Open Mind Anapanasati Zoom Retreat
with Jack Connelly
Jan 29 - Feb 1
This weekend’s zoom retreat will be an exploration of the breadth and depth of the Buddha’s teaching on Anapanasati, mindfulness of breath. This simple direct practice can take the practitioner from calming the mind all the way to the deepest wisdom.
“...In this community of monks there are monks who remain devoted to mindfulness of in and out breathing. Mindfulness of in and out breathing, when developed and pursued, is of great fruit, of great benefit. Mindfulness of in and out breathing, when developed and pursued brings the four foundations of mindfulness to their culmination. The four foundations of mindfulness, when developed and pursued, bring the seven factors of awakening to their culmination. The seven factors of awakening, when developed and pursued, perfect clear insight and liberation.” anapanasati sutta: majjhima nikaya 118
Participants are expected as best they can to be in retreat mode during the time of this course. This will ensure that you get the most out of the course.
Here are some suggestions :
Make a commitment to attend if not all as many classes as possible during this 3 day period.
Set aside a “retreat space “ in your house that is dedicated, if you can to the retreat. A place where you can do sitting and walking meditation in silence.
As best you can maintain a functional silence during the weekend.
Schedule will be as follows:
Friday Class: 7.30 pm
Saturday & Sunday Classes: 10.00 am / 3.00 pm / 7.30 pm
Monday Class: 10.00 am
Many years ago, Jack travelled to India as a young man with the purpose of exploring this wide world. One day, while sitting on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi watching it flow, a Buddhist monk came by, stopped, and from his robe pulled out an orange which he offered to Jack. Over the next few days they met for tea and discussions and a new world of possibilities opened up for him. He spent the next five years in Asia traveling, studying and practicing meditation with different teachers in retreat centres and monasteries in India, Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand. There, he was fortunate in meeting many of the great Thervadian Masters of the day, including Ajahn Tate, Ajahn Chah, Ajahn Buddhadasa and Mahasi Sayadaw, as well as Advaita Vedanta Masters Sri Nisargadata Maharaj and H.W.L. Poonjaji.
Since that time his study and exploration of Buddha-Dharma and meditation continued both in Canada and back in Asia. His principal teacher became the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. He was also fortunate in receiving empowerments and teachings from H.H. the 17th Karmapa and H.H. Dilgo Khyentse, as well as direct one on one teachings from Urgyen Tulku Rinpoche.
'In classes and retreats, Jack offers students the advantage of his rich life experience, both in the traditional ascetic and Western realms. He offers a unique blend of the Buddhist tradition steeped in an accessible and modern-day context.'
'While teaching, Jack guides students safely through their unfolding self-exploration process, wherever they happen to be in that process, with the right balance of teachings, modern applications, insights, wisdom and humor. He makes meditation accessible by using the right amount of structure, skill and means needed to help them. Jack can feel and intuitively know where people are on the path and offer support and advice if things get challenging. His Dharma story telling alone is worth being in his presence.'
Jack has been teaching meditation for many years now. He presently resides in Peterborough where he has an Acupuncture practice. He also gives meditation classes there and often leads retreats at the Dharma Centre of Canada nearby in Kinmount, Ontario.
Important Details:
When: Friday, January 29th to Monday February 1st.
Rates: The Dharma Centre of Canada is supporting those who cannot attend a retreat in person due to COVID 19 by offering a number of retreats via Zoom video conference at the discretion of the teacher. In order to offset administrative costs we ask for a suggested fee of:
$15 per day (minimum fee)
$25 per day (patron fee)
Any fee below or above the suggested amounts.
(this retreat is considered a 3 day retreat)
To make this payment please send us an e-transfer to retreats@dharmacentre.org or make a payment via paypal or credit card at: https://www.dharmacentre.org/make-a-payment
Thank you for your support!
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.