Interview with Deborah Corrigan

Deborah Corrigan teaches meditation in the Kadampa tradition from the very cozy Atisha Buddhist Centre located in the heart of the Beaches area of Toronto. In this video interview, Deborah shares some background on the Kadampa tradition, her particular style of teaching and some very practical advice for starting your practice.

The Atisha website has this to say about Deborah: "Debbie Corrigan is a senior Kadampa practitioner and Resident Teacher in the Beaches. She is known for her warmth and kindness, and practical approach to Buddha’s sublime teachings. A former General Manager at the Chandrakirti Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, she is also a student in the Teacher Training Program at Chandrakirti."

Background: "The Atisha Buddhist Centre was founded in 1998 with the purpose of helping people discover inner peace and happiness through the practice of meditation. Whether you are attending one of the Centre’s many programs or relaxing here with friends, we offer a friendly and accessible environment for all who wish to learn about the Buddhist way of life.

There are over 1,000 Kadampa Buddhist centres around the world, with thousands of people now practicing Kadampa Buddhism under the guidance of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. The worldwide Kadampa community is like a global spiritual family because it offers us support and encouragement in our spiritual practice. It is very difficult to make spiritual progress without such help.

Kadampa practitioners are extremely diverse. There are people from all conceivable walks of life, professions and religious backgrounds. People of all ages mix easily at the different classes, centres and festivals. Many young people are attracted to this tradition because it makes Buddha's teachings so relevant to their lives. Within the Kadampa community there are over 400 monks and nuns. Those who take ordination within the Kadampa tradition choose a life of celibacy, purity and simplicity so that they can focus on their spiritual development for the benefit of others." (source: http://www.meditateinthebeaches.org)