Comments about the retreat...

Dear Piyal and Indi,

It is no secret that all who attended the retreat thanked both of you and also gave their blessings. It would not be fitting if we did not. Thus my wife and I wish to take this opportunity to say MUCH MERIT TO YOU  for getting down this wonderful teacher. Once I completed the retreat I felt though a huge crane lifted me out of the mud which I was in. I learnt very much about the present moment silent keeping aside the steps of Ana Pana sathi. I believe the beginning is there.

I always was dreaming of getting him down for a good meditation session and as he said he laid the foundation. Above all the pleasant smile of his shows how happy he is.

Finally, much merit to both of you for that wonderful meditation session that you organised. I am sure the merits are huge and cannot be quantified.

Thank you very much for taking that photo and sending it to me.

With metta,

N and R

SABBA DANAM DHAMMA DANAM JINATHI

Dear Piyal,
First of all let me take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work you put into organizing this retreat, amidst your hectic life, fulfilling duties as a doctor and a householder.
I have been meditating for many years on and off trying many methods. There have been good times and bad times.
On many occasions I am so anxious to get up from the lotus position due to pain and discomfort in my body.
When I sat with Ajahn Brahm on the 6th of November and when he taught us to be kind and compassionate to ourselves first for the first time in my life I experienced the beautiful breath and wanted to be with my breath, not even wanting to get up for lunch.
Since Ajahn left I have been practicing what I learnt and is enjoying my journey with the beautiful breath, happily, calmly and compassionately.
My immense gratitude to Ajahn Brahm from the bottom of my heart for visiting us in Toronto and to you Piyal for taking the time and trouble to organize this retreat making sure you find a place for everyone, without disappointing anybody. May you have the strength to walk the path towards Nirvana in this very life for all the immense good karma you accumulated by organizing this retreat where so many benefitted.
May the blessings of the Noble Triple Gem always be with you and your family

...

I thoroughly enjoyed the November 8th talk.

Ajahn Brahm is a gift, no doubt about it.

He really is theMonk with Spunk!

Thank you Piyal and Indie for organizing such a

wonderful event. :-)

Linda Cousins

Dear Piyal,

We would like to express our appreciation to you and all of the volunteer who had helped to make the retreat a successful. 

We had benefited so much from the retreat. Van could not attend but she had made herself a mini retreat at home and now could listen to all the talk you recorded.

Again thank you very much, may all the merit you have acquired will lead you to the true happiness.

With much metta

Dung & Van

Thanks Piyal and Indi.
 
I'm so happy that you were able to do this. Much merit to you two.
 
Thanks also for providing an opportunity for others to participate and help out.
 
Wish you all the Best.
E K

Dear Piyal, Indie & team,

Its with much gratitude that I write this e-mail to thank you for organizing the retreat with Ajahn Brahm. It was such a blessing to have a Ajahn over here in Toronto and to have his guidance.

May the good kamma that you and your team accumulated by organizing this event help you in your own search of Truth !

Metta

Ruvinie

2:23pm Nov 12

Indi and Piyal

my deepest gratitude for

all the planning and hard work for the 3 day meditation

retreat in

Toronto.

I travelled from New York City

to attend. It was the experience

of a lifetime.

I learned so much about life and have many new tools to use in my meditation practice. The temple in Mississauga is beautiful and everyone there is so kind.

I wish that I lived closer so I could visit more often. Thank you to everyone who helped in organizing

this life

changing retreat.

Amanda

1:29pm Nov 12

Indi and Piyal,

you are amazing Sangha builders. (We say this in Thich Nhat Hanh's community - we sometimes use Sangha to

refer to the whole family of

monastics and laypeople,

because we are building

together- we can only build

together!) Really wonderful

and when it is so well done, it becomes

infectious and we just want to

help you and participate

more in future.

The temple in Mississauga is beautiful on the outside and

inside.

Sadhu, sadhu,

sadhu Mississauga temple.

Lisa

"Thank you Doc couple for that wonderful experiance with AB, wish he lives here. Both of you did some amazing community service - Thun saranai. His donkey story, Holy shit, abortion eye opener, etc so relevant and so simple........thank you again

CL experiance

with AB, wish he lives here.

Both of you did some amazing

community service - Thun saranai.

I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am for
a. Letting me know about the Meditation program
b. Arranging it in the first place
... I sincerely hope that you both attain Nirvana soon ...

And please do keep in touch

Lots of love
IG

Dear doctor,
Thank you very much for providing us the opportunity to participate at the retreat. It was a mind calming experience. The insight venerable Ajahan Braham gave are invaluable...
We have done some good kamma to have the opportunity to associate with kalayana mittas like all of you.
Thank you once again.
With metta
Ravi

Dr. Piyal, thank you so much for arranging this retreat. I have been listening to Ajahn Brahm for years and it was such privilege to meet him in person and attend one of his retreats. I meditated, listened his talks and laughed a lot during those three days. Thanks again. 

Dear Indi & Piyal,

Thanks so much for organizing a wonderful retreat,

3 days of full of niramisa happiness. 'Santhutti paraman danan' .

