Retreats
Westcoast Dharma Society offers nonresidential meditation retreats, workshops, and classes, led by senior visiting Western Dharma teachers and by local Dharma teachers. Occasional residential retreats are also offered.
See Retreat Schedule if you are looking for a detailed schedule of retreats and workshops through 2010.
Upcoming Events ..
March 19 - 21: "The Jhanas (meditative absorption states) and Dependent Origination" Workhop Retreat with Leigh Brasington
March 19 , Fri, 7:15pm - 9:00pm
March 20, Sat, 9:00am - 5:00pm
March 21, Sun, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Asian Centre,
1871 West Mall, UBC Campus, Vancouver
Introduction to the Jhanas: Leigh will describe the eight altered states of consciousness which the Buddha defined as Right Concentration. The details of the Jhanas will be discussed and instructions for entering them will also be given. The relationship of concentration and insight will also be discussed. However in such a short time, no one should expect to actually experience any of the Jhanas - but perhaps will be inspired to attend a longer retreat where they are taught.
Dependent Origination: "One who sees dependent origination sees the Dhamma; one who sees the Dhamma sees dependent origination." Majjhima Nikaya 28. This teaching on the interdependence of phenomena is the heart of the Buddha's wisdom teachings. It is often described as a chain of twelve links - which we will look at in detail, and it also has many other important implications which we will also discuss.
This nonresidential workshop/retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced meditators.
For a registration flyer, click here. For a retreat poster, click here.
More Information | Register On-line
Wednesday, March 24, 7:30 pm
"Deconstructing Buddhism": an evening talk, book signing, and question and answer session with meditation teacher and author, Stephen Batchelor
7:30 pm at the Unitarian Church, Vancouver
949 West 49th Avenue
Registration: $10 or donation at the door
Teachings will highlight Stephen's new book, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist.
Stephen Batchelor, a former Buddhist monk, studied under the guidance of Tibetan lamas and completed a three-year Zen training in Korea. He is the noted author of Alone With Others, The Faith to Doubt, The Awakening of the West, Buddhism Without Beliefs, Verses from the Center: A Buddhist Vison of the Sublime, Living with the Devil: A Meditation on Good and Evil, and his new book Confession of a Buddhist Atheist. He is a member of the teacher council at Gaia House in England and is co-founder of Sharpham College. He teaches worldwide and lives in southwest France.
Stephen considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs.
This event is sponsored by Westcoast Dharma Society, BC Insight Meditation Society, and Banyen Bookstore. For a retreat poster, click here.
April 30 - May 2 : Vipassana Meditation Retreat
with Michele McDonald and Steven Smith
 
April 30 , Fri, 7:15pm - 9:00pm
May 1, Sat, 9:00am - 5:00pm
May 2, Sun, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Asian Centre,
1871 West Mall, UBC Campus, Vancouver
Vipassana meditation (Insight or Mindfulness practice) is the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind / body process through calm and focused awareness. Learning to observe experience from a place of stillness enables one to relate to life with less fear and clinging. Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure, pain, fear, joy, and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance. As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise. This nonresidential retreat is for beginning and experienced meditators. Sitting and walking meditation sessions are alternated.
For a registration flyer, click here. For a retreat poster, click here.
More Information | Register On-line
"Awakening Joy" Workhop Retreat with James Baraz
June 4 , Fri, 7:15pm - 9:00pm
June 5, Sat, 9:00am - 5:00pm
June 6, Sun, 9:00am - 4:00pm
Asian Centre,
1871 West Mall, UBC Campus, Vancouver
In Buddhism, Joy is both a Factor of Enlightenment and one of the four Divine Abodes. Today, as we are bombarded with messages that heighten our fear and sadness about the world, more than ever it is vital to understand the importance of joy as a central aspect of spiritual practice. True happiness is not about acquiring anything but rather opening to the natural joy and aliveness right inside you.
This nonresidential workshop/retreat is suitable for beginning and experienced meditators. This retreat workshop is based on teachings from James' newly released book, Awakening Joy. This retreat workshop will consist of Dharma talks, sitting and walking meditations, experiential exercises, and Q&A's.
James Baraz has been teaching meditation since 1978. James is a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center, where, in addition to leading retreats, he founded the Community Dharma Leader Program and is the teacher-adviser to the Spirit Rock Family and Teen Program and the Kalyana Mitta (Spiritual Friends) Network. James leads meditation retreats nationally and internationally, and is on the International Advisory Board of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.
For a registration flyer, click here. For a retreat poster, click here.
More Information | Register On-line
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