Meditate08 : Conference Workshops

Well my intentions were good.. but alas do you believe it is now July? where did the first half of 2008 go exactly? .. I had all these lofty ambitious plans for sharing recent experiences.. wanted to share some more of the amazing information from the Meditate08 Conference.. but time (and life) has once again forced its own agenda. I did find some time last weekend however to set up a new folder for my meditation library... and in my new bright green folder titled 'Meditate08 and Friends' I have filed away all the brochures, CDs and conference material for future reference. There is such a wealth of knowledge and inspiration in that folder.. and I know I will be dipping in, refreshing my own inspiration, sharing with others and adding to that folder... but right now it sits on my desk and reminds me of how lucky I am to be here.. right now.. walking this path.. being inspired and finding joy in just what fantastic opportunities we have all around us... we just need to stop, for a moment, and watch!


MEDITATE08 : CONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

Dr Craig Hassed : Dr Hassad’s Workshop was titled ‘Managing Stress Mindfully’ and he talked about evidence increasingly pointing to mindfulness having clinical applications for conditions as diverse as the management of anxiety, depression, chronic pain and for eating disorders. The workshop demonstrated mindfulness techniques as taught to undergraduates at Monash University and in postgraduate courses through Monash and RACGP and explored ways in which they can be incorporated into daily life.

Eric Harrison : presented a workshop on 'How to be Fully Conscious' showing how easy it is to retain that relaxed and calm quality found from a long meditation through out a busy day. He presented a number of short meditations that can be used to relax quickly and become fully conscious even while walking or doing simply activities. I shall explore more of these ‘spot meditations’ over this month of July.

Janet Lowndes : Janet’s workshop 'Meditate to Relate : Going Inward to Build Healthy Relationships', looked at how the process of inner reflection can enhance outer relationships, beginning with the core relationship with Self – from which all relationships grown. Could meditation be relationship therapy for the spirit?

Paul Bedson : Paul demonstrated how meditation can be used to accept and integrate difficult emotions and thereby transform them into personal strengths and spiritual values.

Graham Williams : Graham looked at no matter how happy our lives we all lose the plot from time to time. This workshop focused on practical techniques easily learnt and which help us accept and ride emotional ups and downs with confidence.

Ma Devi : conducted a workshop 'How to Do Self-Inquiry'. Ma Devi is the immediate past-President of the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia. With Swami Shankarananda she is the co-director of the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga in Melbourne. Ma Devi gave a practical application of Swami Shankarananda’s talk on Self-Inquiry.. exploring the relationship between thought and feeling, tension and stress, learning practical meditative techniques that free blocked energy.

David Jones & Carmen Warrington :In their workshop, David and Carmen discussed simple, practical steps for enhancing your meditation, taking participants on a beautiful guided meditation and concluding with a ‘soundbath meditation’ using their gorgeous collection of Tibetan, Japanese and crystal singing bowls.

Michael Johnson : Michael’s workshop used music of his harp and its relaxing and soothing tones to lead you into a tranquil and meditative state of mind. After the meditation he finished with a meditative concert, performing some of the pieces inspired by the beautiful natural settings where he has been resident composer.

An inspiring weekend...

"Every day you may make progress.

Every step may be fruitful.

Yet there will stretch out before you an ever- lengthening,

ever- ascending, ever- improving path.

You know you will never get to the end of the journey.

But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb."

~ Sir Winston Churchill

Amazing .. Inspiring .. Sharing .. Laughing .. Indulging .. Peaceful .. Informative .. Imaginative ..

This was Meditate08!

I feel that I was truly blessed last weekend. Being able to step aside from the usual weekend activities, taxi duties and associated domestic tasks .. just step away and move into wonderful new places, meet new people, share and hear new ideas. and some time for quiet, reflective meditation.

I feel like it is going to take me weeks to process all the information, research and inspiration that I crossed paths with over this last weekend. I tried to take it all in and appreciate the wonder of being amongst such a well known and congeniel and embracing meditative community... traditional, Eastern, modern, scientific, funny, musical, soulful ... so much great food for the meditative appetite!

Firstly on Saturday I attended a workshop with Eric Harrison. Eric is the founder of the Perth Meditation Centre and doesn’t come across to this side of Australia very often; so it was such a gift for the 45+ people who got together early Saturday morning for a full day of spot meditations, discussions on integrating meditation into daily life (however busy) and sharing our thoughts and experiences with others. A windy and blowing day outside but inside serene and peaceful. I have two of Eric's books in my meditation library and it was great to find that Eric style on Saturday was very much to same as you 'hear' in his books or CD's ... he is very down to earth, clear and insightful.

