Dear Meditator,

There's a whole lot happening in the meditation world over the coming months.

You can join us on Tuesday mornings for FREE meditation sessions in the St Kilda Botanic Gardens from October 20.

Then, over the Melbourne Cup weekend, take some time to de-stress on the annual Big Retreat at Jameison Sanctuary.

Develop your meditation skills from November 9 on one of our rare Intermediate Meditation Courses, and

Sit back and let the sounds of some of Melbourne's finest musicians soothe you at Music For Meditation, Sunday November 8 at Federation Square.

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

In This Issue...

• Spot Meditation
• Meditation Tip
• Course Schedule
• Events - The Big Retreat, Meditation in the Gardens.
• Walking: Meditation for Non-Meditators

Spot Meditation — Check Your Internal Weather

Use the external weather as a reminder to check your internal weather. Whenever someone makes a comment about how hot, cold or windy it is, or whenever you notice something about the colour or mood of the sky, take this as an opportunity to check in and do a quick emotional scan. What mood are you in? What subtle (or not so subtle) feelings are clouding your day? Just as you might check the weather forecast before a hike or sailing trip, it can be a good idea to schedule emotional challenges for a day in which the internal weather is sunny and clear.

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.

Three lies and a half-truth

"When it comes to understanding meditation, Christianity and neuroscience are closer than you might imagine ."

Our approach to meditation, at the Melbourne Meditation Centre, is fairly straightforward. The religious and spiritual traditions in which meditation has been most fully explored take a back seat to the simple practices and techniques which we've found are most effective in helping students to destress, sleep better, manage anxiety or depression and so on.

On the other hand, we have nothing against any particular tradition, be it ancient or modern. It's wise to explore the various schools of thought on any topic, and to become more receptive to other ways of finding inner clarity and transformation.

It's with this in mind that I present the following link to an article on meditation written by Rev. Therese DesCamp, who makes some very good points with clarity. Read more...

Course Schedule

Our final term of meditation courses for 2009 commences in November. You can register online for any of the following.

Term 6, November/December 2009

Meditation Events

Big Retreat

The Big Retreat
Jamieson Sanctuary
Starts: 4pm Friday October 30
Finishes: 2pm Monday November 2
$550/$500 couples/concession

Facilitated by Matt Young, Paul Majewski, Garth Stone and Rita Cattivera.

The annual Big Retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to deepen your meditation practice, rebalance and rekindle your creativity and vitality, leaving behind the demands of fast-paced urban living and reconnecting with deeper natural rhythms.

The flexible program of meditation, yoga, bush walking, movement, sound meditation and sound massage offers a harmonious blend of solitude and group activities to allow you to relax deeply and re-energise the core of your being. More information...

How to Meditate Workshop

Sunday, December 6: 2.00 - 5.00pm, Elwood.

This workshop is a condensed form of the Basic Meditation Course. Designed as an introduction to meditation it will help you get started with a range of simple techniques. The workshop is particularly suitable if you can't come to regular classes, if the next term is too far away, or if you just want to get a taste of what meditation is before committing to a full course.

Meditation in the Gardens

Start your day with a relaxed and clear mind. Join me on Tuesday mornings from 7.00 - 7.45am at the Rose Garden Rotunda in the St Kilda Botanic Gardens for a series of free guided meditations, presented by the City of Port Phillip. There's limited seating available so arrive early or bring a yoga mat, rug or cushion to sit on. Sessions run on October 20, & 27 and November 3, 10, 17 & 24. More information...

Music for Meditation

Music for Meditation Concert
BMW Edge Theatre, Federation Square
7pm, Sunday November 8
$30 advance / $40 on the door

Spend the Sunday twilight hours with some of Melbourne's finest performers of contemplative and intuitive music on November 8. Sit back, relax and enjoy healing and harmonious sounds and meditations from master percussionist David Jones, shakuhachi player Anne Norman, harpist Peter Roberts and harmonic overtone singer Dean Frenkel.

Organised by Melbourne-based Meditation Events, promoters of meditation-related events including conferences, concerts, master classes, corporate training and retreats, Music For Meditation is your chance to rest, rejuvenate and find find balance, harmony and inspiration through the magic of music. More information...

Simply Silence

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

Elwood Schedule

• October 12 - Adam Nicoll (Lifeinsight Natural Therapies)
• October 26 - Matt Young (Melbourne Meditation Centre)
• November 9 Cilla Brady
• November 23 - TBA
• December 14 - Peter Cohen (The Awakening Tree)
• December 28 - Matt Young (Melbourne Meditation Centre)

Northcote Schedule

• October 15 - Malcolm Clark
• November 5 - Paul Majewski with Elise McColl
• November 19 - Rita Cattivera
• December 3 - TBA
• December 17 - Paul Majewski with Garth Stone

Walking: Meditation for Non-Meditators

Right?

Not right.

You don't have to sit to meditate. 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.)