I shared the knowledge with so many of my non Buddhist friends

and I am pretty sure they have changed their attitude towards life.

May this meritorious deed help you achieve blissful nirvana in

this very life !!!

Sadhu.. sadhu... sadhu!!!

With metta,

M

Indi & Piyal,

Thank you

both for the opportunity

to participate

in the meditation retreat. Much metta to you

both and the others

who made it possible.

RA

D wrote: "Indi and Piyal, Much merit and blessings of the Noble Triple Gem to you both and your families. Thank you for allowing us to participate in your meritorious deed. You made so many people happy and gave the biggest gift of all to each and every one of us-THE GIFT OF DHAMMA."

Dear Dr,

Ajhn Brahm's program was a wonderful spiritual boost. Despite its hectic nature the organization was excellent, thanks to your's and Indu's effort. Hope we can have another such event soon.

With Metta
u.. 

Dear Piyal and organizing committee

My deepest thanks for giving me a spot at the last moment.Thank you for the great

organization and all the work that went into it. May all the merits we accrued help us all see the

sublime reality of the Dhamma.

Metta

IP

Bhante S. wrote: "Dosthara Mahatthaya and Dosthara Nona, thank you so much for sponsoring his trip and organizing the retreat. Really appreciate your great interest in Dhamma. Much merit and many blessings !"

Dear Indi and Piyal:

I appreciate very much the effort you made to make it possible for me to participate in the retreat.

The retreat was very well done. Your tireless work paid off.

Everyone who was there looked so happy and contented. For me it was great to spend quality time like that away from the mundane things of life.

Thank you very much.

May the triple gem bless you always.

10:54am Nov 10

....Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to participate in the wonderful retreat By Ajahn Brahm.I enjoyed every minute of it.I am totally inspired and decided to give up from now on even the occasional glass of wine which I do take sometime.
...

Thank you, Ajahn, for accepting the invitation and coming to our temple all the way from Australia to conduct this retreat. We learned so much from you. You are an inspiration to the many, including myself. By the grace of the Noble Triple Gem may you continue to serve the humanity with your wonderful wisdom. Blessings ! 
BS

Mindful eating

We have asked all yogis to practice mindful eating during the retreat.  Here are some instructions for people who are not familiar with this technique.

Instructions for Mindful Eating

      1. Look at the food, noting "seeing."

      2. Notice whether or not you are hungry.

      3. Note "intending to move."

      4. Turn your right or left hand laterally until it's resting on edge, perpendicular to the knee. Stop.

      5. Raise your hand straight up until it's more or less at table-height. Stop.

      6. Move your hand forward toward the fork or spoon. Stop.

      7. Grasp the fork, being aware of the sensation of touch as you do so. Stop.

      8. Lift the fork. Stop.

      9. Move the fork toward the food. Stop.

      10. Place a bite of food on the fork. Stop.

      11. Slowly raise the fork to your mouth. Stop.

      12. Touch the fork to your lips. Stop.

      13. Open your mouth. Stop.

      14. Put the food in your mouth. Notice the feel of your lips touching the fork, and the contact or temperature of the food on the tongue. Don't let yourself chew yet. Stop.

      15. Lower your hand slowly. Stop.

      16. Place the fork on your plate. Stop.

      17. Return your hand to your knee. (You still haven't begun to chew.)

      18. Chew the food. Flavor will appear. Mentally try to isolate the flavor from the tactile mass of the food, the movement of your mouth, and any desire that arises. Flavor is its own object, separate from all these things. If the flavor is strong you should focus on it. But if the flavor is bland, focus on the movement of the jaw or tongue. Note "moving," "tasting," "desire," "touch," and so on, as appropriate.

      19. As you swallow, note "swallowing."

      20. Be aware your mouth is empty.

      21. Notice whether or not you feel full.

      22. Note the intention to take another bite.

Repeat steps 1-22. (Although mental notes were not given for all the steps, you may wish to add them, labeling "moving" for steps 3-5 and so on.)

If you need both hands to cut something, focus your attention on one hand only. Apply the same step-by-step procedure to drinking: observe the intention first; extend your hand; grasp the cup; move the cup toward you; take a sip of water; and finally, bring the cup back to the table, stopping completely after each action.

When mindfulness and insight are strong you may not recognize what you are eating. This experience is a revelation. Instead of green beans or rice on the plate, you see only color. Rather than meat or cheese, you taste an unnamed burst of sensation. This experience is difficult to describe, but if it happens you will immediately understand what we are talking about.

The step-by-step eating technique is intended mainly for meditation retreats. During daily life it usually isn't practical to eat this way, except on special days or when you have free time on the weekends. When you are unable to eat in the step-by-step manner just use general mindfulness to be aware of what you are doing as you eat the meal.

Source: http://www.vipassanadhura.com/howto.htm

Lecture: Ajahn Brahm on Buddhism & Science

http://www.newcollege.utoronto.ca/event/lecture-ajahn-brahm-on-buddhism-science/

Walking meditation

There will be some segments on walking meditation during the retreat.  If you are not too familiar with this technique here are some instructions from Ajahn  Brahm from a article published on the internet called "Walking Meditation is Wonderful."

