What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Awakening Through Tantra: A Journey into Vajrayana MeditationLink visible for attendees
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: July 9 - August 6
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108Join us for a meditation series exploring the rich and transformative path of Vajrayana Buddhism, often known as the Diamond or Thunderbolt Vehicle. This tradition builds on the foundations of mindfulness and compassion of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and introduces potent tantric practices designed to accelerate spiritual awakening. Together, we will explore the use of mantra, mudra, and visualization, and learn how to engage the symbolic and energetic language of Vajrayana to transform ordinary experiences into profound opportunities for insight. Each class will offer guided meditation, accessible teachings on topics such as guru yoga, deity practice, and the subtle body, and opportunities for reflection and discussion. Whether you're new to meditation or seeking to deepen an established practice, this series will provide practical tools and inspiring perspectives for integrating Vajrayana principles into your daily life.
Summer Break Follows - August 13, 20, 27 - with regular Wednesday sessions starting again on September 3.
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.
- Awakening Through Tantra: A Journey into Vajrayana MeditationLink visible for attendees
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: July 9 - August 6
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108Join us for a meditation series exploring the rich and transformative path of Vajrayana Buddhism, often known as the Diamond or Thunderbolt Vehicle. This tradition builds on the foundations of mindfulness and compassion of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and introduces potent tantric practices designed to accelerate spiritual awakening. Together, we will explore the use of mantra, mudra, and visualization, and learn how to engage the symbolic and energetic language of Vajrayana to transform ordinary experiences into profound opportunities for insight. Each class will offer guided meditation, accessible teachings on topics such as guru yoga, deity practice, and the subtle body, and opportunities for reflection and discussion. Whether you're new to meditation or seeking to deepen an established practice, this series will provide practical tools and inspiring perspectives for integrating Vajrayana principles into your daily life.
Summer Break Follows - August 13, 20, 27 - with regular Wednesday sessions starting again on September 3.
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.
- Awakening Through Tantra: A Journey into Vajrayana MeditationLink visible for attendees
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: July 9 - August 6
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108Join us for a meditation series exploring the rich and transformative path of Vajrayana Buddhism, often known as the Diamond or Thunderbolt Vehicle. This tradition builds on the foundations of mindfulness and compassion of Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, and introduces potent tantric practices designed to accelerate spiritual awakening. Together, we will explore the use of mantra, mudra, and visualization, and learn how to engage the symbolic and energetic language of Vajrayana to transform ordinary experiences into profound opportunities for insight. Each class will offer guided meditation, accessible teachings on topics such as guru yoga, deity practice, and the subtle body, and opportunities for reflection and discussion. Whether you're new to meditation or seeking to deepen an established practice, this series will provide practical tools and inspiring perspectives for integrating Vajrayana principles into your daily life.
Summer Break Follows - August 13, 20, 27 - with regular Wednesday sessions starting again on September 3.
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.
- Pathways to Awakening: Journey thru Vajrayana Buddhism Bardos & Death PracticesThe Dharma Centre of Canada, Kinmount, ON
August 8-13, 2025 - Weekend or 5 day Retreat
Pathways to Awakening: A Journey through Bardos and Death Practices in Vajrayana Buddhism
This meditation retreat offers a deep dive into the profound teachings on the bardos—the transitional states of life, death, and rebirth—as illuminated by Vajrayana Buddhism. Participants will explore key concepts related to dying and death, including the nature of consciousness, the process of dissolution at death, and the opportunities for awakening that arise within the bardos. Alongside the teachings of Namgyal Rinpoche and other great masters, the retreat will feature teachings on the bardos from Qapel (Doug Duncan), who contributed significantly to this lineage before his passing in 2024. These teachings illuminate practices that prepare the mind for a conscious death and a transformative rebirth.
Through meditation, reflection, and study, participants will enrich their practice by confronting the impermanence of life, gaining clarity on how to apply these teachings to both the dying process and daily life, guided by Vajrayana death practices, Namgyal Rinpoche's profound insights, and Qapel's (Doug Duncan's) contemporary perspectives.
Note: You are encouraged to attend the full 5 days, but individuals will be allowed to attend for the weekend only (August 8-10).
Class Schedule: 3-4 group classes per day
Friday - 7:30pm first class
Wednesday - Leave 2:00 pm
PAID REGISTRATION WILL BE REQUIRED. See the link to the Dharma Centre of Canada below for registration details.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.
An administration fee will be set to cover the entire 5 days or weekend of classes and accommodation as well as delicious food. Participants are encouraged to offer Dana to the teacher who offers these teachings without any other payment. Dana is usually offered in cash at the beginning of the retreat. This will be a silent retreat and so you may want to bring a journal to write in.
Registration: Dharma Centre of Canada
