Richard John
Richard's teaching has for many years focused on the union of the Buddhist and Shambhala traditions. He has directed all levels of Shambhala Training, several Warrior Assemblies, Sutrayana Seminary, and weekend programs at centers in North and South America, Europe and New Zealand. He completed the first three-year group retreat at Gampo Abbey in Nova Scotia.
For weekend and extended programs, Richard's emphasis has been on intensive meditation programs such as Mahamudra, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Maitri/Five Wisdoms, sadhana intensives, and the Six Dharmas of Naropa; introductory programs such as The Three Jewels and Introduction to Shambhala Buddhism; and the "transmission" levels of Shambhala Training--Level Five, Drala, Windhorse and Golden Key. He often gives refuge or bodhisattva vows during Buddhist weekend programs.
Having a background in organizational development, Richard is also accustomed to working with local leadership groups. Recently retired as Director of the Halifax Shambhala Centre, he now teaches full time, and represents the acharyas on the Sakyong’s Council. He and his wife Liz Richardson reside in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Teaching Schedule
| 2008 |
| Feb 26 - Apr 2 |
New Zealand |
"Union of Shamatha & Vipashyana", "Emptiness & Clarity", Vows and Shambhala Training I |
| Apr 24 -May 5 |
Minneapolis |
Golden Key, "Four Foundations", Vows |
| May 8 -12 |
Portland, OR |
Union of Shamatha & Vipashyana |
| May 12 - 13 |
Bellingham, WA |
Public talk, Tantrika gathering |
| May 14 - 18 |
Seattle |
Maitri Five Wisdoms |
| May 22 - 25 |
Ottawa |
Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Vows |
| Jun 9 - 12 |
Karme Choling |
Acharya Retreat |
| Jun 13 - 28 |
Karme Choling |
Vajra Garchen, Vajrayogini track |
| Jul 13 - 27 |
Shambhala Mountain Center |
Vajra Garchen, Chakrasamvara track |
| Sep 12 - 22 |
Washington, DC |
Shambhala Training Level I, "Three Turnings of Dharmachakra" |
| Sep 26 - Oct 6 |
Toronto |
Mahamudra: Cutting to the Essence; Becoming a Bodhisattva, Vows |
| Oct 17 - 22 |
Milwaukee/Madison |
Bodhichitta and the Warrior's Path; Generation and Completion, Vows |
| Oct 22 - 27 |
Chicago |
Union of Shamatha & Vipashyana, Vows |
| Nov 7 - 11 |
St. John's, Newfoundland |
Sangha Retreat |
| Nov 14 - 19 |
Boston |
Werma Intensive, Public talks |
| 2009 |
| Jan 1 - 30 |
Karme Choling |
Dathun: Four Foundations and Bodhicitta |
| Feb 16 - 27 |
Chile |
Warrior Assembly |
| Mar 11 - 15 |
Minneapolis |
Bodhicitta and the Warrior's Path |
| Mar 19 - 22 |
Gampo Abbey |
Shambhala Directors Training |
| Apr 15 - 20 |
Baltimore |
TBD |
| Apr 30 - May 18 |
Bay Area |
TBD |
| May 22 - 25 |
Lexington |
Memorial day program, TBD |
| Sep 11 -13 |
Seattle |
TBD |
| Oct 2 - 4 |
Ottawa |
TBD |
| Oct - Nov |
New Zealand |
Six weeks, Various programs |
Books
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