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Events and Retreats - 2020
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update Tuesday 17th March 2020: The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation continues to evolve rapidly. MIM has been following the coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the government closely and we want to reiterate their guidance around social distancing. As such, our committee has made the decision to move our weekly sits and retreats to an online platform, Zoom. We have also changed our cancellation policy in-light of this to offer full refunds for our workshops and retreats. 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. APRIL
"A virtual retreat with Patrick Kearney" - 5 Day Online Retreat Friday 10th April - Tuesday 14th April, Kallara, Strathbogie Ranges This retreat will be conducted by Zoom. We will schedule three meetings a day: • Morning (10:00 a.m. – 12 noon): Morning workshop followed by a group meditation session. In this session we will establish the theme for today’s practice. • Afternoon (3:00 – 5:00 p.m.): Group meditation followed by a check-in. • Evening (8:00 – 10:00 p.m.): A dharma talk followed by a final group meditation. We will formally close the day by reciting the Mettā Sutta. All participants will receive a handbook in pdf format containing all the talks and practices provided during the retreat. This will enable you to read the teachings and practice the exercises at your own pace Individual one-on-one’s will be offered during the retreat. These also are optional, although they are recommended as this is where you will be able to fine-tune your practice. Please note that these sessions are optional. While we strongly recommend you commit to the whole retreat, there is no reason to be trapped by perfectionism. If the demands of your life mean that you can only attend part of a session, feel free to drop in and out as you require. For example, you may find that staying up until 10:00 p.m. is too late for you, in which case you could go to bed after the dharma talk. For the full retreat schedule and content click here Booking information $120 + dana for Patrick's teaching - Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com "Settle, Soften, and Open": Online retreat with Angela McGee Saturday 18th April 2020, 2.00pm - 4.30pm, via Zoom 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 Online via the Zoom platform Download Flyer Cost $20 + dana for Angela's teaching Bookings Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com MAY "Finding Inner Resilience to Face the Climate Emergency" - Online workshop with Suzie Brown and Robyn Gibson Sunday 3rd May 2020, 9.30am - 4.30pm *Are you feeling overwhelmed by the daily news about the unfolding climate and ecological crisis and need some tools to help calm the effects? *Or maybe you’re an environmental activist and the work is taking a toll on your mental well-being? *Do you want to find a more effective way to act in the world, without submitting to despair, or ‘switching off’ to what is happening? Each day we wake to more alarming news and statistics about the climate crisis, ecological destruction and collapse. This is having significant impacts on our mental well-being, individually and collectively. Climate or ecological grief is affecting more and more of us in direct and indirect ways. This one-day workshop will provide a shared space for tuning into and acknowledging our personal expressions of ecological grief. Mindfulness meditation practices will be introduced by Suzie and Robyn as a way to settle into the physical body and the present moment as places of refuge and resilience. Sitting, walking and relaxation practices will be interspersed with group discussion and a talk on the topic. Venue This will now run online via zoom platform Fryerstown School, 5 Camp Street, Fryerstown Cost $30+ dana for Suzie's and Robyn's teaching Bookings Booking link coming soon Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com "Two Streams - Buddhism and Psychological Development: a healing dynamic" - Online Day Retreat with Jess Huon Saturday 9th May 2020, 10.00am - 4.30pm, Online via Zoom Buddhist practice offers us a generous view – that ultimately we need not be defined by our neurosis. This allows us to know our seat in freedom, no matter how brilliant or messed up we feel ourselves to be. However an embodied meditation practice that fosters ‘flashes of freedom’, also begins to shine a light on ‘developmental cracks’ in our psyche. Many meditators bypass or downplay this ‘human material’ – yet many are heeding the call and knocking on therapists’ doors to engage in this personal work. On this day of practice and inquiry, Jess will draw on her twenty years of meditation practice and her own psychotherapeutic process. She will map out and offer her personal insight into how these two tracks to growth can work hand in hand to weave us into a cohesive whole. She will explore what it is to work across these domains – and where we might fall short if we don’t. We move from part to whole and back again, and in that dance of comprehension, in that amazing circle of understanding, we come alive to meaning, to value, and to vision: the very circle of understanding guides our way, weaving together the pieces, healing the fractures, mending the torn and tortured fragments, lighting the way ahead - this extraordinary movement from part to whole and back again, with healing the hallmark of each and every step, and grace the tender reward. Ken Wilbur Venue Now running online via zoom platform. Cost $30 + dana for Jess's teaching Bookings Click here to book Enquiries insightretreats@hotmail.com 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 COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) UPDATE: Monday 23rd March 2020:
MIM has been following the coronavirus (COVID-19) updates from the government closely and we want to reiterate their guidance around physical distancing. All our sits and retreats will now run online. We have also changed our cancellation policy in-light of this to offer full refunds for our workshops and retreats that were originally planned to be offered face to face. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us on melbourneinsightmeditation@gmail.com to discuss them. Our dharma practice is very important during this time to acknowledge our feelings, see clearly and take practical steps, whilst also remaining calm. |
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