Events

Meditation is an effective tool to calm one's mind and brings greater clarity and perspective to one's life. Rachel Weiss, senior student of Lama Choedak Rinpoche and with over 10 years experience as a meditation practitioner, will give clear and easy to follow instructions on fundamental meditation techniques. All welcome!

Meditation is a technique to bring calmness to the mind and gain an insight into the workings behind it.  By learning to pause and evaluate we gain peace, clarity and decisiveness. Rinpoche clearly explains the tools and techniques required for this practice. 

* This course now includes a complimentary copy of our new meditation manual 'Taming the Elephant Mind', by Lama Choedak Rinpoche, which serves to give a complete understanding of this simple but effective meditation technique.

We spend at least thirty years acquiring education and professional training to assist with one's well being. But without understanding the workings of the mind, all trainings may prove futile.  Without understanding the role of one's mind and attitude, most people feel powerless to do anything when faced with emotional problems in life. When people are able to combine the skilful use of one's emotional and intellectual intelligence, they will find greater purpose with their lives with a sound mind. In this term, Lama Choedak Rinpoche will teach directly from a selection of Lojong Teachings from the writings of some great Mahayana Buddhist adepts.    

This event is hosted by the Adelaide Non-Sectarian Buddhist Group. Please contact them for all details and bookings: retreat@tsechen.org.au or phone Annie 8364 7226.

When His Holiness the Dalai Lama first visited the west he was shocked by people who experienced depressive feelings of pessimism and a sense of inadequacy. These sorts of feelings are very foreign in Tibet. His Holiness regularly observes that despite extraordinary benefits brought on by material progress and physical health, people can be left feeling vulnerable and insecure dealing with life's ordinary ups and downs.

The darkness of depression is experienced by many of us, if not personally, then probably by someone we love impacting on our relationships, families, workplaces and community. A great deal of resources have been directed into raising public awareness around depression but how much do we understand?

Buddhist teaching shines light on the causes of mental well-being in order to regain emotional resilience and inspiration. The Buddhist meditation method of mindfulness is respected amongst health workers in the field of depression because it goes beyond just treating the symptoms.

In this very timely talk, Lama Choedak Rinpoche offers from his heart, succinctly and with humour, the profound Buddhist understanding of depression. Rinpoche takes us through the process of transforming the debilitating grip of depression into fulfilment, appreciative joy and confidence.

Meditation has a proven record in it's ability to improve health, transform negative situations, awaken happiness and give a clear perspective on life.

Rinpoche will explain the technique and tools of this mindfulness method and lead the practice sessions over two days.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche is a master of this technique of meditation who has taught in the west for many years. His popular teachings are spiced with the richness of his experience. Offered from the heart, they are lucid, authentic, humorous and profound.

In a time when the relevance of the major religions is under the spotlight, it is important to investigate what special gifts that Buddhism has to offer. Buddhism can help people to live a skillful, wise and kind way of life, without having to show any allegiance to a particular religion. The important values of nonviolence and compassion are well received in the community, however by understanding some of the logical, sensible and practical advice found in the Buddhist teachings, one can have a more effective way to develop these values and live a life full of meaning and mindfulness. In this popular four lecture series, Lama Choedak Rinpoche will teach on some of the fundamental Buddhist principles with his characteristic humour and wit. All are welcome!

Sickness is a common suffering of all living beings.  However, according to Tibetan medicine, most illnesses are psychosomatic.  Ill health that is generated by one's unwholesome attitude cannot be cured by conventional medicine alone.

This residential retreat will help you understand how certain mind states can contribute to ill health, and to learn how to apply the appropriate antidotes.  Discover the connection between thoughts, behaviour and speech, and the positive and negative effects they have on your health.

At this workshop Lama Choedak Rinpoche will give the empowerment of Medicine Buddha's meditation and impart the transmission of the healing mantra passed down through an unbroken lineage since the time of the Buddha.

This weekend provides a complete training  in practical as well as theoritical session on how to do the Healing Buddha's meditation.  You will also learn how to use it to assist friends and relatives who may be ill or dying.  This profound meditation technique will compliment any form of medical treatment.  This practice can reduce the side effects and increase the effectiveness of any medication.  It is especially recommended for health professionals and those who are interested in learning self-healing.

Calm abiding meditation is the most fundamental of all Buddhist meditation practices. Using the tool of mindfulness one learns to bring a sense of stability and clarity to the mind. An increase in emotional stability and a decrease in mental confusion will help negotiate more helpful responses when confronted with life problems. Meditation is ultimately about experiencing the opening up of our heart and mind to compassion and to wisdom. In this year's retreat  Lama Choedak Rinpoche will also be giving teaching on Special Insight Meditation.

Heated dormitory accommodation. 

Vegetarian meals (includes dinner on Friday evening & lunch on Monday)

Organised by Tharlam Ling Buddhist Centre Inc.  www.sakya.com.au/townsville

This will be a study and practice retreat on the middle-length sadhana of Hevajra (The Beautiful Six-limbed Ornament by Ngorchen Konchok Lundrub). There are two teaching sessions on the sadhana each day, and there are three to four full practice sessions (including torma offering once or twice a day). All teachings are directly in English from Lama Choedak Rinpoche. 

