Ajahn Brahm's Meditation Group in Toronto

Forming of this group was inspired from his visit to Toronto in November, 2012. The group will meet once a month to practice meditation. Joining this group is totally voluntary and is free of charge.

Monday, November 12, 2012

The talks of Ajahn Brahm in Toronto, November, 2011



  • Ajahn Brahm at W.E.B Temple Mississauga - Instructions, 6th Nov.2012am
  • Ajahn Brahm at W.E.B Temple Mississauga - Dhamma Talk, 6th Nov.2012pm
  • Ajahn Brahm at University of Toronto - Dhamma Talk on Buddhism and Science, 7th Nov.2012pm
  • Ajahn Brahm at University of Toronto - Q & A, 7th Nov.2012pm
  • Ajahn Brahm at W.E.B Temple Mississauga - Instructions, 7th Nov.2012am
  • Ajahn Brahm at W.E.B Temple Mississauga - Q & A, 8th Nov.2012am
Posted by Dr. Piyal Walpola at 8:45 PM
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Ajahn Brahm

Ajahn Brahm
"I am happy to be here, I am kind to myself and I am not looking for anything"

What is Ajahn Brahm's Meditation Group in Toronto (ABMGT)

This meditation group was inspired by Ajahn Brahm's visit to Toronto in November, 2012. The format of the group is to sit for meditation as a group once a month to encourage our daily practice at home. We will be following Ajahn Brahm's "Mindfulness, bliss and Beyond" book (please see the post below) as a study guide to help our practice. The purpose of this group is to further develop our mindfulness practice as a group. Our goal one day is to achieve complete freedom from suffering.

If you are in Toronto and like to join this group please sign up by usng this linkTo join the group please click on the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1o2jdLfPUKD3JzxKiD0wFFkRpRi-PFebe860B617q6zw/viewform

The general format of the meeting.




The following format is suggested:

1. We will get together one Sunday a month in the Mississauga temple.

2. The group will first meditate for one hour.

3. Watch an video by Ajahn Brahm on meditation instructions

4. Two Chapters of the book, "Mindfulness bliss and beyond" will be discussed (Please read before the sitting at home.

5. The group will then share and discuss the difficulties in the book chapters and individual problems during meditation.

6. We will then plan for the next sitting.

7. An email will be sent to the group once a month with the agenda for the up coming meeting.

Please click here for a pdf copy of the first 5 chapters of the book:"Mindfulness bliss and beyond"

Just like a bird...

Just like a bird...
"And how is a monk content? Just as a bird, wherever it goes, flies with its wings as its only burden; so too is he content with a set of robes to provide for his body and almsfood to provide for his hunger. Wherever he goes, he takes only his barest necessities along. This is how a monk is content." "Kevatta (Kevaddha) Sutta: To Kevatta" (DN 11)

Introducing Ajahn Brahm

Life Moments with Ajahn Brahmavamso (Ajahn Brahm)

This blog is dedicated to Ahajn Brahm who inspired me with his words of wisdom to always be "kind and mindful" and the importance of keeping the five precepts.
buddhistwisdomgroup@gmail.com

Stages of Meditation

Stages of Meditation

"The Beautiful Breath"- 16 Steps of Anapana-sati (breath meditation)

"The Beautiful Breath"- 16 Steps of Anapana-sati (breath meditation)
by Ajahn Brahm (summary from "Mindfulness, bliss and beyond" book, pp 81-101

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      • A bit of science to show why we should try to keep...
      • "Putting aside greed & distress with reference to ...
      • Guided Meditation by Ajahn Brahm
      • Simile of the thousand petalled lotus
      • Podcasts of Ajahn Brahm's talks in Toronto, Novemb...
      • The first session
      • Comments on the retreat...
      • The talks of Ajahn Brahm in Toronto, November, 2011
      • The five precepts
      • The format of the sitting meditation
      • Membership fee
      • The retreat is over. What do we do now?

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Comments on the first meditation session...

“Thank you Indi and Piyal for starting this wonderful meditation sessions. It's very rewarding to be part of such a meritorious act.

Much merit”

“Many thanks for having us over...

...As for meditation, I was happy with myself...I do like the idea of a monthly sit for meditation. It gives me an opportunity of sitting with others, which I have not done since 3 years ago...”

“The evening was so serene and peaceful. An Evening well spent.

Thank you for making the move....May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem be with you always”

“Congrats on having the first hi-five meditation group meeting... one step at a time! all the best for the future ones!”


I will try to do more in the near future to strengthen the foundation

Thanks”


“this is the way to go.....

this is how kalyana mittas get together to complete the unfinshed business and to lay down that heavy baggage.

with metta “


" I really had a wonderful sitting. I usually take some time

to settle down ( not been practicing meditation in my past lives) but at

your place it came so easily. May be we are taking a different path which

Ajhan Brahm taught. The tape was wonderful since when I heard his voice I

felt though he was sitting in front of us and we are fresh with his voice,

it gave me so much of joy. So much merit to both of you. May be in our past

lives we all would have met and would have had sittings like this.

