Awaken in Toronto

Instructor: Richard Clark
Dates: September 9
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

This class explores Ānāpānasati—the mindfulness of breathing—as a foundational meditation practice, approached through the Vajrayana perspective of the Namgyal Rinpoche lineage. We will use the breath to develop steadiness, mindfulness, and increasing sensitivity to the subtle relationship between body, breath, mind, and awareness. Drawing on Namgyal Rinpoche’s emphasis on direct experience, the practice will move beyond simply observing the breath toward recognizing the spacious, knowing quality of mind itself. The class offers both practical instruction and an opportunity to experience how a seemingly simple practice can open into deeper Vajrayana meditation.

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Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Teacher Bio: Richard has been studying meditation practices for more than 30 years. He first studied with Namgyal Rinpoche and later with Qapel (Doug Duncan) from 2000 until his death in 2024. He has dedicated significant time in Karma Yoga to the Dharma Centre of Canada. He connects strongly with the Vajrayana practices of mantras, visualizations, and also with Theravadin Insight Meditation. He travelled extensively with Sayadaw U Tila Wanta to build Burmese pagodas in three Canadian provinces and in South Africa. He is a master builder and helped construct the Ecological Caretaker Residence (Sky Roots) at the Clear Sky Meditation Centre in BC.

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

In Body, Speech, and Mind, Namgyal Rinpoche presents a practical and profound approach to spiritual development. Rather than viewing awakening as something separate from everyday life, he invites us to work directly with the body, speech, and mind as gateways to liberation. Every experience becomes part of the path. Every action, word, and thought becomes an opportunity to awaken.
This series explores how body, speech, and mind shape our experience of reality and how conscious work with each dimension can transform suffering into wisdom, confusion into clarity, and ordinary life into spiritual practice. Meditation sessions will be examples drawn from this classic book.

Insert link to slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Teacher Bio: Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and studied Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who resided at Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC, before his death in 2024. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. She is a mother, wife, and friend to many, and encourages students to use their relationships to love deeply and explore dharma fully. She enjoys weaving together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com.

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

In Body, Speech, and Mind, Namgyal Rinpoche presents a practical and profound approach to spiritual development. Rather than viewing awakening as something separate from everyday life, he invites us to work directly with the body, speech, and mind as gateways to liberation. Every experience becomes part of the path. Every action, word, and thought becomes an opportunity to awaken.
This series explores how body, speech, and mind shape our experience of reality and how conscious work with each dimension can transform suffering into wisdom, confusion into clarity, and ordinary life into spiritual practice. Meditation sessions will be examples drawn from this classic book.

Insert link to slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Teacher Bio: Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and studied Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who resided at Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC, before his death in 2024. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. She is a mother, wife, and friend to many, and encourages students to use their relationships to love deeply and explore dharma fully. She enjoys weaving together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com.

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: September 16, 23, 30, October 7
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

In Body, Speech, and Mind, Namgyal Rinpoche presents a practical and profound approach to spiritual development. Rather than viewing awakening as something separate from everyday life, he invites us to work directly with the body, speech, and mind as gateways to liberation. Every experience becomes part of the path. Every action, word, and thought becomes an opportunity to awaken.
This series explores how body, speech, and mind shape our experience of reality and how conscious work with each dimension can transform suffering into wisdom, confusion into clarity, and ordinary life into spiritual practice. Meditation sessions will be examples drawn from this classic book.

Insert link to slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Teacher Bio: Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and studied Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who resided at Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC, before his death in 2024. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. She is a mother, wife, and friend to many, and encourages students to use their relationships to love deeply and explore dharma fully. She enjoys weaving together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com.