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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260423T180000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260423T193000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20241118T042813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241120T083842Z
UID:10003747-1776967200-1776972600@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:The All Encompassing Path to Enlightenment
DESCRIPTION:The All-Encompassing Path to Enlightenment (AEPE) is the main study programme in Rigpa\, for students of all levels: new\, more advanced or in-between. This year\, the AEPE will explore the main principles of the preliminary practices\, called Ngöndro in Tibetan. Our most experienced Rigpa teachers will guide us through the key principles of the Ngöndro\, helping us to explore these principles in a fresh\, up-to-date\, real life way\, while preserving their authenticity. \nThese practices are a complete path in themselves and also the foundation for Vajrayana and Dzogchen practice\, encompassing all the elements needed to prepare us to fully receive the Great Perfection teachings of Dzogchen\, the highest and most direct stream of wisdom within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. So no matter where we are on our path\, the AEPE will support us in taking it to completion.  \nThursday evenings\, all year\n 6:00-7:30pm AEDT (8:00am CET\, 2:00am Mon US East) \nOnline via Zoom
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/the-all-encompassing-path-to-enlightenment/2026-04-23/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Established Students,Newcastle - Established Students,Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/The-All-Encompassing-Path.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T184500
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260421T193000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20240917T123632Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240918T124847Z
UID:10002983-1776797100-1776799800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Tuesday Evening\, Drop in Meditation\, Rigpa Newcastle.
DESCRIPTION:Tuesday Evening Drop-in Meditation\n6:45pm to 7:30pm.\nHeld at and Supported by Infuse Health.\n4/10 William Street\, Adamstown. NSW. 2289.\n  \nThe first and basic practice of meditation is to allow the mind to settle into a state of ‘calm abiding’\, where it will find peace and stability. Training in mindfulness and calm abiding (shamatha) meditation pacifies our scattered minds\, defuses our powerful emotions and overcomes distraction. \nThese sessions are perfect for busy people without any meditation experience\, right through to seasoned meditators. Step by step guidance will help you build confidence in your own meditation practice and inspire you to establish a daily practice. \nDetails\n\n\nled by experienced meditators/ Rigpa instructors\nno booking required\nmultiple short sessions of meditation\nsome gentle guidance\nplease join the session no later than about 5 minutes before the session starts\ncushions and seats provided\nFree for Infuse Health members and Rigpa students\nOptional donation for others\n\n\n 
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/tuesday-evening-drop-in-meditation-rigpa-newcastle-2-2/2026-04-21/
LOCATION:Rigpa Newcastle at Infuse Health\, 4/10 William Street\, Adamstown\, Newcastle\, New South Wales\, 2289\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/newcastle-drop-in-pic-180924.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260327T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260327T113000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251128T024609Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251128T024655Z
UID:10006855-1774603800-1774611000@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Enlightened Courage: the Secret to Training and Transforming your Mind with Wisdom and Compassion. Term Five\, 2026.
