About Vipassana Metta Vancouver

Vipassana Metta Vancouver evolved from the Vipassana meditation community of Vancouver, BC in 2002 and formed primarily to support the Dhamma work of Vancouver Dharma teacher, Linda McDonald.

We undertake cultivation of awareness through the traditional practices of generosity, moral conduct, concentration, insight and lovingkindness with the understanding that liberation of the heart brings the greatest happiness which is peace.

Linda McDonald began Vipassana and Metta meditation in 1987. Prior to formal meditation practice, her spiritual journey included a foundation of Christian mysticism, Native American spirituality, and contemplative self-inquiry practices. Since 1987, Linda has led sitting groups, managed retreats, and served as a Board member in the Vancouver meditation community. She has also worked as a psychotherapist for twenty-five years and currently continues to work as the Executive Director of the Westcoast Dharma Society. She is a graduate of the IMS teacher training program and has been teaching meditation since 2001. Her teaching emphasizes lovingkindness, the awakening heart of bodhicitta, and unshakeable trust in the unfolding of our experiencing.

Vipassana or insight meditation is the practice of freedom. It is a simple and direct practice: the moment-to-moment investigation of the mind-body process through calm, open and precise awareness. Learning to observe our experience from a place of spacious stillness enables us to relate to life with a balance of wisdom and compassion. This experience fosters clarity and penetrating insight into the nature of who we are and increased peace in our daily lives.

Metta or lovingkindness meditation cultivates our ability to connect with and care in a rare unconditional way, for ourselves and others. Our hearts' capacity for patience, acceptance, compassion and forgiveness becomes boundless. With an inner and outer environment of safety our hearts and minds can open fearlessly. The result of this practice is an ever deepening stillness, from which the truth of life can be recognized clearly. Metta practice is a sturdy foundation for the wisdom practice of insight. Vipassana and metta are mindfulness practices originally taught by the Buddha.

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