Study Group

The Victoria Vipassana Community is offering a Study Group facilitated by Heather Martin, a vipassana teacher from Salt Spring Island. The Study Group is intended to allow for a more indepth exploration and integration of meditation practice into our daily lives.

Heather will come to Victoria about every other month. We will have peer-directed Study Group meetings during the months Heather will not be in Victoria.

The Sunday evening sits at the Helga Beer Yoga Studio will no longer be held. We expect, however, that some weekly (participant led) sitting groups will arise out of the Study Group. Starting a meditation sitting group is an excellent way to support each other in our practice. See Starting a Sitting Group for more details.

Next Study Group meeting

The next Study Group will be held:

Sunday October 19, 2008
2:00 - 4:30 pm
Helga Beer Yoga Studio
#202 - 1600 Bay Street (Shakespeare St. entrance)

Heather Martin will be present at this Study Group meeting.

The confirmed dates for the following Study Groups are:

November 16, 2008 2:00-4:30pm
December 14, 2008 2:00-4:30pm
January 11, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
February 15, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
March 8, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
April 19, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
May 10, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
June 7, 2009 2:00-4:30pm
July 12, 2009 2:00-4:30pm

Dates in bold are days when Heather Martin will be present to facilitate the Study Group. On dates when Heather is not available a member of our sangha will facilitate the Study Group. Check the Calendar for more details.

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Study Group Topics

2008-2009 Sessions

• Download 2008-2009 Satipatthana Sutta Studies
• Download September-October 2008 Readings
• Download Inter-relations of the Four Sublime States

2007-2008 Sessions

• Download Session One: 6 October 07 - 15 December 07
• Download Session Two: 16 December 07 - 19 January 08
• Download Session Three: 20 January - 29 March 08
• Download Session Four: 30 March - 4 May 08
• Download Session Five: 5 May 08 - 15 June 08
• Download Session Six: 16 June 08 - 20 July 08

Format for the Study Group

1. We will sit together.
2. We will review the previous month's topic. When we share our experiences, the process validates and confirms them. Our understanding is integrated into our lives when our discoveries are witnessed by others. We also learn a lot from what others have discovered.
3. A new subject will be introduced.
4. We will practice with the new topic. A question may be explored with a partner or in a small group.
5. Readings or reference materials will be offered. There will be specific suggestions for further study as homework.
6. Study Group participants will pair up with a study buddy to check in with on a weekly basis.

 

Dana

There will be an opportunity to practice generosity (dana) for the teachings by Heather at each meeting. Donations will also be accepted for the rental costs of the studio. All donations are dependent on your individual means.

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