling, there is craving; because there is craving, there is grasping; because there is grasping, there is becoming; because there is becoming, there is birth; because there is birth, there is old age, death, grief, and sorrow. That is how this entire ass of suffering arises. But with the fading away of ignorance, impulse ceases; with the fading away of impulse, consciousness ceases; ...and finally birth, old age, death, grief and sorrow will fade away. That is how the entire mass of suffering ceases."

After listening to the /buddha, the Venerable Kaccayana was enlightened and liberated from sorrow he was able to untie all of his internal knots and attain Arhatship.

***

Thanks for everyone's support in keeping the Buddha house open for meditation practice

***

Meditation Practice at Buddha House

Buddha House is open for meditation Saturday mornings. Please arrive with time to get seated by 10:00. Newcomers to meditation are very welcome to join us.

Please visit our website at:nanaimobuddhistmeditationgroup.org

***

Upcoming Teachings

We will have a visiting monk from California that has agreed to teach us Dharma on Saturday June 6, 2015, followed by a pot luck lunch.

***

Upcoming Events

Please join us for a 90 minute Mindfulness Yoga practice that embodies the principles of physical and mindfulness yoga into a learning experience at all levels. Principles of Yoga (Asana) and mindfulness meditation.

Please bring your own mat.

Date : Wednesdays at 6:30 pm, beginning April 29th

Cost : DANA (by donation according to one's means)

Location: Buddha House - 587 Seventh St. Nanaimo, BC

***

Every year during the month of May, Buddhists around the world get together to celebrate Vesak (commemoration of the Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Passing). This year for the first time in B.C., the United Saṅgha (community of Buddhist monks and nuns from the different traditions) will celebrate the Vesak together. It is our hope that the United Saṅgha will bring peace and harmony to the Buddhist Community and the Canadian society at large by introducing Canadians to the richness of Buddhist philosophy and practices. May 16th. 1:00-7:00pm at the Italian cultural center Vancouver

***

Last Week's Reading

Discourse on Love

“He or she who wants to attain peace should practice being upright

, humble ,and capable of using loving speech. He or she will

know how to live simply and happy, with senses calmed, without

being covetous and carried away by the emotions of the majority.

Let him or her not do anything that will be disapproved of by the wise ones.

“(And this is what he or she contemplates):

“May everyone be happy and safe, and may their hearts be

filled with joy.

“May all being live in security and in peace- being who are

frail or strong, tall or short, big or small, visible or nor visible,

near or faraway, already born, or yet to be born. May all of them

dwell in perfect tranquillity.

“Let no one do harm to anyone. let no one put the life of

anyone in danger, Let no one, out of anger or ill will , wish anyone

any harm.

“Just as a mother loves and protects her only child at the risk

of her own life. we should cultivate boundless love to offer to all

living beings in the entire cosmos.We should let our boundless

love pervade the whole universe, above, below, and across.Our

love will know no obstacles. Our heart will be absolutely free

from hatred and enmity. Whether standing or walking, sitting or

lying , as long as we are awake, we should maintain this mindfulness

of love in our heart. This is the noblest way of living.

“Free from wrong views, greed, and sensual desires, living in

beauty and realizing Perfect understanding, those who practice

boundless love will certainly transcend birth and death.”

Metta Suttra, Sutta Nipata I “

***

Thanks for everyone's support in keeping the Buddha house open for meditation practice

***

For information about teachings and retreats with Dr. Cheryl Fraser please subscribe to the Islanwsletter by emailing: IslandDharma@shaw.ca

We are pleased to announce there will be sitting practice every Saturday at the Buddha house. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

Sangha Newsletter November 21, 2013 Upcoming Meeting Schedule Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Teaching with Cheryl, Topic: Bodhicitta or Heart-Mind: What is our motivation for awakening?

Saturday, November 30, 2013 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Teaching with Cheryl or regular meditation practice: TBA

Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Teaching with Cheryl or regular meditation practice: TBA

Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Regular Meditation Practice - Cheryl is teaching the Nanaimo Buddhist Meditation Group retreat at Bethlehem Retreat Centre.

Saturday, December 21, 2013 from 10 AM - after our gathering
Teaching with Dr. Cheryl Fraser and holiday Potluck Topic: The true meaning of Christmas... according to Buddha Dharma. Join us for a holiday themed Dharma talk and social gathering.

