The Teachings of Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo

Posted Posted in Program, Special

Saturday October 22, 10am – 4:30pm

Under the direction  of Mark Nowakowski we will practice and study the teachings of Khenpo Gangshar Wangpo (“Lord of Whatever Arises,” 1925 – 1960). Khenpo Gangshar was a great scholar and mahasiddha, one of the primary teachers who pointed out the nature of mind to Trungpa Rinpoche. Mark will give some presentations, with question and answer/discussion sessions. We will also use a method of contemplation to enrich our study together.

Mark has been a student of the Vidyadhara Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoché since 1972 and currently studies with other Kagyü and Nyingma masters. He coordinated the translation of Khenpo Gangshar’s Songs of Realization and Pith Instructions. Mark is a senior member of the Nalanda Translation Committee and a senior teacher in the Shambhala mandala.

Some copies of the book will be available for purchase at this event, and they are also available

online from Nalanda Translation.

Schedule for the Day:

  • Morning Practice and Study 10:00-12:30 Open to everyone. Please join us!
  • Lunch 12:30-2:00 Please bring your own food; coffee, tea, and juice will be provided.
  • Afternoon Practice and Study 2:00-4:30 Open to practitioners from all lineages who have received pointing-out instructions.

Cost:  No charge, but donations to MBMC to help cover costs would be welcome.

Registration:  If you intend to participate, please email us by October 20.

Donations to the Teacher (dana):  Voluntary – by inspiration.

Further Information: Please email Armand de Grenier.

This program is offered in-person only!

Bandstand / Gazebo Sit-in

Posted Posted in Information

On August 15 (weather permitting) from 4-6pm we will meditate in the bandstand (aka gazebo) on the Mahone Bay water front.  If you are an experienced meditator please come and provide some extra gravitas;  join us at any time for as long (or as short) as you like.  Cushions and benches will be provided. 

Everyone is invited to come by, meet us, and find out what we’re all about.  Volunteers will be ready to answer questions and to provide information.

2022 Annual General Meeting

Posted Posted in Information, Members

The Annual General Meeting of the South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society will be held on Saturday, March 26 2022 from 10am – noon.  The meeting will take place at MBMC, or you may attend via Zoom:  invitations have been 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 3 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 (covid-19 permitting) social will be held following the formal proceedings.

Leaning Into the Sadhana of Mahamudra

Posted Posted in Program, Special
Saturday October 23, 10am to 3pm

Good and bad, happy and sad, thoughts vanish into emptiness like the imprint of a bird in the sky

This text first appeared in 1968. After more than 50 years, why do we still schedule Sadhana of Mahamudra practice at least once every month? Meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche described his inspiration as arising “from being exposed simultaneously to both Western spiritual materialism and the wisdom of the traditional Buddhist approach to reality.” 

To explore this text and its power we can have no better guide than Larry Mermelstein, who is a founding member of the Nalanda Translation Committee, has been its Executive Director for over 40 years, and is a long-time consulting editor to Shambhala Publications.

Please join us for this special program on Saturday October 23, 10am to 3pm. No prior experience with the practice is required.

Cost:  MBMC/SSBMS members – no charge.  Non-Members $25

Donations to the Teacher (dana):  Voluntary – by inspiration.

Registration:  If you intend to participate, please email us by October 20.  Note that NS regulations require proof of double vaccination to participate.

Further Information: Please email Mary Stevens.

This program is offered in-person only!  Please make your own lunch arrangements.

Outside Meditation

Posted Posted in Information, Program

Once again we invite you to join us in meditation outside, on the edge of the soccer field behind Mahone Bay Centre.  Weather permitting, this will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, August  25th.

Bring something to sit on – chair, blanket, bench, or whatever.  Bug spray is probably a good idea too, and a drink if you feel the need.

Even though we will be outdoors we plan to maintain social distancing throughout.

Reconnecting with What Matters

Posted Posted in Members, Program, Special

A day-long retreat with guest teacher Heather Martin (via Zoom), Sun, April 25th, 10:00 am – 4:30 pm

When familiar conditions change rapidly, we might find experiencing the truth of impermanence to be challenging. In this time of great uncertainty, let us pause, come into our bodies and hearts, reflect on what is most important, and embrace our connections with others. This online retreat offers teachings and practice guidance, quiet periods for sitting and moving meditation, and moderated group discussion. Suitable for meditators of all levels and backgrounds.

