Stories of Giving & Receiving -

Message from David Schouela

 David Schouela, Co-founder of TNI and Major Donor

 

Reflecting on my 20-year journey with True North Insight since co-founding the organization, I've realized that two simple, yet powerful concepts have sustained my involvement: refuge and Sangha.

We navigate an era of unprecedented complexity, facing multifaceted challenges that span our personal spheres, geopolitical landscapes, environmental crises, and a myriad of social justice issues. In a world awash with reactivity and fear, creating a refuge for mindful respite becomes crucial—a space where we can pause, reconnect with our physical selves, and embrace the present moment.

The poet, Danna Faulds says, "Just for now, without asking how, let yourself sink into stillness. Just for now, lay down the weight you so patiently bear upon your shoulders. Feel the earth receive you, and the infinite expanse of the sky grow even wider as your awareness reaches up to meet it.”

I love the line in the poem by Martha Postelwaite that says, “create a clearing in the dense forest of your life.” That is what we are doing each time we pause, or go on retreat, or meet in one of the weekly on-line or in person gatherings that TNI offers; we are creating a clearing in the dense forest of our lives.

But make no mistake. Taking refuge in the Buddhist path is not about escaping life’s challenges, but about finding a reliable path to navigate within them. We take refuge to calm ourselves and find our center so that we can then return to our families, our communities, and our workspaces. We can respond to the on-going challenges of our lives with greater equanimity, wisdom, and understanding, and with greater compassion for ourselves and for others.

The second concept that resonates deeply is Sangha. In our fast-paced world, a community of like-minded individuals helps us stay committed to our path. At TNI, we walk this journey together, breathing as one and supporting each other. Sangha provides strength and solace during challenging times.

Every time we support TNI – whether through our presence, our practice, or our donations – we're not just sustaining an organization. We're nurturing a refuge for countless seekers, strengthening a community of practitioners, and contributing to a more mindful, compassionate world. Your support ripples out, touching lives in ways we may never fully know.

In supporting TNI, we're not just finding refuge – we're creating it. We're not just joining a sangha – we're building a beacon of mindfulness and compassion in our troubled world.

I thank you all for being part of this vital mission.

May you all be well, happy, and peaceful.

With deep appreciation,

David Schouela

Co-founder of True North Insight

 

Planned Giving

1) Leave a gift in your will

A beautiful way to support True North Insight in the future is by remembering TNI in your estate plans. You can do this by simply including TNI as a beneficiary in your will.

Giving a gift from your estate will reduce your estate taxes. You can give as much or as little as you want and you can always change your mind. Just add a phrase about your intention using our legal name and Canadian charitable number: True North Insight Meditation, 863760401RR0001.

Types of gifts:

• A GENERAL GIFT allows for an outright gift of a specific dollar amount, asset or fixed percentage of one’s overall estate value.
• A RESIDUAL GIFT allows for the residue portion of assets to be donated after other specific wishes are taken care of.
• A CONTINGENCY GIFT allows for a portion of an estate to be gifted only after a change in circumstances occurs, whereby all other original named beneficiaries do not survive.

Sample wording for a general gift in your will:

“I give to True North Insight Meditation currently of 4137 Oxford Ave., Montreal, Quebec, H4A 2Y5, the sum of $______ (or the percentage of ______%) to be used at the discretion of the organization.”

Sample wording for a residual gift in your will:

“I give to True North Insight Meditation currently of 4137 Oxford Ave., Montreal, Quebec, H4A 2Y5, all (or ______%) of the residue of my estate, to be used at the discretion of the organization.”

Sample wording for a contingency gift in your will:

“If (indicate beneficiary name) does not survive me, then I give all the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to True North Insight Meditation currently of 4137 Oxford Ave., Montreal, Quebec, H4A 2Y5.”

2) Give your publicly traded securities

You can give a gift of stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other publicly traded securities. By donating publicly traded securities, you eliminate the capital gains tax that would be payable if you were to first sell the stock, and then donate the proceeds. You will also receive a tax receipt for the fair market value of the securities on the day they were received.

Please consult your broker or financial adviser to see if this is a good fit for you.

If you wish to give a gift of publicly traded securities to TNI, please contact us for more information: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

 

Monthly Giving

 

  • Monthly donation by direct withdrawal: Print a donation form and mail it in with a cheque marked "VOID".
  • On-line donation: Make a monthly on-line donation with Canada Helps, our secure online service. Canada Helps will provide you with a Canadian tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. We welcome your gift in whatever form you prefer.

 Spring garden

 

Annual and One-Time Giving

 

  • One-time donation: Make a one-time donation by printing a donation form and mailing it with your payment to True North Insight P.O. Box 55015 Fairmount Montréal, QC H2T3E2
  • On-line donation via Canada Helps: Make a one-time online donation to the General Fund or the Scholarship Fund with Canada Helps, our secure online service. Canada Helps will provide you with a Canadian tax receipt for the full amount of your donation. We welcome your gift in whatever form you prefer.
  • One-time donation via Interac e-Transfer: It is now possible to donate using Interac e-transfers through your online banking account. Please use the email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,  and be sure to include your name and contact info. 
  • On-line donation via PayPal: Make a one-time online donation with a credit card via PayPal:

 

Join the Circle of Generosity  

 

Donate to the Operating Fund 

  

Donate to our BIPOC Fund

 

Your Donation Matters

Your generosity makes a profound difference. 

➤➤ Your Impact at a Glance: Key Achievements and How You Can Help Us Grow

➤➤ Fiscal Year Report 2023-24  

You can support us in one of two ways:

1. Become a monthly donor:

    • By direct withdrawal: Print a donation form and mail it in with a cheque marked "VOID" to True North Insight, P.O. Box 73 STN Rosemont, Montréal, QC H1X 3B6
    • Online via Canada Helps, our secure online service, or PayPal.


2. Make a one-time donation:

    • By Interac e-transfer to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    • Online via Canada Helps, our secure online service, or via PayPal.
    • By cheque: Print out the donation form and mail it with your cheque to True North Insight, P.O. Box 73 STN Rosemont
      Montréal, QC H1X 3B6.

 

We hope you will join us today in supporting True North Insight with a monthly donation or one-time tax-deductible gift in the amount that moves your heart.

All donations to True North Insight of $5 and up will be sent a tax receipt. 

Gifts of all amounts are welcome and deeply appreciated. Thank you!