An Oasis of Relaxation: A Serene Afternoon of Meditation at Dharma Drum Vancouver

On March 26^th, 2023, Dharma Drum for Young People (DDYP) in Vancouver hosted an introductory meditation event for young people. The event, which took place between 2-4 pm, aimed to provide participants with an understanding of the basic principles of meditation, and to teach them how to meditate effectively.
 
The instructor, a resident venerable, started the event by introducing the participants to the 8-form moving meditation, which involves eight simple movements to help bring awareness back to ourselves. Later, the participants learned the important elements of Chan meditation: environment, time, tools, and attitude. Following a short practice session, participants practiced mindful self-massage techniques to help relax and release any muscle tension. Many of the participants had no prior experience with meditation and were happy to explore and find a sitting posture that was the most suitable for them. At the end of the event, the participants had the opportunity to reflect on what they found helpful from the event and share their plans to practice in the future.
 
As the introductory meditation event at Dharma Drum Vancouver came to a close, participants felt a sense of peace and relaxation. From the event, participants had the opportunity to experience meditation as a form of self-care, especially with the fast-paced lifestyle that most of us lead. Through the actions of full body relaxation, we are able to practice bringing awareness back to ourselves and reduce anxiety.
 
By learning the principles of meditation and how they can be integrated into our daily routines, participants left feeling inspired to continue their practice and look forward to exploring the depth of Chan meditation in the upcoming DDYP Chan Series Events.
 
Please check out more details here regarding the upcoming DDYP Chan Series Events.
 
Written by DDYP 2023.3.28
Photo: Dharma Drum for Young People