In This Issue...

• New Course Venues
• Upcoming Courses
• Online Lessons
• Intermediate Course
• Mindfullness Tips
• The Five Minute Meditator
• Your chance to win

New Course Venues

We've just finished our first term of courses at The Living Room, a beautifully appointed centre situated on the third floor of the GPO Building on Bourke St Mall in the City. Demand for meditation courses there has been high so they're considering opening courses to non-members. So if you work in the city and are looking for a course that's ultra convenient for after work, this might be the one.

Alternatively, if you're looking for a class on the north side of town you'll find courses offerred by Paul Majewski of Meditation Solutions just the ticket. Like myself, Paul studied with Eric Harrison at the Perth Meditation Centre and teaches meditation in a simple, practical style, free of the mysticism and dogma which can sometimes cloud meditation instruction.

Check the schedule for full details for all these courses and remember, students who have already participated in a Basic Course and wish to repeat may do so for $30 off the normal price.

Upcoming Courses

Term 4 - 2005

September 4: 4 Week Course at Glen Waverley (Sundays 7 - 8:30pm)
September 5: 7 Week Course at Clifton Hill (Mondays 7 - 8:30pm)
September 7: 7 Week Course at Elwood (Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:45pm)
September 8: 4 Week Course at Melbourne CBD (Thursdays 5:45 - 7.00pm
September 8: 7 Week Course at Port Melbourne (Thursdays 8 - 9:30pm)

Term 5 - 2005

October 20: 4 Week Course at Melbourne CBD (Thursdays 5:45 - 7:00pm)
November 6: 4 Week Course at Glen Waverley (Sundays 7 - 8:30pm)
November 7: 4 Week Course at Clifton Hill (Mondays 7 - 8:30pm)
November 9: 4 Week Course at Elwood (Wednesdays 8:15 - 9:45pm)
November 10: 4 Week Course at Port Melbourne (Thursdays 8 - 9:30pm)

Online Lessons

You can now access detailed notes from the basic course online and the further study section of the website also contains guided meditations you can do at your desk and a growing section of new tips for integrating meditation more easily into your day.

Intermediate Courses

Those wishing to deepen their meditation practice, particularly with respect to learning how to view emotions, stress, pain and discomfort with increased ease will be interested in the intermediate course, which will commence in 2006. Learning to meditate at this level is also a very useful practice for maintaining good health, preventing illness and developing a deeper understanding of how your mind works and how it can be encouraged to work more effectively.

Mindfullness Tips

One of the most effective ways to enrich your life is to practice mindfullness - which simply means to pay attention to the world around you. Just a few seconds here and there can change the quality of your day significantly.

In order to remember to be mindfull you can create 'triggers' that tell your brain to notice things. Triggers are just things that you normally see each day, but don't pay much attention to. A trigger could be a colour, a word, something you touch, hear or smell. For example, over the next two or three days choose to notice the colour orange. Each day, note the first time you see something orange. When you do, simply say to yourself, "I am mindfull". This will help program your subconscious to pay more attention. Gradually your mental habits will shift away from compulsive thinking and towards sensing and feeling in the present. This might seem like a subtle shift in perspective but the results can be quite miraculous.

Stay tuned for more mindfullness tips - quick and simple ways to stay alert to the wonder around you. And Coming Soon - a one month minfullness course delivered to you (should you choose to subscribe) via email every three days. Nothing long or involved, just quick and easy tips that are fun to implement and surprisingly effective.

The Five Minute Meditator

The ideal introduction to meditation, Eric Harrison's new book is beautifully presented and written. It contains colourful illustrations, photographs and diagrams, and 42 exercises to help you calm your body and mind in short bursts throughout the day. You'll be surprised at how easy this book makes practicing meditation. Even experienced meditators will be delighted at the effectiveness of these techniques. Available online for $25 plus postage.

Winning Feedback

This being our first email newsletter, we're keen to find out what you thought of it, if you liked the format and how it could be improved. For your chance to win a copy of The Five Minute Meditator jot down a few comments on how useful you found this newsletter and email to matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au The most useful response will win a copy of Eric's new book.

That's all for this issue - thanks for reading! I'll see you next time.

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