Gaden Choling Mahayana Buddhist Meditation Centre

Miya Shimada is a long time student of HH. Khalkha Jetsun Dampa, Zasep Rinpoche and many other holy Lamas in the Geluk tradition. She brings decades of intense study and practice to her teachings, and we are very fortunate that she is being so generous to come spend time with us again here in Toronto. Please find her detailed schedule below.

Please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Matt King
President, Gaden Choling

Miya Shimada's March 2010 Teaching Schedule

Lojong weekend: the Seven-Point Mind-Training meditation retreat
March 5-6 (Sat-Sun), 10am-5pm (with breaks). Suggested donation is $20/day for members, students, under employed, seniors, and $30/day everyone else.

Over this exciting weekend, Miya will give teachings on how to study, contemplate and meditate upon the famous 7-point Thought Transformation (lojong). This is a famous text by Geshe Chekawa that is designed to bring all of our activities (both on and off the meditation cushion) into the practice of bodhicitta and a correct view of emptiness. Miya will lead us through this text, help us learn how to properly meditate on its meaning, and generally lead a very meaningful exploration of how to best synthesize every moment of our life with spiritual practice.

Study Materials:

Root Text, from Geshe Rabten's book (also online here)
Mind Training Map, from Ken McLeod's website

Further Reading:

Advice from a Spiritual Friend, by Geshe Rabten (book)
Becoming a Child of the Buddhas, by Gomo Tulku (book)
Training the Mind: and Cultivating Loving Kindness, by Chogyam Trungpa (book)
Enlightened Courage: A Commentary on the Seven Point Mind Training, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (book)
The Seven Points of Mind Training, by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche (book)
The Great Path of Awakening, by Jamgon Kongtrul (book)
Start Where you Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living, by Pema Chodron (book)
The Seven-Point Mind Training, by Alan Wallace (book)
The Tonglen and Mind Training Site (website)

 

"Chod as a Lojong practice" and Chod healing night -- open to all!
March 5 (Saturday), 7-9pm. Suggested donation $10/15.

Miya will teach how the esoteric practice of Chod in fact embodies all of the core Thought Transformation (lojong) practices of equalizing and exchanging self with other, developing great compassion and bodhicitta, and profound insight into emptiness. Though Chod practice is usually only open to those with the initiation, both the introductory talk and healing ceremony are open to everyone.

 

Chod Night group practice with New and Old Chopas
March 8 (Tuesday), 7-9pm. Suggested donation $10/15

Miya will lead those who have received the Chod initiation through the practice, helping us work on the melodies, visualizations etc. of this profound practice. This is a great chance for newer and more seasoned Chod practitioners alike to come practice together!

 

"An Intro to Perfect Stillness and Insight" based on Kyabje Phabongkha and Je Tsongkhapa's teachings
March 10 (Thursday), 7-9pm. $10/15

In this very special evening, Miya will give commentary on training in developing concentration and special insight as presented by the founder of our Geluk tradition (Je Tsongkhapa) and one of its most famous lineage lamas (Phabongkha Rinpoche). Please join us for these essential, practical instructions.

 

Weekend Meditation Retreat on Lamrim and Lojong
March 11 (Fri), 7-9pm, and March 12-13 (Sat-Sun), 10am-5pm. $40/$50 (or a per day suggested donation)
This weekend retreat will be a quiet meditation retreat focused on lamrim (the stages of the path) and lojong (mind training). Miya will give commentary and lead the meditations, with chances for Q & A. NEW! Although this event was original on Chod and limited to Chod initiates, the new revised class is open to all.

 

Note: An earlier version of Miya's schedule incorrectly included a weekend workshop on March 18-20. She's doing that in Thunder Bay, not Toronto. Our apologies for any confusion.