Freedom Within:
Discover Lasting Peace through Meditation
a guided retreat with our Resident Teacher
Gen Kelsang Thekchen
Thursday Sept 3 to Monday Sept 7
at KMC Ottawa
This is a guided retreat in which we will learn practically how to use Buddha’s wisdom to release our mind from our habitual ways of thinking that keep us trapped in a state of confusion and suffering, and thus begin to discover the freedom and joy that comes from authentic inner development.
This retreat is suitable for everyone, whether you want to start a meditation practice or deepen your experience, everyone is welcome.
It will include meditations on the stages of the path to enlightenment (Lamrim) and it is possible to attend just one of the parts of the retreat. Part 1 during the week which will cover the beginning meditations and then Part 2 will then go further into the deeper meditations on love, compassion and wisdom. Lamrim is the very essence of Buddha’s teachings and is very practical – ideally suited to modern life.
Thursday, Sept 3
9-10:30am Precious Human Life
11:15am-12:30pm Death and Impermanence
2-3:15pm Dangers of lower rebirth, and refuge
7-8:15pm Karma
Friday Sept 4
9-10:15am Renunciation - True Sufferings
11:15am-12:30pm Renunciation - True Origins
2-3:15pm Renunciation - True Path
7-8:15pm Renunciation - True Cessations
Saturday Sept 5
9-10:15am Developing equanimity
11:15am-12:30pm Recognizing all beings as our mother
2-3:15pm with Q&A Remembering the kindness of mother beings
7-8:15pm Equalizing self and others
Sunday Sept 6
9-10:15am Faults of Self Cherishing
11:15am-12:30pm Benefits of Cherishing others
2-3:15pm Exchanging self and others
7-8:15pm Great Compassion and Taking
Monday Sept 7
9-10:15am Wishing love and giving
11:15-12:30pm Bodhichitta
2-3:15pm Emptiness
7-8:15 Emptiness
This retreat will be led by Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen, who is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Kadampa Buddhist monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 30 years. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a simple, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.
To hear a sample teaching given by Gen Thekchen, click on the podcast arrow below.
You can pre-register using the link below or pay at the door. We accept Debit, Credit or Cash. We are unable to accept $100 bills.
"Freedom Within" 5-day Retreat
Attend this retreat, and all of our other classes and events for FREE, and gain access to our "members only" option of Live Streaming by becoming a monthly support member: Click here for membership info. Click here for Live Streaming info.
In the beginning of our practice the most essential thing is to tame our mind, for only this will enable us to benefit all sentient beings.