Insight Meditation: Ways of Taking in the World.
Springbrook, Wednesday 22 to Wednesday 29 May 2019
In this retreat you’ll have the opportunity to experiment with different approaches to meditation. You’ll have the freedom to use an approach you’re familiar with or try something new. Approaches will include ways of settling the discursive mind, embodied awareness, energy body and metta practices, and meditations that help us notice the way we take in the world.

We  will follow the common silent Insight Meditation format of periods of sitting, walking, movement/yoga practice, dharma talks, small groups and interviews. The retreat is suitable for both new and experienced meditators. More experienced meditators have the option of a largely solitary retreat with little teacher contact while having the support of a retreat environment.

The retreat is at the Theosophical Society Retreat Centre in Springbrook. There’s good walks in the area and everyone gets a room to themselves.

Full details: http://www.dharma.org.au/Springbrook-flyer-19.pdf
and registration form: http://www.dharma.org.au/Springbrook-19-reg.pdf

Fourth Monday of the Month
One Day Silent Retreat for
Experienced Practitioners

Time: 9:15am to 3:30pm
Place: Bodhi Chan Meditation Centre, 223 Dennis Rd,
Springwood, QLD

An opportunity for group practice (no instruction). Any mode of silent meditation may be practiced. Participants are welcome to come for the morning only (leaving at lunch time) or stay for the full day.

Guidelines: Silence observed, no electronic communications from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. No drinks during sitting meditation. Bells will mark the beginning and ending of each sitting and walking period.

TO BRING:
(1) Your sitting gear if you wish (chairs, cushions and kneeling benches will be available)

(2) Your lunch

(3) Donation ($30 suggested)

For more information, contact
Arno 0429 600 308 (arno_diana@bigpond.com) or
Lynn 0421 513 733

The Buddha offered a set of truths for daily contemplation that are relevant and striking even today. We’ll delve into the 5 Recollections, and engage with how we can use these reminders to help us awaken from the limitations, stress, and unease that too often occupy us in daily life. Please join us to practice the dharma, meet with community, and reflect on these profound truths, as well as others that will arise from the group discussion

In the past Victor has given talks about one’s carbon footprint or legacy. He’s also focussed on our sense of entitlement and how that is dependent. These two sessions will touch briefly on those issues but cover much broader ground. The sessions will start by looking at statements from senior Insight Meditation teachers in England who took part in civil disobedience actions to call for a more urgent response to climate change and to the loss of species. We’ll look at their varied thoughts and motivations; at other responses to the climate crisis, at the sense of resignation, and at how dharma teachings might guide us.

Download Victor’s talk here.

Traditionally, we cultivate loving kindness by wishing ourselves well, building up our confidence in our good heart and then radiating that outwardly to others.

But many of us find this difficult. Perhaps finding it easier to give kindness towards others than practising self-kindness.

So tonight we’ll explore ‘sneaky’ loving kindness, remembering the kindness and gratitude we naturally feel in our hearts towards others, then ‘sneaking’ ourselves in there, so that we too are included in that circle of love, compassion and well-wishes.