Toward Stillness Meditations

My spiritual journey began in 1972 when I met my guru Ramakrishna Ananda while traveling through Southern California. After studying with him for 5 months I received my spiritual name Vishnu Das (servant of the preserving aspect of the Divine). From this point forward, I have dedicated my life to personal spiritual unfoldment.

My interest in spiritual development fueled an enthusiasm for world mysticism. This led me to study Comparative Religions at York University and California State University Fullerton. After completing my Honours Degree in Comparative Religions, I continued my academic studies and received my Master’s degree from McMaster University in Sanskrit and Hindu Religious History, with a minor in Christian Studies.

Since 1998 I have been facilitating meditation classes and workshops in various parts of Ontario and in Vancouver, BC. My personal practice and coursework incorporate a blend of meditations drawn from a variety of religious and spiritual traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity. This experience gave me the tools to work successfully for 12 years in corporate middle management. It taught me to balance my life as a meditator with both my work and my personal life.

Over the past several years I have taught meditation and yoga philosophy as part of Yoga Teacher Training Programs at The Yoga Centre of Burlington, Maureen Rae’s Yoga Studio in Etobicoke, Yoga by Sarah in St Catharines, Mind to Body Yoga and Fitness in Mississauga, and Chrysalis Yoga in Burlington, where I helped to develop these programs. I am a principle teacher in these programs.

Currently I teach a variety of meditation workshops and classes at various centres in Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Oakville, Brampton, Brantford, Hamilton and St Catharines. See the Events Calendar for details.

In addition, I offer a Meditation Teacher Training Program. The MTTP is a comprehensive 150 hour program that teaches the essential elements of meditation, yoga philosophy, world mysticism, spiritual leadership, compassionate living, as well as the basic principles of Healing Meditation.

Since the Spring of 2007 it has been my privilege to teach classes and workshops in meditation and stress reduction for Wellspring (www.wellspring.ca) at their Halton-Peel, Brampton, Toronto, Sunnybrook and Thorold locations. Wellspring offers support for those living with Cancer and for their caregivers.

In addition, I am a Therapeutic Touch practitioner, pursuing Recognized Practitioner Status with the Therapeutic Touch Network of Ontario. In November 2011 I was the Keynote speaker at their Annual Conference, leading the post-Conference day long workshop. In May 2012 I was the Keynote speaker and led the primary workshop for the Atlantic Therapeutic Touch Network in Halifax.

It is now time to share my experiences with a wider audience. 

"It you want to be an effective meditation teacher, you must have an effective meditation practice. To have an effective meditation practice, you must meditate regularly."

*** And I am pleased to announce that recently I became a member of the Clergy Support Memorial Church (www.allseasonsweddings.com), and licenced by the Province of Ontario, to perform weddings in Ontario. Contact me for details. ***