[van-announce] Dharmapunx meditation group

[Brian Williams]

Hey all.

This is Brian, I've been on the Vancouver activist scene for awhile with
the Under the Volcano festival, Dusk to Dawn, Anti-Patti project, Harrow,
and some other projects/actions over the years.

I just wanted to give y'all a heads-up about a meditation group.  Now,
before you reach for the "delete" button, I suggest you read on...

I'm not interested in organized religion, gurus, or authoritarian b.s.
What I am interested in is pursuing my spirituality in an egalitarian,
grounded, non-flaky environment.  A few of us are co-creating just that,
with a local Buddhist meditation group called Dharma Punx.

Some of us local activisty/punky kids were inspired by a book by Noah
Levine, called Dharma Punx, in which he talks about his life on the punk
scene in California, his struggles with addictions, and the benefits of
Buddhist practice that helped him get his shit together.  He came to
Vancouver to speak last summer, and some of us formed a sitting group
afterwards.  We think of ourselves as a "rebel meditation gang", comprised
of freaks, geeks, queers, rebels, and outcasts.

For me, I spent a lot of my 20s stressed out and somewhat self-destructive
because of the state of the world and me feeling overwhelmed by it all.  I
find that with a meditation practice, I'm better able to be healthy,
balanced, and manage my stress.  I am also more effective in engaging
power structures and trying to foster social change, without burning
myself out.  If any of this sounds familiar, you might wanna give
meditation a shot.

What you can expect is a non-culty environment, friendly people (some of
whom you probably know, like me and Kennedy and Jessy), a non-judgmental
atmosphere, and a forum for support and discussion.  There is no praying
to any deities, chanting, or the need to "believe" in anything beyond your
own direct experience. We practice in the vipassana/insight tradition,
from the branch of Buddhism known as Theravedan.  We take turns
facilitating the group.

By no means do I presume that this is the "only" path to pursue.  It's
just benefitted me, so I want to share it with those interested.  The
Buddha is believed to have said, try this practice, and if it works for
you - pursue it; if not, abandon it.  That's my challenge for you.
I know from experience that activist work can be tough on the
heart/mind/body, and this practice has helped me heal.

We sit on Tuesdays with just a little discussion. We're also planning some
longer events for April & May. Join us any Tuesdays from 8p to 9p (show up
a few minutes early and ring the doorbell if the door is locked). It takes
place at Radha Yoga Studio, which is located above the Brickyard, 728 Main
St. If you come by bike, you're welcome to bring your bike up to keep it
safe.

For more info, feel free to email me: brian at resist.ca
also, I'm not signed up for this list, so if you want to have a
discussion, please email me directly or CC me on the message to the list.

in solidarity:
-Brian