Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Program

Mindfulness is “the awareness that emerges through paying attention, on
purpose, and non-judgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by
moment”  J.Kabat-Zinn (2003)

Starting on April 6 2024 we will be offering once-a-month Saturday morning introductory meditation sessions from 10 – 11am.

In our day-to-day life, we often spend a lot of time in pressured situations moving from task to task. Mindfulness meditation is designed to help us bring our bodies and mind together instead of the normal way of doing one thing and thinking about something else. Mindfulness is simply about being present and experiencing our world more fully

Each session includes meditation instruction, meditation practice, walking meditation and an opportunity for questions and discussion.

There is no charge for this program, and everyone is welcome.

Tibetan Sound Healing Seed Syllable Practice

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Program

This program, led by Kathie Brown, will be offered from 10:30 – 11:30am in 5 installments starting on Monday, March 4th.

The Sound Healing Seed Syllable practice comes from the Bön tradition, one of the five wisdom traditions of Tibet. Through the vibrations of sound syllables sung or chanted aloud we clear the obstacles that prevent us from connecting with the wisdom and clarity of our true nature.

Each session will include explanation, guided practice, and opportunities for reflection.

Cost: Suggested donation of $25.00 to South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society for the whole program.

To register or to obtain more information, please email Kathie directly.

2024 Annual General Meeting

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Information, Members

The South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society will hold an AGM on March 23 at 10am. Members of SSBMS are invited to attend in person at the Mahone Bay Meditation Centre. Official year-end reports will be presented, there will be a few changes to the board, and your feedback will be invited.

At least three members of our existing board are stepping down so there will be at least three positions to fill. SSBMS does not take nominations from the floor at the AGM, so if you have any interest please contact one of the directors or let us know somehow before March 21.

Friends of the Centre (non-members) are welcome to attend any or all of the proceedings.

Calm Abiding in Bridgewater

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Information

This free recurring 8-week program runs every Wednesday evening from 6:45 pm – 8:30 pm at the River Roots Wellness Center in Bridgewater (724 King Street). It takes students through the fundamentals of establishing a daily meditation practice. Calm abiding meditation involves learning how to relax, how have a peaceful state of mind, and suffer less. Mark Powell has taught this program under the direction of Karma Sonam Dargye Ling ‘s resident teacher Lama Tenzin since 2018.

Please come a bit early to get settled. There is small fee each week for use of the room, so please pay what you can.

For more information, please email Mark directly.

Tibetan New Year 2024

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Information, Members

Losar is the first day of the Tibetan New Year.  In the Gregorian calendar this takes place on Saturday February 10th this year.  At MBMC we will gather to celebrate the new Year of the Dragon.

At 8:30am there will be a practice of the Sadhana of Mahamudra for those who are familiar with it.

Starting at 9:30am tea, coffee, cookies, and muffins will be served in the lobby outside MBMC.  The main celebration begins at 10am:

  • 10 minute sitting meditation
  • Lhasang (purification offering)
  • Throwing of the I Ching
  • Toasts and honouring the lineage
  • Inspiring messages

All this will be followed by a pot-luck lunch hosted by the participants in the Mahone Bay Centre kitchen.

2023 General Community Meeting

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Information, Members
The semi-annual General Meeting of the South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society will take place at MBMC on Nov. 4 at 10am.  Anyone interested in SSBMS or the Mahone Bay Meditation Centre is welcome to attend.   In fact, Please Come!   Knowing that you care  enough to participate helps motivate us all to keep this thing going.  If it is more convenient for you to  attend via Zoom, let us know; if no one signs up in advance for this it will not be available.
 
The meeting will begin by asking everyone’s opinions regarding: “What is most meaningful or important for you about the Mahone Bay Meditation Centre?”  Specific suggestions and actionable ideas would be great, but all thoughts and reflections will be most welcome.
 
After this discussion we will review what we have been up to since the AGM in March and update you on any changes we can foresee before the next AGM.   SSBMS members will be asked to approve the minutes of the November 2022 GM and the minutes of the March 2023 AGM.
 
The proceedings are expected to wrap up by about 11:30, at which point everyone is invited to gather for a bring-your-own lunch.  Coffee, tea, and some soft drinks will be provided.  We would love to have you all stick around and get social for a while – something we don’t get to do very often.

Lunenburg Walk

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Members, Program, Special

Our guided Lunenburg walk is scheduled for Saturday, June 3 starting at 3:30pm. This will be conducted by Liz Powers of Lunenburg Walking Tours and will cost you the princely sum of $5 each.  Special Program discounts for members will apply and we encourage you to bring family members and friends along. We expect there to be a few pauses along the route for quiet contemplation of our beautiful surroundings.

If you are interested in participating in this event please contact us.

2023 Annual General Meeting

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Members

The Annual General Meeting of the South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society will be held on Saturday, March 25 2023 from 10am – noon.  The meeting will take place at MBMC, or you may attend via Zoom:  invitations will be sent to everyone on our email list.   If you are currently signed up for a membership at the Mahone Bay Meditation Centre, you are a member of SSBMS.

Our by-laws allow us between 5 and 7 directors, approximately half of whom  resign (and maybe re-offer) each year.  We will have at least 2 vacancies this year, so if you are a member or if you know a member who might like to join the board, please speak up!  Please note that we do not accept nominations from the floor.

A community meeting and pizza social will be held following the formal proceedings.

Indoor Yard Sale

Posted Bob BramwellPosted in Information

Take 2:  with any luck there will not be a hurricane this Saturday!

On Saturday Nov. 26  between 9am and 4pm we will be holding an indoor yard sale in the 400-level lobby, right outside our meditation hall.  This is timed to coincide with the Christmas Crafts Fair taking place in the Hennigar Room downstairs, a book sale in the other wing of Mahone Bay Centre, and various other seasonal events so people can take it all in for the cost of a single trip.

There will also be people present to show you around the meditation hall and explain a bit about what we do in there – it’s no mystery.  Well, not much of a mystery!

Come and see what we have to offer!