Previous Workshops and Special Events Mindfulness Based Movement Wednesdays Dec 5, 12, and 19 7 to 9pm by donation In the Sutra of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness the Buddha said to apply mindfulness to all actions of the body. In these 3 classes we will be exploring his advice through mindfulness based movement using elements of T'ai Chi and Yin/Yang theory. These classes are designed as an adjunct to your sitting practice, with the major focus on the interplay of breath and movement. How does the breath help to create movement and how does movement influence the breath? We will work on a T'ai Chi 'breath set'; walking exercises that incorporate working with visualizations; partnered work based on Yin/Yang theory and some Qi Gong exercises. The intention is that you will be able to practice these exercises on your own at the end of the three weeks. Bring your curiosity, some loose clothes, and a smile or two. NEW YEAR'S DAY MEDITATION - Metta led by Gwen Robart by donation All members of FOH, friends, family and community are warmly invited to join us at FOH on January 1st, 2008 at 11am - 12:30pm. This meditation is a special opportunity to come together with like-hearted people and begin the year with a smile on your face and a warm glow in your heart. Together, we will take refuge, send metta (loving kindness) throughout the world to those both near and far, and share merit. In keeping with the spirit and intention of giving, there will be time to share a 'gift' after the formal meditation. This gift may be in the form of a story, reading, poem, art work, etc. If you cannot join us at the centre, perhaps you will take refuge with us at 11am, and in that way the sanga will be united in spirit and love. Join us for brunch afterward! Journeying Through the Dark Night of the Soul Wednesday January 9, 2008 7 to 9 pm with special guest teacher Pete Bernard suggested donation $10 to $20 Pete Bernard is an Algonquin Shaman who resides in Ottawa. He teaches and practices Spiritual Healing and Energy Medicine, which bring balance to the body, soul, and the earth. He is the founder of The 8th Fire School of Shamanic Healing – a school dedicated to teaching the traditional healing practices of the Algonquin culture. “In healing, we must get to the source of the original wounding – the very root of the problem. If we do not, we are only treating the symptoms of that which must be healed”. For further information or to book a private healing session, call 416 486-5101 with Lama Catherine Jetsun Yeshe, founder of Friends of the Heart. Wednesday Oct 10, 2007 7:30pm to 9pm. At Snow Lion 708 Pape Avenue, across from Pape Subway. By donation.
with Lama Catherine Jetsun Yeshe, founder of Friends of the Heart. Tuesday Oct 16, 2007 7:30pm to 9pm at FOH. Special talk on one of the most important Buddhist texts on The Perfection of Wisdom. By donation to the Lama Support Fund. WORKSHOPS The Six Paramitas Six Practices for a Wholesome Life - 3 workshop series with Lama Catherine Jetsun Yeshe, founder of Friends of the Heart. Oct 10 – 7:30 to 9pm Introduction - at Snow Lion Oct 11 7-9pm Workshop #1 Oct 14 10am to 12:30pm Workshop #2 Oct 18 7-9pm Workshop #3 This series of three classes will be part lecture, part workshop and part meditation training in these deep wondrous teachings developed in Mahayana Buddhism to help all of us develop the mind of enlightenment. A teaching for daily living suitable for all levels. Ideally attend all three as a series, but students are welcome for individual workshops. Members: $20 administration fee plus donation for the teacher. Non-members: $30 administration fee plus donation for the teacher. WORKSHOPS The Six Paramitas Mandala Drawing - 3 workshop series with Mana Waite, guest teacher from Australia . Thursdays Oct 4, 25, Nov 1 7-9pm Mandala drawing is a way to contact the intuitive mind and bring new insights for investigation into consciousness. A specific area if inquiry is identified and the intuitives or depth mind is allowed to speak by progressing through the drawing of five circles within a larger circle. Each circle corresponds to different aspects of the question. Please bring large sheets of paper and coloured pencils. Ideally attend all three as a series, but students are welcome for individual workshops. Members: $20 administration fee plus donation for the teacher. Non-members: $30 administration fee plus donation for the teacher.
