Principles of Tibetan Heart Yoga w/ John Buchanan
Last Sunday of the month, w/ John
1:00-3:00pm
May 25th, June 29th
Access the power of your inner body. Learn methods to help your yoga practice originate from your deep inner space, the beginning of everything. From there, it brings new light to your practice, your body and your mind.
Cost: $25, or 3 class cards.
Meditation Community Day
Sunday June 22nd
6:00am -2:30pm
Shamatha meditation is known as the key to progress on all paths. Your ability to concentrate your full attention on this moment of experience is the key to attaining the results you hope for.
Shamatha Sundays are about community. Join us for group guided and unguided meditations for the full day or for a half hour—it’s up to you.
We sit on the floor or in a chair, lie down, stand or walk for 24-minute gatikas. We take six-minute stretch breaks every half hour on the hour and half hour. The door will open every hour and half hour
You are welcome to enter at any half hour interval.
We take a lunch break from Noon-1:00pm.
This is a perfect opportunity to sit and focus on your particular meditation with a group of dedicated meditators. Feel the energy of the group carry you to new heights.
The suggested donation depends upon the length of time you stay, the longer you stay the more the contribution.
Your generous donation helps us keep the doors open and provide the space for these auspicious gatherings and teachings to take place.
FEE: $10-40 suggested donation...
The Art of Debate
Tuesday, June 24th
7:30-9:30pm
In Tibetan monasteries, debate is a practice where one’s study is realized by learning how to analyze the way things really work.
Even one good debate session is a more powerful learning tool than weeks of book study. Pull your knowledge up to the next level.
Highly recommended for everyone in the ACI program and anyone wanting clarity on Buddhist principals.
No previous experience necessary.
Series 1: Compassion
Tibetan Heart Yoga Training
July 4-th, 2014
Cost: $250
Tibetan Heart Yoga is a unique practice that combines asana with meditation to bring about complete transformation in our own hearts and in the world around us. There are eight distinct Tibetan Heart Yoga series, each with a different meditation and asana sequence.
In Tibetan Heart Yoga Series 1, tonglen compassion meditations are woven into asana, which are used to cultivate each one of the six perfections: giving, morality, patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom.
This is a deep practice of beginning to relate with friends, enemies, and strangers with an ultimately compassionate mind. Using this “inner method” during your yoga practice will transform it from merely a physical into a transformative spiritual daily practice. The asana practice will be accessible to all levels.
No Previous Yoga Training required.
Registration is limited to 25, so reserve your spot soon!
20 BCRPA credits, for those registered with BCRPA.
Lama Marut Tour
Friday, Jul 11- Sunday, Jul 13, 2014
We are all desperately trying to be somebody, to be “special”. We collect “friends” and “followers” online as symbols of our worth. We hunt fame and visibility. But maybe we’ve got it all wrong.
With his edgy tone and radical perspective, Lama Marut follows up A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life by calling for the biggest revolution of all: the overthrow of our obsessive quest to be somebody. He shows readers that living an ethical life—a life of selflessness rather than unbridled egoism—is the key to true happiness and the foundation for creating a better world.
Without the need to seclude oneself in a monastery or retire to a cave in the Himalayas, Marut gives readers action steps and simple meditations to find true fulfillment.
Author of the acclaimed A Spiritual Renegade’s Guide to the Good Life is back with a new book on surviving the iEra.
lamamarut.org
Friday July 11
11:30 – 12:30
Whistler Public Library
4329 Main St. Whistler
Admission Free
”I Am Because You Are: Personal Identity Within Community”
Friday, July 11th
6:30-8:00pm
Book Signing
Banyan Books & Sound
Free Admission
banyen.com/events/marut
Saturday, July 12th
2:00-4:00pm
Dharma Pep Talk
Three Jewels Vancouver
By Donation
7:30-9:30pm
Public Talk and Book Signing
Unity of Vancouver
doors open at 7pm
$15 in advance, $20 at the door
(no one turned away for lack of funds)
Sunday, July 13th
11:00am
Spiritual Ideas*
Unity of Vancouver
unityofvancouver.org

Fire Up Your Meditation
w/ Sherri Kajiwara
Wednesday's, Apr 16 - Jun 11, 2014
7:30-9pm
This practical meditation class draws upon tools from the Bhavana Krama – The Stages of Meditation by Master Kamalashila, 750AD.
Originally developed as Bok Jinpa 2 at Diamond Mountain, Bok Jinpa literally means to set your meditation practice on fire in Tibetan. Destroy any doubt, and light up your passion for meditation.