December Retreat Compassion, Calm, and Wisdom - A Prescription for Deep, Lasting Happiness. A Residential Retreat with Dr. Cheryl Fraser
(Friday, December 13 (3 pm) - Sunday, December 15 (5 pm), 2013.
The registration numbers for the retreat are just being finalized. If you have not yet registered, are still interested in attending, and would like to be put on the list for a space depending on availability, please email Josephine -yangilhamo@gmail.com and ccnanaimobuddhistmeditationgroup@shaw.ca

Sangha Notes With the onset of cooler weather, you may want to bring a meditation shawl and warm socks to meditation practice.

In keeping with our respect of the meditation hall, we request that you follow the following BUDDHA HOUSE ETIQUETTE:
Please…
Practice silence in the Meditation Hall
Wear modest attire
Turn off cell phones
Remove shoes and hats
Do not step over Dharma books and images
Do not place prayer books or Dharma images on the floor
Do not point the bottom of your feet toward the altar or teacher
Thank you for respecting these traditions.

Opportunities are available for Sangha members to contribute some time to the following weekly duties within our community:
Housekeeping - approximately 30 min. after meditation plus one load of laundry per week.
Back-up for publishing our weekly newsletter - as needed. Training provided.
Please let one of the leaders know if you are interested
 

 

Sangha Newsletter August 15, 2013 Upcoming Meeting Schedule Saturday, August 17 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dr. Cheryl Fraser gives a Dharma talk: The 6 Parami - The 6 qualities of Enlightened Living, Part 2

Saturday, August 24 from 10 AM - 12 PM
TBA

Saturday, August 31 from 10 AM - 12 PM
TBA

Saturday, September 7 from 10 AM - 12 PM
TBA

Workshops & RetreatsFrday, August 23 at 7 pm: Evening teaching at Denman Island with Dr. Cheryl Fraser

Moods and Meditation; How the Buddha describes good mind states and bad mind states and what you can do about your own mind and mood

Location: Jane & Patrick Fawkes 4060 Wren Road  250-335-1605  jpfawkes @ telus. net (ferry pick up can be arranged - please call ahead)

The Buddha was a great psychologist. He clearly identified the four positive states of mind (emotions) and the three root negative states of mind. He then illustrated how we can work with our own thoughts to decrease the negative and increase the positive. Modern neuroscience is now beginning to prove what Buddhist meditators have discovered over the last 2600 years; meditation and the study of Buddhist principles leads to increased calm, happiness and compassion. Turns out the old adage is true; it IS all in your head.

_____________________________________________

Friday evening Sept. 6 – Sunday afternoon Sept. 8
Retreat with Dr. Cheryl Fraser

Living in the United States of Happy Mind

Location: The Hermitage on Denman island
Register: www.dharmafellowship.org/hermitage/retreat-schedule.htm
www.dharmafellowship.org/pdf/DharmaFellowship_Retreat_Info_Brochure.pdf

This weekend retreat will focus on developing the four wholesome mental states, known in Buddha Dharma as the Brama Viharas, or the Divine Abodes. These four psychologically healthy, happy mind states are loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. This silent retreat will have periods of vipassana (insight) meditation practice and periods of guided meditation practice on each of the four divine abodes. Daily Dharma talks/interviews with the teacher. The emphasis will be on opening the heart and thus allowing a deeper settling of the mind.
_____________________________________________

Dr. Cheryl Fraser’s Bio
Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. has been studying Buddha Dharma for 20 years. Her root teacher was the venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Other teachers include Lama Mark Webber, Phillip Moffit, and Adrianne Ross. Cheryl studies and practices in both the Tibetan Vajrayana and the Theravaden Vipassana traditions. She is the resident teacher for the Nanaimo Buddha House and she teaches retreats at the Hermitage on Denman Island and elsewhere. She is a clinical psychologist in private practice, and she draws extensively from Western science and psychology, applying even the more complex Dharma's to "real life". Cheryl writes a column for Best Health magazine. She teaches Dharma in an approachable, colourful and humourous style. She invites us to examine the question: How can I be happy for no reason.
_____________________________________________

Saturday, September 28 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM
A teaching with Tibetan monk Lama Geshe YongDong
Tibetan View of Life

Location: The Buddha House
Suggested donation: $25
More information: yangilhamo@gmail.com

You often hear that someone lived a good life, but rarely hear that a person had a good death.

The book The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying, was written not only as a means of help & guidance for the dying, but also as a guide for living, with valuable advice on how to live without the fear of death and the unknown.

If we fear death we cannot really choose life. We are, instead, trying to figure out how to avoid death, rather than focusing on how to live passionately!

Geshe YongDong's qualities of wisdom, compassion & humor will help students to recognize & eliminate some of the fear & myths that surround death.

