Hardwiring Happiness

Two of my favourite speakers/authors/meditators are part of this upcoming Hardwiring Happiness online Conference presented by en*theos ..

 

Dr Rick Hanson Ph.D., neuropsychologist, author ('Just One Thing' & 'Buddha Brain' are just two in my library), founder of the Wellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdom .. and

 

Sharon Salzberg cofounder of the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Barre, Massachusetts.  A teacher of vipassana (mindfulness) and metta (lovingkindness) practices, and author of one of my favourite books  'Loving Kindness'

 

The Conference is FREE and you can sign up here .. I am looking forward to hearing two of my favourites, and others ..

Sarah McLean, Sedona Meditation Training Company

A wonderful and inspiring evening with Sarah McLean at The Langham Hotel on Tuesday night .. so great to catch up with the extended meditation 'tribe' for this unique event, and to meet finally meet Sarah (some three years after we found each other online!).

Sarah is the Founder of the Sedona Meditation Training Company and a couple of months ago she let me know she was coming to Australia. This was her first trip here and when she expressed an interest in sharing her passion for meditation and holding a group meditation .. well that was an opportunity just too perfect. Thank you Melbourne meditators for join us in what was a brilliant turn out and truly inspiring gathering!

Sarah has a beautiful genuine openness and her passion for meditation sparkles in her eyes and words. She shared with us her experience living in a Zen buddhist community, her interest in Ayurveda and her time with Deepak Chopra .. and her 20-year daily meditation practice. Then as we settled into a quieter spaciousness, Sarah led us gently through a couple of meditations .. exploring our inner wisdom with a silence practice to unlock that quiet intuitive voice within by asking ourselves 'Who am I? What is my heart's desire? What is my purpose in life?' .. and moving into her foundation Everyday Meditation technique that includes breath awareness and silent mantra. The stillness and peacefulness that enveloped the room was .. heavenly!

You can listen or download some of Sarah's soothing guided meditations here and I recommend signing up for her beautifully written newsletter Inward Bound. Sarah is planning another trip to our shores, with a book in the pipeline and possibly some more group meditations .. stay tuned!

Yoga Nidra in the Gardens

What a simply gorgeous day of meditation we had today!

The Evolve Yoga and Wellness Festival provided a full day of delicious asana, pranayama and meditation set amongst the gardens, the sunshine, and magestic beauty of Abbotsford Convent.

I have it on pretty good sources (but it's not official) that there were 1000 tickets sold for the event .. which is brilliant .. and surely reflects the passion of Melbournians (and those who travelled further of course) towards the practices of yoga and meditation, and the chance to spend time with the 'tribe'.

I had planned to spend the entire day in the Peace Room ... attending a selection of half hour meditation workshops with a short break in between to stretch the legs and get some sunshine. There was definitely more interest than there was room however so I missed a couple of workshops .. but the one's I did attend were great (more tomorrow on those) and the bonus was the opportunity to catch up with a few friends, and enjoy some time with a girlfriend in the Bakery listening to some amazing jazz musicians and a lively crowd obviously enjoying a family day and some autumn sun.

One class I was really keen to attend was the Yoga Nidra (guided meditation) session after lunch .. but the crowds were so long (and the room way too small for the interest shown) so that I ended up taking some time to explore some of the courtyards around the convent (this is a photo of one we saw, setting up for a wedding tonight). My girlfriend and I wondered aloud why the organisers hadn't arranged for the Nidra class to be conducted outside .. since we were blessed with such wonderful weather, just the hint of a breeze, and a broad expanse of lush green grass area all to ourselves.

Then before we knew it someone had made an impromptu arrangement .. and Stephan Kahlert from Byron Yoga Centre was called away from his cappaccino to share the delights of Yoga Nidra with the large group who had missed getting into the inside event. How lucky were we!!! We had the sublime experience of meditation outside with nature and air and earth all around us .. the sun warm and relaxing, the grass soft and cool. A wonderful journey inward (with a side trip to a temple high in the snow covered mountains) was the most perfect way to end the day.