SCHEDULE

9:45 Settling in at MBMC or logging into Zoom Meeting

10:00 Welcome; Opening Remarks

10:15 Sitting Meditation

10:50 Stretch

11:00 Introductions, Dharma Talk, and Instructions for Practice

12:00 Walking Meditation

12:15 Lunch

1:00 Sitting Meditation (with guidance)

1:45 Break out w/Heather Group 1 / Movement Meditation Group 2

2:30 Sitting meditation

3:00 Break out w/Heather Group 2 / Movement Meditation Group 1

3:45 Silent Sitting meditation

4:15 Sharing / Discussion / Closing

4:45 End of Day

The Mahone Bay Centre has confirmed that we are welcome to use the kitchen at lunch time, including whatever bowls, plates, and utensils we might need.

SCHEDULE

9:45 Settling in at MBMC or logging into Zoom Meeting

10:00 Welcome; Opening Remarks

10:15 Sitting Meditation

10:50 Stretch

11:00 Introductions, Dharma Talk, and Instructions for Practice

12:00 Walking Meditation

12:15 Lunch

1:00 Sitting Meditation (with guidance)

1:45 Break out w/Heather Group 1 / Movement Meditation Group 2

2:30 Sitting meditation

3:00 Break out w/Heather Group 2 / Movement Meditation Group 1

3:45 Silent Sitting meditation

4:15 Sharing / Discussion / Closing

4:45 End of Day

The Mahone Bay Centre has confirmed that we are welcome to use the kitchen at lunch time, including whatever bowls, plates, and utensils we might need.

 

About Heather Martin: Heather Martin is a senior Insight Meditation teacher who has been practicing meditation since 1972. She is known for her warm, clear, and accessible teaching style. Trained at the Spirit Rock Meditation Centre with Jack Kornfield, she has been leading retreats in Canada and the US for many years.

Cost: MBMC members no charge, non-members $25.  Donations to the Teacher (dana) are voluntary – by inspiration.

Registration (now closed): Email us before 9pm on April 19th to register or to ask questions.  When you register, please let us know if your intention is to participate in person at MBMC or via Zoom.

2021 Annual General Meeting

Posted Posted in Information, Members

The Annual General Meeting of the South Shore Buddhist Meditation Society will be held on Saturday, March 20 2021 from 10am – noon.  The meeting will take place (covid-19 permitting) at the Meditation Centre, 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.

The agenda for this meeting is shown below.

Our by-laws allow us between 5 and 7 directors, approximately half of whom will resign (and maybe re-offer) each year.  This year 3 directors will be staying on, 2 directors  will resign and re-offer, 2 directors will resign and stand down, and we currently have 2 nominations for new directors.

Due to covid-19 preventative measures, we regret that we are unable to offer lunch or a social gathering to follow the meeting.  However, tea and coffee will be available to attendees at the Centre.

AGENDA

Call to Order

10:00am, MBMC room (MBC #406)

Minutes of previous AGM 2020/03/14

Ordinary Business

  • Directors’ Annual Report
  • Financial Report for 2020 and auditors report
  • Appointment of Auditors for 2021
  • Directors’ comments
  • Election of Directors

Special business

  • Announcing: Reconnecting with What Matters

a day-long retreat with guest teacher Heather Martin

 
Sunday April 25th at MBMC and via Zoom

Adjournment

Community Meeting

following formal proceedings

Membership Renewal

Posted Posted in Members

Our Meditation Centre relies on your membership dues and donations!

The vast majority of our programs and services are provided at no fee to members.  We do our best to give good value for your money, and not to press you for additional contributions.  Although it has been a difficult year for all of us, since March we have offered:

  • Zoom meditation sessions several times each week
  • Weekly update newsletters
  • An opinion survey in May
  • A Nature Walk at Grave’s Island in June
  • A fresh coat of paint and partial reopening of MBMC in July
  • Wednesday evening meditation on the MBC soccer field in August
  • A guided tour of Anne & Tim Freeman’s sculpture gardens in September
  • The Four Foundations of Mindfulness course in October
  • A General Meeting of the Society in November

Your contributions are used to pay for rent, insurance, supplies, web presence, printing, and various other costs.  We thank you very much for your support, and we hope you feel it is money well-spent!

Your dues may be paid in cash, by cheque, by e-mail transfer, or by signing up for automatic payments.  Please see the main membership page for details.  It would be most helpful if you can renew before January 15, 2021.