Class Fees & Membership

We are a non-profit charitable organization that is volunteer run.  We have decided to have a fee structure that encourages participation in our classes and tries to keep our bookkeeping simple. So we have fees that encourage steady participation, rather than charge on a class-by-class basis.

We also have a bursary fund for retreats and will work with you to find ways to ensure that finances are not a barrier to meditation at Friends of the Heart.

You have a number of options, when you are deciding about participating with Friends of the Heart:

• come to an Open House and see if what we have to offer is of interest to you
• drop in to a class and pay on a donation basis (suggested $10-20)
• come for an introductory 10 week period and attend any or all of our regular classes (Monday to Saturday) -- $125
• renew for an additional 10 weeks -- $125
• take out a yearly option with Full Membership and enjoy unlimited access to any of our weekly classes -- $500 per year
• we also have distant members, however, who are unable to attend classes regularly. These people generally become associate members -- $60 per year. Their cost for coming to each class is $15. This is our compromise with the class fee vs membership debate.
• for info on bursary for retreats or help with other activities at Friends of the Heart, please email .

The class fees include membership in Friends of the Heart.  Membership allows you to participate in the formal running of the centre, such as voting at general meetings and being on the board of directors.

For more information on our memberships and mentoring / individual instruction programs, please click on these links:

• Full Membership
• Associate Membership
• Personal Mentoring Program (PMP)
• Intensive Meditation Program (IMP)
• Donations and Payments

If you would like to join, please email Christine at . You can download the membership application form (pdf). Membership Form.

Please note that all Members must agree to abide by the Code of Conduct in their relationship with Friends of the Heart, its members and activities. To see our Bylaws and Constitution, please go to Bylaws.

Full & Introductory Classes & Membership

When someone starts attending classes on a regular basis, they normally sign on for an introductory period.   The cost is $125 for 10 weeks*.   If you are new to Friends of the Heart, you can benefit from this 10 week introductory period twice, after that you renew on a yearly basis.  The cost is $500* if paid in one lump sum for the year or $540* if paid quarterly.

The annual period for class fees and membership runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.  If you join in the middle of the year, your payments are prorated (the schedule is on the back of the Membership Form).

* Payment made by credit card or paypal are subject to a 3% service change.

Benefits for class fees and membership include:

• free access to all appropriate weekly classes on FOH premises
• able to attend retreats on a fee basis
• a membership review with an instructor/advisor to help you set goals and evaluate progress
• use of library
• attendance at all Board and Committee meetings of FoH
• able to vote at our Annual General Meeting and serve on our Board or on committees

"On-Hold" Policy
If a someone is unable to attend classes for a month or more because of an extended absence or illness, they may ask to have their membership and classes put "on hold" for that period. For a 10 week intoductory, the time will be extended by the absence period. For the annual schedule, their next annual payment will be reduced by the absence period.

Children under 18
Children (under 18) of Full Members share their parent's privileges at no extra cost. However when they turn 18 they must purchase their own independent membership.

Associate Membership

The Associate Membership is appropriate for people who live at a distance and are not able to attend classes regularly, or who simply wish to attend particular courses or retreats on an occasional basis. The cost is $60 per year* and $15.00 per class attended.

* Payment made by credit card or paypal are subject to a 3% service change.

Benefits include:

• able to attend courses on a fee basis ($15.00 per class)
• able to attend retreats on a fee basis
• use of library
• attendance at all Board and Committee meetings
• able to vote at our Annual General Meeting and serve on our Board or on committees

Personal Mentoring Program

Associate members who live at a distance from Friends of the Heart may benefit from our distance mentoring program. This includes all the privileges of Associate Membership, plus 1-2 phone calls per month with an instructor.

We also offer a similar program for those living within the Toronto area.  Meetings can be held at Friends of the Heart or at a location that works for the teacher and the student.

The suggested cost is $105 per month (+ GST if the teacher charges GST), and is arranged directly with the mentor. Click here for more information on this option.

Intensive Meditation Program

Our Intensive Meditation Program (IMP) is a limited-enrollment program for students who wish to engage in intensive personal work with Catherine Jetsun Yeshe. It involves a considerable commitment on the part of both the Senior Teacher and the student, and a financial pledge of $900 per year is suggested.

Click here for more information on the IMP.

Donations and Payments

If you wish to make a donation to Friends of the Heart or to Catherine Jetsun Yeshe, we have setup Paypal to receive payments for audio teachings, memberships and for other activities of Friends of the Heart. We prefer to work through paypal as it is time consuming for a volunteer organization to handle cheques and email credit card orders. You can use Paypal to make secure payments in your own currency. The Canadian dollar amount will be automatically converted for your credit card or bank account.

Please give with a generous heart.

Our bursary fund supports people to come on retreat; general support helps pay the rent; Mantrathon is an annual fundraiser to support local and distant charities as well as our bursary fund; and we have set up a fund to support our founding teacher Lama Jetsun Yeshe.

Please email us to let us know how you would like us to direct your donation. At present, PayPal will accept your donation but not allow you to specify how we are to direct it.

Associate Membership -- Annual cost $60 prorated to Sept. 30 + 3% credit card / PayPal fee.  Check out the shedule on the membership form and also fill out fill this out Membership Form.