Meditation Opportunities for All
New, experienced or simply curious about meditation? All are welcomed at the VCMC. Join us weekly for an hour, or a few hours of meditation, or attend an intensive retreat, we offer programs that suit your interests and needs. Each time, each sitting will be a new and unique experience, adding stability and clarity to your mind, bringing you closer to the realization of wisdom and compassion. Practice with us in the Dharma Drum Lineage of Chan Buddhism, our programs seek to lead you toward the discovery of your true nature and the inseparable interconnectedness with others.
Newcomers Introduction
Newcomers with no meditation experience are welcomed with pleasure at the Vancouver Chan Meditation Center. We offer brief meditation instructions to newcomers from 6:30-8:00 pm on some Wednesday evenings and occasional Saturdays.
Beginner’s Meditation Workshop
This 4-part Beginner’s Meditation Workshop is perhaps the most systematic and thorough introduction to the practice of Buddhist meditation available anywhere, benefiting practitioners of all levels
Weekly Meditation
The key to a fruitful meditation experience and a solid foundation is by developing a routine of sitting schedules – you will notice the difference in a couple of months. Our weekly meditations including sitting, walking meditation, mindful Chan Yoga, eight-form moving meditation and Dharma talks are held throughout the week at variously time to suit different lifestyles.
Dharma Talks and Lectures
The last Saturday morning practice of each month will end with a 40-minute Dharma talk by Venerable Chang Wu or other teachers on different subjects of life and meditation practice from the perspective of Chan.
Half-day and One-day Retreats
Half-day retreats are a good way to have a taste of Chan retreat. The full day of meditation practices not only immerse you in peace and quietude but also infuse new energy and stability to your busy lives.
Weekend Retreats
These weekend retreats start on Friday evening and end on Sunday afternoon. They follow the traditional Chan monastery schedule, starting early in the morning and making the most efficient use of time in concentrated group practice. There are numerous thirty-minute sitting periods throughout the day.
Intensive Seven-day Retreats
Intensive retreats are the entry point for serious Chan study and practice. Efficiently designed, they follow the traditional Chan monastery retreat schedule: waking up at 5am and ending at 10pm each day, then immerse yourself in alternating periods of sitting, mindful yoga, eight-form movements and walking meditation throughout.