You just never know when the magical moments are going to meet you on the path .. and today's impromptu meditation on the grass in the sunshine was one of those very special 'in the moment' events. Thank you Stephan it was lovely to meet you and we all appreciated your wonderful meditation session.

Congratulations Byron Yoga Centre for a wonderful event. I hear it is scheduled again for next year!

Tomorrow .. a day of meditation

TOMORROW MARCH 27th

Abbotsford Convent Melbourne

Evolve Yoga & Wellness Festival

Peace Room offers a full day of Meditation and Pranayama

will I see you there?


Click here to view the full Evolve Program

Everyday Meditation with Sarah McLean (Melbourne)

Tuesday April 5

6:30 - 8.30pm

Everyday Meditation Class

at the Langham Hotel, Melbourne

Instruction for beginners with Sarah McLean

Only $25

Sarah McLean is the Founder of the Sedona Meditation Training Company and she will be in Melbourne next month for a very special Everyday Meditation Workshop at the Langham Hotel.

I have been an avid reader of Sarah’s newletter Inward Bound for a number of years, and some time ago I made contact with Sarah seeking permission to reprint one of her articles World Peace via Inner Peace ... this article really resonated with me and I was delighted to make a new friend across the other side of the world!

Along with a 20-year daily meditation practice, Sarah has also served as the founding education director of Deepak Chopra’s Center for Wellbeing, as director of Byron Katie’s international School for The Work, and assistant to Seat of the Soul author, Gary Zukav. Sarah has been teaching meditation and mind/body health programs since the early 90’s and her passion is demystifying meditation and making it accessible to everyone.

This is wonderful opportunity to meet Sarah and learn more about Primordial Sound Meditation a technique that includes breath awareness and silent mantra. You'll discover how easy it is to use this technique, one so effective and universal that you can use if for the rest of your life. There are no prerequisits for this class.

I will definitely be there ... JOIN US!

Read more about Everyday Meditation here

Book Online through Pay Pal or email me to register

Evolve Yoga & Wellness Festival

One for the diary .. all those lucky enough to be in Melbourne on March 27th!

The Evolve Yoga & Wellness Festival is being held in the heritage listed Abbotsford Convent. This inaugural event is described as 'an intimate, boutique event exploring a range of yoga styles and natural therapies'.

And not just yoga (for those of you thinking as I did that it will be all asana, asana, asana) .. THRILLED to find there is the Peace Room which has a full day of Meditation and Pranayama sessions (as well as wellness traders market, massage and discussions).

I have already got my ticket (which are ridiculously cheap if you get in early) .. so will I see you there?

Click here to view the full Evolve Program

FREE Goal Setting Workshop : Deanne Brennan

The inspirational and energetic Wellness Coach Deanne Brennan is at it again!

A FREE Goal Setting Workshop hosted by the lovely Lululemon Chapel Street store next Monday evening (27th September).

Having participated in Dee's workshops before (completing my own action plan .. and another time sharing a guided meditation with the group) .. this is a wonderful opportunity to action your dreams and aspirations .. and have a great time!

Deanne was a guest for our Focus On interview here .. and I attended her workshop at Uspa here ..

Contact Lululemon Chapel St to book in on +613 9510 0277

Goal Setting Workshop

HEALTH AND WELLNESS GOAL SETTING

Tips, Tools, & Loads of Fun!

Wednesday 31st March 2010
7:00pm to 8:45pm

Learn how to set health and wellness Goals For You
Gather Easy Ideas on how you can improve your health & wellness
Create your own Master Plan ready for action
Learn how to Stay Motivated, Be Inspired and stay on track
Practical Intro to a Tai Chi and Meditation Class!

Dee is a Health and Wellness Coach, she is best known for her compassion and enthusiasm. Her expertise is to shift mind-sets and to equip and empower people to produce results. To find out more click on the link http://www.deannebrennan.com/workshops/

Host: Uspa, 202 Bay St, Brighton Melbourne.

