Ongoing
Sunday Calm Abiding Meditation
We host weekly meditation sessions which are free of charge. Everyone is welcome. These sessions are grounded in Calm Abiding or samatha meditation.
Time: Sundays, 6-7pm. You are welcome to arrive as much as 15 minutes early to get settled in before we begin meditating.
Address: The Ananda Buddhist Centre, Cnr Hinchliff and Munro Streets, North Rockhampton.
Upcoming and Current Courses
Click here to view/download a printable PDF flyer of all the events we have planned for 2012.
Calm Abiding Meditation Course
8 Week Course on Tuesday Nights, 6.00 - 7.30pm
The purpose of meditation is to understand the nature of the mind. Our minds are the source of both our happiness and our misery. Through the practice of meditation we can gain insight and clarity, increasing our capacity to live a peaceful, harmonious and compassionate life. Regular meditation can lead to the true source of happiness, a mind that is free from attachment to anger, hatred, greed and ignorance, a mind that is calm and compassionate.
Calm Abiding Meditation provides simple techniques to assist our abilities to focus the mind, to be more fully present, and to experience each moment with open- hearted attention.
The eight-week course will offer a relaxed and welcoming environment in which we can learn the fundamentals of Calm Abiding Meditation including posture, attention to the breath, and tips for setting up a regular meditation practice.
These courses will be facilitated by Irena Skrzypczynski, Yoga teacher and Registered Nurse, and Rhonda Shuker who has Graduate studies in Buddhist Psychotherapy. Both Irena and Rhonda are on the Executive Committee of the Ananda Buddhist Centre and have been trained to teach Calm Abiding Meditation by Lama Choedak Rinpoche.
Meditation cushions are provided and please wear comfortable, loose clothing.
Course location: The Ananda Buddhist Centre, Cnr Hinchliff and Munro Streets, North Rockhampton.
Fee: First lesson is free, and for those who wish to continue for the entire course, the cost is $50, including course notes & hand-outs.
2012 Course Dates:
Term 1: January 31 - March 20
Term 2: April 17 - June 5
Term 3: July 17 - September 4
Term 4: October 16 - December 4
Maximum number for this course is 12 people, so advance booking is essential.
Click on the following link to view a printable flyer of all the details: 2012 Calm Abiding Classes
To Book: Please email calmabiding@meditationcq.org or call Irena on 0417 259 669. Download, fill out and bring along a registration form on the night of your first class. Forms are also available at the centre.
Residential Retreat: White Tara Practice
Friday 2nd March - Sunday 4th March, 2012
The Haven
37 Haven Road, Emu Park
With Lama Choedak Rinpoche
White Tara is the beautiful creative visualisation and mantra of the ancient and authentic Buddhist lineage. As a representation of the feminine energy of all the Buddhas, her meditation is done in order to develop and balance compassion and wisdom. Her meditation nurtures the joy of spiritual vitality whilst overcoming fears, specifically that of death.
This White Tara retreat lead by Lama Choedak Rinpoche provides an opportunity for students to receive the empowerment and familiarise with the practice through receiving teachings and doing group practice.
Rinpoche is renowned for his remarkably thorough explanation of the symbology of the practice as well as the everyday relevance. Rinpoche’s realisation and dedication are transmitted in the heartwarming ambience of this beautiful retreat.
Cost: Member $TBA, Non-Member $TBA
Bookings are essential. Please download a copy of the registration form and email retreats@meditationcq.org, for more details.
Public Talk: Introducing Children To Meditation
Friday 20th April, 2012
The Ananda Buddhist Centre
Corner Hinchliff & Munro Streets, North Rockhampton
With Venerable Rinchen
Ven Rinchen will talk about running a children’s Dharma group, drawing on her experience with the monthly group run at the Khacho Yulo Ling Buddhist Centre in Cairns. There, the children are introduced to the different aspects of the Buddhist temple, they learn about mindfulness, kindness and compassion and are guided in simple mediation techniques including walking meditation.
Come along and learn more about facilitating meditation for children and the possibility of having a children’s Dharma group in Rockhampton.
Cost: A donation to our visiting teacher would be greatly appreciated.
Bookings are welcomed, but not essential.
Weekend Workshop: Shamatha Meditation
Saturday 21st April - Sunday 22nd April, 2012
The Ananda Buddhist Centre
Corner Hinchliff & Munro Streets, North Rockhampton
With Venerable Rinchen
Shamatha Meditation which is often translated as Tranquility or Calm meditation, is a technique to gently train the mind to settle down, through a series of 9 stages, to achieve single pointed focus.
