Dear [First Name],

First of all, apologies to everyone who hasn't been regularly receiving the newsletter. I've just learnt that my Internet Service Provider prevents anyone from sending more than 100 emails per hour. It seems I exceeded their limit. I'm looking at upgrading my newsletter service for next month - included will be an opportunity to view current and archived issues of the newsletter online.

Also, a warm welcome to all the new subscribers. Please feel free to email me with your comments and questions about meditation (or the newsletter).

In This Issue...

• Meditation Tip
• Special Events
• Inquiring Minds Workshops
• Website of the Month

Meditation Tip

I've noticed something strange going on. People often tell me how much they enjoy meditation. They also explain how they've become calmer, or overcome an illness, or found themselves sleeping better.

Despite successes such as these they still feel that they don't have the time or discipline to meditate, or that they aren't meditating enough.

When questioned they'll explain the various ways in which they meditate - perhaps on the way to work, by tuning into the breath periodically throughout the day, while walking, jogging or swimming, or while brushing their teeth or eating a meal. They have the idea, however, that meditating in these ways is somehow inferior. It's as though they believe that meditation doesn't count unless they are sitting perfectly still for 20 minutes or more.

In this way, it's possible to consider yourself incapable of meditation even as you do it.

This week, pay attention to your attitudes and beliefs about how effectively you are meditating. Instead of berating yourself for not meditating enough - congratulate yourself each time you remember to take a conscious breath, or stop and take stock of your thoughts, or shift deliberately into the sensory world. Each time you take these little actions you subtly alter the way you relate to yourself and the world. You are gradually developing new, healthier habits.

Meditating for 20 minutes or more can be delightfully restful and refreshing, but in some ways it only offers temporary relief. By creatively integrating the principles of meditation into your day, you actually learn to be more continuously calm and aware.

Special Events

Many of you have been asking about places to go where you can meditate in a group environment on a casual basis. I've previously mentioned Simply Silence (which runs on the first and third Thursday of every month) and Peace Music, which are both well worth getting along to. You may also like to join the Melbourne Meditation Meetup Group run by Adam Teeuwsen.

The next Simply Silence meeting will be held on Thursday 6 July in North Melbourne. If you wish to receive a reminder a few days before each session you can subscribe to the Simply Silence Newsletter.

The next Peace Music Event will be held in Port Melbourne on Saturday July 15.

Inquiring Minds Workshops

As a means of relaxing and learning about how the mind works meditation has stood the test of time - and much recent medical and psychological research confirms what meditators have known for thousands of years. Science however, has made some interesting discoveries over recent decades - and understanding these findings can help you to make more informed decisions about how you go about life.

If you're interested in exploring topics such as:

• decision making methodologies and the paradox of choice
• the influence of contemporary culture; including materialism, consumerism, advertising, television and community changes
• the strengths and weaknesses of new age, eastern and western approaches
• modern social movements such as downshifting, voluntary simplicity and study circles

you may like to check out "Happiness: An Inquiry", a forthcoming workshop run by Inquiring Minds.

For more information visit: www.inquiringminds.com.au

Further Explorations

There's much more to meditation that can be covered in a six week course, so part of the purpose of this newsletter it to invite you to explore further. You can become more skilled as a meditator by reading widely and attending a variety of meditation classes and groups. The link below is to a comprehensive discussion of Vipassana or "Insight" meditation. It's written in a clear, entertaining style and should serve to deepen your understanding of this simple, practical technique.

• Mindfulness In Plain English

Know someone who could chill out?

Do you have friends who are perpetually stressed or anxious, have trouble sleeping or could just do with learning how to relax? Do them a favour and forward this email to them. (Or if this is you, subscribe here.)