Winter 2012 Schedule

Lojong (literally, “mind training”) slogan practice is a way to bring compassion, clarity and peace into all of our relationships. This course explores the mahayana slogans of Atisha, a 10th-century Indian Buddhist master, in conjunction with the practice of exchanging self for other—tonglen.

Recommended readings: (on sale at the Shambhala Centre):

Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche: Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving Kindness

Pema Chödrön, The Compassion Box (includes Lojong cards, CD and book: Start Where you Are)

Instructor : Suzanne Côté

Open to all. This course is part of the Way of Shambhala II curriculum.
Suggested donation: $50.

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In this third weekend of Shambhala training, we work in a deliberate way to bring the mindfulness and awareness we cultivate during meditation practice into everyday life. Alive to our sense perceptions, we can venture in the world with a vulnerability that is fearless, gentle, and awake.

For more information please email:  wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca.

Instructor : David Fowler

Prerequisite: Level II.
Suggested donation: $145. ($195 for Level III and Course III when you register for both at the Level).

This course expands the meditation experience by cultivating the noble-heart of the mahayana teachings, opening the path to the virtue and celebration of compassion. Through practical methods, we further develop kindness toward ourselves and others. We emphasize the joy and invigoration that comes from discipline. The Lion represents the qualities of cheerfulness, health, and freedom from doubt.

For more information or to register, please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca.

Instructor : David Fowler

Prerequisite: Contentment in Everyday Life Course (completion of Shambhala Training Level III is recommended).
Suggested Donation: $75 ($195 for Level III and Course III when you register for both at the Level).

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In Shambhala Training Level IV, we learn how to awaken and open our heart so that we can communicate fully with our world. Through trust in basic goodness and the daringness to experience the sharp edges of reality, we move forward with gentleness, increased awareness, and inquisitiveness about the world, as it is.

For more information please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca

Instructor : Suzanne Côté

Prerequisite: Level III.
Suggested donation: $145 ($195 for Level IV and Course IV when you register for both at the Level)

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Fearlessness in Everyday Life mixes meditation with the vastness of space beyond concept. Through an exploration of the Buddhist teachings of emptiness, the meditator opens to groundlessness and uncertainty, learning to soar fearlessly beyond hope and fear like the mythical bird known as the Garuda.

For more information please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca

Instructors : Mark Frutkin and Suzanne Côté

Prerequisites: Shambhala Training Level IV and Joy in Everyday Life
Suggested Donation: $75 ($195 for Level IV and Course IV when you register for both at the Level)

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The four dignities are introduced as a path and a process, which describe a warrior's maturing and widening sphere of benevolent engagement in the world. The training in the dignities allows one to maintain awareness and delight at each stage. Meek is a study of the grounded, humble and gentle beginning stages of a warrior's journey. Here one trains to overcome arrogance, and to understand the effects of one's actions. Perky focuses on cultivating sharp, vibrant and uplifted energy through natural discipline. Overcoming the trap of doubt, the warrior of perky is able to accomplish his or her activities with a sense of nobility and ease.

For more information contact: wos2@shambhalaottawa.ca

Instructor : Mark Frutkin

Prerequisite: Level Drala
Suggested Donation: $160 (plus $25 materials fee).

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By sharpening our awareness and finding the open clear sky of mind—a delightful source of wisdom and uplifted energy—we trust our nature enough to let go into the present moment.

For more information please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca.

Instructor : Shastri Henry Chapin

Prerequisite: Level IV.
Suggested donation: $145. ($195 for Level V and Course V when you register for both at the Level)

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This course is an introduction to the principles of vajrayana and provides a direct and experiential picture of the tantric world.

"When we talk about the tantric world, we are talking about this visual, auditory, sensory world, which has not been explored or looked at properly. Nobody has bothered to actually experience it. People just take it for granted. [...] The point of tantra is to reintroduce the world to us. Having developed a calmness of mind already in our practice of meditation, we can begin to re-view the world." (Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche)

Instructors : Bozica Costigliola and Don Adams

Readings: All readings will be from the book "Journey Without Goal" by Chögyam Trungpa (available at the Shambhala Centre).

Shambhala Training Level III, Karma and the 12 Nidanas or at least 2 Buddhist classes.
Suggested donation: $50

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This last Way of Shambhala Course looks at the qualities of a master warrior whose vastness of mind and skill in enriching the world are fully manifested. Here the practitioner is introduced to the vajrayana teachings of Buddhism, which reveal the sacredness of the phenomenal world. Students will receive essential instructions for transforming confused emotions and situations into wisdom as they arise.

The master warrior is no longer deterred or depressed by obstacles, but with tremendous forward vision and strength, the Dragon playfully includes everything as part of the path. In this way, the warrior is able to skilfully benefit the world.

For more information please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca

Instructors : Jessica Ouvrard and Shastri Henry Chapin

Prerequisite: Fearlessness in Everyday Life course (completion of Level V is recommended).
Suggested Donation: $75 ($195 for Level V and Course V when you register for both at the Level).

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Way of Shambhala I culminates in the Rigden weekend. The Rigden is a representation of our basic enlightened nature and embodies the principle of unconditional bravery. Historically, rigdens were enlightened rulers - those who could "rule their world" based on their unwavering experience of basic goodness. This weekend includes a formal transmission of windhorse practice, and study of the Six Ways of Ruling.

For more information please email: wos1@shambhalaottawa.ca

Director: Acharya Richard John

Prerequisites: Wisdom in Everyday Life and Level V, or completion of the Sacred Path program and some introductory Buddhist classes.
$165

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This program is based on a Shambhala text that works with our relationship to the material world and our sense perceptions. It teaches the practice of enriching presence, the ability to instantly sense the inner wealth within oneself, phenomena, and the natural world. Drawing wisdom from The Letter of the Golden Key, a Shambhala root text that addresses our relationship to the material world and our sense perceptions, we will learn the practice of enriching presence—the ability to instantly sense the inner wealth within ourselves, phenomena and the natural world.

For more information please email: wos2@shambhalaottawa.ca

This program is one of the prerequisites for Warriors’ Assembly.

Instructor : Shastri Henry Chapin

Prerequisite: Outrageous and Inscrutable
Suggested Donation: $160 (plus materials fee, approx. $54).

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