YouTube Channel
Lama Linda has created a YouTube channel to share her wisdom and teachings with beginner and advanced students alike. She answers questions and provides examples of how to apply Vajrayana Buddhism to every day life. She will release a new short video every Sunday at 9am. Subscribe to stay up-to-date.
Awaken In Toronto (AIT)
Awaken in Toronto (AIT) is a community dedicated to awakening in this lifetime. They practice Vajrayana Buddhism with an emphasis on eco-dharma, trauma-informed dharma, and active sangha participation. They find these explorations cultivate a deep sense of belonging amongst members and allows for profound spiritual growth.
They host weekly online meditation classes and offer meditation retreats at the Dharma Centre of Canada that allow them to explore some of life's deepest questions and their application to daily life. They meet socially and interact online to build friendships and community. All classes and discussion are based on Daná, which is a pay-what-you-value model.
Linda Hochstetler (called Lama Linda by her students) has been leading this Sangha since 2014. Lama Linda has studied both mindfulness meditation and Vajrayana Buddhism for more than 25 years. She trained in mindfulness meditation with Jon Kabat-Zinn in the 90s, and studied with Namgyal Rinpoche (the first Canadian-born Rinpoche) from 1995 until his death in 2003. She studied for 30 years with Qapel (Doug Duncan), and received permission by him to teach in the Namgyal lineage in 2014. Lama Linda weaves together her meditation experience, her professional background as a social worker and ecotherapist, her mother and step-mother roles, and her passion for awakening in this life time. She teaches group classes and retreats, and engages with her students one-on-one. She also specializes in dying and death issues, and is the author of 21 Days to Die: The Canadian Guide to End-of-Life.
www.awakenintoronto.org or www.meetup.com/AwakenInToronto/
2024 Meditation Classes - Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 pm ET
Short Dharma talk on a given topic + 30 minute meditation. Dharma talk includes themes of Buddhist principles, Western psychology, and greater connection to ourselves and others.
Zoom Meeting ID: 874 6987 2916
Password: 108108
Topic: Back to the Beginning: The History of the Buddha and Buddhism
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: January 8-29
Topic: Decoding the Heart Sutra
Guest Instructor: Bat Fung
Dates: February 5
Topic: Living with Mindfulness & Compassion: An Intro to Theravāda Buddhist Practices
Instructor: Lama Linda
Dates: February 12-March 19
Topic: Various
Instructor: Various Guest Instructors
Dates: March 26-May 7
I’ve participated in both in-person and on-line retreats and classes which Lama Linda offered (through the Dharma Centre and otherwise) and have found her to be a very gifted teacher and facilitator. She has a very down to earth approach to explaining spiritual and Buddhist teachings and encourages students to explore and question these for themselves. She has a good sense of humour and is very warm and supportive - not dogmatic at all – and with her therapist background, is skilled at making connections between Buddhist principles and our emotions and behaviour patterns. I’ve had many important insights about myself and my practice in working with Lama Linda for which I am most grateful. BW
Meditation Retreats
Weekend (and longer) retreats out of the city at the Dharma Centre of Canada. Opportunities to take a deeper dive into silence and greater self awareness. Covering topics related to Vajrayana Buddhism as well as general meditation themes.
2025 Dates:
Embrace the Void: Unlocking the Wisdom of Prajna Paramita
March 21-23, 2025 (weekend retreat) - registration open
Pathways to Awakening: A Journey through Namgyal Rinpoche’s Teachings and Other Dharma Books
August 8-13, 2025 (weeklong retreat) - registration coming soon
Awakening through Dream Yoga
November 7-14, 2025 (weeklong retreat) - registration coming soon
Meditation and Buddhist Resources:
The Dharma Centre of Canada
Located in Kinmount, Ontario, the Dharma Centre of Canada is a non-sectarian retreat centre dedicated to awakening, compassion, awareness, and wisdom. It is affiliated with the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, the first Canadian recognized Rinpoche, and the Namgyal lineage of Western Vajrayana Buddhism.
Clear Sky Meditation and Study Centre
A centre for awakening using a balance of conscious interaction and silent reflection. This 310 acre property sits at the foot of majestic Bull Mountain in south-east British Columbia, in a stunning forested valley of pine trees and farmland. They offer individual and group retreats and courses throughout the year, with resident teacher, Sensei (Catherine Pawasarat), and other senior students.
www.clearskycenter.org
New York Zen Centre for Contemplative Care
The organization is based in Manhattan and delivers contemplative approaches to end of life care through education, direct service, and meditation practice. They offer a 9 month Foundations in Buddhist Contemplative Care Training Program involving 100 volunteer hours in a hospice or palliative care unit as well as individual and group learning opportunities.
www.zencare.org
Toronto Centre for Applied Buddhism
A Buddhist site for Contextual Education for students attending the University of Toronto Masters of Psychotherapy and Spirituality (MPS) in Buddhist Studies.