Contrary to popular opinion, happiness is not what we get or do, it's what we are.
We tend to think of our wellbeing in terms of physical, emotional and mental objects. Our inner depth knows that true wellbeing abides in blissful emptiness, a feeling of spaciousness.
The nature of the ego or self can't really conceive of emptiness as a means to happiness, until it happens, usually by chance - remember those magical moments of joy in life, when everything feels just perfect? Even then, habit tends to pull us back to projecting the cause of our happiness onto an object, person or event.
This retreat at the historic Dharma Centre of Canada will focus on embracing emptiness to empower us to live, move and manifest with joy from moment to moment.
The biggest challenge is to show up.
Doug Duncan Sensei is a Dharma teacher born in Canada and known for his energetic, insightful, humorous, and practical approach to teaching paths of awakening. His principal teacher was Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche, the great Canadian-born lama who was recognized as a tulku by the heads of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism (including His Holiness the Dalai Lama). Rinpoche was unique in his ability to bring together traditional Theravadin, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhist teachings in a holistic approach that also incorporated elements of other contemplative traditions, Western psychology, art and science.
Based on decades of practice and training with Namgyal Rinpoche, Doug Sensei has been teaching Dharma at centers around the world for more than twenty years. He has also received teachings from numerous Tibetan masters, including HH the XVIth Karmapa, Kalu Rinpoche, Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche and HH the Dalai Lama. He is thoroughly trained in the teachings of the Six Yogas of Naropa, Mahamudra and Dzogchen practices, and additionally has considerable experience in the Sufi, Taoist, Zen and Western Mystery traditions, along with a strong background in Abhidharma (Buddhist psychology) and Western psychotherapy.
Cost:
Non-members: $560 Members: $485