Those who wish to attend the retreat must, at least, be recipients of the Cause Empowerment of Hevajra.

Meditation has a proven record in its ability to improve health, awaken happiness and give a clear perspective on life. To learn to meditate you need an experienced teacher and a well defined path. Calm Abiding Meditation can help you become relaxed, focussed and peaceful. It enables you to identify the real causes of unhappiness and recover from stress, anxiety and tension.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche has committed his focus on the fundamental authentic Buddhist practices that are most effective and relevant to the Westerners that he teaches. The practice of Calm Abiding meditation remains one of the most popular Buddhist meditation methods. Rinpoche has taught this technique to tens of thousands of people over the past 25 years having developed a practice and teaching programme that is unique in its depth and lucidity. Interpreting traditional scriptural teachings, this is more than just meditation but an introduction to Buddhism.

Newcomers to meditation will find the instruction clear and meaningful while experienced practitioners discover new tools for engaging with their meditation practice that they did not have before.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche will give the empowerment of Avalokiteshvara, Bodhisattva of Compassion and impart the instruction on this daily sadhana practice and the recitiation of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.

Meditation is a tool to help change undesirable habits, improve self-confidence and to add a touch of dignity and sacredness to your life. You will be able to integrate a sense of calmness into everyday activities, and transform negative situations into something positive. Come and enjoy learning a time-proven skill that will bring you lifelong happiness.

Training the Trainer Programme

Those who complete the Ten-day Calm Abiding Meditation retreat are invited to take part in the annual Training the Trainer which immediately follows on from the Ten-day retreat. This three day programme is an intensive training for those with some experience with meditation to facilitate 8-week Calm Abiding Meditation Courses. Hundreds of students of Lama Choedak Rinpoche have lead these 8-week course all over Australia and New Zealand and taught the benefits of meditation to thousands of people. For more information click here.

The retreat will primarily be practice orientated with group, as well as solitary sessions. Lama Choedak Rinpoche will be conducting the first few days of the retreat and imparting essential teachings and empowerments then senior lay and ordained practitioners will lead the remainder of the retreat group practice and study sessions.

SIBA is the perfect location for extended residential retreat with all the necessary support prerequisites including experienced residents. This retreat is suitable for anyone wishing to gain some intensive experience in the special meditations of Vajrayana Buddhism.

The Ngondro Preliminaries Weekend of Teachings and Empowerments (see above) at the beginning is this retreat is an essential prerequisite to a successful retreat and is include as part of this one-month retreat cost.

The practice of Ngondro is traditionally undertaken as the skilful means for purification of gross negative karma and the accumulation of merit, without which the accumulation of wisdom, emphasised in the Vajrayana path, will not be accomplished. Ngondro is a Tibetan word for preliminaries and is a foundational Buddhist practice suitable for all. These techniques are a compete practice in themselves for stabilising the practitioner on the path.

The retreat will focus on providing the meditator with the empowerments and instructions for the practice of ngondro including:

• Refuge and Prostrations
• Generation of Bodhicitta
• Vajrasattva Empowerment and mantra recitation
• Mandala Offering
• Guru Yoga

Lama Choedak Rinpoche will be leading this weekend retreat which is the beginning of a one-month Ngondro practice retreat from Monday 4 November to Sunday 1 December 2013 (see below).

Family Week at SIBA is for making a time and place to be together mindfully with our families, taking care of ourselves and each other, sharing and offering. SIBA is a place to naturally relax and enjoy yourself in the space and freedom, just being here is a unique healing experience to give to ourselves.

A varied programme will suit young and old. There will be teachings on the Buddhist art of meditation, yoga classes for adults and the younger ones as well as relaxing and having fun.

The beautiful retreat centre of SIBA, set in the Snowy River Country of East Gippsland, Victoria, is perfect for family summer recreation in a Buddhist community that is founded on a spirit of harmony, respect and generosity.

White Tara is a beautiful meditation for developing kindness and compassion, increasing spiritual vitality and overcoming fears. She represents the feminine energy of the Buddhas. She is said to have originated from the tears of the deity Avalokiteshvara when he wept about the extent and intensity of the suffering experienced by all beings.

The Annual White Tara meditation retreat provides an opportunity for new students to receive the empowerment and learn the practice, and for experienced students to progress. There are group practice sessions to help the student familiarise themselves with the technique and Lama Choedak Rinpoche gives a remarkably thorough explanation of the symbology of the practice as well as its everyday relevance.

All basic Buddhist meditation techniques are included in the practice, with special emphasis placed on the creative visualisation meditations of Vajrayana Buddhism. Lama Choedak Rinpoche's realisation, dedication and experience are transmitted through the heartwarming atmosphere of which this retreat is conducted as well as the joy and humour he brings, particularly in the question and answer sessions.

The practice and teachings of White Tara will be valuable in everyday life and can help bring greater clarity, calm and inner-joy. Students who receive the empowerment and undertake the practice of White Tara will increase their spiritual vitality, intensify their capacity for compassion, and overcome fears, including the fear of death.