Our fast paced life leaves little time for the mind to calm down and be at peace. With guidance from Rinchen-la, we will explore ways to create the time and space in our busy lives to do just this.
Whilst the teachings are derived from the Buddhist philosophy a commitment to Buddhism is not required.
The weekend will be facilitated by Venerable Rinchen, who has been running meditation courses, retreats and workshops for over 9 years. Rinchen recently completed a 2 month silent Shamatha Retreat in Phuket with Dr B Alan Wallace. Dr Wallace is one of the foremost teachers of this practice in the west and trained under the guidance of many great masters including His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
This practice is a great way to enhance your general well being and mental health. Suitable for both beginner meditators and those who already have a practice.
Cost: Member $100, Non-Member $120
Bookings are essential. Please download a copy of the registration form and email retreats@meditationcq.org, for more details.
Weekend Workshop: Chenrezig Practice
Saturday 16th June - Sunday 17th June, 2012
The Ananda Buddhist Centre
Corner Hinchliff & Munro Streets, North Rockhampton
With Loppon Tsering Samdup
Chenrezig Practice is the powerful Vajrayana visualisation meditation and mantra practice of Avalokitesvara, the embodiment of compassion of all the Buddhas - the Bodhisattva of Compassion. By engaging in this practice, we awaken the unconditional compassion and wisdom that we all share in our basic nature.
Chenrezig is what the Tibetans call Avalokitesvara (sanskrit), and his is one of the most widely practiced meditations in all the great lineages of Tibetan Buddhism,
Highly qualified scholar and meditation master, Loppon Tsering Samdup, will give the empowerment of Avalokitesvara and impart the instruction on this daily sadhana practice and the recitation of the mantra OM MANI PADME HUM.
Loppon Tsering is one of the few English speaking Tibetan Buddhist teachers in Australia and has been teaching and leading retreats in various places around Australia since 2000. Loppon Tsering completed all studies of monasticism at the prestigious Sakya College and has done many retreats. He has also completed a translation course, taught Buddhist philosophy to monks at his home monastery at Bir in India and traveled overseas with high Lamas as an interpreter on several occasions.
Cost: Member $100, Non-Member $120
Bookings are essential. Please download a copy of the registration form and email retreats@meditationcq.org, for more details.
Weekend Workshop: Ngöndro
Saturday 1st September - Sunday 2nd September, 2012
The Ananda Buddhist Centre
Corner Hinchliff & Munro Streets, North Rockhampton
With Venerable Jampal
Ngöndro (Tibetan, pronounced nundro) or Preliminary Practices are the foundational disciplines that, traditionally, initiates must first complete before progressing to the more advanced esoteric Vajrayana sadhana.
Dedicated to the liberation of all sentient beings, these Preliminary Practices purify negative deeds and accumulate merit.
They are considered an indispensable foundation for anyone wishing to build a solid Buddhist practice and follow the path towards awakening. Practices include Vajrasattva, Mandala offering, Refuge, Guru Yoga, prostrations and meditation.
Venerable Jampal, a fully ordained monk in the Sakya tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, is a keen advocate of Ngöndro and will aim to impart the same benefit to students and gratitude to the practice that he himself cherishes.
Cost: Member $100, Non-Member $120
Bookings are essential. Please download a copy of the registration form and email retreats@meditationcq.org, for more details.
Residential Retreat: Understanding Karma and Rebirth
Friday 16th November - Sunday 18th November, 2012
Henderson Park Farm Retreat
88 CH Barretts Rd, Barmoya (Henderson Park location map)
With Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe
Karma and Rebirth are two very fundamental concepts across all traditions of Buddhism, but a true understanding of them can be somewhat elusive to the Western mind.
During this residential retreat, Khenpo-la will lead us in deepening our understanding, by exploring the finer points of the principals of Karma and Rebirth, and their significance to Buddhist philosophy as a whole.
Khenpo Ngawang Dhamchoe is one of the most knowledgeable and respected teachers of the practice and philosophy of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia, with a monastic career that spans over 35 years. His excellent command of English and understanding of Western ways provides his teachings with a clarity and wisdom that is accessible to all.
Cost: Member $TBA, Non-Member $TBA
Bookings are essential. Please download a copy of the registration form and email retreats@meditationcq.org, for more details.