Our centre offers a range of meditation classes available to suit everyone’s needs from local Canberra meditation classes, one-time, casual classes and virtual online meditation classes so that people from across the world can benefit.
If you are looking to learn meditation, you are probably feeling stressed, overwhelmed or searching for ways to manage your emotions in a more constructive and safe way.
Meditation provides a simple, yet effective way to calm your mind and bring greater clarity and stability to your life. Sounds too good to be true?
Maybe…but if you are prepared to put in a small amount of effort each day to a meditation practice, you will certainly reap the benefits to deal with life’s everyday challenges in a more happy and peaceful way.
You may have noticed there are so many options for meditation classes and courses out there. What is important is to have an experienced and skilled teacher to guide you through this time-honoured practice. Just as you would seek a qualified doctor if you are sick, likewise we need to make sure a meditation teacher is skilled in their field.
Lama Choedak Rinpoche, a revered meditation master and teacher, will be your instructor and comes from an unbroken Tibetan Buddhist lineage. He has undertaken a three and a half year solitary meditation retreat sponsored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Rinpoche speaks fluent English and has taught in the West for over 30 years, being able to seamlessly translate the ancient Tibetan Buddhist wisdom for the modern world.
There are a range of meditation classes available. Recommended for beginners and those with more experience alike is an 8-week meditation course in order to learn in-depth the technique of meditation. You can attend these classes either in person or online. Go to the What’s On page here to get dates and book for an upcoming course.
If you would like to “try before you buy”, you are welcome to join one of our weekly free meditation sessions either in person or online by registering here.
If you are more interested in the Buddhist teachings side of things, we have classes available here.
We look forward to meeting you in person or virtually soon!
Here is an outline of the 8-week meditation course:
Every lesson includes detailed instruction followed by a guided meditation session, led by your instructor.
Important: To find out when this event will next be held, visit our What’s On page here, and subscribe to our mailing list here for updates.
Canberra Meditation Course Outline:
Week 1 – Introduction
In this lesson you’ll get an overview of the practice of Calm Abiding Meditation and the key principles of establishing an effective meditation posture.
Topics Covered:
- Introduction to Calm Abiding meditation
- Guided Meditation Session
- Setting up a conducive space for meditation at home
- Mindfulness of Body and the importance of posture
- Establishing a regular routine
- Dealing with posture issues and any discomfort.
Week 2 – Mindfulness of Feeling
In this lesson you’ll learn how meditation can regulate and gain insight on your feelings – enabling you to have more control over them. You’ll use the breath as a skilful guide to manage your feelings, and to teach the mind to cultivate positive states.
Topics Covered:
- What is Mindfulness of Feeling?
- Qualified Rounds of Breathing
- Identifying Calmness and Distraction
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 3 – Dealing With Obstacles
Meeting obstacles in meditation is part and parcel of meditation practice. In this lesson, you’ll start to learn skilful ways to deal with obstacles that arise – allowing for greater advances in personal growth.
Topics Covered:
- Befriending the breath
- Obstacles to Calm Abiding meditation and their Antidotes Part I
- Practical benefits of meditation – more than just relaxation
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 4 – Mindfulness of the Voice
This lesson applies meditation to our speech and how we use our words towards others as a way of bringing meditation into everyday life.
Topics Covered:
- Mindfulness of Speech and the speech blessing Mantra of Manjushri
- Super-Qualified Round of Breathing
- Increasing the affinity with the breath/feelings
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 5 – Mindfulness of Thought
This lesson brings our awareness deep within to our thoughts. You’ll discover how what we think has great influence on how we speak and act.
Topics Covered:
- Mindfulness of Thought
- Counting the breath
- Engaging life with mindfulness
- Letting go
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 6 – Dealing With Obstacles Part II
This lesson delves into more advanced methods for identifying and navigating the obstacles faced in meditation practice.
Topics Covered:
- Obstacles to Calm Abiding meditation and their Antidotes Part II
- The moderate approach
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 7 – Taming The Elephant Mind
In this lesson, you’ll discover how an ancient mural found in a cave in Tibet illustrates the complete path of the meditator and serves as an effective guide for where you are in your practice at the moment.
Topics Covered:
- Nine stages of Taming the Elephant Mind
- Guided Meditation Session
Week 8 Summary and Next Steps
The final week of the course will bring together everything you’ve learned, with tips on how to integrate the practice into everyday life for a calmer, happier mind.
Topics Covered:
- Final Guided Meditation Session
- Summary
- Where to from here?
BONUS – Free Meditation Book with Your Registration!
Registration for this Canberra meditation class includes a complimentary copy of this meditation handbook which will be given to you on the first night of the course (or posted to the address you indicate on your registration if you are attending online).
Important: To find out when this event will next be held, visit our What’s On page here, and subscribe to our mailing list here for updates.