June 2016
From the Editor
I am looking forward to attending the July non-residential retreat at the UBC Asian Centre with Steve Armstrong. These weekend retreats coordinated by West Coast Dharma have made a tremendously important contribution to the understanding of Dharma and the support of practice for myself and hundreds of people in the Lower Mainland and beyond. If you have never attended these retreats I highly recommend that you make room in your life to attend. The teachings, the practice with like minded community and the noble silence are all gifts to well being that are not to be missed. A weekend of well being – go for it!
May the information in the newsletter be of benefit to your practise!
— Lee Anne Smith, Editor
BCIMS Activities
Growing a Caring Community
Do you need support through a time of change? Does someone you know? Volunteer professional or lay sangha members may be able to help. Email Carol at karuna@bcims.org.
 On the Cushion
Begin, support, or deepen your meditation practice
Study Program For Dedicated Practitioners
Do you have some retreat experience, but want to know more about the ideas of Buddhism? Do you want to build community with like-minded individuals? Would you like to teach meditation one day? Applications are now open for Spirit Rock's Dedicated Practitioner Program. This program includes five retreats over the course of two years, as well as monthly meetings with a local group. The program is a prerequisite for teacher training in this tradition. Registration is open now until mid September. Details here.
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Classes
Dharma Series on Metta (Lovingkindness)
with Kristin Penn
6 Mondays, July 11 to August 15
This meditation and discussion series focuses on bringing metta practice into daily life. There are a maximum of 12 participants and there is an opening for 2-3 people who have experience with Buddhist meditation. The teacher can be contacted at 604-872-0431. Mt. Pleasant area. There is no cost.
Non-Residential Retreats
Day of Mindfulness
with Karen Lawrie, Community Dharma Leader
Saturday, September 3, 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Mountain Rain Zen Community Space, 2016 Wall Street, Vancouver
A Day of Mindfulness is a great opportunity to support your practice with others through sitting and walking meditation as well as a dharma talk in the afternoon. Please come join us.
To register, please e-mail Karen at karenlawrie77@gmail.com.
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West Coast Dharma Weekends in Vancouver
For information about West Coast Dharma retreats, visit their website.
July 15 - 17 "The Progress of Insight" Vipassana with Steve Armstrong
Aug 19 – 21 "Intensive Vipassana Practice" with Michele McDonald and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey
Sept 17 – 18 “Integrating Love and Wisdom” Vipassana with Kamala Masters
Oct 14 – 16 “Walking the Path” Vipassana with Greg Scharf
Dec 2 – 4 “The Gift of Awakening” Vipassana with Howard Cohn
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Residential Retreats
Vipassana Retreat
with Michele McDonald and Jesse Maceo Vega-Frey
Thursday, August 11 to Wednesday, August 17
Sea to Sky Retreat Centre, near Whistler
BCIMS is very happy to be sponsoring this annual six night retreat which was previously sponsored by Vipassana Metta Vancouver and Westcoast Dharma Society since 2006.
Registration cost is $625. This retreat is now full and there is a wait list. Click here for more information. Scholarships are available.
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Unplugged Teen Alpine Meditation Retreat
with Brian Dean Williams, Caverly Morgan, and Scott Lawrance
Tuesday, August 16 to Saturday, August 20
Cathedral Lakes Park, BC
A time for teens to unplug, retreat into the wilderness, and deepen a sense of interconnectedness with all of life. Together we will explore meditation, mindful hiking, and other contemplative practices while we explore the vastness of the alpine and the community we will create together through camp life.
Click here for more information.
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Residential Retreat
with James Baraz and Adrianne Ross
Monday, October 10, to Sunday, October 16
Camp Samish, Samish, US
Registration is through Bellingham Insight Community.
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Women's Insight Meditation Retreat
with Arinna Weisman, assisted by Janet Lironi
Monday, November 28 to Saturday, December 3
Bethlehem Retreat Centre, Nanaimo
BCIMS is excited to have Arinna Weisman return for another five night women's retreat. Registration cost is $500 for residential, $335 for commuter. Click here for more information. Scholarships are available.
 Supportive Activities
Refuge Recovery: A Buddhist Program for Overcoming Addiction
with Brian Dean Williams (MA, RCC, CCC)
This group is based on the work developed by Noah Levine. Dana is gratefully appreciated. Now meeting twice a week:
Thursdays, 1:00 pm
Three Bridges Community Health Centre, 1292 Hornby at Drake
For more details: Matthew.Beasley@vch.ca or call 604-714-3492.
Fridays, 5:30 PM
600 - 318 Homer Street, Vancouver
For more information, contact connect@briandeanwilliams.com.
EarthLink
Information and selected links about earth care issues
Can't get to a retreat this summer? Dharmaseed is an amazing repository of Dharma talks by many, many teachers.
 Dharma Stream
Teachings from the worldwide Sangha
Eco-philosopher Joanna Macy, Ph.D., is a scholar of Buddhism, general systems theory, and deep ecology. A respected voice in movements for peace, justice, and ecology, she interweaves her scholarship with four decades of activism. She has created a ground-breaking theoretical framework for personal and social change, as well as a powerful workshop methodology for its application. Click here for the free video workshop series The Work That Reconnects.
The BCIMS Newsletter does its best to be accurate but locations and dates may be subject to change.
We’d like to hear from you! Please give us your feedback and suggestions for what you would like to see in the newsletter. Email Lee Anne by the end of the month.
If you feel inspired by this newsletter, please consider making a donation to BCIMS by mailing a cheque to 1160 East 18th Ave, Vancouver, V5V 1H2. BCIMS is a non-profit society, and a registered charity. Income Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more.
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