On Sunday January 10, we completed our annual winter meditation intensive at the Shambhala Meditation Centre of Toronto.

Starting on Saturday January 2nd, thirty-five people attended an Introduction to Meditation program led by Joe Lukezich.

For the next eight days, we had meditation sessions every night and on some weekday mornings. Weekends were nyinthun-style, beginning at 10am and ending at 5pm.

Over all 280 people, including members, friends and newcomers, participated in the sitting and walking meditation sessions. Some participants were long-time practitioners; for others it was their first time on the cushion. At every session, there was a meditation instructor available for anyone who wanted meditation instruction. Overall, more then fifty members volunteered their time, filling the required positions of time-keeper (umdze), host (padma), and gatekeeper.

We received many words of appreciation from participants. It was pointed out that there are really few if any other places in Toronto where people can come and meditate on a regular basis with no strings attached.

Many thanks to all who participated! And, a special thanks to Helmfried Muller, our Co-Director of Practice and Study, who organized the event!

An article by Eleanor with photos by Chris Luginbuhl

When I signed up for the Juniper Hill Retreat Centre Winter retreat, I didn’t really know what I was getting into. I had only been to a Shambhala open house evening in Toronto where I received meditation instruction and then once more when I came to sit in the main shrine room for about 20 minutes. But I remembered how much my perspective and mood had shifted after these two sittings in Toronto. Both times, I started out agitated and came away with a calmer and clearer mind. And so, with the new year approaching, I decided I would take a bigger leap, and without knowing anyone else who would be there, I signed up.

Before the retreat, I hadn’t realized that Madeline Conacher and Louis Allen would be sharing their home with us. It was a wonderful surprise. Their house is gorgeous and filled with hand crafted furniture made by Louis himself. Outside, it was a winter wonderland and Louis graciously gave us a tour of the grounds. We slid down rolling hills, and, as we climbed through wooded areas on trails that Madeline and Louis had blazed, we tried to identify different animal tracks and learned about the wildlife in the area.

Madeline and Louis also led the meditation sessions and discussions. I was happy to find out it did not matter that I was new to Shambhala: everything was taught in a clear and easy to understand way, and they gave plenty of room for questions and discussion.

Meditation sessions at first consisted of shamatha sitting meditation, walking meditation, and shamata yoga. Later,with careful instruction, we learned to incorporate contemplation meditation with an emphasis on contemplating loving-kindness to both ourselves and others. At night we watched talks by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche, and Pema Chödrön. All of them, in very different ways, clarified how relevant meditation practice is to living day to day in a very complex world.

Our last full day at Juniper Hill was New Years Eve and earlier on, Louis had joked that we would have the best New Years Eve party in Ontario. I laughed, not taking him too seriously at the time, since I didn’t think we would be having a party at a meditation retreat. Well, it turned out I was wrong and he was right. Madeline set a beautiful table on top of a glamorous crimson table cloth, and we had plenty of toasts, delicious food, a great movie, and lively discussions that went late into the night. Well, for us 11pm was plenty late.

The next day, we meditated for a few hours and then we were off. Five and a half days does fly by when you’re with such great company and in such a wonderful environment. But though it went quickly, I gained so much – new friends, a new outlook and a new year begun with intention and mindfulness.

Note: A weekthun is planned for June 2010. As well as offering group retreats in the main house, there is a beautiful secluded retreat cabin for solitary retreats. Juniper Hill is located 2 hours east of Toronto, 3 hours west of Ottawa and 4 hours west of Montreal. Please check the website for further info regarding Juniper Hill Retreat Centre or email Madeline and Louis at conacher-allen@sympatico.ca