Let us keep on practicing this wonderful teachings of the Buddha to lay down

the burdens that we have been carrying on for so many eons for no reason but

due to greed, hatred and delusion."

“thank for having me guidance in dahma truly appreciate it…”

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Dr. Piyal Walpola
I am happy to be here, I am kind to myself and I am not looking for anything.
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  • "Give yourself a big hug" - The art of loving-kindness and compassion to yourself
  • Dhammaloka Youtube Channel
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  • AJAHN BRAHM IN TORONTO
  • Wisdom through Mindfulness

Comments on Ajahn Brahm's Retreat and public talks, November 2012

It was quite a success, we had close to 300 people and at least 60 of my students were there, many of them shared with me how impressed they were with the talk. Thanks for arranging it.

Tony Toneatto, PhD., CPsych.
Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry
Director, Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Minor Program
New College, University of Toronto


I thoroughly enjoyed the November 8th talk.
Ajahn Brahm is a gift, no doubt about it.
He really is theMonk with Spunk!
Thank you Piyal and Indie for organizing such a
wonderful event. :-)
Linda Cousins
Dear Piyal,

We would like to express our appreciation to you and all of the volunteer who had helped to make the retreat a successful.
We had benefited so much from the retreat. Van could not attend but she had made herself a mini retreat at home and now could listen to all the talk you recorded.

Again thank you very much, may all the merit you have acquired will lead you to the true happiness.

With much metta

Dung & Van


Dear Piyal and Indi,

It is no secret that all who attended the retreat thanked both of you and also gave their blessings. It would not be fitting if we did not. Thus my wife and I wish to take this opportunity to say MUCH MERIT TO YOU for getting down this wonderful teacher. Once I completed the retreat I felt though a huge crane lifted me out of the mud which I was in. I learnt very much about the present moment silent keeping aside the steps of Ana Pana sathi. I believe the beginning is there.

I always was dreaming of getting him down for a good meditation session and as he said he laid the foundation. Above all the pleasant smile of his shows how happy he is.

Finally, much merit to both of you for that wonderful meditation session that you organised. I am sure the merits are huge and cannot be quantified.

Thank you very much for taking that photo and sending it to me.

With metta,

N and R

SABBA DANAM DHAMMA DANAM JINATHI


Dear Piyal,
First of all let me take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you put into organizing this retreat, amidst your hectic life, fulfilling duties as a doctor and a householder.
I have been meditating for many years on and off trying many methods. There have been good times and bad times.
On many occasions I am so anxious to get up from the lotus position due to pain and discomfort in my body.
When I sat with Ajahn Brahm on the 6th of November and when he taught us to be kind and compassionate to ourselves first for the first time in my life I experienced the beautiful breath and wanted to be with my breath, not even wanting to get up for lunch.
Since Ajahn left I have been practicing what I learnt and is enjoying my journey with the beautiful breath, happily, calmly and compassionately.
My immense gratitude to Ajahn Brahm from the bottom of my heart for visiting us in Toronto and to you Piyal for taking the time and trouble to organize this retreat making sure you find a place for everyone, without disappointing anybody. May you have the strength to walk the path towards Nirvana in this very life for all the immense good karma you accumulated by organizing this retreat where so many benefitted.
May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem always be with you and your family

...

Dear Organizing Committe

I am greatly appreciative of the professionalism of the organizing committee and thank you all very much for the email notifications in this regard. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend to the meditation retreat because I became ill and didn’t want to disturb the stillness all other devotees or participants.

However I attended and enjoyed to his talk at Mahavihara in Scarborough. This was my second opportunity to listen to him thanks to Dr. Walpola. He was very practical, jovial and adorable person.

Thank you very much

Anand Kumar


Dear Piyal, Indie & team,
Its with much gratitude that I write this e-mail to thank you for organizing the retreat with Ajahn Brahm. It was such a blessing to have a Ajahn over here in Toronto and to have his guidance.
May the good kamma that you and your team accumulated by organizing this event help you in your own search of Truth !
Metta
R


Indi and Piyal
my deepest gratitude for
all the planning and hard work for the 3 day meditation
retreat in
Toronto.
I travelled from New York City
to attend. It was the experience
of a lifetime.
I learned so much about life and have many new tools to use in my meditation practice. The temple in Mississauga is beautiful and everyone there is so kind.
I wish that I lived closer so I could visit more often. Thank you to everyone who helped in organizing
this life
changing retreat.
Amanda


1:29pm Nov 12
Indi and Piyal,
you are amazing Sangha builders. (We say this in Thich Nhat Hanh's community - we sometimes use Sangha to
refer to the whole family of
monastics and laypeople,
because we are building
together- we can only build
together!) Really wonderful
and when it is so well done, it becomes
infectious and we just want to
help you and participate
more in future.
The temple in Mississauga is beautiful on the outside and
inside.
Sadhu, sadhu,
sadhu Mississauga temple.
Lisa

Thanks Piyal and Indi.


