From our new Interim Centre Director


Summer Salutations :)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve the Halifax community as Interim Director. As the Director Search Committee has said, Halifax Shambhala Centre (HSC) is typically quiet over the summer and the interim role does not involve taking any major new initiatives.

Keeping that as my guide, my theme for the summer at the HSC is nourishment. In the summer there are fewer paid programs so it is naturally quieter here, but there are still many opportunities for us to show up and share the nourishing energy of meditating together in a group.

About a week ago, the daughter of a close friend I’ve known for 62 of my 63 years died. Of course, her family is grieving. While holding and processing that grief, each day they also make the aspiration to get out of bed, shower and eat … because they recognize how important it is for them to nourish themselves so they can support each other through a very difficult time.

At this time, the HSC community is grieving but we also recognize the power of meditation practice to nourish us at difficult times. We have many things we may disagree about, but if there is one thing we all hold dear, it is the importance of meditation practice. Practicing and studying together is a way to uplift each other and strengthen our connections. This surely will not “solve” everything. It is not meant to deny or minimize that harm has occurred and that people are processing that awareness in their own way. And it does not replace the need to continue to uncover, repair and reduce harm in our community. But in my heart I feel that it can help us thrive even in difficult times.

Any summer in Nova Scotia can entice us away from the doors of the HSC, perhaps because this very short season usually blesses us with the best weather of the year and we long to enjoy nature and share outings and celebrations with family and friends. 

So particularly this summer, I encourage you to give and receive some nourishment at the HSC. In this spirit, I invite all of us to commit to just show up for at least one session of meditation each week this summer. There are no commitment police, but if it would help you, please pick from one of the offerings listed below and mark it in your calendar to help you show up and honour that inspiration.

I look forward to being with you, as we deepen our presence and sense of community practicing together this summer.

With appreciation,

Kathryn Heckman

 

A Guide to 11 of the free meditation opportunities currently offered at the HSC for this summer:

Open sessions:

  • Daily sitting – each weekday, Monday to Friday, 5 – 6pm
  • Nyinthun – each Sunday, 9 am – noon
    note: we hope to provide childcare from 10:30 – noon, if we get enough volunteers for a 2 person rota for each Sunday.
  • Summer Evenings with Shambhala – each Wednesday, 6:30 – 8:30pm
    6:30 – 7pm tea and cookies;
    7 – 7:45 guided meditation;
    7:45 – 8:30: guided book study of chapters of Shambhala, The Sacred Path of the Warrior
  • Shambhala Sadhana – 7 – 9 pm on the following dates – Tues. July 6, Thurs. Aug. 15 & Sat. Sept. 14. 
  • Sadhana of Mahamudra – 5:30 – 6:30 pm on Tues. July 2, Wed. July 31, & Fri. Aug. 30.
  • People of Colour Meditation – Fridays, noon – 1 pm  (people of colour only)


Authorized practitioners only (prerequisites):

  • Werma – Wednesdays 9 – 10 am
  • Kurukulla – Fridays 9 – 10 am
  • Shambhala Meditation Retreat – 9am – noon on Sat. July 6 and Sat. Aug 3. and 9 – 5pm on Sat. Sept. 3
  • Scorpion Seal 2 – 10, guided book study – Thursdays, 7 – 9pm, starting July 11. 
  • Feast practices (not free) – at various times. Please check our centre calendar for details.