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The Toronto Zen Centre is a place to practice Zen Buddhism in an authentic and supportive environment. The Zen Centre offers introductory courses for those interested in exploring Zen Buddhism, as well as full practice support, activities and ceremonies for members.Membership in the Toronto Zen Centre is open to all people regardless of age, race, national origin, creed, sex, or sexual orientation.
BY SUBWAY - Take the Bloor-Danforth line to Keele Station. Walk south along Keele Street, which changes into Parkside Drive as it crosses Bloor. Continue south on Parkside for two stoplights (High Park will be on your right). When you reach the 2nd stop light at Howard Park Ave, cross to the south-east corner of the intersection, and you will be standing on High Park Gardens. Walk east (to the left) past the Montessori High Park school and you will arrive at the Toronto Zen Centre - look for the 'Zen Centre' sign in the front yard. The walk from the subway is about 10-12 minutes.
BY STREETCAR - Take the westbound #506 College Street Car with "High Park" sign. Once it travels down Howard Park Ave., get off at Parkside Drive, just before the streetcar enters High Park. Walk to the south side of the intersection and you will be standing on High Park Gardens. Turn east (left), and walk 2 houses to the Zen Centre.
BY CAR - From Lakeshore Boulevard, turn north onto Parkside Drive. Travel to the 3rd stoplight on Parkside Drive at Howard Park Ave. Turn east (right) and travel one block to Indian Road, turn right and travel one block south to High Park Gardens. Make a right onto High Park Gardens and look for parking space as you approach the end of the street. Neighborhood parking is limited, so, if you can, take public transit.
Loving Kindness Course
Mettabhavana is an ancient Buddhist meditation leading to the development of unconditional lovingkindness and friendliness. Metta is something you feel in your heart, a positive emotional state towards others as well as ourselves.
Metta practice helps us:
Bring harmony into our lives and in our relationships
Rid ourselves of internal and external conflicts
Overcome lacerating guilt
Be open to loving acceptance of ourselves and others
Deepen our connections with all beings
As a result of practicing metta we become more empathetic, more considerate, more kind, more forgiving, and in general, more loving, friendly people.
The Toronto Zen Centre periodically offers an extended course in the practice of Loving-kindness Meditation. Sessions are held on consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. Each session includes lectures, meditation instruction, practice periods and discussion.
The next Loving Kindness course has been planned for September 10th to October 29th, 2008. There will be two breaks in the Fall course -- on Wednesday, September 17th, and Wednesday, October 15th evening metta sessions will not be held.
Mastering Breath Awareness Seminar
Larry Johanson of 'Becoming Achievers Seminars', is available for conducting on-site seminars for any interested businesses, groups, or organizations on incorporating breath awareness in dealing with stress found within the work environment, or encountered in daily life. The seminar, called Mastering Breath Awareness--An 'MBA' in Managing Stress gives participants an opportunity to learn about various advantages of practicing breath awareness, including:
How stress affects your physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually;
How to use your breath to create physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being;
How to find and breathe from your core and the importance of doing so;
How to reduce the constant chatter and noise in the mind and increase concentration;
How to live in the present and banish worry and stress;
How to release accumulated stress and get a good night's sleep.
A seminar workbook, and an accompanying CD, helps to provide a bridge to incorporating exercises and techniques done in the seminar with personal life.
Study Groups
Members and Trial Members may participate in study groups such as the Precept Study group. From time to time, the Centre also offers courses such as taiko drumming. Check the calendar for upcoming events.
Contact:
33 High Park Gardens
Toronto, Ontario
M6R 1S8
Phone: (416) 766-3400
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