About us
Awaken in Toronto is a community of individuals dedicated to awakening in this lifetime. We practice Vajrayana Buddhism, which means that along with the study and practice of the Vajrayana path, we enjoy exploring a wide range of topics helping us to unfold spiritually.
We hold weekly online Zoom classes led by Lama Linda or one of our senior students to study, meditate and explore topics that can help lead to awakening.
We also offer weekend meditation retreats several times through the year at the Dharma Centre of Canada . This allows us to explore in greater depth some of life’s questions.
We also join together from time to time for discussion groups on topics such as Dying and Death, IFS and Integral Spirituality as well as explorations of art, music and recreational events.
Learn more on our website: awakenintoronto.org
To join our mailing list click here.
Upcoming events
17
Interbeing: Awakening Together in the Web of Life - Mexico Retreat
·OnlineOnlineInstructor: Lama Linda
Location & Dates: Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Tulum, Mexico, January 31-February 7, 2026What if your sense of self wasn’t something solitary or separate—but a living, breathing part of the whole? This weeklong meditation retreat invites you to discover the profound freedom and joy that comes from Interbeing: the awareness that we are not isolated individuals, but intimately connected to all life.
Drawing from the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh, who coined the term Interbeing, we will explore the deep teachings of presence, non-self, and compassion. Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects will help us face our grief for the world, honor our longing for change, and step into our sacred role as participants in the healing of the Earth. Vajrayana Buddhist teachings bring in a spacious and luminous perspective—encouraging us to see the self as an evolving matrix of patterns, not a fixed identity, and to meet this realization with joy, creativity, and community.This retreat takes place at the Xo Ko'in Retreat Centre in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere near Tulum, Mexico. See their website for more information about the Retreat Centre and registration and to book your stay: Interbeing Retreat Information
The teachings are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." The teacher does not receive payment from the retreat centre. This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to pay what you value. Dana for Lama Linda can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto
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 currently studies Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who resides at Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC. 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 loves to weave together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com.
7 attendees
Walking the Path: A Dharma Sharing Circle
·OnlineOnlineGuest Instructor: Tara
Date: February 11
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108This class will blend heartfelt connection with quiet reflection. We will begin with short guided meditation to create a calm and open space, followed by an opportunity for attendees to share their personal stories of the Dharma. We invite you to reflect on three questions:
- How did you come to the Dharma?
- What have you discovered or received along the path?
- Where do you hope this journey will lead you?
Through listening and sharing, we honor the diversity of experiences and deepen our collective understanding of the teachings. Whether you are new to the path or have walked it for years, your voice matters. Come as you are, and let’s explore the unfolding journey together. This class will close with a meditation from the Namgyal lineage.
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
Instructor Bio: Tara is a seeker and devoted learner, she finds inspiration in the natural world and loves the universal nature of Buddhist teachings. She was introduced to Buddhism by learning mindfulness and meditation at the Dharma Centre of Canada more than 10 years ago. She practices Dharma at the intersection of multiple spiritual traditions, weaving together insights from addiction recovery, Celtic wisdom, Buddhism, and science.
6 attendees
Holistic Clearing Meditation: A 4-Class Series Inspired by Namgyal Rinpoche
·OnlineOnlineInstructor: Lama Linda
Dates: February 18, 25, March 4, 11
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108This four-part series introduces Holistic Clearing Meditation, a method taught by Namgyal Rinpoche for recognizing and releasing the patterned ways the mind organizes experience. By exploring strengths, negatives, lacks, and the balancing of all three, we learn to free the energy tied up in habitual reactions and open into clearer, more spacious awareness.
### February 18 — Clearing Strengths
We begin by examining our strengths—the qualities we identify with, cling to, or use to reinforce a sense of self. Students learn to appreciate these capacities without grasping, allowing strengths to become flexible, joyful, and available rather than fixed or limiting.
