Spring Retreat Testimonials

Photograph by Marion Herlet

This certainly has been an unusual spring season. All our retreats had to be cancelled due to the extended lockdown in response to a third wave of COVID 19. Despite this, practitioners continued to gather online. Here are some testimonials from some of the folks who attended DCC-Zoom-sponsored retreats and classes during the pandemic.

Exposed to Dharma through the Namgyal lineage for many years, I still consider myself a beginner. Over the past year my meditation practice has shifted and deepened, coming into sharp focus through working with you. Even across great distances, with a direct and immediate sense of heightened awareness, on Zoom, you speak to each individual reminiscent of the way Namgyal Rinpoche was so adept of doing. What appeals to me most about connecting in this unusual way, is your openhearted willingness to engage in dialogue, to extend beyond the class situation into a personal relationship, expanding boundaries, allowing it, encouraging practice to become intimately and intensely personal  (a longer version of this testimonial can be found here>>).

--Sandy Quinn

The May 2021 Anapanasati retreat was the third on-line retreat I've participated in with Jack during these Covid times, and it was such a rich experience.  Jack has a wonderful, approachable, skillful way of weaving together a depth of intention with humour and gentleness that is a real gift. For me, that helps facilitate being able to really enter the retreat with trust and openness. I feel so grateful for his offerings, and to be able to practice in this way alongside others. And with much gratitude to the Dharma Centre for all its work in the background.

--Sara-Jo Pipher

I have attended numerous retreats at the Dharma Centre and have completed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Lama Linda is knowledgeable and engaging. She skillfully explained key concepts of Buddhism in a way that was helpful to a novice or more advanced student.  We also experienced different meditation practices to help discover what worked best for us. The Zoom sessions were engaging and made even reluctant participants comfortable. It was a very progressive, beneficial and enjoyable retreat. 

--Andy MacCulloch

Jack shares the dharma from a place of kindness, humour and wisdom. I have found both his online classes and online retreats deepened my own experiential understanding and dedication to the path. I find a steady, joyful energy pervades his genuine interest and care for walking with us in the mystery of awakening. I am very grateful to be able to practice with Jack again online and I encourage all my spiritual friends and curious seekers to do the same! My first retreat was with Jack years ago and it was a profound awakening. Thank you for lighting the way, Jack.

--Sarah Carlin-Ball

I met Linda a few years ago, and I still continue to marvel at her ability to engage all kinds of people with her warmth and enthusiasm. Linda has a particular talent for blending ancient Buddhist teachings with contemporary Western psychology, and this makes her retreats immediate and relevant to those of us who did not grow up in a Buddhist culture. Her retreats are always innovative, and offer just the right amount of challenge to allow you to grow in an environment of love and support.  

--Ariel Mod

Terry and Mala make an extraordinary team in sharing the dharma; they balance extensive knowledge and embodied understanding as they guide us toward truly seeing our experience. Their approach is both creative and traditional, challenging and fun, and investigative and opening. I go into one of their retreats or class series thinking I know something, and I always come away with greater humility, more awake and in tune with Life, and brimming with love and joy. I have much gratitude for these dear, kind, and wise guides.

--Sarah Carlin-Ball

I’ve participated in both in-person and on-line retreats and classes which Linda H offered (through the Dharma Centre and otherwise) and have found her to be a very gifted teacher and facilitator. She has a very down to earth approach to explaining spiritual and Buddhist teachings and encourages students to explore and question these for themselves. She has a good sense of humour and is very warm and supportive - not dogmatic at all – and with her therapist background, is skilled at making connections between Buddhist principles and our emotions and behaviour patterns. I’ve had many important insights about myself and my practice in working with Linda for which I am most grateful.

--Barbara W

20+ years ago I heard Namgyal Rinpoche (in the crowded temple) say that Jack was the best meditator there. Now I see his experience and skill has been honed to help others. Jack is a really terrific teacher.
The 5 days of Anapanasati practice were not many but felt completely immersive from the start. Large parts of these classes were guided meditation, something I’ve seldom experienced with this practice. Here Jack’s attunement is very deep. Just as you recognized a twinge of dissipating focus, his quiet reminder and direction was there. It felt like having a guide one could just trust—and so relax, and trust more, in oneself, and gain confidence.
Students had questions; his clarity and sense of humour in finding useful answers was impressive; his kindness and respect for others evident always.
It was a privilege; we seemed to leave with a glow — something transformative had happened; Jack presented a set of keys, and a loving heart to open.

--Alberta Dickson

Many years of practice later, Linda’s Buddhism 101 online retreat in April gave me the grounding of a comprehensive overview of the tenets and practices. I appreciate her knowledgeable, skillful confidence in presentation of the teachings, guided meditations and even chanting the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra when I learned to pronounce Padme as ‘pay may’. This refresher course is the injection I needed to set me on the noble path again and the aspiration to ‘awaken’. Thank you Linda for a wonderful retreat!

--Virginia Mair 

I very much enjoyed the retreat with Jack. It was my first Anapanasati retreat and I enjoyed the laser focus and simplicity of the teachings delivered in a easy to understand experience during the retreat. Being in a new home and attending the retreat from home allowed me to ground myself in my new space and go deeper. What a blessing to attend a retreat from home and sit with many folks in a virtual sacred space. This is my second virtual retreat with the Dharma Centre and I highly recommend this for anyone who is able to do so from home. I look forward to attending future retreats with Jack.  Metta and blessings,

--JJ Viviers

In Mala and Terry’s weekly ‘BEING in TOUCH’ classes we are meditating with the 4 Immeasurables as pillars for our study of The Diamond Sutra. Unlike many Zoom experiences where one might feel drained afterward, their warm presence, total authenticity and a sense of humour combine to keep us engaged and nourished. Together, they have a skillful way of expressing wisdom and compassion in a way that is unique to where different people are at, with a gentle sensitivity to various religious backgrounds and personalities. I felt utterly welcomed by their sincere concern for the well-being of their students. The essential balance between Terry and Mala’s clear thinking and fierce discernment, their open heartedness and creative embodiment is refreshing and is why I am drawn to working with them. (a longer version of this testimonial can be found here>>)

--John Ireland

I’m happy to offer a testimonial about going on a Dharma retreat with Linda. I’ve attended two retreats with Linda and one with her and her teachers, Doug and Catherine. Each time I came away feeling less stressed, well-fed and rested, more informed in the wisdom of Buddhism and uplifted by the close community of the retreat. Linda’s down-to-earth and relaxed approach makes the teachings very accessible.  Sharing the retreat with other like-minded participants who are happy to take part in the work-karma makes it a team-building exercise as well. The grounds are lovely, the accommodations basic but fine and the food always excellent. Looking forward to the next one,

--Julie McIntyre

As a long-term practitioner & participant in several long retreats I wish to express nothing but gratitude for the May 2021 Anapanasati retreat with Jack Connelly. Sitting with Jack is like receiving one big transmission, conducive & inspiring to taking on a sitting practice in daily life… something that has been illusive to me. Thank you,

--Saskia Soeterik

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