Heart Practices for Hard Times

Save thd date for the next Day Retreat - February 1.
All those on the waitlist will get priority registration in February.

In a world facing genocide, intensifying climate crises, unimaginable violence and ongoing threats to trans people, how can we keep our hearts tender while demanding justice? How do we cultivate resilience through compassion?

Together, we will explore how these timeless Buddhist teachings on compassion can support us in navigating the realities of grief and helplessness in late stage capitalism.

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Schedule

9:30am Registration Opens - please arrive before 10am
10am Welcome, Introductions and Opening Ritual
11am Dharma Talk and Guided practices
12:30pm Lunch
1:15pm Walking Meditation
2pm Guided Practices
2:45pm Small Group/ Sanctuary Space and Large Group reflections
3:30pm Closing Ritual
4pm End

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What to bring?

• altar items
• a mask
• water bottle/ mugs
• lunch + snacks
• A yoga mat if you prefer lying down practice
• cushions if you would like to sit on the floor
• cozy blanket or thick socks/ slippers to stay warm while meditating
• blanket or a yoga block to put under your feet if you’re on a chair
• comfortable and “quiet” clothes (no nylon pants or jackets)
• please arrive scent free (including any natural scents like essential oils)

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Radical Inclusivity

In order to balance the demographics of this event and to maximize the percentage of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) in attendance, we require registration based upon racial identity and we will keep a waitlist if tickets run out. If you're unsure how to identify, please reach out to us at arti.a.mehta@gmail.com. If you're unfamiliar with this practice, you can read about it here:

https://eastbaymeditation.org/about/radical-inclusivity/radical-inclusivity-practices/

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FAQ

What is noble silence?

• This day-long retreat will be in noble silence, except when asking questions or when there is group discussion time. Noble silence is an invitation to let the energy that normally goes into speaking be turned inward into our practice. If you have a logistical question or need to speak to Arti or Melina, that is absolutely okay. Please do not speak to other participants to respect each other’s deepening concentration.
• Please refrain from using your phone as much as possible. Ideally, you would turn it off for the day (if you can’t, that’s okay too, but please have it on silent)

What is Sanctuary Space?

• Sanctuary spaces are set up to connect around shared identity and experience
• This retreat is a sanctuary space for the LGBTQIA+ community, and we may offer further sanctuaries as requested (eg: BIPOC or trans/non-binary only spaces).
  
  What is dana? Why are you charging a $15 fee to register? Does the registration fee include dana?
• Dana translates to generosity in Pali, the language of the Buddha. The teachings have been freely offered for 2600 years, however, we do live in capitalism. We need to pay for our time to make sure that our teachings are sustainable. $15 is the registration fee which creates an incentive to show up on the day of and not cancel last minute. We are asking for dana ontop of the registration fee to cover our costs in offering the teachings and holding space for the day. If you do not have the funds to pay beyond the $15, that is absolutely okay. We trust that those who do have the funds will pay a bit more and that all will balance out. At the end of the day, we will pass out an envelope for dana for folks who want to pay in cash.
  
  Accessibility: What is the space like?

• The space is a group therapy office, so there is a larger room and several smaller rooms
• There will be couches, folding chairs and armchairs to sit on
• there will be about 15 people in the space
• there are no gender neutral washrooms but we will make the bathroom closest to us for all genders. There will be other people using the building
• We are aiming for a space that is 50% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour)
• We will be using lamps and not overhead lights
• This is a masked space (please see COVID precautions FAQ)
• While we may use the language of “sitting practice” or “a sit”, if you prefer lying down there will be space to do so. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket to lie down on.
• The space is scent free
• Wheelchair accessible
• Close to Dundas West subway
  
  Do I have to be Buddhist to attend?
• You do not have to be Buddhist to attend, or have any particular level of meditation experience. The teachings are meant for all and there will be no pressure to convert. An important tenet in Buddhist teachings is ehipasiko, to see for yourself, if the practices are a fit for you. We will be teaching Buddhism; we do not teach secular mindfulness.
  
  What COVID precautions are you taking?
• We are asking that everyone wear a mask inside except for when eating or drinking. There will be HEPA filters on at all times. We will have a collective lunch break and so that will be the only time when there may be many of us unmasked at once. Please do not attend if you’re experiencing any covid symptoms; contact us at arti.a.mehta@gmail.com for a refund.
  
  Is there parking?

• There is street parking available and a paid lot behind the Dundas West subway station
  
  Coordinating rides home
• There will be space for this at lunchtime.
  
  Food and Drink
• Please bring your own meal and snacks. There are fast food options nearby if needed.
• There is a microwave to heat up your lunch, a mini fridge and a hot water dispenser with herbal teas available.
  
  Altar space
• There will be a chance to create an altar together and practice connecting with ancestors and all our spiritual lineages through simple, inclusive and optional ritual to open and close the day. Feel free to bring a photo or sacred object to put on the altar.

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Bios:

Arti (pronounced arthy, they/them) is a trans and queer, neurodivergent, chronically ill, South Asian artist living on unceded Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Watuth territories ("vancouver") with a long history in Tkaronto. Arti has been practicing since 2006, and completed True North Insight's (TNI) Community Meditation Teacher Mentorship Program. Their offerings often focus on relational Dhamma, and the gifts that marginalized people's experiences offer the Dhamma. Arti has trained in Somatic Experiencing and Relational Psychotherapy, and has a deep interest in embodied approaches to trauma work. Their Dhamma offerings are a mix of trauma-informed somatic practices and traditional Theravadan teachings. They are on a continuous inquiry of understanding the somatics of the Middle Way.

Melina Bondy (they/them) is a queer, gender-fluid, white settler who began meditating 20 years ago in both the Insight and Plum Village traditions. In 2012, Melina was ordained by Thich Nhat Hanh, living in both Plum Village monastery in France and Blue Cliff Monastery in upstate New York. They returned to lay life in 2021 and is now a Registered Psychotherapist and meditation teacher with an orientation towards embodiment, social justice, creativity and radical compassion.