Students will learn methods of preparation that teach how to take control over our lives & fears. How we can give unconditional love, acceptance & joy to others, to live peacefully & fully, & to end our lives without fear or regret when the time comes.

Sangha NotesSaturday, August 17, 2013 - Teaching by Dr. Cheryl Fraser.

In keeping with our respect of the meditation hall, we request that you follow the following BUDDHA HOUSE ETIQUETTE:
Please…
Practice silence in the Meditation Hall
Wear modest attire - you may wear a robe to cover up if you are wearing shorts
Turn off cell phones
Remove shoes and hats
Do not step over Dharma books and images
Do not place prayer books or Dharma images on the floor
Do not point the bottom of your feet toward the altar or teacher
Thank you for respecting these traditions.

Dr. Cheryl Fraser will meet with individual Sangha members to discuss their personal practice at 9:15 am and 9:35 am on the Saturdays that she is teaching at Buddha House. To book an appointment, call Sunny at  250-754-6322  (before 7 pm please) by Wednesday and leave your name and phone number for confirmation. These interviews are offered in the spirit of generosity - that is, on a Dana basis - by the teacher. If you feel moved to express your gratitude, please place offerings in the Dana box.

Sangha Notes

Saturday, August 3, 2013 - Regular meditation practice.




In keeping with our respect of the meditation hall, we request that you follow the following TEMPLE ETIQUETTE: 

Please… 

Practice silence in the Meditation Hall 

Wear modest attire - no shorts 

Turn off cell phones 

Remove shoes and hats 

Do not step over Dharma books and images 

Do not place prayer books or Dharma images on the floor 

Do not point the bottom of your feet toward the altar or teacher 

Thank you for respecting these traditions.




Dr. Cheryl Fraser will meet with individual Sangha members to discuss their personal practice at 9:15 am and 9:35 am on the Saturdays that she is teaching at Buddha House. To book an appointment, call Sunny at 250-754-6322 (before 7 pm please) by Wednesday and leave your name and phone number for confirmation.




Upcoming Meeting Schedule

Saturday, August 3 from 10 AM - 12 PM 

Regular meditation practice




Saturday, August 10 from 10 AM - 12 PM 

_Dr. Cheryl Fraser gives a Dharma talk _




Saturday, August 17 from 10 AM - 12 PM 

_Dr. Cheryl Fraser gives a Dharma talk _




Workshops & Retreats

August 23: Evening teaching at Denman Island. Details to follow. 

_____________________________________________




Friday evening Sept. 6 – Sunday afternoon Sept. 8 

Retreat with Dr. Cheryl Fraser




Living in the United States of Happy Mind




Location: The Hermitage on Denman island 

Register: www.dharmafellowship.org/hermitage/retreat-schedule.htm 

www.dharmafellowship.org/pdf/DharmaFellowship_Retreat_Info_Brochure.pdf




This weekend retreat will focus on developing the four wholesome mental states, known in Buddha Dharma as the Brama Viharas, or the Divine Abodes. These four psychologically healthy, happy mind states are loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. This silent retreat will have periods of vipassana (insight) meditation practice and periods of guided meditation practice on each of the four divine abodes. Daily Dharma talks/interviews with the teacher. The emphasis will be on opening the heart and thus allowing a deeper settling of the mind. 

_____________________________________________




Dr. Cheryl Fraser’s Bio 

Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. has been studying Buddha Dharma for 20 years. Her root teacher was the venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Other teachers include Lama Mark Webber, Phillip Moffit, and Adrianne Ross. Cheryl studies and practices in both the Tibetan Vajrayana and the Theravaden Vipassana traditions. She is the resident teacher for the Nanaimo Buddha House and she teaches retreats at the Hermitage on Denman Island and elsewhere. She is a clinical psychologist in private practice, and she draws extensively from Western science and psychology, applying even the more complex Dharma's to "real life". Cheryl writes a column for Best Health magazine. She teaches Dharma in an approachable, colourful and humourous style. She invites us to examine the question: How can I be happy for no reason. 

_____________________________________________




Saturday, September 28 from 10 AM to 3:30 PM 

A teaching with Tibetan monk Lama Geshe YongDong 

Tibetan View of Life




Location: The Buddha House 

Suggested donation: $25 

More information: yangilhamo@gmail.com

You often hear that someone lived a good life, but rarely hear that a person had a good death.




The book The Tibetan Book of Living & Dying, was written not only as a means of help & guidance for the dying, but also as a guide for living, with valuable advice on how to live without the fear of death and the unknown.




If we fear death we cannot really choose life. We are, instead, trying to figure out how to avoid death, rather than focusing on how to live passionately!




