I am a meditation guide attached to the Ottawa Shambhala Meditation Centre, where I am also a volunteer director. Over the years, I’ve led quite a few regular sitting meditation practices and ceremonies. As well, I lead classes in traditional Buddhist shamatha or “peacefully abiding” meditation, and in the Tibetan Buddhist compassion practice of tonglen.

I became involved with the Spirituality Centre, a few years ago… It was after the Shambhala Centre was asked if any teachers were available to talk with and guide students from Religious Studies who wanted to visit a Buddhist centre as part of their curriculum. We hosted a number of students over the following months who joined-in on meditation practices, rituals, and celebrations. It was apparent after that experience that there was a desire among students for a Buddhist chaplain to be available on-campus who could teach in a secular and ecumenic atmosphere.

Spirituality can be a pretty loaded term. But, I would say that my practice is a simply a path of deepening and appreciating what it means to be human. As a Buddhist, I wouldn’t say that it’s a free time activity, per se, but more of a journey without a goal. I’m just learning to recollect my natural dignity as a human being… and of course, forgetting constantly. That’s where formal meditation practice comes in handy – remembering to just be a human being.

Most often, I try to help students to relearn how to be gentler and appreciative of their own minds, hearts, and bodies, through meditative practices. There is a tremendous amount of aggression foisted upon the young by our society. A lot of that is internalized as a sense of basic unworthiness and anxiety, that then develops into relational and societal problems.

You can find Colin in T27 on Mondays typically from noon to 2:00 p.m. Colin hosts social meditation sessions from noon to 1:30 p.m. every Monday. Carleton staff and faculty can also welcome to contact him about classroom or office workshops, talks, and practices. For additional information, please email Colin.

Office Hours

Mondays, noon to 2:00 p.m.