MEDITATION
Chan meditation is a holistic discipline that cultivates the mind through three stages: concentrated mind, unified mind, no-mind.
Beginner’s Meditation Workshop
This 4-part Beginner’s Meditation Workshop covers the prerequisite conditions when preparing for meditation, proper sitting postures, techniques for relaxation, and basic methods of concentration. Plus other supporting techniques to regulate the body, mind, and spirit such as self-massage, yoga exercises, and daily mindfulness techniques. In this workshop you will not only learn sitting meditation but also breathing, walking, standing and sleeping meditation.
Weekly Meditation
Through gentle, guided meditation in a group setting, practitioners learn the foundations of uniting body, breath and mind, particularly through relaxation practice and moving meditation practice. Furthermore, the collective practice of meditation allows practitioners to benefit others with their practice, as well as share their experiences and understanding of meditation with like-minded, caring practitioners.
Meditation Retreat
Meditation retreats provide practitioners opportunities to strengthen and deepen the practice. Anyone who has taken the beginner’s meditation workshop or have previous experience in Chan/Zen practice are welcome to join.
Upcoming Events
Multiple DatesWed, Oct 09DDM Toronto Centre & ZoomOct 09, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.DDM Toronto Centre & Zoom, 1025 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough, ON M1W 3W6, Canada
Multiple DatesFri, Oct 11Multi-Faith Centre, Quiet Room (3rd FL.)Oct 11, 2024, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Multi-Faith Centre, Quiet Room (3rd FL.), 569 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5S, Canada- Multiple DatesSun, Oct 13DDM Toronto CentreOct 13, 2024, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EDTDDM Toronto Centre, 1025 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough, ON M1W 3W6, Canada
Thu, Oct 24Bliss Haven RetreatsOct 24, 2024, 7:00 p.m. EDT – Oct 27, 2024, 3:00 p.m. EDTBliss Haven Retreats, 1028 Canal Bank Rd, Dunnville, ON N1A 2W5, Canada
Multiple DatesSun, Nov 17DDM Toronto CentreNov 17, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. ESTDDM Toronto Centre, 1025 McNicoll Ave, Scarborough, ON M1W 3W6, Canada
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Chinese Chan Dharma Drum Lineage?Dharma Drum lineage of Chan followed and inherited the teachings of both the Caodong School (also known as Soto in Japanese) and Linji School (also known as Rinzai in Japanese) in the Chinese Chan tradition. The teachings in Dharma Drum lineage include both Buddha’s teaching and the core practice and meditation found in the Chinese Chan tradition, while meeting the needs of people in the present day. It is safe and healthy. It is rational and experiential. It is practical and adapted to modern living.
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What is Chan (Chinese Zen)?Chan is the combined result of wisdom and compassion. Chan also means to make use of Dharma in daily life. Chan is a kind of subjective experience from the within. It can only be understood through actual practice. Real Chan cannot be expressed by any words or languages. However, Chan requires words and phrases to be the medium for instruction and practice. Take, for example, the analogy of the index finger and the moon. You can point to the moon with your index finger so that others can see the moon. It is obvious that your finger is not the moon, even when we are able to see the moon through your pointing. Yet many people confuse the finger for the moon itself, meaning that they take language and symbols to be the real thing.
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I would like to learn Chan. What should I do?One can learn and practice Chan in stillness or in motion. For a beginner, the former method, such as sitting meditation, will provide a deeper experience of meditation. Sitting meditation is the best way to calm your body and mind. While you are in sitting postures, your body is stable and your mind can be calmed with less effort. The ultimate goal of meditation is to make use of the techniques in our daily life.
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What are the benefits of meditation?Meditation has a lot of benefits. For instance: It relaxes both body and mind. It balances the body from inside out. It promotes healthy blood flow and enhances the immune system. It moderates the heart rate and keeps breathing calm and steady. It reduces emotional distress and leads to a deeper level of relaxation. It improves one’s concentration, reduces wandering thoughts, and increases wisdom. As a whole, it improves harmonizing with self and others.