About VVC
The Victoria Vipassana Community (VVC) is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha as presented in the Theravadan tradition. Our Community Leader is Beth Trotter. Vipassana teacher Heather Martin has gladly agreed to guide the Victoria Vipassana Community on a regular basis.
VVC hosts four non-residential weekend retreats each year. This provides an opportunity to do more intensive meditation practice. The weekend retreats are held at Goward House in Victoria.
Heather Martin will teach three weekend retreats this year, including an introductory weekend retreat in March, and one in April for those with more experience. Heather is also facilitating our newly-formed Study Group. Heather’s regular contact with our community will support our sangha as it grows, and also individual member’s practice as each of us, individually and collectively develop our ongoing relationship with her.
VVC welcomes everyone. We are dedicated to creating a community that includes all people regardless of race, socio-economic class, sexual orientation, cultural or religious background, age, gender identity, education or physical ability.
Everyone is welcome to attend our monthly sitting group, the first Sunday of every month. See Vipassana Sitting Groups for more details.
Vipassana (or Insight) Meditation
Vipassana is a Pali word meaning "insight" or "clear seeing." It is a meditation practice from a particular spiritual tradition.
As a practice, vipassana cultivates mindfulness and equanimity. This practice awakens our wisdom and nurtures our compassion. Practiced regularly, it supports a lifestyle that is transformative and liberating.
As a spiritual tradition, vipassana draws on the wisdom of the Theravadan Buddhist lineage as practiced for over 2500 years in Burma, Sri Lanka and Thailand. This particular historical Buddhist tradition has been transmitted to many Western teachers over the last 30 years.
For more information see:Retreats
VVC retreats take place in silence. Our busy minds begin to calm down without every day distractions and responsibilities. Our hearts become less guarded during the hours of quiet. Intensive meditation practice nurtures our wisdom and compassion, relieves stress and helps heal our emotional wounds.
Confirmed dates for 2008/2009 Weekend Retreats are:- July 26/27, 2008 with Heather Martin Register here
- October 25/26, 2008 with Joanne Broatch
- January 17/18, 2009 with Heather Martin
- May 30/31, 2009 with Heather Martin
- August 29/30, 2009 with Heather Martin
Study Group
In the fall of 2007, VVC started hosting a monthly Study Group. Vipassana teacher Heather Martin facilitates the group roughly every other month. This group will allow us to integrate our meditation practice more fully into our daily lives.
See Study Group for more details.
Scholarship Fund
VVC welcomes everyone in spite of your ability to pay for retreats. You are welcome to attend our weekend retreats and donate whatever feels affordable to you. Some scholarships are available to those needing support to attend longer meditation retreats.
See Scholarship Fund for more details.
