Simplicity - “a simple state or quality, as of form or composition; freedom from intricacy or complexity.” Webster’s New World College Dictionary

An article by Teresa Peipins

When I first heard of a simplicity retreat at Juniper Hill Retreat Centre, hosted by Madeline Conacher, Louis Allen, and Mabinti Dennis, I didn’t hesitate in signing up. I’d had the pleasure of hearing Madeline teach a Shambhala Training Level near Buffalo, in East Aurora, New York and though I wasn’t sure what the weekend would bring, I was ready.

The setting of Campbellford, Ontario, a two hour drive east of Toronto was perfect for a retreat. Madeline and Louis invited 10 of us into their home situated on many acres of rolling hills and lush valleys. The geography was perfect for following paths past juniper trees, oaks, and pines and seeing the occasional birch hidden in the forest. Or for some of us, it meant just sitting in the garden on a hilltop reading or listening to the sounds of birds.

Mornings began with the gentle but insistent sound of a bell ringing. We woke to see mist rising in the surrounding green hills. A half hour optional meditation with morning chants followed at 7:30 before breakfast.

In the morning Louis reviewed meditation instruction, later followed by shamatha yoga. We had the opportunity to do our walking meditation in the green meadow by the house, feeling part of the land as we followed him single file on the inclines and descents.

Since during the mornings we were functionally silent, it took a few moments to adapt to the spoken world. We then sat down to a wonderful lunch on long wooden tables beneath the trees in the garden. This provided a feeling of community and joy in meals that is so often missing in our harried Western lives. Lunch consisted of local produce and cheeses and like all the meals was healthy and delicious. Madeline is a superb cook and I took note of many of her recipes.

In the afternoon there was sitting and walking meditation followed by a video of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche’s teaching. A discussion followed and we were all able to benefit from the participants’ insights and experiences.

In the evening we were able to enjoy the lovely interior of the main house while we had dinner and viewed Mabinti’s slides of the Sakyong’s weddings. The electricity unexpectedly went out (not a common occurrence) adding to our feeling of warmth and reminding us of what simplicity means as we sat by candlelight and simply enjoyed being present.

On Sunday, after a special breakfast with Louis expertly flipping crepes, Madeline gave instruction in contemplation meditation. A first for me was aimless walking which I took to immediately. After our afternoon meditation, we saw a video of a talk given by Chogyam Trunpa Rinpoche (Creating Enlightened Society). It was another first for me and I was mesmerized by this historic figure who died just a few years after this talk.

We had bonded as a group under the kind instruction of Madeline, Louis, and Mabinti. We said our goodbyes and were left to return home with teachings and a vision that a simple life was indeed possible. Many of us hope to return.

Bio
Teresa Peipins is a writer who recently returned to the United States after living abroad. Her chapbook is available on Amazon.

Additional remarks from Madeline and Louis: A special thanks to the participants who came to the first Simplicity program and to everyone who helped organize the weekend. Mabinti Dennis who came up with the initial idea, provided guidance, helped to coordinate the weekend and encouraged people in Toronto to attend. Susan Wood, George Free and Greg Vassie with publicity and website support. Teresa Peipins for writing this article; and Henry Chapin for his guidance and support. Lastly, we encourage people to come and do solitary or group retreats at Juniper Hill Retreat Centre. Thanks.

John McQuade and Maxine Sidran are teaching Miksang contemplative photography classes this fall at St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto.

To find out more, visit St. Mike’s Continuing Education website.

From the course calendar:

Miksang (a Tibetan word that translates as “good eye”) is a contemplative art developed from the teachings of the Tibetan Buddhist meditation master, Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche. The goal is simply to experience the world before distinctions like “beautiful,” or “ugly,” “worthy” or “unworthy” get in the way; to see and appreciate the nature of things as they are and express it without interpretation. The approach develops a calm, centered state of mind while shooting. Miksang is not an attempt at self-expression. It is, in fact, a letting go of “self.” When you give up confronting the world like a big game hunter out to bag a good image, the world calls out to be seen. The openness and awareness that Miksang develops carry over into those times when you’re without a camera. As a result, you’re more present to everything in your life and able to see the inherent beauty in all aspects of the world. A digital camera is required for this course.

