Dear Meditator,

Just in case you were wondering, 2008 has been designated, among other things, as the International Year of the Potato. 2007 was the International Polar Year (and also the International Heliophysical Year, among other things). Things searched for on google during 2007 included iPhone, facebook and youtube and during November last year the most popular search in Australia was for, you guessed it, Chadstone Shopping Centre.

What's all this got to do with meditation? Nothing. I sat down to write something inspiring about the beginning of a new year and how it would be a great idea to resolve to meditate more, or more effectively. Thinking of the start of a new year though, I began to reflect on the end of the previous year. In the blink of an eye, I'd lost focus, and because I'm writing on my computer I went to check out what Wikipedia and Google Zeitgeist had to say about 2007.

Eventually, I discovered, among other zany stories of 2007, that: "an Australian bank was embarrassed when it emerged that it had issued a credit card to a cat. The owner of Messiah, a ginger tom, had put in the spoof application to test the bank's security system."

My mind plays similar tricks on me when I'm meditating. A little bit of harmless surfing won't hurt, but I imagine it would be quite easy to fritter away the bulk of one's life caught in such trivia.

So, If you want to waste an hour or so go ahead and click on those links above. If you'd prefer to keep your mind in the here and now, try the spot meditation below.

Finally, have a great 2008 — and don't forget to eat your spuds.

I hope you enjoy the newsletter. Feel free to email comments, questions or suggestions to: matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au

In This Issue...

• Spot Meditation
• Mindful Reminders
• 2008 course schedule
• Simply Silence 2008
• All You Ever Wanted To Know About Walking Meditation

Spot Meditation

As you read this paragraph notice how you are sitting. Without moving, identify areas of tension, pressure and discomfort. Spend about 10 to 20 seconds doing that.

Are you leaning forward? Are the muscles around your eyes tight? Is there muscular tension in your legs, feet, wrists or forearms?

Now, making only one movement at a time, see how many adjustments you need to make in order to re-establish comfort within the body.

How and where do you meditate when you've only got a minute? Send your own spot meditations to matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au

The best suggestion each month will be published here.

Mindful Reminders

I recently stumbled upon the website of Peter Russell, who writes "I find I easily get caught up in the busy-ness of the day and forget my intention to be more mindful in my daily life."

I'm sure he's not the only one! Remembering to meditate is often the most difficult part of the process. To address this difficultly Peter created an Mindful Reminder on his website. You might like to check it out, along with various other free downloads and articles.

Course Schedule

Start the new year on the right foot — Learn to Meditate in 2008.

You can register online for any of the following classes.

The Teacher Training Course is filling fast, so if you're hoping to get on board let me know as soon as possible.

Term 1 February/March

* To be confirmed.

Meditation Events

Simply Silence

Simply Silence sessions for 2008 kick off on January 28 in Elwood and February 3rd in North Melbourne.

If you'd like to get a sense of what to expect from the various Simply Silence teachers you can now browse the teacher profiles on the Simply Silence website, and if you'd like to receive an email a few days before each scheduled session subscribe to the free reminder service.

Simply Silence provides you with the opportunity to practice your meditation in a group setting on a casual basis; entry is by donation and you're invited to join us for tea and biscuits (or, in North Melbourne, even dinner) afterwards.

Meditation Unlimited

Meditation Unlimited meets every Friday from 7.00 - 9.00pm in North Fitzroy. Facilitated by Paul Majewski of Meditation Solutions, each evening is comprised of two hour long sessions. The first hour includes two 20 minute guided meditations; the second a 30 to 40 minute session more suited to experienced meditators. At the end of each meditation, participants have the opportunity to share their experience, commenting on what they observed physically, mentally and emotionally during the process.

You're welcome to attend one or both sessions.

Costs:

7.00 - 8.00pm All welcome $12/$10 concession;
8.00 - 9.00pm For experienced meditators $5.50/$4 concession

Venue:

Kundalini House Yoga Studio,
Level 1/391 St Georges Rd,
North Fitzroy [Melways Ref 30 C10].

2008 program resumes Friday January 25.

All you ever wanted to know about Walking Meditation

This week on Encounter (ABC Radio National) Florence Spurling presented a rambling discussion on the variety of ways we can meditate on the move.

Get some tips on how to do it from Buddhists, who have a long and continuous tradition of walking meditation; meet a woman who rediscovered her Christian past through walking labyrinths, a practitioner of the ancient martial art of Bagua or Chinese Circle Walking, as well as a woman who found that walking an 11 minute mile was more relaxing than sitting comfortably at home.

Read the transcript or download the podcast.

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.)