MEDITATION CLASSES
Meditation is not supposed to be the fabrication or the reinforcement of some particular state, but simply the cultivation of the awareness of whatever is arising in the mind,
- Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche
CALM ABIDING - BEGINNER
Explore the ancient practice of Calm Abiding meditation (Shinay in Tibetan or Shamatha in Sanskrit). Discover the endless benefits of meditation and the value of dedicating the merit of your meditation to others. Train your mind to become peaceful and workable, escape from the trap of monkey mind, and learn new techniques, including loving-kindness practice, to face the pressures of modern life. We’ll study meditation posture with a cushion, a bench, or a chair, and we’ll look at The Elephant Path learning to focus single-pointedly on a meditation object. We’ll also offer guidance on the arising mental states of torpor and agitation, and we’ll learn to deal with thoughts and emotions as they arise.
INSIGHT MEDITATION - INTERMEDIATE
Once stabilized in Calm Abiding, qualified students can progress to Insight Meditation (Vipassana in Sanskrit), where we delve into the ultimate nature of mind and phenomena. Training in compassion, using the practice of Tonglen, is integral to the teaching. Students require permission of the teacher to move from Calm Abiding to Insight Meditation courses.
MAHUMUDRA MEDITATION - ADVANCED
Upon completion of the Insight meditation course, with the permission of the teacher, we learn this very advanced practice. This Mahamudra meditation is based on teachings by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche using the 9th Karmapa Wangchuk Dorje’s "The Ocean of Definitive Meaning.” Mahamudra teaches the union of Calm Abiding and Insight mediations, along with progressing along the path to realization.
These courses discuss some basics of Buddhism but are not focused on Buddhism. We welcome participants of all faiths and backgrounds. Classes are kept small to allow for individual attention and are accessible online via Zoom.
TUESDAYS 7 – 8:30 PM
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86779885494?pwd=t08mcgCmQ8QJffJJXZ88P4KnqiOk1y.1
Calm Abiding Meditation teachers
Senior teacher
JoAnn Lux has been a Buddhist practitioner since the 1980′s and joined KSDL in the early-2000′s. She is very fortunate to be one of the many long time students of V.V. Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche. Some of her other teachers include Lama Namse Rinpoche, Lama Tenzin Dakpa, H.E. Ayang Rinpoche, The Dzochen Ponlop Rinpoche, Lama Shenpen and Lama Kathy Wesley. With the support of Thrangu Rinpoche and Lama Tenzin, JoAnn teaches meditation in Toronto at KSDL.
Eirica Perruzza has been meditating for seven years under the guidance of JoAnn Lux and Lama Tenzin Rinpoche. She teaches calm abiding Tuesday evenings with Dan Bowman. Eirica leverages her decades of teaching experience with a passion for Buddhist studies and a strong compassion for others. Persistently reading, researching, and exploring, Eirica is constantly expanding her insight and knowledge.
Giovanna Riccio has been studying meditation and Buddhism with JoAnn Lux for 17 years and has also had instruction from Lama Tenzin Rinpoche. She began teaching Calm Abiding Meditation11 years ago and then moved to teaching the Insight Practices which she presently teaches with JoAnn Lux on Thursday evening. She especially enjoys studying Buddhist texts and is constantly seeking to incorporate the teachings into everyday life and to encourage students to do the same.
Dan Bowman teaches calm abiding meditation with Eirica Peruzza on Tuesday evenings. He has been practicing and studying meditation for over 20 years, beginning with mindfulness based stress reduction. From there he moved on to more comprehensive meditation studies with JoAnn Lux. Dan has been a KSDL teacher for several years. His focus is on compassion for all beings, starting with the students in class.