12 jun 2027

Lovingkindness (or Mettabhavana), is an ancient Buddhist meditation leading to the development of unconditional lovingkindness and friendliness. This retreat offers a valuable opportunity to deepen your practice of metta (lovingkindness).

Retreat Format

• The retreat will begin at 9:00 on both Saturday and Sunday and will end at 3:30.
• There will be breaks for vegetarian refreshments and lunch, both provided by the Zen Center.
• Over the two days, we will systematically explore the six stages of the traditional Mettabhavana practice with instruction, meditation, and discussion.
• The first three stages will be covered on the first day, and the remaining three stages on the second day.
• Please note that for this retreat there are neither residential nor Zoom options.

This structured approach allows for thorough cultivation of lovingkindness toward oneself and others. We hope that this retreat will provide a supportive and enriching environment for your continued growth in compassion and mindfulness.

Who May Attend

The retreat is for those who have previously taken a Lovingkindness course at the Vermont or Toronto Zen Center and for members of the Triple Sangha.

Instructors—Nowa Crosby and Heather Kelman



Nōwa was born in Elizabeth City, NC. His father was in the USMC and he grew up in North and South Carolina, Florida, West Virginia, California and Virginia. Nōwa began playing music at the age of five and at 20 studied the building and repairing of string instruments. Nōwa joined the Zen Center in 1994 and was ordained a Zen priest in September 2009. He is also a hospital chaplain.






Heather was born in Gimli, Manitoba, Canada. She studied English Literature at York University in Toronto. In 1998, she met a student of Roshi Graef's who referred her to the Toronto Zen Centre and she immediately began practicing. She and her husband were married at the Vermont Zen Center and moved to Vermont in 2006 to live near the Center. Heather became a lay ordained Zen priest in 2014 and is currently a priest noviatiate for full ordination.