### February 25 — Clearing Negatives
This class focuses on the difficult emotions, memories, and reactive tendencies we push away. Through gentle inquiry, we explore how meeting negatives directly dissolves resistance, restores resilience, and releases the weight of old patterning.
### March 4 — Clearing Lacks
Here we explore the subtle territory of lacks—places of numbness, absence, hunger, or “not enoughness.” By bringing curiosity to these empty zones, we awaken clarity, energy, and creativity where there was previously dullness or avoidance.
### March 11 — Balancing All Three
The final session integrates strengths, negatives, and lacks into a single, balanced field of awareness. Through holistic clearing practice, we learn to rest in an open, panoramic presence that is not pushed or pulled by any category.
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 explored consciousness and awakening for more than 30 years. She trained with Namgyal Rinpoche—the first Canadian-born Rinpoche—from 1995 until his passing in 2003, grounding herself in Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhist practices. She later continued her studies with Qapel (Doug Duncan), a successor in the Namgyal lineage, and received permission to teach under his guidance. She is the co-founder and leader of the Awaken in Toronto Sangha, where she teaches weekly online classes on consciousness and awakening principles, and leads retreats 4 times a year.
A registered social worker specializing in illness, dying, and death, Lama Linda also maintains a thriving private psychotherapy practice, has presented widely at conferences, and has been interviewed extensively on end-of-life topics. In 2021 she published her first book, 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. A mother, wife, and friend to many, she encourages her students to use their relationships as gateways to love more deeply and explore dharma more fully. She is devoted to weaving Buddhist teachings with Western psychotherapeutic approaches to support transformative change. www.lindahochstetler.com2 attendeesHolistic Clearing Meditation: A 4-Class Series Inspired by Namgyal Rinpoche
·OnlineOnlineInstructor: Lama Linda
Dates: February 18, 25, March 4, 11
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108This four-part series introduces Holistic Clearing Meditation, a method taught by Namgyal Rinpoche for recognizing and releasing the patterned ways the mind organizes experience. By exploring strengths, negatives, lacks, and the balancing of all three, we learn to free the energy tied up in habitual reactions and open into clearer, more spacious awareness.
### February 18 — Clearing Strengths
We begin by examining our strengths—the qualities we identify with, cling to, or use to reinforce a sense of self. Students learn to appreciate these capacities without grasping, allowing strengths to become flexible, joyful, and available rather than fixed or limiting.
### February 25 — Clearing Negatives
This class focuses on the difficult emotions, memories, and reactive tendencies we push away. Through gentle inquiry, we explore how meeting negatives directly dissolves resistance, restores resilience, and releases the weight of old patterning.
### March 4 — Clearing Lacks
Here we explore the subtle territory of lacks—places of numbness, absence, hunger, or “not enoughness.” By bringing curiosity to these empty zones, we awaken clarity, energy, and creativity where there was previously dullness or avoidance.
### March 11 — Balancing All Three
The final session integrates strengths, negatives, and lacks into a single, balanced field of awareness. Through holistic clearing practice, we learn to rest in an open, panoramic presence that is not pushed or pulled by any category.
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 explored consciousness and awakening for more than 30 years. She trained with Namgyal Rinpoche—the first Canadian-born Rinpoche—from 1995 until his passing in 2003, grounding herself in Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhist practices. She later continued her studies with Qapel (Doug Duncan), a successor in the Namgyal lineage, and received permission to teach under his guidance. She is the co-founder and leader of the Awaken in Toronto Sangha, where she teaches weekly online classes on consciousness and awakening principles, and leads retreats 4 times a year.
A registered social worker specializing in illness, dying, and death, Lama Linda also maintains a thriving private psychotherapy practice, has presented widely at conferences, and has been interviewed extensively on end-of-life topics. In 2021 she published her first book, 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. A mother, wife, and friend to many, she encourages her students to use their relationships as gateways to love more deeply and explore dharma more fully. She is devoted to weaving Buddhist teachings with Western psychotherapeutic approaches to support transformative change. www.lindahochstetler.com1 attendee
Past events
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