Setting Up Walking Meditation

"Choose a clear, straight path between twenty to thirty paces long. This can be a corridor in a house, a path in the garden, or just a track on the grass. Use whatever is available, even if it’s a bit less than twenty paces long. If it’s comfortable to do so, walk without shoes, enjoying the contact of your bare feet on the ground.

Stand at one end of your path. Compose the mind. Relax the body and begin walking. Walk back and forth at a pace that seems natural to you. While you are walking, clasp your hands comfortably in front of you, and rest your gaze on the ground about two metres ahead. Be careful not to look around. If you’re doing walking meditation, it’s a waste of time to look here and there, because that would be distracting."- Ajahn Brahm

Please follow the link below to read the full publication:
http://www.bps.lk/olib/wh/wh464-p.html#WalkingMeditationisWonderful

Seating arrangements

Seating arrangement chart will be posted at the entrance to the meditation hall.  All seats will be numbered according to the order of registration. Please try to stick to your allocated seat number as much as possible.

The final program

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto, November 6th-8th, 2012

The Final Program

Ajahn Brahm in Toronto, November 6th-8th, 2012

6th November 2012

08:00 -09:00 A.M:  Sign in

09.00 - 09.45 A.M: Instructions on meditation

09.45 - 10.00 A.M: Questions on meditation

10.00 - 11.00 A.M: Group Sitting meditation

11.00 - 12.00 P.M: Lunch: Please practice mindful eating*

12:00 - 02:00 P.M: Rest/Walking Meditation*

02:00 - 3:00 P.M: Group Sitting Meditation

03:00 - 03:30 P.M: Rest/Tea Break*

03:30 - 04:30 P.M:  Group Sitting Meditation

04:30-05:00 P.M: Rest/ Tea Break*

05.00 - 06.00 P.M: Interviews

06.00 - 07.00 P.M: Public Talk: "Samatha and Vipassana meditation practices: Are these two different methods or two aspects of the same technique?"

*Please observe noble silence at all times.

Please note: Ajahn Brahm will be participating in most sessions. However we will allow him to rest as much as he needs to catch up with the jet lag (12hour time difference) as he is coming to Toronto directly from Western Australia, via USA. We also have to consider that he will have to give a public talk each evening after the retreat and he is leaving on the 9th morning to Las Vegas for another retreat.

7th November 2012

09.00 - 09.45 A.M: Instructions on meditation

09.45 - 10.00 A.M: Questions on meditation

10.00 - 11.00 A.M: Group Sitting meditation

11.00 - 12.00 P.M: Lunch: Please practice mindful eating*

12:00 - 02:00 P.M: Rest/Walking Meditation*

02:00 - 3:00 P.M: Group Sitting Meditation

03:00 - 03:30 P.M: Rest/Tea Break*

03:30 - 04:30 P.M:  Group Sitting Meditation

07.00 - 08.00 P.M:  Public Talk: "Buddhism and Science"

At the University of Toronto, William Doo Auditorium, 45 Willcocks St., Toronto, M5S 5C7. Organized by New College, University of Toronto: Buddhism, Psychology and Mental Health Program. This talk is sponsored by Nalanda College of Buddhist Studies.

*Please observe noble silence at all times.

Please note: Ajahn Brahm will be participating in most sessions. However we will allow him to rest as much as he needs to catch up with the jet lag (12hour time difference) as he is coming to Toronto directly from Western Australia, via USA. We also have to consider that he will have to give a public talk each evening after the retreat and he is leaving on the 9th morning to Las Vegas for another retreat.

8th November 2012

09.00 - 09.45 A.M: Instructions on meditation

09.45 - 10.00 A.M: Questions on meditation

10.00 - 11.00 A.M: Group Sitting meditation

11.00 - 12.00 P.M: Lunch: Please practice mindful eating*

12:00 - 02:00 P.M: Rest/Walking Meditation*

02:00 - 3:00 P.M: Group Sitting Meditation

03:00 - 03:30 P.M: Rest/Tea Break*

03:30 - 04:15 P.M:  Group Sitting Meditation

04:15 - 04:30 P.M: Closing

07.00 - 08.00 P.M: Public talk: "The Right View: What is it and how can we get there?"

At the Toronto Mahavihara,

4698 Kingston Road

Scarborough, Ontario

M1E 2P9, Canada

*Please observe noble silence at all times.

Please note: Ajahn Brahm will be participating in most sessions. However we will allow him to rest as much as he needs to catch up with the jet lag (12hour time difference) as he is coming to Toronto directly from Western Australia, via USA. We also have to consider that he will have to give a public talk each evening after the retreat and he is leaving on the 9th morning to Las Vegas for another retreat.

Please wear loose comfortable clothing. White or light colour clothing is encouraged.  Please bring your own meditation cushion (if you have one). Limited number of cushions are available at the temple. 

All meals and beverages will be provided to the Yogis by the volunteers of the temple.

The public talks poster