Geshe YongDong's qualities of wisdom, compassion & humor will help students to recognize & eliminate some of the fear & myths that surround death.




Students will learn methods of preparation that teach how to take control over our lives & fears. How we can give unconditional love, acceptance & joy to others, to live peacefully & fully, & to end our lives without fear or regret when the time comes.

Sangha Notes
Thank you to everyone who attended the one-day retreat on June 16th. It was a beautiful day. There were silent meditations, a meal in noble silence, and Dharma talks. Dr. Cheryl Fraser would like to thank Josephine for her wonderful service to the Dharma and for creating the opportunity for the retreat.

There is still time to register for Cheryl's retreat July 24th - 31st. It would be great to see a Buddha House contingent at the retreat. Go to http://www.dharmafellowship.org/hermitage/retreat-schedule.htm for more information.

As a gentil reminder, we are practicing noble silence in meditation hall in the upstairs of the temple. As such, we are requesting the talking is kept to a minimum.

Dharma Books continues on Wednesdays at 7 PM at 40 Kennedy Street.

Ever wonder what to bring to a meditation sit or teaching? We have foam pads for everyone to sit on, as well as a few cushions; however, if you truly wish to be comfortable, please bring your own cushion, meditation bench, or pillow to sit on. It can also be a bit chilly in the meditation hall, so please feel free to bring a meditation blanket or shawl.

Upcoming Meeting Schedule
Saturday, June 22 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Regular meditation practice

Saturday, June 29 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dharma talk with Dr. Cheryl Fraser
The topic will be compassion, and there will be a White Tara practice.

Saturday, July 6 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Regular meditation practice

Saturday, July 13 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Regular meditation practice

Saturday, July 20 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Dharma Talk with Dr. Cheryl Fraser

Saturday, July 27 from 10 AM - 12 PM
Regular meditation practice

Dharma Books:
Wednesdays, 7 PM at 40 Kennedy Street.

Workshops & Retreats
Wednesday July 24 – Wednesday July 31, 2013 (8 days)
Retreat with Dr. Cheryl Fraser
Stillness, Compassion, and Wisdom

Location: The Hermitage on Denman island
Register: www.dharmafellowship.org/hermitage/retreat-schedule.htm
www.dharmafellowship.org/pdf/DharmaFellowship_Retreat_Info_Brochure.pdf

The Buddha was a great psychologist. He taught us to face life as it is. Life is filled with both joy and sorrow, gain and loss. The teaching of Buddha Dharma help us to understand and directly experience that while pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. States of fear, anxiety, sadness and discontent occur when we are not in alignment with reality: things change, and we need to change with them. A mind that comes to know this truth is a calmer, happier mind, and this creates a more compassionate, peaceful person. This silent meditation retreat will have periods of Vipassana (insight) and Shamatha (calm abiding) practice. There will be some guided meditation periods. Yoga will be offered to support and deepen the meditation practice. There will be daily Dharma talks and interviews with the teacher. Suitable for both beginning and advanced meditators.

_____________________________________________

Friday evening Sept. 6 – Sunday afternoon Sept. 8
Retreat with Dr. Cheryl Fraser

Living in the United States of Happy Mind

Location: The Hermitage on Denman island
Register: www.dharmafellowship.org/hermitage/retreat-schedule.htm
www.dharmafellowship.org/pdf/DharmaFellowship_Retreat_Info_Brochure.pdf

This weekend retreat will focus on developing the four wholesome mental states, known in Buddha Dharma as the Brama Viharas, or the Divine Abodes. These four psychologically healthy, happy mind states are loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity. This silent retreat will have periods of vipassana (insight) meditation practice and periods of guided meditation practice on each of the four divine abodes. Daily Dharma talks/interviews with the teacher. The emphasis will be on opening the heart and thus allowing a deeper settling of the mind.

_____________________________________________

Dr. Cheryl Fraser’s Bio
Cheryl Fraser Ph.D. has been studying Buddha Dharma for 20 years. Her root teacher was the venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. Other teachers include Lama Mark Webber, Phillip Moffit, and Adrianne Ross. Cheryl studies and practices in both the Tibetan Vajrayana and the Theravaden Vipassana traditions. She is the resident teacher for the Nanaimo Buddha House and she teaches retreats at the Hermitage on Denman Island and elsewhere. She is a clinical psychologist in private practice, and she draws extensively from Western science and psychology, applying even the more complex Dharma's to "real life". Cheryl writes a column for Best Health magazine. She teaches Dharma in an approachable, colourful and humourous style. She invites us to examine the question: How can I be happy for no reason.