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Group Sitting
The group sitting is every Wednesday evening. The meditation is 45 minutes long, and begins promptly at 7:00 p.m. There are chairs available. You may bring your own cushion or meditation bench. Please arrive by 6:50 p.m. to allow yourself time to settle in a place. If you arrive after the bells have rung, kindly enter quietly.
We ask that shoes be removed before entering the meditation hall and that no food or drink be consumed in the meditation hall. Please help us maintain a fragrance-free environment by not wearing any scented products.
At the end of the meditation, there will be a 5-minute break. Moving around the room softly and in a mindful way during this break, whether it is to use the washroom or in finding a place to sit in the meditation room, helps to maintain the quiet stillness created by our meditation together. A dharma talk begins after the break.
Orientation
On the first Wednesday of every month at 6:15 pm, we will be offering a time for orientation to new members before the Wednesday night sitting. This will be a chance to receive some preliminary meditation instruction and information about Insight Meditation and Northwoods Mindfulness Community. As well, it's an opportunity to ask questions and meet other people who may be new to meditation and the sitting group.
Already coming to Wednesday night sittings, but still have questions? Are friends or family members curious about meditation? The orientation sessions are open to anyone who would like to attend. One or more of our Stillpoint Council will be facilitating the meetings and would be happy to answer any questions.
The teacher for Northwoods Mindfulness Community, Beverly Yates, requests that all new members commit to attending an orientation session. If it is not convenient to attend on your first night, please come to the next one.
Please arrive promptly at 6:15 by the Statue of Mary in the lobby.
Dharma Talk
"Dharma" is a Sanskrit word that can be described in several ways. It can mean "ultimate truth, reality and universal law; Buddha's teachings revealing these truths; all physical and mental elements; our destiny or spiritual path". Its literal translation is "that which supports or
upholds".
"The word Dharma is frequently used as a synonym for Buddha
Dharma, the teachings of the compassionate enlightened Buddha, the founder of Buddhism who lived in the fifth century B.C. in northern India. A brief summary of what the Buddha taught: "that the natural mind is loving, compassionate, joyous and relational and that practice helps us maintain or recover the gratifying connection in spite of inevitable challenges."
Following the sitting meditation, a dharma talk is given by Beverly Yates. Dharma talks can include teachings from many spiritual traditions. From time to time, a video may be shown and there may also be guided meditations and group discussions.
Listening to a dharma talk is also part of the meditation practice -- it is the cultivation of concentrated mind. You may find it helpful to continue to sit in an alert and open posture, receptive to the words and whatever arises as you listen. After the dharma talk, there is an opportunity to ask a question of the teacher or share an experience about your practice. The question/answer period is also an opportunity for practice -- as those present practise mindfulness in listening and speaking. These talks are recorded and the tapes are available for purchase.
Beverly Yates is the Dharma teacher for Northwoods Mindfulness Community. Her teachings flow from and in to the psychotherapy practice she has developed since 1983, which is an integration of heart, mind, body and spirit. Her roots are in Zen Buddhist Tai Chi, Shamanic healing, Holotropic Breathwork, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Adlerian Psychology and Vipassana meditation. She is co-founder of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Clinic at St. Joseph's Health Centre and is a member of the Dharma Leader Community at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California.
Teacher Dana
Dana is an ancient Pali word meaning generosity, giving or gift. In keeping with this tradition, teachers give the teachings freely. It is in this same spirit of generosity that it is also tradition for students to support the teacher with a donation. There is no suggested amount. It is voluntary and anonymous. There is a Dana Box on a table at the entrance. Your generosity allows the teachings to continue and we thank you.
Location
The Northwoods Mindfulness Community Sangha is held in the Suunnyside Lounge in the Sunnyside Building of St. Joseph's Health Centre. The entrance is on the West side of Sunnyside Ave. between Queensway and Marion Street. Enter the Sunnyside Building from Sunnyside Avenue, just south of Marion Street and ½ block north of the parking garage entrance (at the corner of Sunnyside and The Queensway). The Sunnyside Lounge is on the ground floor. From the lobby, turn left at the statue of the Virgin Mary and the room is just past the waiting area.
Driving from West
Take QEW East, exit at Lakeshore Blvd, turn left at Colborne Lodge, and turn right on the Queensway. Go to east side of hospital and make left on Sunnyside Ave.
Driving from East
Take Don Valley Pkwy. to Gardiner Expressway West and exit at Dunn Ave. Follow signs to Jameson Ave., go north on Jameson (right) to Queen St. Turn left on Queen St. (west), 1 block past Roncesvalles to Sunnyside Ave. and turn right.
TTC
Take the subway to Dundas West station. Take the 504 Broadview/King streetcar to Marion Street. Walk one block west to Sunnyside Ave. and turn left. The entrance to the Sunnyside Building is just south of Marion Street.
Parking
Parking is available on the side streets around St. Joe's Health Centre or in the Hospital Parking Lot at $2.00/half hour to a maximum of $12.00. |
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