An introduction into Buddhist Meditation is meant to give Chestermere residents a chance to find pure happiness.
On Sept. 26 at 8 p.m., residents can learn about Buddhism with an introductory seminar, a question and answer period, followed by a guided meditation at Camp Chestermere.
“It’s much more of a practical path than a religion,” said Diamond Way Buddhist instructor Susan Bixby.
The reason Chestermere was chosen as a hosting city compared to Calgary was because of the energy the city possesses, Bixby said.
“It’s a perfect place, I had never been there before, it’s so beautiful. We were so happy we could find it,” Bixby added, “Chestermere seems like such a wonderful place. It can always be filled with happier, more compassionate, giving people.”
Although the Introduction to Buddhist Meditation is a new event to Chestermere, offering people a different view of the world, and of happiness can be beneficial, Bixby said.
“There seems to be a good feeling there. When you feel that emotional climate it’s a really nice place to plant some seeds and say ‘Hey, we can offer you a little shift in expanding your happiness,'” she said.
“Wherever you are, whether it’s in Chestermere, the north pole, or in Calgary its really nice for people to be able to look at the world differently and see that there is an opportunity to see things in another way.
Every person is self-centered, which makes it difficult to experience true freedom, Bixby said.
“Instead of it being all about you, you start to recognize that by giving to others you’re really giving from one hand of yours to the other.
“If you ask people what made them happiest in the last week it’s usually because they did something of someone else,” Bixby said.
She added, “If you take this positive view out into the world with you, the world will shine back at you.”
Diamond Way Centres focus on teaching ways on how to achieve feeling more compassionate, kinder, clearer, confident, and more joyful, Bixby said.
“If we can find some type of happiness that’s pretty great. How can we live life so everyday instead of going up and down like yoyos? How can we start to have more ecumenicity and start to see things more clearly away from our own disturbing emotions?
“Really it’s about the search for happiness which I think is relevant to any person. We all want to be happy,” Bixby added, “If someone is satisfied in that search, that’s awesome, that’s all we want.”
If nothing else, Bixby said the Introduction into Buddhist Meditation will be an experience.
“It’s a little bit exotic It will give people an experience, it might give people an idea to tweak things a little bit to feel more fearless. more joyful, and less separate from others.”
For additional information regarding the Introduction to Buddhist Meditation or Diamond Way visit https://diamondway.org.