Wisdom from Retreat
2 Wednesday’s: Jun 25, Jul 02, 2014
7:30-9pm
A three year retreat is the culmination of 12 years of study; 6 years of training in the fundamentals of Tibetan Buddhism and 6 year program in advanced Buddhist studies. This retreat was therefore an incredible opportunity to integrate these teachings in a very profound meditative environment, within an advanced community of practitioners, in such a way perhaps never done before in the West.
For Earle, it was a chance to walk the talk of the study, to live a traditional yogic lifestyle, and to try to investigate the spiritual truths of yoga through deep contemplation and meditation.
“It’s importance is perhaps personal for every individual, but I feel the opportunity to step out of mainstream society and to experience the quietude of solitude, brought positive life long changes for each of us in our own way. For me, it is a chance to see what is real in many respects; what is behind all the noise and business that life brings, what is behind the chatter in one’s own mind, and to experience the peace and joy when all this is stripped away.”
Earle will show a movie/ slideshow from retreat, discuss how to live a yogic lifestyle while not in retreat (in preparation for getting into retreat!), discuss the essential elements to a daily practice, how we can live like a yogi(ni) in a modern world, as well as the importance of retreating from it!
There will also be time for a Q&A!

Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life, Part 3 w/ John
Tuesday's Apr 08 - Jun 17, 2014
7:30-9:30pm
Learn what the perfection of wisdom really is according to Master Shantideva, 700 AD. In this course understand emptiness.
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purpose and benefit of realizing emptiness
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how to perceive emptiness directly
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proofs of emptiness
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two types of emptiness
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the emptiness of the body, the mind, feelings, functioning things & the three elements
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wrong ideas about emptiness
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the meaning of illusion
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dependent origination
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the two truths
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the nature of ultimate reality
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wrong ideas we have about existence
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kinds of mental afflictions
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six steps which produce all the pain in the world
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five heaps
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three types of compassion
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the importance of requesting blessings, dedicating good deeds
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how to reach nirvana and enlightenment
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Buddhist Refuge w/ Mariska
Monday, Apr 14-Jun 16, 2014
12 noon- 1:30pm
Level 1 of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajna Paramita). This course is based upon The Ornament of Realizations (Abhisamaya Alamkara) of Maitreya and Master Asanga.
Topics include:
•what is the perfection of wisdom
•what is refuge
•the objects of refuge
•the reasons for taking Buddhist refuge
•the qualities of a Buddha
•the different types of bodhichitta
•what is nirvana
•the divisions of nirvana
•five different proofs that emptiness is the ultimate nature of reality
•the five paths which lead to full enlightenment

The 4 Infinite Thoughts
w/ Deedee
July 23, 30 and August 6th
3 Wednesday's: 7:30-9pm
November 26th-December 17th
Wednesday's: 7:30-9pm
The Four Immeasurables (Infinites) uses a meditation on Love, Joy, Compassion, and Equanimity.
They are the four states of mind described in The Yoga Sutra by Master Patanjali as the ultimate method for overcoming all obstacles on the spiritual path.

Urban Weekend Retreat w/ Swami Muktibodhananda
Sat September 6th - 7th, 2014
$150 both days $85 for one
9 East Broadway
SHAKTI THE SPARK OF LIFE: A Westerner’s Guide to the Teachings of Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
A bird’s eye view of what it is to be in “deep practice” as a Westerner with a busy life. Swami Muktibodhananda’s third book – Energy: The Spark of Life and Universal Goddess – A Book About Yoga and Personal Growth for Men and Women will serve as our text for this weekend urban retreat. She describes the book’s aim as “fulfilling your needs as a yoga aspirant whether you are a novice or an experienced practitioner. Here, explained clearly and concisely, are the principles of yoga and techniques that harness your mental and physical energies. Practices not previously elaborated are revealed to assist you in the exploration of your deeper self.”
RETREAT OUTLINE
- Awakening shakti
- Healthy Attitudes
- Yoga Cleansing Practices
- Body Stabilization: Asana
- Breath Utilization: Pranayama
- Muscle Squeezing: Bandha
- Energy Gestures: Mudra
- Mind Absorption: Meditation
- Food and Health Tips
- Relationships and Family
SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
8:30-9:00am Arrival & Registration
9:00-12:30am Introduction & Practices
12:30-1:30pm Lunch
1:30-5:30pm Talk & Practices
5:00-5:30pm Dinner
5:30-7:00pm Kirtan

