Please note: This group is now at capacity. If you would like to be waitlisted in case someone drops out, please contact Kate at teachers@mountainrainzen.org.
What: An eight-week series open to anyone of settler/immigrant background, whether recent or generations past, who would like to deepen their understanding of history, culture, spirituality and lived experience of the indigenous peoples of Canada. We will:
ground our exploration in awareness of body/mind.
use readings and first-hand accounts by indigenous writers to open and expand our hearts and minds.
draw on the practices of the buddha-dharma to support our capacity to examine our own conditioning and discern right relationship and response to the indigenous peoples of this land and to the land itself.
learn indigenous practices of prayer and ceremony from those with direct permission to share and teach those practices.
Format: half-hour meditation, reading, talking/sharing circle, ceremony to close.
When: Eight Thursday evenings, starting September 30, ending November 25 ( no session November 18) 7:00-8:45
Where: Mountain Rain Zendo with concurrent Zoom
Facilitators: Myoshin Kate McCandless, Co-guiding Teacher of Mountain Rain Zen Community
Shinsen Reamick Lo has practiced with Mountain Rain Zen Community for 6 years and received jukai (lay ordination) in 2018. She has been attending sweat lodge ceremonies led by her two-spirit Metis elder Sandy-Leo Laframboise since 2013. She has become a pipe carrier and has been granted permission to lead ceremonies as an elder-in-training from the Dancing to Eagle Spirit Society.
Donations: This group is offered on a sliding scale basis ($120-$0) in support of MRZC. Participants may also wish to make donations of service or financial support to indigenous-led organizations.
Registration: We ask that participants commit to attending all the sessions, barring unforeseen circumstances, so that we can develop depth and connection as a group. Please indicated on your registration form whether you will attend in person or by Zoom.
