A $30 Mantra Meditation Course Is Happening in Toronto on Halloween
Halloween in Toronto does not have to start with costumes, candy or a packed party schedule. A three-hour mantra meditation course is taking place in Little Italy on Saturday, October 31, offering a quieter option before the evening gets busy.
The half-day program runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada, also known as the Kadampa Buddhist World Peace Temple. Admission is $30 and includes two refreshment breaks.
No meditation or Buddhism background is required. The course is designed for newcomers as well as people who already have a meditation practice.
Quick details
| Date | Saturday, October 31, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
| Venue | Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada / Kadampa Buddhist World Peace Temple |
| Address | 631 Crawford Street, Toronto, ON M6G 3K1 |
| Price | $30, refreshments included |
| Who can attend | Everyone; no meditation or Buddhism background needed |
| Transit | About a 10-minute walk from Christie or Ossington station |
What the course will cover
The morning focuses on mantra recitation and guided meditation. In Sanskrit, the word mantra means “mind protection.” The course will look at how this practice is used within Buddhist meditation to work with distracting or negative thoughts and develop a calmer state of mind.
Teacher Christine Reeves will introduce the purpose of mantra practice and guide participants through meditation. The breathing practice will use the mantra Om Ah Hum alongside attention to the breath.
The format is structured rather than self-directed, so participants will receive instructions before each meditation. Seating is available on chairs and meditation cushions.
The morning is split into three guided sessions
The course begins at 10 a.m. with an introduction and guided meditation. After the first 45-minute session, there is a 20-minute refreshment break.
A second instruction and meditation block runs from 11:05 to 11:50 a.m., followed by another 20-minute break. The final session begins at 12:10 p.m. and combines instruction, guided meditation and a Q&A before the course ends at 1 p.m.
That pacing gives beginners time between sessions rather than asking them to sit through one continuous three-hour class. Refreshments are included in the $30 registration fee.
Christine Reeves will lead the course
Christine Reeves is a meditation teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada. The centre describes her approach as practical and accessible, with an emphasis on applying meditation and Buddhist teachings to everyday life.
For this course, Reeves will guide each meditation and explain the role of mantra recitation before participants practise it. The event page also notes that there is no pressure to already know the technique before attending.
Getting to the Little Italy temple
Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada is at 631 Crawford Street, just south of Bloor Street. The centre is about a 10-minute walk from both Christie and Ossington subway stations.
Drivers can find street parking in the surrounding neighbourhood, though availability is limited. The centre also points visitors to nearby Green P parking and recommends allowing extra travel time if arriving by car.
The course takes place in the centre’s meditation room. Participants can choose a chair or cushion, so there is no requirement to sit on the floor.
How to register
The half-day course costs $30 per person, with refreshments included. Advance registration is available through the official Kadampa Meditation Centre Canada event page.
The class runs Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 631 Crawford Street. For anyone looking for a slower start to Halloween Saturday, the morning offers three guided sessions and time for questions before the rest of the day’s plans begin.
You Might Also Like…
