From The Aquarian, Winter 1999.
From Crash Diet . . .. . . to Dharma CentreBy Lee Malcolmson
As an overweight teenager, Gerry Kopelow was just looking to slim down when, in desperation, he enforced a two-month fast on himself. He lost all of 100 pounds, but found something more precious in the process: a unique state of enhanced perception, joy, and inner freedom that came over him whenever he kept still for long periods just to conserve energy."It was so interesting," the internationally-known Winnipeg photographer recalls decades later, "that I wanted to prolong the feeling and state of curiosity."
The way to do it, Kopelow discovered, was meditation (not crash dieting, he now cautions). This September (1999) the busy author, photographer, and teacher set aside space in his studio at 44 Princess Street to establish The Dharma Centre of Winnipeg. Every Sunday morning at 10 and Wednesday evening at 7, people can drop by to be still the Buddhist way and learn more about the ancient religion's philosophies and practices.
The Dharma Centre is one of 40 around the world founded by the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, a Toronto-born Buddhist monk recognized by the Dalai Lama of Tibet as "a fully enlightened, fully realized being." When the non-profit Winnipeg Centre recently opened its doors in September, another Western Buddhist teacher, Jeff Olsen, known as Lama Lodro, gave a series of free talks and instructions on meditation techniques. This spring, Kopelow says, Namgyal Rinpoche himself will lead a meditation retreat if there is enough interest.A sign of spiritual growth, Kopelow comments, is to offer something instead of taking.
Kopelow had already been meditating for ten years when "I realized I was just a beginner. I needed a teacher, and through a friend I discovered Namgyal Rinpoche." The kind of meditation Kopelow learned from Rinpoche is traditional, yet adapted for modern Westerners. "The two classical forms of Buddhist meditation," Kopelow notes, "focus on compassion and lovingkindness or simply on the breath to relieve suffering and achieve insight."
A sign of spiritual growth, Kopelow comments, is to offer something instead of taking. The Dharma Centre of Winnipeg is his offering. You can learn more by calling Gerry Kopelow at (204) 957-7582.
Winnipeg and environs are also host to several other Buddhist temples, centres, and study groups. For a listing, click here. To find a listing for anywhere in the world, click here.To browse books, CDs, and other products related to Buddhism at Amazon.com, click here.
Comments, questions or suggestions? Contact Us All Contents Copyright ® The Aquarian Magazine, 2000
16 Victoria Row - Winnipeg - Manitoba - R2M 1Y2 - PH: 204.255.4884 - FX: 204.255.5057