Dear [First Name],
Have you meditated today? Are you planning to? Why? Why not? Some things in life just happen. Meditation is not one of them. You don't need to make time to meditate - but you do need to 'make' the intention. There are opportunities at every corner. Waiting for your PC to fire up in the morning? Walking somewhere? Drinking coffee? Getting a massage? These are all times where you can slip into meditation. If you find yourself 'forgetting' to meditate it might be because you're not sure why you might need or want to. See this month's tip for more on this topic.

In This Issue...

• Meditation Tip
• Online Course
• Course Schedule
• Special Events - The Meditator's Dinner
• CD Sale

Meditation Tip

I don't talk about the benefits of meditation much, partly because I assume that everyone has heard about them. I take it for granted that anyone who enrolls in a meditation course knows why meditation is useful.

This, however, may be something of an oversight. Understanding how meditation can (and does) benefit you serves a useful purpose. If we can clearly see how meditation helps us to live healthier and more balanced lives we'll be much more likely to practice persistently. A clear appreciation for the value of something keeps us motivated.

The benefits to some are obvious. If meditation helps you to over some insomnia or anxiety or lowers your blood pressure then you know, without doubt, that it's a worthwhile skill. Your motivation to continue learning and practicing meditation will be high.

If your needs are less obvious the benefits might be harder to see. Do you know why you meditate? What are you hoping to achieve and what do you achieve? Take some time this week to reflect on how meditation works for you. Don't meditate at all for a few days, then notice how the quality of your experience changes when you do meditate. This will be a very personal experience, but you might like to use the following list of reasons why people meditate as a springboard for your own consideration.

People meditate:

• because they need time out from the demands of work and family
• because they crave the calmness that they observe in the actions of a meditating friend
• because they spend most of their lives giving to others and need to take some time back for themselves
• because they're sick of taking medication and want to tap their natural abilities to heal
• to discover something of the essence or joy of life that's so easy to miss when we're busy
• out of curiosity, wonder or the desire to explore
• because they're worried, tired, bored, lonely or tense
• because they're happy and they know it
• because they've lost some part of themselves and wish to rediscover it
• because they want to reconnect with a more natural or slower pace of life
• to keep their intuition and senses sharp

Online Course

I've spent the last 6 months developing an online version of the basic meditation course. It's comprised of six modules or lessons and includes comprehensive instructions on how to meditate as well as guided meditations that you can download and listen to. If your schedule or location hasn't allowed you to get to a course the course provides an ideal way to learn to meditate.

If you've completed a course at the Melbourne Meditation Centre then the online course could be a great way for you to review what you learnt.  I'm making the course available for $100, however past students can access the full course for just $25

Course Schedule

Term 5 - October/November 2006

October 1: 4 Week Basic Course at Glen Waverley (Sundays 7.00 - 8.30pm)
October 2: 6 Week Basic Course at Clifton Hill (Mondays 7.00 - 8.30pm)
October 4: 6 Week Basic Course at Elwood (Wednesdays 8.15 - 9.45pm)
October 5: 6 Week Course at Melbourne CBD (Thursdays 5.30 - 7.00pm)
October 5: 6 Week Course at Port Melbourne (Thursdays 8.00 - 9.30pm)

Teacher Training Course

Designed for yoga teachers, health professionals and others wishing to teach or guide meditation the Teacher Training Course takes a behind the scenes look at what's involved in meditation instruction and how best to integrate meditation with other modalities. The next course is scheduled for February 2007. Note that you'll need to have completed a basic course prior to the Teacher Training.

Special Events - The Meditator's Dinner

Meditation can be very pleasurable, but it's also quite a solitary activity, even when you're doing it with a group - so it can be nice to contrast that with some active, social pursuits. With that in mind I've decided to hold a "Meditator's Dinner". It's a chance to meet a few new faces, enjoy some good food and to chat about whatever you like.

The dinner will be held from 7.30 on Friday September 15 at Kamel, 19 Victoria Ave, Albert Park. The food is sensational and the atmosphere suitable for good conversation. RSVP Wednesday 6th to matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au

Note: There is limited space available so if you're interested you'll probably need to respond promptly. Feel free to bring along a partner or friend too.

CD Sale

If you received last month's newsletter you'll know that Eric Harrison has released a new edition of his 4CD Set "How to Meditate." I still have a few copies of the original version available, but as they have now effectively been superceded I'm selling them for just $50. The CD included a variety of guided meditations ranging in length from 6 to 30 minutes.

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.)