Dear Meditator,

For many, Christmas is not the time of excitement, joy and fun it once was. Our childhood delight has been replaced by unwanted obligation and stress. The refrain at this time of year is often one of irritation — "Look, the Christmas decorations are in the supermarkets already!"

So, how can meditation help? Check out the spot meditation to find out.

And here's some great news if you're struggling to find a Christmas present. I've just finished recording a new CD and up until Christmas I'm making it available for just $20

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

In This Issue...

• Spot Meditation
• New CD - Meditation at Work
• Course Schedule
• Regular Events
• Meditation Tips - Change Your Brain

Spot Meditation - Make Your Christmas Merry.

How do you react when you hear the Christmas Carols playing in the supermarket, or when you see all the reds and greens appearing wherever you look? You might be delighted, you might be irritated, you might hardly see them at all. Whatever the case — make them your meditation trigger for December. Each time you see, hear, taste or touch something Christmas related use it as a reminder to relax. That's one way to have a Merry Christmas.

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.

Meditation at Work - Short Meditation to keep you in balance all day

Brand new from Matt Young, Meditation at Work — Short Meditations to Keep You in Balance All Day introduces 11 new meditations ranging from 1 to 20 minutes in length. Short, practical and easy to integrate into your day, these meditations will teach you how to make meditation a natural part of you life.

Most people know that meditation is an effective means of destressing but mistakenly believe that you need at least twenty minutes ‘time out’ in order for it to be effective. On this CD you‘ll learn how to bring body and mind back towards balance in as little as 60 seconds, wherever you are. These short guided meditations will allow you to refocus your mind, re-energise your body and calm your emotions so that you can think clearly, work productively and cope more effectively with the inevitable stresses of life at work.

Available online at the special introductory price of $20 up until December 25, 2009.

Course Schedule

Medidtation Courses for 2009 commence in the first week of February. You can register online for any of the following.

Term 1, February/March 2009

Regular Meditation Events

Simply Silence

Get your regular dose of relaxation and calm at one of our Simply Silence sessions in North Melbourne or Elwood. It's a great way to discover and explore meditation in a friendly group environment.

Elwood Schedule:

• December 8 - Sarah Fletcher
• December 22- Matthew Young

North Melbourne Schedule:

• December 4 - Paul Majewski with Elise McColl

Meditation May Protect Your Brain

For thousands of years, Buddhist meditators have claimed that the simple act of sitting down and following their breath while letting go of intrusive thoughts can free one from the entanglements of neurotic suffering.

Now, scientists are using cutting-edge scanning technology to watch the meditating mind at work. They are finding that regular meditation has a measurable effect on a variety of brain structures related to attention — an example of what is known as neuroplasticity, where the brain physically changes in response to an intentional exercise. Read more...

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.)