Toronto Zen Centre

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Courses | Getting Started

Courses

Introductory Workshop

If you are new to Zen practice and wish to learn more, register for an Introductory Workshop, an authentic way to enter practice. Or visit our Getting Started page.

Loving Kindness Course

Mettabhavana is an ancient Buddhist meditation leading to the development of unconditional lovingkindness and friendliness. Metta is something you feel in your heart, a positive emotional state towards others as well as ourselves.

Metta practice helps us:

Bring harmony into our lives and in our relationships

Rid ourselves of internal and external conflicts

Overcome lacerating guilt

Be open to loving acceptance of ourselves and others

Deepen our connections with all beings

As a result of practicing metta we become more empathetic, more considerate, more kind, more forgiving, and in general, more loving, friendly people.

The Toronto Zen Centre periodically offers an extended course in the practice of Loving-kindness Meditation. Sessions are held on consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. Each session includes lectures, meditation instruction, practice periods and discussion.

The next Loving Kindness course has been planned for September 10th to October 29th, 2008. There will be two breaks in the Fall course -- on Wednesday, September 17th, and Wednesday, October 15th evening metta sessions will not be held.

For more information or to register, please contact the Centre.

Mastering Breath Awareness Seminar

Larry Johanson of 'Becoming Achievers Seminars', is available for conducting on-site seminars for any interested businesses, groups, or organizations on incorporating breath awareness in dealing with stress found within the work environment, or encountered in daily life. The seminar, called Mastering Breath Awareness--An 'MBA' in Managing Stress gives participants an opportunity to learn about various advantages of practicing breath awareness, including:

How stress affects your physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually;
How to use your breath to create physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being;
How to find and breathe from your core and the importance of doing so;
How to reduce the constant chatter and noise in the mind and increase concentration;
How to live in the present and banish worry and stress;
How to release accumulated stress and get a good night's sleep.

A seminar workbook, and an accompanying CD, helps to provide a bridge to incorporating exercises and techniques done in the seminar with personal life.

For more information on Larry's courses, please visit his site at: www.becomingachievers.com.

Study Groups

Members and Trial Members may participate in study groups such as the Precept Study group. From time to time, the Centre also offers courses such as taiko drumming. Check the calendar for upcoming events.