The Sound of Transformation

                                     

The arts have long been recognized as a means for human development, but it takes someone who is master of both the form and that which the form expresses to bring this to reality. Join us for a very special evening of Dharma through the sounds and words of master composer and Dharma teacher Steven Gellman. Together, we'll explore the transformative power of sound as well as the link between the artistic process and the spiritual path.

May 7th, 2012 @ 7:30pm (by anonymous donation)

Achariya Doug Duncan Sensei back in Toronto!

Contrary to popular opinion, happiness is not what we get or do, it's what we are.

We tend to think of our wellbeing in terms of physical, emotional and mental objects. Our inner depth knows that true wellbeing abides in blissful emptiness, a feeling of spaciousness.

The nature of the ego or self can't really conceive of emptiness as a means to happiness, until it happens, usually by chance - remember those magical moments of joy in life, when everything feels just perfect? Even then, habit tends to pull us back to projecting the cause of our happiness onto an object, person or event.

This retreat at the historic Dharma Centre of Canada will focus on embracing emptiness to empower us to live, move and manifest with joy from moment to moment.

The biggest challenge is to show up.

Public Talk: Thursday, May 24th, 2012 at 7:30pm at Friends' Meeting House (60 Lowther Ave.)

Retreat: Friday, May 25, 2012 - Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Opening our Hearts through Yoga

Class with Tracy Sheridan. Monday, March 5th at 8pm.  By Donation.

  

We all aspire to enter into relation with ourselves and others in a friendly open-hearted way. How do we build this capacity? Yoga is a very practical system that points the way to the present moment. Through breath & simple yoga postures we will meet up with our present experience and explore what binds us and what releases us - moment by moment - breath by breath. 

  

Please come with an empty belly, a mat if you have one, and wear comfortable stretchy clothing without belts.

Music, Dharma and Awakening

On Monday, guest teacher Steven Gellman, Professor Emeritus of music at the University of Ottawa, gave teachings on his experiences and views on the relationship between spiritual investigation and the creation of music.

Steven Gellman is a classical composer and long-time student of awakening with Namgyal Rinpoche and Doug Duncan Sensei.

Using exerpts from his own compositions, Steven explored the interplay between his own spiritual growth and unfolding wisdom and the works of art that grew out of these experiences. The music selections brought a whole other level of impact to the class.

Steven will be returning to Toronto to teach at Awaken in Toronto again on May 7th. We look forward to Steven's next insightful class. 

Listen to Steven's latest recording on iTunes.

Preparing the Mind for Awakening

On November 7th, we have the great honour of hosting teacher Sonam Gyatso to our space for a talk on the traditional Pali and Tibetan openings for meditation. He will be giving a talk and explanation on the meaning and significance of this practice. Be sure to join us and take advantage of many decades of wisdom, knowledge and experience of this subject.