Then on Sunday the journey continued with what has to be celebrated as a highly successful Inaugural Meditate08 Conference. And Melbourne really supported the day despite the cold blustery conditions outside, and the Melbourne marathon running into the city centre.. there seemed liked hundreds of people attending the nine free workshops that ran across the day.

For those of you who were unable to attend this first time event ... without a doubt I would definitely suggest that you sign up for next year!

There is so much to share ... but to start the journey with you I thought I would list the day’s Conference Program, and over the coming weekend (as I seek to filter through my show-bag of goodies, books, CDs, pamphlets and notes) I shall detail more from this amazing day. I have tried to attach links to each of the speakers below... I would encourage you to do your own research in the area's that catch your attention…

Kevin Hume – Director of the Sydney Meditation Centre and media veteran : an amazing, funny, and wonderful Master of Ceremonies who made the whole event flow with amazing calm. If you live in Sydney I would definitely suggest you contact Kevin or at least check out his website.

Introduction of the Australian Teachers of Meditation Association [ATMA]: presented by Craig Hassed, Pauline McKinnon and Ian Gawler. This is a proposed new umbrella body formed to represent the needs and interests of practitioners and community members alike who are engaged in teaching or learning meditation, whether it be for therapeutic purposes, self-development or as a spiritual practice.

Professor Marc Cohen : Foundation Professor Complementary Medicine at RMIT University who spoke on Meditation and the Evolution of Consciousness.

Dr Craig Hassed : General Practitioner and Senior Lecturer at the Monash University Department of General Practice and author of Know Thyself, who spoke about Meditation as a Way to Happiness.

Eric Harrison : Director of the Perth Meditation Centre and author of The Art of Awareness, who spoke on Tranquility or Awareness?

Dr Ian Gawler : Founder and Therapeutic Director of The Gawler Foundation and author of Peace of Mind, spoke on Dr Ainslie Meares : Pioneer of Stillness.

Swami Shankarananda : Is Director of the Shiva School of meditation and Yoga and author of Happy For No Good Reason, and spoke about Self-Enquiry : Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life.

Swami Samnyasanand : Neurophysiologist and Yoga Teacher. Philip Stevens (Swami Samnyasanand) is also the Director of the Padma Centre in Beaumaris, and has a BSc (Psych, Physiol); (BSc (hons) (Physiol); MWSCY; FWSCY. Swami Samnyasanand spoke on The Neurophysiology of Meditation.

Janet Lowndes : Psychologist and Yoga Teacher, spoke about The Embodied Meditation of Hatha Yoga and had the large audience up on their feet in tree pose to bring us all back into body awareness.

Paul Bedson : Counsellor, Natural Therapist and Meditation Instructor at The Gawler Foundation who spoke on Meditation and Emotional Alchemy.

Pauline McKinnon : One of Melbourne’s best known Meditation Teachers (Stillness Meditation), Family Therapist and author of In Stillness Conquer Fear, talked about her own experience with fear and anxiety, and writing her book. Her talk was titled Meditation : Calming an Anxious Mind.

Graham Williams : Director of the Lifeflow Meditation Centre (Adelaide) and author of Insight and Love spoke on After Happiness Then What? Why Positive and Negative Emotions Need Each Other.

Namaste...

Exciting new first ~ Meditate08

I am really excited about the upcoming Meditate08 Conference.

From the moment I first heard about the concept and then seeing the program unfold I have been eagerly following the details! The meditation community in Melbourne is no doubt fairly diverse, and the community of meditation teachers seems quite small (but then quality over quantity, right?).

So the brilliant idea of bringing us all together, including some of the great teachers and great thinkers in the field of mind/body medicine is fantastic! Now the months have raced by and this unique first time meditation focused event is almost upon us.

When and Where? : The inaugural Australian Meditation Conference & Expo is being held at the Melbourne Museum on Sunday June 22, and will bring together (for the first time) many of Australia's leading meditation teachers... names such as Dr Ian Gawler, Eric Harrison, Pauline McKinnon and Swami Shankarananda. Also on the ticket will be some of Australia's finest performing artists in the field of contemplative/ intuitive music... Garth Stone and Jarek Czechowicz being two performers who have kindly presented at previous Simply Silence meetings.

The program is going to keep us all busy too.. with keynote addresses (there are 10), workshops (17 on the program) and four musical performances... plus a series of free public workshops are also on offer with a diverse and inspiring selection of themes, and a hall of exhibitors as well.

Sounds like a cool way to spend a winter Sunday and how special to have all these amazingly talented people sharing their meditation journey.

I have been advised that tickets are getting close to completely sold out ... so if you want to be inspired, informed or entertained (or just experience being part of such an amazing meditation community) then go to http://www.meditate08.com.au/ .. I might see you there!