Meditation

is the process of developing a balanced connection between the physical, emotional, and mental elements of our being.

All of life's experiences - happiness, suffering, struggling - are created by the mind. How we experience a situation depends on how we view it, how we interpret what is happening and how we describe the situation to ourselves.

The five senses (eye, ear, nose, tongue, touch), receive and transfer information to the mind. The mind "perceives" and then interprets the information based on its' knowledge and feelings stored in the memory bank. When we identify ourselves with the mind we become sad or happy according to the mind's directing.

Tibetan Lama Geshe YongDong, will share his knowledge of a meditation technique called "Wangpo Gonga", which uses the five sense objects of sight, sound, smell, taste and feeling. The act of focused observation helps to minimize the constant wandering of our minds and thoughts.

Instruction will be on specific, simple techniques for each of the five senses. There will be guided practice and time for questions. This workshop is suitable for all levels of meditators, beginners or experienced.

Geshe YongDong is the founder and Spiritual Director of the Tibetan Bon Buddhist Centre in Courtenay. Born in Tibet, he became a monk at 13 and received the Geshe degree at age 24. Since 1999, Geshe YongDong has taught students in Germany, Holland, France, USA and Canada. For more information on Geshe YongDong or Sherab Chamma Ling, check website: www. sherabchammaling.com