Pathways to Awakening: A Journey through Bardos and Death Practices in Vajrayana Buddhism
This meditation retreat offers a deep dive into the profound teachings on the bardos—the transitional states of life, death, and rebirth—as illuminated by Vajrayana Buddhism. Drawing on the rich collection of books available in the Dharma Centre of Canada's library, participants will explore key concepts related to dying and death, including the nature of consciousness, the process of dissolution at death, and the opportunities for awakening that arise within the bardos. Alongside the teachings of Namgyal Rinpoche and other great masters, the retreat will feature teachings on the bardos from Qapel (Doug Duncan), who contributed significantly to this lineage before his passing in 2024. These teachings illuminate practices that prepare the mind for a conscious death and a transformative rebirth.
Throughout the retreat, students will be encouraged to explore the library at their leisure, selecting books that resonate with them to deepen their understanding and support their meditation practice. Through meditation, reflection, and study, participants will enrich their practice by confronting the impermanence of life, gaining clarity on how to apply these teachings to both the dying process and daily life, guided by Vajrayana death practices, Namgyal Rinpoche's profound insights, and Qapel's (Doug Duncan's) contemporary perspectives.
Class Schedule: 3-4 group classes per day.
1st Friday - 7:30pm first class
Wednesday - Leave at 2pm
Lama Linda (Linda Hochstetler) has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than a quarter century. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s and studied under Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She has received permission to teach in the Namgyal lineage and studied Vajrayana Buddhism with Qapel (Doug Duncan) who resided at Clear Sky Meditation and Retreat Centre in Cranbrook, BC, before his death in 2024. Lama Linda is a registered social worker with a specialty in illness, dying and death. Along with a thriving private practice she has written and been interviewed on the subject of dying and death. In 2021 she authored her first book - 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End of Life. She is a mother, wife, and friend to many, and encourages students to use their relationships to love deeply and explore dharma fully. She enjoys weaving together her Buddhist practices with Western psychotherapeutic practices to help students make transformative changes in their lives. www.lindahochstetler.com
Important Details
When: Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish after lunch on the final day.
Rate: $720 - non-members $655- members (includes $30 going to Awaken in Toronto - AIT)
(To find out how to become a member please visit our membership page)
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. The teacher is sharing his/her experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) freely so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teacher and helps to ensure that these teachings continue. Each person receiving Dharma teachings determines the kind and amount of Dāna according to one’s heart and one’s financial means. When deciding how much to offer, one should think about what these teachings mean to you and try to give accordingly. It is recommended that students make an offering of dāna at the beginning of a class or retreat to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy:
All cancellation are subject to a fee of $100. These funds will support other low income practitioner (Practitioner Support Fund).
Loss of 50% of deposit if cancel within 14 days ( = 25% of the retreat cost) – Funds to go into the Renewal Project (Buildings Renewal Fund)