879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

We all want to live a life of great meaning. We also wish for lasting peace and happiness. This retreat will introduce profound Buddhist meditations that have the power to create peace and happiness from within, making our life extremely meaningful.

The stages of the path to enlightenment or 'Lamrim' are a powerful series of contemplations and meditations that reveal hidden spiritual truths which awaken our love, compassion and wisdom. Meditation topics will include: our precious human life, impermanence, karma, and the true source of suffering. We will also engage in a series of meditations that open our heart of universal love and compassion. Each session will include a teaching, chanted prayers and a guided meditation. No previous experience of meditation or Buddhism is needed. Everyone is welcome!

Schedule

Saturday, January 6

9-10.30am -  An introduction to Lamrim and Precious Human Life

11.15am-12.30pm - Death and Impermanence

2-3.30pm with Q&A -  Dangers of lower rebirth and refuge

7-8.15pm -  Karma

Sunday, January 7

9-10.15am - Renunciation - True Sufferings

11.15am-12.30pm - Renunciation - True Origins

2-3.30pm with Q&A - Renunciation - True Paths

7-8.15pm - Renunciation - True Cessations

Monday, January 8

9-10.15am - Developing equanimity

11.15am-12.30pm - Recognizing all beings as our mother

2-3.30pm with Q&A - Remembering the kindness of mother beings

7-8.15pm - Wishing to repay the kindness of mother beings

Tuesday, January 9

9-10.15am - Equalizing self and others

11.15am-12.30pm - The faults of self-cherishing

2-3.30pm with Q&A - The benefits of cherishing others

7-8.15pm -  Exchanging self and others

Wednesday, January 10

9-10.15am -  Great Compassion

11.15-12.30pm - Bodhichitta

2-3.30pm - Training in the 6 perfections

7-9pm - Offering to the Spiritual Guide

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 25 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.