Dates for Tortoise Mountain gathering for the
remainder of this
year are:
August 30th
September 27th
October 25th
November 29th
December 13th - will be at the Grail
Kalyānamitta (KM) Group
The Tortoise Mountain ‘Kalyānamitta’ (spiritual friend) Group meets once a month.
The nights begin with a 45 minute meditation followed by an opportunity for members to share their individual experiences with the dharma in an open space – speaking into the silence. To ensure that we nurture mindful speaking, the speaker holds a talking stick while they are sharing. The intention is that the space remain open allowing members to feel free to follow a line of enquiry or to share anything that comes up for them in relation to the dharma.
The facilitator role for this group rotates through those attending.
The group meets at the Grail and donations for the venue are welcome. A box will be provided at the meetings for these donations which will go towards a ‘kitty’ to cover ongoing cost. Our intention is to provide the opportunity for everyone on an ongoing basis rather than having those attending on a given night having to split the cost.
The Tortoise Mountain kalyānamitta (KM) meeting dates for the remainder of this year are:
09 August
13 September
11 October
November (TBA)
13 December - Tortoise Mountain gathering
In the KM group, Meditation begins at 7 and we finish sharing promptly at 9.
Location: The Grail,
22 McHatton St,
North Sydney.
MINDFUL INQUIRY DAYS
We hold full-day Mindfulness Days once a
month on a Sunday. This group is a development from what was
Sydney's first Insight Dialogue group. However, it morphed
some years back into what we call "Mindful Inquiries,"
where the objective is to develop mindfulness while in conversation, a crucial
skill for lay practitioners.
We meet at (the Grail) 22 McHatton St, North Sydney (round
the back) and start at 10:00 sharp, and finishing at 4:00. Come
about 9:40 and settle in with a cup of tea.
Admin fee: $10 and Dana (generosity practice or donation) is
welcomed.
NOTE: If possible bring a packed lunch. We practice the
Buddhist practice of 'noble silence' during the day, and the
grounds of the Grail are very pleasant for sitting on the grass,
mindfully eating your lunch.
This is the development of meditation practice in and through
mindful inter-human attention. The basis for mindfulness
training in the workshops will be the FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF
MINDFULNESS applied to BODY, SPEECH and MIND in interaction.
People who practice Gregory Kramer's (Insight Dialogue)
mindfulness guidelines are welcome to practice those on the day.
The last meeting for 2009 is on
November 29th - Interpersonal approach to Right Samadhi.
Mindful Inquiry Days for the remainder of 2010:
August 1
August 22
September 26
October 31
November 28
OPENNESS MIND PROCESS
Buddhist Contemplations Using Voice Dialogue
I facilitate 'Openness Mind' contemplations, which have so
far been very beneficial to seekers. I initially drew my
inspiration from hearing about Genpo Roshi's 'Big Mind' process.
(See www.bigmind.org).
However, in 2010, in keeping with a quieter
year for me, I'll only conducting one of these events - September 12, 2010.
I keep the groups small so that I can give personalised
attention to each participant. Preferably participants should
have a regular sitting practice, but this is not essential,
because for people of reasonably stable emotional health, the
day can introduce the essential nature of meditation very
effectively.
If small groups want to organise themselves and invite me to
lead a process, I'll be happy to do that. Please contact me.
There is no cost, unless there's a venue cost; but the
traditional opportunity is there for generosity practice; that
is, there will be a DANA box available.
NOTE: This is not psychotherapy, even though it uses Hal and
Sidra Stone's Voice Dialogue. It is a serious and powerful
application of Buddhist Psychology, in particular of the
teaching of interdependent co-arising (paticcasamuppada). Be
prepared to enter the unknown, to inquire into the human
condition, and to be mindful of your actual body and feelings.
It's an opportunity to investigate what some call the non-dual
dharma.
Also note
that this
is
not the same as Roshi's Big Mind process, and I am not
trained in his methods. I use Voice Dilaogue but with the
teachings of early Buddhist canon, the Pali Dharma, instead of
Zen.
The next Openness Mind Process
will be held on September 12. Contact me to let me know you're coming,
for details of the venue, times and so on. I need to know how
many people are coming. It's likely that the workshop will be in
Balmain at our new office.
Radiant Mind Study Group
This group is closed at this stage, but it's
worth mentioning -- firstly, because some similar group will
arise next year, no doubt. Members of the group will either
continue to study Peter Fenner's teachings on Radiant
Mind; or, we'll choose another book that is good on
wedding non-dual teachings and the personal life. Secondly,
there's a chance that Peter Fenner will again give us a workshop
in December. I'm working on that, right now. If that occurs,
we'll give an open invitation to members of the public to join
us in the two-day event. Keep a watch on this space, if you are
interested in this.
FOCUSING
I am a Focusing Trainer. This is the
work originated by Eugene T. Gendlin. I was trained by Ann
Weiser Cornell. Call me to find out about my two-day workshops.
See (www.focusing-sydney.net).
Call 0421 346
919 or 4787 5662 for details. Cost for a two-day Focusing
workshop is $300.
THE NEXT
SYDNEY FOCUSING LEVEL 1 WORKSHOP
The next level 1 workshop will be in early 2011.
See
focusing workshop page.
Sydney Focusing workshops:
July 10/11 - Level Two Focusing;
September 4/5 - Level Three
Focusing;
December 4/5 - Focusing for Meditators.
Special workshops: Let Your Body Interpret
Your Dreams - A
Focusing Dreamwork Workshop - there'll be another dream workshop before the
end of 2010.
Private tuition is also available.
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