Newcomers
Newcomers with no meditation experience are welcomed with pleasure at the Vancouver Chan Meditation Center. We offer brief meditation instructions to newcomers from 6:00-7:30 pm on some Wednesday evenings and occasional Saturdays. The instructions are not a substitute for the thorough Beginner’s Meditation Class, but cover a short introduction of meditation practice, body and mind relaxation, basic postures and methods of practice. It is just sufficient to get you started on meditation practice, and gives you a taste of what meditation can bring to your body and mind.
If you would like to make an appointment for the newcomer’s session, please contact us.
Suggested donation: $20.
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. Start with one of the weekly meditation practice programs that is most suitable and convenient for you. You can certainly go on to other weekly programs when you desire a longer sitting period or different practice methods.
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. It covers the prerequisite conditions when preparing for meditation, proper sitting postures, techniques for relaxation, and basic methods of concentration. Plus other supporting techniques to regulate the body, mind, and spirit such as self-massage, yoga exercises, and daily mindfulness techniques. In this workshop you will not only learn sitting meditation but also breathing, walking, standing and sleeping meditation.
The workshop is offered every three months.
Fees: $120. Additional donations would be appreciated.
Dharma talks & Lectures
The fourth Wednesday night 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.
From time to time the centre will hold 2-hour lectures or a series of classes by the centre’s teachers and visiting teachers on specific topics such as Buddhist philosophy, meditation practice, Buddhist perspective on contemporary issues and societal concerns. Registration will be required for the classes.