Vajrayana Darkness Retreat
Details
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: April 22, 29, May 6, 13
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108
The Vajrayana Buddhist tradition recognizes darkness as a powerful gateway to awakening. In this four-class series, we will explore the contemplative principles behind Darkness Retreat as taught in the Kargyu Mahamudra tradition and articulated by teachers such as Andrew Holecek. When external light is removed, the mind begins to relax its habitual grasping, allowing the inner landscape of awareness to reveal itself. In this environment, practitioners can begin to encounter the spacious and luminous nature of mind—the union of emptiness and clarity that lies at the heart of Vajrayana practice.
Rather than something to fear, darkness becomes a profound teacher. As awareness settles, many practitioners discover a natural warmth of presence and compassion emerging from within. In this way, darkness is not merely an absence of light but a fertile ground where darkness, love, and emptiness can be experienced as inseparable aspects of awakened mind. This series will also explore how these principles can be thoughtfully integrated into personal meditation retreats, offering practitioners ways to deepen solitude, presence, and insight within their own contemplative practice.
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. She has also recently trained in the Work That Reconnects, deepening my study of Joanna Macy’s teachings on interconnection, ecological awareness, and compassionate action. 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.com