Residential Retreat w/Swami Muktibodhananda
Monday September 8th–13th, 2014
$600 – $800 options
Five Day Residential Retreat
at Camp Miriam, Gabriola Island
YOGA BOOT CAMP TRANSFORMED:
Esoteric Hatha Yoga Pradipika Practice
Immerse yourself in deep, yogic retreat lifestyle based on the transformative practices of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, as translated and demystified by Swami Muktibodhananda Saraswati, who will lead us through five days of retreat, including asana, purification practices, pranayama, mudra and bandha practices, meditation and kirtan. Not only do these practices improve overall health by purifying virtually all systems of the body, but they can also harmonize the mind, improve concentration and ability to focus, reduce fluctuations of emotions, restore a general sense of well-being and contentment, and raise the consciousness to a level beyond concern solely for oneself.
Take home her authoritative and practical guide (included for all retreat participants), which will serve as our text and scriptural reference for this retreat teaching.

Urban Weekend Meditation Retreat w/ Douglas Veenhof
Fri. Dec 19th - Sun. Dec 21, 2014
$150, earlybird registration
Friday: 7-9pm, Sat/Sun: 10-6pm
Three Jewels Vancouver
This retreat is ideal for anyone wishing to deepen their meditative practice and learn about the essential guidelines to practice, the pitfalls and the meditative experiences along the path, and the culmination in the realization of the deepest potential of the mind.
SERIES 2: MAHAMUDRA
7:15pm-8:45pm Monday's w/ Meshe
Sept. 29th 12 classes
Cost: $9/class PRE-REGISTER >
Join Meshe starting October 15th for this pre-registered class. Offered to augment the THY 2 training, which happens on Friday's.
Series 2 explores the ultimate nature of one’s own mind using the flavors of emptiness. This is an important part of a larger practice that leads to the direct perception of ultimate reality--a key meditative realization that assures very quick enlightenment.
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Tibetan Heart Yoga Series 2 Training
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26th-NOV. 21st, 6:00pm-9:00pm (no class Oct. 17/24)
Series 2 explores the ultimate nature of one’s own mind using the flavors of emptiness. This is an important part of a larger practice that leads to the direct perception of ultimate reality--a key meditative realization that assures very quick enlightenment.
You will receive a binder with readings, homeworks and quizzes as well as the full flow and detailed instructions.
SERIES 1: COMPASSION
7:45pm-9pm Thursday's w/ Lindsey
Sept. 18th, 12 classes
Cost: $9/class PRE-REGISTER>
In Tibetan Heart Yoga Series 1, tonglen compassion meditations are woven into asana, which are used to cultivate each one of the six perfections: giving, morality, patience, joyful effort, concentration, and wisdom.
This is a deep practice of beginning to relate with friends, enemies, and strangers with an ultimately compassionate mind. Using this “inner method” during your yoga practice will transform it from merely a physical into a transformative spiritual daily practice. The asana practice will be accessible to all levels.
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Hatha Yoga Pradipika:
The Four-fold Path of Transforming the Body
PUBLIC TALK
Three Jewels Vancouver
Fri Sep 5th,
7:00-9:00pm
Hatha Yoga Pradipika’s four chapters (Asana, Shatkarma & Pranayama, Mudras & Bandhas, and Samadhi) are yogic instructions for the mastery of body and mind.
These instructions on the alchemy of Hatha Yoga were compiled by Master Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century. Swami Muktibodhananda’s masterful translation and commentary were completed under the direct guidance of her Guru Swami Satyananda Saraswati during the time she lived and practiced in India from the age of 17 to 27.
In a succinct summary of her lifelong practice, Swami Muktibodhananda outlines its practical application for the modern Westerner in this evening public talk.
Fee: $15-20 suggested donation