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Events and Retreats - 2020
We are excited to be hosting the following events.* * Note that we publicise the details of our multi-day annual retreats, and take bookings, approximately 3 - 4 months prior to each retreat. Stay in touch with details as they are publicised via our regular e-newsletters (subscribe via this website, top right of each page), this website, and our Facebook page. * Please note that our retreats book out quickly, so do register early. We are unable to take bookings or expressions of interest prior to notification. * We are involved in supporting scientific research into the effects of meditation. If you'd like to be involved, our current projects are detailed at the bottom of this page. Please Note: retreats may not be suitable for those who have experienced psychosis or who are currently experiencing PTSD, acute depression or anxiety. If in doubt, please seek advice from a psychologist or psychiatrist and speak to our Retreats Manager before booking your place. MARCH
"Communicating Mindfully in Difficult & Conflict Situations" with Carol Perry & Angela McGee Saturday 14th March - Sunday 15th March 2020, 9.30am - 4.30pm, Ceres Environment Park Note change of date for this weekend workshop One of the most difficult aspects of practice in daily life is skillful speech and action when reactive emotions arise. Through mindfulness of body we will investigate and bring insight to patterns and habits that get in the way of skillful communication and action. This workshop is an experiential exploration of what happens in our internal world when we are triggered into a reactive state, and how we can use awareness of body, feelings and mind states to cultivate skillful responses. The workshop will include: mindfulness practice in the context of conflict; practical exploration of difficult feelings and mind states; experiential exercises and demonstrations with participants. Venue Van Raay Room, Ceres Environment Park, East Brunswick Cost $90 + dana for Carol & Angela's teaching Bookings Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com "Why the Body?" - Urban Day Retreat with Jess Huon Sunday 22nd March 2020, 9.30am - 4.30pm, Abbotsford Convent In the Insight tradition, within the four foundations of mindfulness, there is great emphasis on the body. The body is placed at the centre of our practice. Staying in the body helps us cut through the mind’s habitual elaborations. These can wind us up, spin into over-thinking or lead us along downright painful thought patterns. Sensation unchecked will throw us into the mind. The body is the anchor to what’s happening in the here and now. In this day retreat we will look at what the body supports and safeguards us against. We will have an opportunity for an embodied experience of its compelling intelligence. Venue Dorm One, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford, Victoria Cost $60 + dana for Jess's teaching Bookings Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com APRIL "The Skills of Awakening" - 7 Day Silent Retreat with Anton Eastick Wednesday 15th April - Wednesday 22nd April, Kallara, Strathbogie Ranges The Seven Factors of Awakening are qualities and skills of meditation practice that work together to support the balance between the energizing and the calming aspects of meditation. There are the energising qualities of investigation, joy and energy and the calming qualities of tranquillity, concentration and equanimity. These are held with the foundational quality of mindfulness, the great balancer. While these factors are not the end of the matter, they are important aspects of inner wealth that hold our ground in a changing, bewildering world. When we approach our happiness as something that requires skill to master, when we see the path as a matter of mastering skills, then understanding right effort and intention follows. We can develop the habit of being skilful. With this understanding comes the knowledge that sometimes life is a real challenge, and that’s when we meet the path and make it our own. This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators. Daily meditation instructions will be given along with a dharma talk and Q&A sessions. The day will include walking and sitting meditation, a yoga period, time in nature and space for meetings with the teacher. This will be a silent retreat. Venue Kallara Conference Centre, Boho South, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria Booking information Important information to read before booking Single room - $696 + dana for Anton's teaching - Click here to book Shared room - $576 + dana for Anton's teaching - Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com "Settle, Soften, and Open": Half-day retreat with Angela McGee Saturday 18th April 2020, 1.30pm - 5.00pm, Ceres Environment Park This experiential afternoon of practice will explore the layers of contraction that restrict our natural capacity for connecting with ourselves, others, and the world around us. We will use the tools of Insight practice - meditation, enquiry, stillness, silence, and cultivation of the heart qualities, to settle, to soften, and to open and deeply connect. We will also use mindful movement to soothe the nervous system and use the body as a wise resource to feel into our natural aliveness. The afternoon includes: sitting meditation, walking meditation, gentle mindful movement and breathing practices, deep rest, and a dharma talk. Venue The Learning Centre, Ceres Environment Park, East Brunswick Download Flyer Cost $40 + dana for Angela's teaching Bookings Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com MAY Climate Change and Grief Workshop - Suzie Brown and Robyn Gibson Sunday 3rd May 2020, Fryerstown (near Castlemaine) More details coming soon JUNE "Waking Up to the Present: The Path of Serenity & Insight" - 14 Day Silent Retreat with Patrick Kearney (9-day & 3-day options available) Friday 5th June - Friday 19th June 2020, Kallara, Strathbogie Ranges This retreat will explore mindfulness meditation (satipatthana) as taught by the Buddha. It will provide an opportunity for beginners to become firmly established in their practice, and for experienced students to deepen their practical and theoretical understanding. The practice will cover mindfulness of body, mind and emotions, and explore the possibilities of transformation in the way we live our daily lives. Patrick has been practising Buddhist meditation since 1976 and teaching full-time since 2000. He teaches in the lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma. His principal teachers have been Panditarama Sayadaw and John Hale. He has also practised Zen, in the Diamond Sangha lineage. His principal teachers have been Robert Aitken Roshi and Paul Maloney Roshi. Patrick’s approach to meditation is enlivened by his focus on the original teachings of the Buddha – Buddhism before the divisions between Theravada and Mahayana were ever thought of. He applies these teachings directly to life in our contemporary world in an accessible, clear and joyful way. For more information about Patrick, visit www.dharmasalon.net Download Flyer Venue Kallara Conference Centre, Boho South, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria Booking information Important information to read before booking This retreat is now fully booked. Contact Emma on insightretreats@hotmail.com if you'd like to go on the waitlist for a 14, 9 or 3 day place. Enquiries Emma - insightretreats@hotmail.com 2020 Retreats for your diary*
Friday 14th August - Tuesday 18th August 2020 - Silent Retreat with Jess Huon, Venue TBC Tuesday 1st September - Tuesday 8th September 2020 - Silent Retreat with Anton Eastick, Kallara Friday 16th October - Friday 23rd October 2020 - Silent Retreat with Carol Perry & Angela McGee, Kallara Sunday 13th December - Urban Day Retreat with Jess Huon, Abbotsford Convent *Bookings open 3-4 months before each retreat. THE MIM SUPPORTED PLACE FUND
Our Supported Place fund assists people living with financial difficulty, and who are unable to meet the full costs of a retreat. The fund is financed by donations from other retreat participants, cancellation fees and any MIM surpluses. A Supported Place is granted via an application process. Currently, a Supported Place attracts a 30% discount off the advertised retreat cost (shared room). One or two supported places are available per retreat. If you are keen to attend an MIM retreat but are unable to financially cover the retreat cost, please email Emma on insightretreats@hotmail.com RESEARCH PROJECTS
Would you like to participate in a Research Study? MIM is currently supporting a research study on the effect of meditation on the brain. If you'd like to be involved please contact the Researcher directly. The University of Melbourne A research team from the Melbourne School of Psychological Science is conducting a study investigating the characteristics of individuals who are engaging in intensive contemplative practice. Participation involves completing an online questionnaire, before and after you go into a silent retreat. If you would like to learn more about the study, contact Dr Nicholas Van Dam |
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