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.
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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.
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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.
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