Awaken in Toronto

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: April 17, 24 May 1, 8
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

"The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity" is a book written by Bruce Hood, a British psychologist. In this book, Hood explores the concept of self and challenges the traditional notion of an independent and enduring self. Many of his ideas are explicitly Buddhist, and Hood delves into the neuroscience of self-perception and discusses how our brains construct a sense of identity. This study is expected to help bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. Students are encouraged to read this entire book, or at least assigned chapters for each of the 4 sessions.

Slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and currently studies Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel Doug Duncan.

Silent meditation retreats are a central part to her study and practice and she has annually completed retreats of between one week and two months in length since 1995. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. www.lindahochstetler.com.

She has one son and two stepsons all now adults and has strong involvement with her family and extended family. She travels, speaks three languages, quilts, gardens and brings these and other experiences to share with her students, relating to them the richness life has to offer.

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: April 17, 24 May 1, 8
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

"The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity" is a book written by Bruce Hood, a British psychologist. In this book, Hood explores the concept of self and challenges the traditional notion of an independent and enduring self. Many of his ideas are explicitly Buddhist, and Hood delves into the neuroscience of self-perception and discusses how our brains construct a sense of identity. This study is expected to help bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. Students are encouraged to read this entire book, or at least assigned chapters for each of the 4 sessions.

Slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and currently studies Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel Doug Duncan.

Silent meditation retreats are a central part to her study and practice and she has annually completed retreats of between one week and two months in length since 1995. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. www.lindahochstetler.com.

She has one son and two stepsons all now adults and has strong involvement with her family and extended family. She travels, speaks three languages, quilts, gardens and brings these and other experiences to share with her students, relating to them the richness life has to offer.

Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: April 17, 24 May 1, 8
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

"The Self Illusion: How the Social Brain Creates Identity" is a book written by Bruce Hood, a British psychologist. In this book, Hood explores the concept of self and challenges the traditional notion of an independent and enduring self. Many of his ideas are explicitly Buddhist, and Hood delves into the neuroscience of self-perception and discusses how our brains construct a sense of identity. This study is expected to help bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience. Students are encouraged to read this entire book, or at least assigned chapters for each of the 4 sessions.

Slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and currently studies Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel Doug Duncan.

Silent meditation retreats are a central part to her study and practice and she has annually completed retreats of between one week and two months in length since 1995. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. www.lindahochstetler.com.

She has one son and two stepsons all now adults and has strong involvement with her family and extended family. She travels, speaks three languages, quilts, gardens and brings these and other experiences to share with her students, relating to them the richness life has to offer.

Instructor: Guest Teacher - Sarah Thomsen
Dates: May 15
New Link to Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87469872916?pwd=dW45sm68Mj6aOeNWT2TYvJk32Wo4OX.1
Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916 Password: 108108

Get ready to tap into the incredible wisdom and unstoppable compassion of the Buddhist Deity Green Tara. Join us for an adventure of self-discovery, while exploring how her qualities of discernment and self-compassion can show up in our everyday lives. Embark on a vibrant and illuminating journey deep into the heart of Green Tara and discover Green Tara’s presence with delight.

insert link to slides

Classes are offered on the ancient basis of Dana, also known as "give from the heart" or "pay what you choose." This allows you to pay according to your heart, and to what you value. Dana can be sent by e-transfer to dana@awakenintoronto.org or by PayPal to https://paypal.me/awakeningintoronto

Sarah's Buddhist Bio
My Buddhist journey began as a young girl (around five or six) while driving through the prairie with my parents. As the fence posts blurred past, I remember questioning the nature of my body and my identity as a SELF, as an ego. This fleeting moment sparked a curiosity that stayed with me, leading me on an extraordinary path of self-discovery.

Raised in the United Church, I rebelled against traditional gender roles from a young age, refusing to accept limitations placed on me. As a teenager, I embraced rebellion wholeheartedly, experimenting with drugs and taking risks. Despite my wild years, I managed to gracefully escape serious consequences and found myself presented with extraordinary opportunities, such as working at a fire lookout. This employment afforded me the time and space alone in the solitude of nature to begin deeply reflecting, both on myself and the natural world around me. I delved into art, meditation, and yoga, unknowingly drawing inspiration from Buddhist principles. My thirst for knowledge led me to study yoga for over a decade and to travel and volunteer at retreat centres around the world.

In my 30's I became pregnant within months of meeting my lover, Cory. Tragically, our first child passed away shortly after her birth, plunging us both into a darkness that is difficult to describe. Navigating my grief and trying to understand, I searched for guidance and found comfort in the traditions and teaching of the Dharma. The experience of exploring my daughter's death through the eyes of Buddhism is still an experience that is so profound, clear, loving and magical.

A few years later, our second daughter Veronica arrived, healthy and full of joy. Embracing motherhood with enthusiasm, I felt confident in my abilities and relished every moment. When Veronica turned two, I yearned for adventure, so I saved up and took us on a thrilling trip to Indonesia. Exploring temples, surfing, and immersing ourselves in the vibrant culture, we experienced unforgettable moments of joy and discovery. Returning home, I felt a strong urge to make a change and insisted we relocate. Trusting my intuition, about 18 months later we moved to Kimberley, BC, eager for new experiences and a fresh start.
Our move to Kimberley led to a new profound connection at the nearby Clear Sky retreat centre, and to meeting my teachers Doug Qapel Duncan, Catherine Pawasarat Sensei and AIT’s Lama Linda. These connections allowed me to dedicate myself to understanding the depth of Buddhist practice, and to and finding and giving support to the beloved Sangha. With the deepest gratitude and respect, I have taken the 8 buddhist precepts and have had the opportunity to experience numerous retreats and wongkurs. ❤️
And now here I am, with a buzzing anxiety and a big smile, humbly teaching my first dharma Class.