Sponsors: Uspa, Lululemon, Healed, Quiet Mind Meditation, Vision Personal Training

*Having experienced Dee's passion and energy for assisting others to reach their dreams .. this is a MUST workshop! I am also going to introduce everyone to the wonders of meditation*

A Revolution in Kindness

During recent cyber-travels I happened upon (one of those wonderful moments when worlds collide) the amazing Jono Fisher and Wake Up Sydney! Jono is see(d-ing) a new dream .. driven by the belief that world peace comes from inner peace, Wake Up Sydney is a platform to connect people .. "accelerating a more kind, creative and conscious world". Some of the guiding principles of Wake Up Sydney! that resonated with me ..

*Before the outer revolution, there must be an inner revolution. The real revolution is a revolution of the heart.
* Allegiance to the Power of Presence. The heart of our work lies in cultivating an awareness of the present moment. Stillness. Being here. Now.
* Reverence for the Interconnection of Life.

Plus .. I loved the Kindness Card Campaign and immediately requested a pack and signed up to participate.

"Kindness is our planet's greatest need - towards ourselves, the natural world and each other. It is about the realization that we are all connected as one human family."

And this week I received my beautifully designed kindness cards.. so I am now set to begin the 'game' of sharing anonymous acts of kindness .. like maybe .. baking a cake and leaving it at work, paying for someones coffee at a cafe, dropping a movie voucher in my neighbours letterbox, arranging for a free yoga class for a friend or leaving groceries on someones doorstep ..
AND leaving a kindness card which 'tags' the person and offers them the chance to 'pay it forward' with another act of kindness .. thus keeping the ripple of kindness going.


Will you find one of my cards? .. go visit Wake Up Sydney! (yes, even if you don't live in Sydney)

"the world can only change from within" Eckhart Tolle

Meditation TRIBE

This month of new beginnings (Spring!) a new addition to the Quiet Mind blog-space. From all those lovely friends who send me their links and their happenings I will try to list reguarly what is happening around the meditation community of Melbourne (see Meditation TRIBE in the right hand listings).

For those who speak to us .. nourish us .. and invite us to look within ..

ThaiYogaMassage : Practitioner Training

In support of all those wonderful people involved in touch .. and yoga .. and alternative health practices .. our community our tribe .. I wanted to let you know about a wonderful ThaiYogaMassage course being held in the gorgeous Yarra Valley ..

A 5-day intensive in the beautiful Yarra Valley to learn, practice and receive a complete 90-minute Thai Yoga Massage; combining assisted yoga postures, massage, acupressure, energy work and meditation. Ideal for yoga teachers, health & massage therapists, and anyone interested in sharing the power of touch.

Dates: Sep 30-Oct 4 ~ 9:00am- 4:30pm
Cost: $660
Facilitator: Heather Agnew, Yoga Trinity www.yogatrinity.com

Location: Yoga Art Play, @ Redhouse Warburton,
3488 Warburton Hwy, Warburton (Yarra Valley, just 75 min from CBD)

Details & registration contact:
Kylie Martin 0418 686 426
kylie@yogaartplay.com.au email for a printable PDF

Thai Yoga Massage is practiced as a duet. Counterbalancing and levering the recipient's body with their own, the practitioner works with gravity, breath, and directed touch to create a harmonious and therapeutic "dance" with the recipient that imparts physical vibrancy, grace, and spiritual energy. The practitioner guides the recipient through a series of yoga postures while palming and thumbing along the body's energy lines and pressure points. Together these actions result in a treatment that relieves muscular tension, increases flexiblilty, improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and balances the body energetically.

Meditation TRIBE

Those who speak to us .. nourish us .. invite us to look within .. here are some current Meditation (& community) gatherings happening in Melbourne .. both special events and regular on-going events listed below:

SPECIAL EVENTS:

2010 Evolve Yoga & Wellness Festival

Sunday March 27, 9am - 5pm
Abbotsford Convent

An intimate, boutique event exploring a range of yoga styles and natural therapies. Nourish your body, mind and soul on this day packed with events and activities including: *Free yoga classes with Australia’s leading yoga teachers, *Meditation sessions to settle the soul, *Breathing and Pranayama sessions, *Inspiring talks on health and wellbeing, *Massage & voice workshops, *Wellness Commune exhibitor stall market. View Program here . Early bird tickets, costing $20 currently available, tickets on the day will be $28.