Eva Wong, renowned author and translator of 12 books on the Taoist arts of health, meditation and qigong, will be introducing traditional Chinese qigong in a weekend program offered in Toronto on Saturday and Sunday April 18 and 19.

Qigong (also spelled Ch’i Kung) is a system of exercises that cultivates strength of body and calmness of mind. In this weekend program, Eva Wong will be presenting levels one and two of her nine level training program.

Eva Wong is the holder of two unique lineages of qigong: The Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School. Xiantianwujimen was founded in the Song dynasty (circa 10th to 12th centuries) by Taoist sage Chen Xiyi, who is recognized as “the father of qigong.” The Yiquan School was founded by Wang Xiangzhai in the early 20th century. Yiquan is most well-known for its standing qigong postures called Zhangzhuan.

Eva Wong says of her own background in the traditional Taoist culture: “My experience with Taoism began in my childhood in Hong Kong, when my grandmother told me stories of Taoist immortals, those enlightened beings who had attained union with the Tao. At fourteen, I learned feng-shui, the Taoist art of terrestrial divination, from my granduncle, and T’ai-chi Ch’an, a form of Taoist martial arts, from my uncle. Later I was introduced to the Taoist arts of longevity.”

For more information about this weekend program, visit the Shambhala Meditation Centre of Toronto website.

Support your sitting practice and buy a meditation cushion from the bookstore at the Shambhala Meditation Centre of Toronto.

Known as “gomdens,” these meditation cushions were designed originally by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, the founder of Shambhala. They are constructed with a firm foam core to support a comfortable and simple cross-legged posture.

Made locally by Judith Gostick of Silk Dream Designs, they are available in red, burgundy, blue, royal blue, and black for $85.

Other types of meditation cushions, brocades, shrine and practice items, and custom fabric designs can be ordered directly from Silk Dream Designs at silkdreamdesigns@yahoo.ca.

The Toronto Shambhala Centre is proud to host a visit by the Dorje Loppon Lodro Dorje from March 27 to 29. The Dorje Loppon was an early student of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and is renowned for his incisive scholarship and insight into the Buddhist and the Shambhala teachings.

While in Toronto, the Dorje Loppon will be teaching two programs: Shambhala Vision: Open Mind, Full Heart, Fearless Confidence and The Vajrayana Path and the Way of Shambhala.

Shambhala Vision: Open Mind, Full Heart, Fearless Confidence begins with a talk Friday March 27 at 7pm. Everyone is invited. The program continues all day Saturday and includes talks and discussion periods, as well as some periods of meditation practice, including basic instruction for newcomers.

The Vajrayana Path and the Way of Shambhala includes the Friday evening and Saturday program and continues on Sunday. This program is for Shambhala tantrikas and, on Sunday, will explore the relationships between aspects of Vajrayana Buddhism and the Shambhala teachings.

For more information, contact us at toronto@shambhala.org

Starting Tuesday, February 3, the Shambhala Meditation Centre is offering a course, The Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa, on the famous 11th century, Tibetan Buddhist yogi, Milarepa. The course is based on audio recordings of talks by Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.

As part of the course, we will also be showing the movie Milarepa, Magician, Murderer, Saint on Wednesday February 17 at 8pm. You don’t have to be taking the course to come and watch the movie. Everyone is welcome!

These Milarepa teachings all lead up to Milarepa Day — a full day of practice celebrating the enlightenment and life example of Tibet’s most famous Buddhist practitioner.

If you live west of Toronto, you might like to visit the Shambhala Meditation Group of Mississauga. The group offers sitting meditation and free meditation instruction on Sundays at 10am, followed by tea and occasional talks, courses and videos.

Check out their video on YouTube!