Awaken In Toronto
Awaken in Toronto is a dedicated community of individuals committed to awakening in this lifetime. They work together to overcome the isolation of modern life, and create a space where we can safely explore the workings of our minds. They have a weekly meditation class, and host regular discussion groups on topics such as death & dying and integral spirituality. They offer meditation retreats at the Dharma Centre of Canada that allow them to explore some of life’s deepest questions, and hold regular social events to build friendship and community. All classes and discussion are based on Daná, which is a pay-what-you-value model.
www.awakenintoronto.org or www.meetup.com/AwakenInToronto/
2023 Meditation Classes - Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 pm ET
Short Dharma talk on a given topic + 30 minute meditation. Dharma talk includes themes of Buddhist principles, Western psychology, and greater connection to ourselves and others.
In person: Boomerang Pilates Studio, Village Healing Centre, 240 Roncesvalles Avenue, Toronto, ON
Online on Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/3695356130,
Meeting ID: 369 535 6130 Password: 108108
Topic: Commit to Sit for 30 Days
Dates: Jan 11 (online-only)
Jan 18 (online and in-person)
Jan 25 (online-only)
Feb 1 (online and in-person)
Feb 8 (online-only)
Topic: The Real Buddha as a Model for All
Dates: Feb 15, 21, 28, and March 1 (online only)
Feb 22 - Special Guest Speaker: Vanessa Sasson, author of the book, Yasodara and the Buddha.
Meditation Retreats
Weekend (and longer) retreats out of the city at the Dharma Centre of Canada. Opportunities to take a deeper dive into silence and greater self awareness. Covering topics related to Vajrayana Buddhism as well as general meditation themes.
2023 Dates:
March 17-19 - Meditation as Antidote to Anxiety, combining Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapeutic practices and meditation
July 7-9 - Building a Strong Spine and a Soft Belly through the Vajrayana Foundation Practices - with Chenrezi wongkur
November 17-22 - Embracing Green Tara Earth Energy to stimulate the Ecosattva Within with Green Tara Wongkur
I’ve participated in both in-person and on-line retreats and classes which Lama Linda offered (through the Dharma Centre and otherwise) and have found her to be a very gifted teacher and facilitator. She has a very down to earth approach to explaining spiritual and Buddhist teachings and encourages students to explore and question these for themselves. She has a good sense of humour and is very warm and supportive - not dogmatic at all – and with her therapist background, is skilled at making connections between Buddhist principles and our emotions and behaviour patterns. I’ve had many important insights about myself and my practice in working with Lama Linda for which I am most grateful.
BW
Meditation and Buddhist Resources:
Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat
Inspiring Buddhist teachers intent on helping people awaken in this lifetime through intentional practices of dãna, karma yoga, and spiritual community. They connect with students through a virtual community and on-line webinars, and are based on-site as spiritual leaders of the Clear Sky Meditation and Study Centre in BC.
www.planetdharma.com
Clear Sky Meditation and Study Centre
A centre for awakening using a balance of conscious interaction and silent reflection. This 300 property sits at the foot of majestic Bull Mountain in south-east British Columbia, in a stunning forested valley of pine trees and farmland. They offer individual and group retreats and courses throughout the year, with resident teachers Doug Duncan and Catherine Pawasarat and other senior students.
www.clearskycenter.org
The Dharma Centre of Canada
Located in Kinmount, Ontario, the Dharma Centre of Canada is a non-sectarian retreat centre dedicated to awakening, compassion, awareness, and wisdom. It is affiliated with the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, the first Canadian recognized Rinpoche, and the Namgyal lineage of Western Vajrayana Buddhism.
New York Zen Centre for Contemplative Care
The organization is based in Manhattan and delivers contemplative approaches to end of life care through education, direct service, and meditation practice. They offer a 9 month Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care Training Program involving 100 volunteer hours in a hospice or palliative care unit as well as individual and group learning opportunities.
www.zencare.org
Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism
A Buddhist site for Contextual Education for students attending the University of Toronto Masters of Pastoral Studies (MPS) in Buddhist Studies. Linda provides group clinical supervision to persons offering paid or volunteer counselling services to fellow Buddhists in the community. Supervision may qualify for CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario) Supervision hours necessary for certification as registered psychotherapists.