2010 Australian Meditation Conference

Saturday October 8, 8am - 6pm
RMIT’s Storey Hall

The Conference brings together some of Australia's leading meditation teachers, meditation researchers and performing artists in the field of contemplative/intuitive music. The 2011 Conference also includes a Sunday Workshop. Presenters include Lorin Roche (USA), meditation teacher, researcher and author of Meditation Made Easy, and The Radiance Sutras; Camille Maurine (USA), co-author of Meditation Secrets for Women and Meditation 24/7; Lama Marut (USA), Professor Emeritus of Comparative Religion at the University of California; as well as conference favourites Petrea King and Philip Stevens.View Presenters here. More details and to book tickets here. Further details visit www.australianmeditationconference.com.au

REGULAR EVENTS:

Simply Silence (Elwood)
2nd & 4th Monday of every month @ 7.30-8.30pmA guided meditation practice group which provides opportunities for meditators to come together to meditate and socialise in a friendly and comfortable environment. The group has adopted a non-religious, non-denominational approach, and welcomes meditators and meditation teachers from all backgrounds and traditions to share their expertise. Cost: by donation (suggested $10) http://www.simplysilence.org/

The Yoga of Chant (Balaclava)
1st & 3rd Saturday of every month @ 6pm-7.30pm
Traditional chanting & meditation from the Yogic & Buddhist traditions in a relaxed non-traditional setting. Balaclava. Visit http://www.yogaofchant.net/ Cost: by donation

Warburton Harmony Festival

Warburton Harmony Festival : I have just received a flyer for this years festival and for anyone interested in meditation there are some great treats in store .. the festival highlight 'Inner Harmony Seminar' will be presented by Dr Ian Gawler, Dr Craig Hassed and Paul Bedson. This panel of esteemed meditation teachers will discuss developing inner harmony in daily life.

And if you love beautiful, sacred, inspiring world music then you will love the appearance of Sacred Earth (one of my favourites) who are also playing a closing day concert with Tashi Lhunpo Monks and other festival performers in the Dream Seeding Concert.

Will I see you in the crowd?

Peace Music Satsung

Simply Silence Elwood : Monday 12th May 2008

Jarek Czechowicz joined Simply Silence recently to lead our meditation and present his Peace Music Satsang. The word satsang, is from the ancient Sanskrit language, and means 'meeting in truth'. Jarek has produced a number of CDs and offers an inspiring blend of original modern chants, guided meditation, intuitive music and blissful silence. He led us in a very inspiring and uplifting mantra session Sat Chid Ananda.

Chanting, music, singing, mantra... all can affect us deeply as they have the ability to reach the mind, the physical body and the heart. When a group of strangers find themselves in a room and are asked to chant or recite a mantra – this can often be a very confronting experience. But when we allow ourselves to 'let go' and find our 'voice' it is a truly amazingly experience to be part of ... lead by Jarek and his gentle and confident style, the room slowly began to lose their inhibitions and find their way... the result was quite moving and lovely to hear.

It has been shown that when people hum, their busy hyperactive mind let's go of thoughts. The act of singing (and the deep breathing that is part of singing) encourages us to open our throats, properly use our diaphragm and breathe deeply. Chanting slows down brain activity, suspends for a moment our thinking, and eases our breathing. This produces positive effects on the brain and the nervous system… inducing a relaxed, elevated and meditative state of mind.

Jarek can be found at http://www.jarekc.com/ and hopefully we shall see him at Simply Silence again this year. He is currently on his way up to Sydney (24th and 25th May) and Byron Bay (27th May) and you can see his flyer at http://www.jarekc.com/Chanting-Satsang.pdf.