MANTRATHON Saturday October 20 9am to 9pm Everyone is welcome, whether attending the Nyung-ne retreat or not. Come for an hour, a few hours, or for the whole day. This year marks the 14th year of the mantrathon. Let’s make it even better and bigger than last year’s! Pick up your pledge sheet soon. This is a win/win situation for everyone. The courage to sit for 12 hours brings immense understanding and sense of accomplishment to all meditators. Even beginners can try! Of course, you can come for less but hey.. this path is for Victors. By raising money for the FOH bursary, you enable all people to attend retreats and courses who may otherwise not come because of their financial situation. This teaching is meant to help ALL beings come out of suffering! Not just the well to do. By raising money for the Tibetan nunnery, you help people whose lives have been disrupted beyond measure but who, nevertheless, struggle on in poverty, entirely dependent on the generosity of others for their basic needs. By raising money for the 416 Drop-in Centre, you are helping the poorest of our poor, the women who live on our streets. There but for the grace of God and the accident of birth goes any one of us.When you ask for funds, don’t think about yourself asking for money. Think about these three causes, ask for them. They cannot ask for themselves. It is our privilege to try to help them and the donors gain great merit by availing themselves of the opportunity to practice generosity. Nyung-ne retreat and Chenresig initiations October 19 at 7pm October 20 at 9am October 21 at 10am at Friends of the Heart This NYUNG-NE 2 ½ day non-residential retreat at Friends of the Heart is designed to give lay practitioners an opportunity to practice intensively. Practicing strongly for such a length of continuous time to bring compassion into the world generates much merit for a practitioner and vividly encourages us to always remember those who are less fortunate than we. Tibetan initiation ceremonies based on compassion, fasting, and extended meditation are all part of this retreat. FRIDAY EVENING 7-8:30pm – Anyone may attend this segment without doing the whole retreat.. The retreat begins with the empowerment of the 4 Armed Chenresig, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Please wear clean clothing, bring a white scarf and a food offering. A donation for the teacher is customary. 8:30 to 9pm Vows will be taken for the full weekend retreta period. Special instructions will be gienc for those continuing with the weekend retreat. SATURDAY – 9am to 9pm Practicing the compassion meditation and joining in with the 12 hour Mantrathon (see above) will form the basis of the first full day of the retreat. Liquids only are taken. SUNDAY – a 24 hour period of no food and no water begins. 10am. The initiation of 1000 Armed Chenresig will be given to those who are doing the full Nyung-ne retreat. Meditation, puja and prayers at the centre comprise the second full day of retreat. MONDAY – When the lines of the hand can be seen in the light of pre-dawn, nourishment can be taken. Liquids and soft, weak porridge or rice are good foods to break that fast. Those who are able, may attend the regular 10am Tibetan Meditation class. A NOTE ON FASTING Only those who are physically and mentally well should consider doing the full fast. Liquids may be taken by those who are in a weakened state or those who must fulfill household duties such as caring for children or elders during the retreat. It is important to make that decision before the retreat and then stick to that decision.
Opening the Door to Tibetan Meditation Tibetan Buddhist practice combines the science of mind with the poetry of mind and is an amazingly skillful way to effect wholesome changes in consciousness. Through creative imaginings and movement exercises, we enter the sacred world of compassion. This series of two workshops is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators who are interested in Tibetan Vajrayana practice. This is the last public teaching by Catherine Jetsun Yeshe until October 2007.
Workshop on Aspiration The meditation path is about growing and changing. We aspire to become wiser, more skilful in our relations with the world, and more compassionate. The tradition of making New Year's resolutions is about taking responsibility for our growth, and actively steering ourselves towards healthier behaviour that will express our growing wisdom. In this workshop, participants will have a chance to reflect on their aspirations, to align their goals for the New Year with their aspiration, and to plan how they can go about realizing their goals. We will work with guided meditation, with reflective exercises, and with group discussion. This workshop is suited to those new to meditation and to more experienced meditators alike. May you enjoy this precious moment.
Meditation, Movement -- with Gwen Robart This workshop is an introduction to 'Eight Pieces of Brocade' one of the classical Chinese forms of Chi Kung exercises. Chi kung is a subtle form of exercise combining the breath with non-strenuous movements. These movements are beneficial in the promotion of health and inner harmony and can be easily learnt and practised by all. We will explore the 'medicinal' nature of the movements through Traditional Chinese theory. This workshop is designed to cultivate knowledge and confidence in your ability to practise these movements/exercises on your own. No prior knowledge of Chi Kung or Traditional Chinese theory is required. All are welcome. You need only to keep the thinking open! May you enjoy this precious moment.
Meditation Workshop, Mindful at Work. We work to pay the bills, to express our talents, to meet our goals for ourselves or our families. Work can be a source of fulfillment and challenge but also of stress and frustration. We certainly spend lots of time there! This workshop will explore how we can bring our meditation practice into our work lives as a way to strengthen and energize both. May you enjoy this precious moment.
Ayya Medhanandi - Guest Teacher We are honoured to have a guest teacher Ayya Medhanandi, who is a Canadian born nun in the Theravada tradition of Buddhism. Ayya Medhanandi was born in Canada in 1949. After College, she trained and worked in social services for the elderly and disabled. She then completed a postgraduate degree in nutrition and went on to serve in international aid programs directed at malnourished women and children in Thailand, Senegal, Ecuador and Nepal. May you enjoy this precious moment.
Healing Self and Healing Other In order to heal others we have a responsibility to first make sure we are in a wholesome, open and present state. This 3 hour workshop will give you a practice to open and clear your chakras and a way to develop equanimity and balance with yourself and others. Part lecture, part workshop, part meditation, it is open to anyone interested in this subject. Please wear loose clothing and be prepared to do some creative movement. It is important to pre-register for this workshop. May you enjoy this precious moment.
Developing Your Healing Powers Building on the April 15th workshop, students will learn techniques to develop their healing powers through direct interactive work. This event is suitable for those who are deeply interested in healing work, who are mentally stable and who wish to seriously commit to this study. It is therefore restricted to those who are fulltime members of FOH and the student list will be approved by Catherine. Please wear loose clothing and be prepared to do interactive work. It is important to pre-register for this workshop or you may not be admitted. May you enjoy this precious moment.
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