I'm so happy that you were able to do this. Much merit to you two.

Thanks also for providing an opportunity for others to participate and help out.

Wish you all the Best.
E K

"Thank you Doc couple for that wonderful experiance with AB, wish he lives here. Both of you did some amazing community service - Thun saranai. His donkey story, Holy shit, abortion eye opener, etc so relevant and so simple........thank you again
CL
I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for
a. Letting me know about the Meditation program
b. Arranging it in the first place
... I sincerely hope that you both attain Nirvana soon ...

And please do keep in touch

Lots of love
IG

Dear doctor,
Thank you very much for providing us the opportunity to participate at the retreat. It was a mind calming experience. The insight venerable Ajahan Braham gave are invaluable...
We have done some good kamma to have the opportunity to associate with kalayana mittas like all of you.
Thank you once again.
With metta
Ravi

Dr. Piyal, thank you so much for arranging this retreat. I have been listening to Ajahn Brahm for years and it was such privilege to meet him in person and attend one of his retreats. I meditated, listened his talks and laughed a lot during those three days. Thanks again.

Dear Indi & Piyal,

Thanks so much for organizing a wonderful retreat,

3 days of full of niramisa happiness. 'Santhutti paraman danan' .

I shared the knowledge with so many of my non Buddhist friends

and I am pretty sure they have changed their attitude towards life.

May this meritorious deed help you achieve blissful nirvana in

this very life !!!

Sadhu.. sadhu... sadhu!!!

With metta,

M




Indi & Piyal,
Thank you
both for the opportunity
to participate
in the meditation retreat. Much metta to you
both and the others
who made it possible.
RA

D wrote: "Indi and Piyal, Much merit and blessings of the Noble Triple Gem to you both and your families. Thank you for allowing us to participate in your meritorious deed. You made so many people happy and gave the biggest gift of all to each and every one of us-THE GIFT OF DHAMMA."

Dear Dr,
Ajhn Brahm's program was a wonderful spiritual boost. Despite its hectic nature the organization was excellent, thanks to your's and Indu's effort. Hope we can have another such event soon.

With Metta
u..

Dear Piyal and organizing committee
My deepest thanks for giving me a spot at the last moment.Thank you for the great
organization and all the work that went into it. May all the merits we accrued help us all see the
sublime reality of the Dhamma.
Metta
IP

Bhante Saranapala wrote: "Dosthara Mahatthaya and Dosthara Nona, thank you so much for sponsoring his trip and organizing the retreat. Really appreciate your great interest in Dhamma. Much merit and many blessings !"


Dear Indi and Piyal:

I appreciate very much the effort you made to make it possible for me to participate in the retreat.
The retreat was very well done. Your tireless work paid off.
Everyone who was there looked so happy and contented. For me it was great to spend quality time like that away from the mundane things of life.

Thank you very much.
May the triple gem bless you always.


10:54am Nov 10


....Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to participate in the wonderful retreat By Ajahn Brahm.I enjoyed every minute of it.I am totally inspired and decided to give up from now on even the occasional glass of wine which I do take sometime.
...




Thank you, Ajahn, for accepting the invitation and coming to our temple all the way from Australia to conduct this retreat. We learned so much from you. You are an inspiration to the many, including myself. By the grace of the Noble Triple Gem may you continue to serve the humanity with your wonderful wisdom. Blessings !
Bhante Saranapala

Pod casts of Ajan Brahms's Talks in Toronto, November,2012

Podcasts of Ajahn Brahm's talks in Toronto, November 2012.


Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Guided meditation November 8, 2012

You can listen to them here in a new window (play in a new window). However if you want to download please visit this site: http://www.westendbuddhistmedia.ca/category/ajahn-brahm-in-toronto-2012/

Posted on November 8, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 8, 2012 – 11 AM – Guided on meditation
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Instruction on meditation November 8, 2012

Posted on November 8, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 8, 2012 – 9 AM – Instrucion on meditation
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Guided meditation November 7, 2012

Posted on November 7, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 7, 2012 – 11 AM – Guided on meditation
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Instruction on meditation November 7, 2012

Posted on November 7, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 7, 2012 – 9 AM – Instrucion on meditation
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Public Talk at the University of Toronto: Buddhism and Science November 7, 2012

Posted on November 7, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 7, 2012 – 7 PM – At the Universtiy of Toronto. Organized by New College, University of Toronto: Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program.
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Samatha and Vipassana meditation November 6, 2012

Posted on November 6, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 6, 2012 – Public Talk: “Samatha and Vipassana meditation practices: Are these two different methods or two aspects of the same technique?”
Posted in Ajahn Brahm in Toronto 2012, Podcast Episodes

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto – Instructions on meditation November 6, 2012

Posted on November 6, 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
November 6, 2012 9AM- First talk of the retreat, meditation is not concentration. Don’t hold the glass of water….
Source:http://www.westendbuddhistmedia.ca/category/ajahn-brahm-in-toronto-2012/

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