Experience sharing
Serenity and Warmth in Heart and Mind
My short reflection would be that the Introduction to Chan Meditation was phenomenal and something everyone should do. The instructor, a resident venerable, did an inspiring job and truly inspired my peers and me to continue Chan practice. In giving a complete account of my illuminating experience learning Chan meditation, there is nowhere else to start but saying every second of it gave me such serenity and warmth within my heart and mind. Despite practicing meditation plenty of tim...
The Open Path to Liberation for Everyone
I recently attended a one-day online retreat, hosted by Vancouver Chan Meditation Centre (VCMC) and led by Dr. Rebecca Li. I first met Dr. Li during a residency at Great Vow Zen Monastery in Oregon in the summer of 2022 and was fortunate to be present for an evening dharma talk she gave. I deeply appreciated the clarity and simplicity with which she presented basic Buddhist teachings, particularly her presentation on Right View. When we had the opportunity to meet informally in the dining...
2/12 “Tea & Talk - A String of Pearls” Report
In February 2023, Chan Meditation Center kicked off its newest program "Tea & Talk" in-person. The program will be held each second Sunday of every month from 2:00-3:30 pm, supervised by Venerable Chang Zhai. The first event "A String of Pearls" was on February 12 and led by Sally Boon Matthews, a visual artist and arts educator. During the course, Sally introduced the steps and essentials of threading and stitching. In the past, Sally invited differ...
Thoughts after attending the meditation retreat during 2/4-2/5/2023
This two-day meditation retreat was very rewarding! 1. The useful method of meditation. Venerable Guo Guang and Venerable Chang Zhai taught us to focus on the tip of the nose so that the mind would not be disturbed. Ven. Guo Guang also shared her own meditation story, which was very interesting and showed me a role model to learn from. In addition, I am very grateful to the two teachers for patiently answering many of my questions, which strengthened my determination to practice. ...
Meeting the True Self – 2023 Passing on the Lamp Two-Day Retreat
On January 28 and 29, the Chan Meditation Center held the Passing on the Lamp Two-Day Retreat in commemoration of the passing of Venerable Master Sheng Yen. The retreat was led by the Director of CMC, Ven. Chang Hwa. I attended the first day of the retreat which was attended by 20 participants. It was my first time participating in a program on-site at CMC since the beginning of Covid. At the beginning of the retreat, I wore a mask but soon took it off. I was in roo...
Positively Caring for Oneself and OthersPositively Caring for Oneself and Others
David Listen's talk regarding mental health and well-being was incredibly inspiring. He offered much wisdom in highlighting the intersection between Buddhism and mental well-being. The subject that resonated the most from his discourse was when he was talking about the importance of ensuring one's own well-being before one can help others. Using the example of an adult putting on an oxygen mask on oneself before a child in an airplane, he beautifully mentioned how, as Buddhists, it is...
Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels – Online, December 18, 2022
First online ceremony – sharing. Second online ceremony – sharing. Third online ceremony – sharing. April 2022 online ceremony – sharing. Taking Refuge from Ukraine – sharing. August 2022 online ceremony – sharing. As more and more practitioners understand Why Take Refuge in the Three Jewels, we had yet another one on December 18th, 2022, to wrap up the year, with a group of f...
Insight To My Very First Meditation Retreat
Some years ago, I was on an airplane crossing the Pacific Ocean and noticed a poster with Chinese calligraphy on it. The sinograph Chan was set off against a forest-green backdrop of bamboo trees. It exuded calmness and characterized the essence of ancient, Oriental spirituality. I had little idea then that Chan or Zen, or that captivatingly serene poster, was my unknowing introduction to the practice of meditation. Recently, after much time in searching, I m...
One Time, One Meeting
On Sunday, November the 13th, many of us gathered together at the Chan Meditation Center for tea meditation. The space was set up serenely. Sally lent us beautiful pottery that she collected during her travels around the world. They were all wonderful pieces that were placed on decorated tables ready for us to use for brewing and sharing our tea. The tables and cushions were set up in a way that brought a sense of peace as soon as you entered the Chan Center. Before we began, Venerable le...
BOTANICAL GARDENS
By Angus Mccallum Photo by Yin Ting & Miya Li It was early morning and the sun kissed dew gently caressed each blade of grass. The fresh smell of Autumn was in the air. Today was the day we adventured out to Staten Island to the Botanical Gardens. The days before I was a bit overwhelmed with the thought of attending the event. I am a middle aged white American male nor am I Buddhist. I was raised Catholic, although I have become agnostic while serving in the US Navy. My past experie...