In This Issue...

• Spot Meditation
• Brainwaves and Meditation
• Course Schedule
• Events
• Meditation Survey

Spot Meditation — Popcorn Meditation?

Susan Scott Morales says that the most common complaint she hears from meditators is: "I can't shut off my thoughts." To this complaint she gives two responses. One: it's the brain's job to think. So, don't fight it. Two: if we can't quiet our thoughts, we can observe them. The result? The chatter slows down and we relax.

In her twenties Susan sold advertising, a demanding job, and juggled the care of two pre-school children. To help with the stress, a friend suggested that she close her eyes for two minutes and "watch" her thoughts as if they were clouds floating by. She was amazed at how long two minutes seemed, and more importantly, how calm she felt afterward.

Since then, she's developed her own unique version of this popular meditation - discovering that for her, popcorn works better than clouds. In Popcorn Meditation, you imagine that each of your thoughts is a kernel of popcorn waiting to pop. Does that sound like how your mind works? Lots of jumping, random activity? Too many things to think about?

For two minutes observe the kernels as they warm up, start vibrating, jump about and finally crack open. Although it may seem contradictory, by allowing our thoughts to jump around, we provide optimal conditions for our minds and consequently, our bodies, to relax.

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 Article: Brain-Waves-and-Meditation

To focus or not to focus, that is the question. At least, it may have been were Shakespeare a meditator — and it may have been a question that has gone through your mind many times whilst meditating.

Usually, when we're taught to meditate, the emphasis is on focusing. We focus on some simple, sensory object in order to esacpe from the usual whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. What happens then, when we let the mind wander? Do we just sit their spinning, stressing ourselves with our own worries, or does relaxation occur despite our lack of focus?

Recent research suggests that we may relax more effectively when we don't focus. Experienced meditators, and some beginners may find such an approach more suited to their individual needs. If you think you might like to learn to mediate without the struggle to stay focused, come along to our Intermediate Course, starting June 21, (and check out the research on Brain Waves and Meditation from Science Daily.

Course Schedule

Our next term of meditation courses for 2010 commences in June. You can register online for any of the following.

Term 3, June/July 2010

Meditation Events

How to Meditate Workshop

Sunday July 11, 2.00 - 5.00pm, Clifton Hill

A condensed form of our Basic Meditation Course, this workshop is designed as an introduction to meditation and will help you get started with a range of simple techniques.

Australian Meditation Conference

The Australian Meditation Conference this year will be held at RMIT Story Hall on Saturday July 30th. Presenters will include David Michie, author of Hurry up and Meditate, as well as Pauline McKinnon, Marc Cohen, Janet Etty-Leal, Kate James, Clark Scott, Laurence Mills and Arian Young. 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

• June 14 - Public Holiday — No Session
• June 28 - Sabina Vitacca
• July 12 - Leanne Gillies

Northcote Schedule

• June 3 - Sabina Vitacca

Meditation Research at Melbourne University

A team of researchers at the University of Melbourne’s School of Behavioural Science are currently undertaking a research project exploring the potential benefits of meditation and are seeking participants for the project.

The study is for research purposes only. It forms part of Dominic Hosemans 4th Year Psychology course requirements at the University of Melbourne and is being conducted under the supervision of Dr. Lisa Phillips. The study involves completing an online survey which will take between 20 to 30 minutes.

If you agree to participate in the study, you will remain free to withdraw at any time and to withdraw any unprocessed data. Your assistance is of course voluntary and anonymous.

For more information on the study or to access the online survey, please
go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/meditation_study

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