January 22nd, 2006
Issue 1
relaxation... clarity of mind... better health... self awareness...
Dear [First Name],
Happy New Year. I hope you have a productive and fulfilling 2006. Plans for the year at Melbourne Meditation Centre include our first intermediate and teacher training courses, a series of meditation CD's and the development of a range of online courses. Above all, we hope that the courses, website, newsletter and related services help to create some degree of health and happiness in the lives of all who use them.

In This Issue...

Meditation Tip

In order to be able to meditate well you need to develop the ability to willingly experience tension. Tension, of course, is a part of life - and will frequently also be a part of meditation. If you get tense whenever you are experiencing tension - then you won't experience much but tension. Rather than blocking it out, your job is to feel into the sensations - to relax in to the tension.

The tension you feel, whether phsyical or emotional, is not just background noise - it's information about the way you are responding to the present moment - to your environment and to your thoughts. It may not be pleasant - but it's much wiser to pull a splinter out (which may hurt), than it is to leave it to fester...

Meditation on the go

It's quite easy to forget that we have countless opportunities to meditate each day. Switching into sensing mode for just 5 or 10 seconds at a time can be beneficial. To keep this habit interesting it pays to try out new ideas from time to time. Select one of these one minute meditations to try out over the next few days.

New Courses for 2006

The first term for this year begins late in January. Term 2 will begin in April and will include an Intermediate Course at Clifton Hill.

Term 1 - 2006

January 29: 4 Week Course at Glen Waverley (Sundays 7.00 - 8.30pm)
January 30: 6 Week Course at Clifton Hill (Mondays 7.00 - 8.30pm)
February 1: 6 Week Course at Elwood (Wednesdays 8.15 - 9.45pm)
February 2: 4 Week Course at Melbourne CBD (Thursdays 5:45 - 7.00pm)
February 2: 6 Week Course at Port Melbourne (Thursdays 8.00 - 9.30pm )

Website of the Month

ChangingMinds.org (www.changingminds.org)

An enormous and fascinating site presenting concise information on aspects of human interaction and behaviour. I like to dip into this one now and then to pick up some useful tips on how to understand myself and others in greater depth.

A Taste of MeditationGuided Meditation CD

Many of you have requested a guided CD narrated by myself. The good news is that "A Taste of Meditation - Techniques for Relaxing the Body and Calming the Mind" is currently at the manufacturers and will be available shortly. To find out more or to pre-order a copy for the special prince of $20.00 (RRP $28.00) visit www.melbournemeditationcentre.com.au
Offer available during January only.

Kind Regards and Happy Meditating,
Matt.
Matthew Young - Director
p. 03 9531 1607
e. matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au
w. www.melbournemeditationcentre.com.au
Melbourne Meditation Centre
PO Box 1174
Elwood, VIC 3184
AUSTRALIA

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