Spring Awakening 2023

April 21-23 with Grant Hutchinson & Rose Riccio

This silent retreat offers us the opportunity to appreciate our moment to moment experience in both a nourishing and supportive environment. Surrounded by the beauty of the natural world, we can begin to cultivate our capacity to hold whatever arises in our experience with kindness and curiosity.

If you can just appreciate each thing, one by one, then you will have pure gratitude. Even though

you observe just one flower, that one flower includes everything.

~Shunryu Suzuki

For more information and to register please contact Grant at

grantgrant.hutchinson@gmail.com

Q&A with Elaine about her book "Enough Already"

On March 9th we will sit then have a Q&A session with Elaine Jackson about her new book Enough Already.

Please email questions to Elaine: piercelaine@gmail.com

For the zoom link email Douglas Reid: dreid01@gmail.com

Enough Already

a new book by Gravity’s own Elaine Jackson!

RIDING IN A TRAIN SITTING BACKWARDS

DHARMA TALK by JILLIAN: RIDING IN A TRAIN SITTING BACKWARDS

June 16th, 7:30 pm

Zoom link:

https://smithvcs.zoom.us/j/5357402552?pwd=anZVSjVJRXFqVTF0MFdoU3NtVkpnZz09

Dharma talk by Grant (online)

I always wanted to go on a long retreat but the only one available was this lousy pandemic.

Tuesday May 5th, 7:30 pm

Sit Online

Because of COVID-19 we are physically distancing, while trying to maintain social ties! Tuesday evening sits are now online via ZOOM conferencing.

Check the contact page or schedule page, to get the latest link

When you click on the link or paste it into your browser, it will probably ask you to install the Zoom app, but you don't have to do that as Zoom runs from your browser. 

This link will let us begin at 715 PM on Tuesday night and go for as long as we'd like.

Note: After saying hello, please mute your microphone so that ambient noise from your location does not get shared too widely.  

If you're having setup trouble just phone 416-648-8956 (and ask for Doug)

GoFundMe in support of Jill Bodak

Jill’s father Bill Bodak suffered a stroke Jan 27th while skiing outside Kelowna.  He was rescued by ski patrol and taken by ambulance to Kelowna General Hospital.  He is slowly recovering but has an uphill battle. If you wish to send support, here is a link:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bill-bodak039s-return-home-and-recovery

Non-residential Meditation Retreat

An opportunity to deepen your practice without having to leave the city. 

Where: Grant's house (near Brock Ave and Dundas St., Toronto)

When: Friday evening 7-9pm, Saturday 9-12pm (lunch) 1:30pm- 4:15pm, Sunday 9-12pm (lunch) 1:30pm - 2:30pm
What: The retreat will consist of 40 minute sits separated by 20 minute periods walking meditation either inside or outside, with a talk by Grant on Saturday afternoon.

Bring lunch; alternatively, there are plenty of places on Dundas or Queen to buy lunch.
Zafus (meditation cushions), benches, and zabutons will be provided or bring your own.

Cost: 

$108 + HST Early Bird rate until Oct 1st

$130 + HST after Oct 1st 

Contact: Grant Hutchinson <grantgrant.hutchinson@gmail.com>

BRANCHING STREAMS FLOW IN THE DARKNESS - continues

Over the next few months GravityTO will continue to read and discuss Shunryu Suzuki’s book BRANCHING STREAMS FLOW IN THE DARKNESS -ZEN TALKS ON THE SANDOKAI . It is not necessary to read the book to participate in these evenings. The schedule is:

July 23    Sit, Talk by Rose 

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - The Blue Jay Will Come Right Into Your Heart

July 30  Sit, Talk by Grant 

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - Today We May Be Very Happy 

Aug 13 Sit, Talk by Katherine

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - The Boat is Always Moving

Aug 20 Sit, Talk by Rose

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - Without Any Idea Of Attainment, Just to Sit is Our Way

Sept 10 Sit, Talk by Jillian

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - Within Light There is Utter Darkness

Sept 24 Sit, Talk by Jill

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - The Willow Tree Cannot Be Broken

Oct 08 Sit, Talk by Ian

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - Suffering is A Valuable Thing

Oct 22 Sit, Talk by Grant

Branching Streams Flow in the Darkness - We Should Not Stick to Words or Rules

Non-residential meditation retreat

An opportunity to deepen your practice without having to leave the city. 

Where: Grant's house (near Brock Ave and Dundas St., Toronto)

When: Friday evening 7-9pm, Saturday 9-12pm (lunch) 1:30pm- 4:15pm, Sunday 9-12pm (lunch) 1:30pm - 2:30pm
What: The retreat will consist of 40 minute sits separated by 20 minute periods walking meditation either inside or outside, with a talk by Grant on Saturday afternoon.

Bring lunch; alternatively, there are plenty of places on Dundas or Queen to buy lunch.
Zafus (meditation cushions), benches, and zabutons will be provided or bring your own.

Cost: 

$108 + HST Early Bird rate until June 1st

$130 + HST after June 1st 

Contact: Grant Hutchinson <grantgrant.hutchinson@gmail.com>