A Monk’s Guide to a Happy & Meaningful Life ~ Advice from Atisha's Heart

We all want to be happy and live a meaningful life, but how can we be happy in the midst of all the different influences in our daily life? What are some simple practices that everyone can do to help their mind, both in and out of meditation? One particularly well-loved text within our lineage, known as Advice from Atisha’s Heart, is full of helpful tips that everyone can practice. Each one addresses some aspect of our life where we can find more peace and happiness by thinking in special ways.

In these classes, Gen Thekchen will introduce and guide meditations for all levels. Each class will focus on a few verses from Advice from Atisha’s Heart, looking at how we can understand and practice their meaning in a way that will improve our daily experience. Start at the beginning of the series if you can, but if you miss the beginning then start when you are able.

Class Schedule

Sunday Sept 8 - A Special Breathing Meditation

Sunday Sept 15 - The Power of Listening

Sunday Sept 22 - Choosing What Influences Us

Sunday Sept 29 - The Art of Prioritizing

Sunday Oct 6 - How to Practice Mindfulness and Alertness

Sunday Oct 13 - No class because of our Away Retreat in Arnprior - click here for more information.

Sunday Oct 20 - The Power of Being Satisfied

Sunday Oct. 27 - No class - Fall International Festival in Brazil - click here for more information

Sunday Nov 3 - How to Stop Worldly Preoccupations

Sunday Nov 10 - Developing Equanimity

Sunday Nov 17 - How to Respect Everyone

Sunday Nov 24 - The Power of Honesty and Kindness

Sunday Dec 1 - Ontario Dharma Celebration

Sunday Dec 8 - The Power of Choosing Your Words

Sunday Dec 15 - Vajrasattva Retreat

These classes are taught by Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen,who is a Kadampa Buddhist monk & senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. Gen Thekchen has taught widely in Canada and in the UK, and is now the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a practical, profound and often humorous way, making them very accessible and easy to practise in everyday life.

$15 per class, or $50 for a 4-class card
Free for members

Live-Streamed classes - This course is available by Live-Stream for our Support Members.