DESCRIPTION:Enlightened Courage: the secret to training and transforming your mind with wisdom and compassion. \nTerm 5\, 8 Sessions\, 6 February – 27 March\, \nOnline – Fridays\, 9.30am – 11.30am. \n/MAHAYANA/ \nThis class is a continuing course made up of terms. The class features teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche\, Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche and Patrick Gaffney\, this weekly course presents the Mahayana Seven Points of Mind Training. These points lay out a path of formal meditation practice\, along with guidelines for extending that practice into everyday life. \nThese teachings are precious and unique in presenting the entire depth and breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings succinctly and practically. Mahayana mind training offers an approach to life that is straightforward\, grounded in sanity\, kindness\, and compassion. Yet it also offers a vision that completely transcends our ordinary way of viewing ourselves and others\, with an all-encompassing vision of enlightenment. \nAt the heart of this vision of enlightenment is the view that our innate\, fundamental identity is vast\, luminous and utterly awake. The Mahayana teachings refer to this as our enlightened heart\, or bodhicitta. Enlightenment is nothing other than who we really are. But for most of us\, our true nature is like a hidden treasure\, concealed behind layers of mental activity and preoccupation. Mahayana mind training helps us give expression to our enlightened heart in everything we think\, say and do. \nFounded on a practice lineage that has been actively practised for hundreds of years\, these teachings are completely relevant to the challenges posed by our modern\, globalised life. \n🗓️ 8 weekly classes: Term 5\, Friday Mornings\, 6 February – 27 March. \n⏰ 9.30am – 11.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time \n📍Online via Zoom \n💰full $160\, concession $80 \nFree for Rigpa subscribers/ members (  please email newcastle@rigpa.org.au to request the subscriber discount code ). \nThis is the fifth term of a continuing course. If you wish to join after the first two weeks of a term then please register and pay a pro rata amount by sending  an email enquiry to newcastle@rigpa.org.au. If you are a newer student and would like to study this text please email Rigpa Newcastle at newcastle@rigpa.org.au. 
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/enlightened-courage-the-secret-to-training-and-transforming-your-mind-with-wisdom-and-compassion-term-five-2026/2026-03-27/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Established Students,Newcastle,Newcastle - Established Students,Online
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Enlightened-Courage-Square.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Newcastle":MAILTO:newcastle@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260326T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260326T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20260121T005202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T012115Z
UID:10009144-1774549800-1774557000@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | Newcastle | Evening Class
DESCRIPTION:Join us on an experiential journey through The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Discover a deep and universal wisdom explored in the major themes of the book\, and learn about their practical implications for living well. Suitable for people of any religion or of none\, this course encourages you to reflect on the Buddhist teachings\, to see what makes sense to you and to experiment with applying these teachings in your daily life. \nThe Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of Tibetan Buddhism. A manual for life and death and a source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition\, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation\, to the nature of mind\, to karma and rebirth\, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path. The teachings\, meditation and contemplations from this authentic tradition reveal how each of us can live a more meaningful\, connected and fulfilling life. \nParticipants in this course will learn: \n\nHow to meditate\nHow an acceptance of impermanence can help us understand death and change our attitude towards life\nHow meditation can transform our perception\, increase our confidence and fully connect us to the world around us\nThat mind is much more than just thoughts and emotions\nHow understanding the interdependency of all things and the principle of karma (that every action has an effect) gives us a logical basis for ethics and personal responsibility\n\nLed by Western meditation instructors with many years of experience\, each session consists of: \n\nVideo teachings from Tibetan and Western Buddhist masters including Sogyal Rinpoche\, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche\, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche\, Mingyur Rinpoche\, Pema Chödrön and Sharon Salzberg.\nMeditation practice\nTime for contemplation\nGroup discussions and Q&A\, offering you the opportunity to explore the teachings and practices in an open supportive environment.\n\nThis is module one of a year-long course that students can join at any stage. Each module focusses on a different topic. \nDetails \nThis first module will give participants a taste of the main themes of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying\, including meditation\, finding inner peace and contentment and the true nature of our own mind. \n“In this book I endeavoured to share some of the wisdom of the tradition I grew up in. I sought to show the practical nature of its ancient teachings and how they can help us at every stage of living and dying. Many people\, over the years\, had urged me to write this book. They said it would help relieve some of the intense sufferings that so many of us go through in the modern world.” \n– Sogyal Rinpoche \nWhere: In person at Rigpa Newcastle\, 2/2 Smith Street\, Charlestown. \nWhen: Thursday evenings\, 5 sessions\, 26 February to 26 March \nTime: 6:30pm-8:30pm AEDT \nWho: All welcome \nCost: 5 session module: Full $100\, Concession $50 \nFREE for Rigpa members/subscribers who may email newcastle@rigpa.org.au to request the discount code. If you wish to join the class after the first session of a module then please contact us via email to register. \nIf you are experiencing financial hardship please email us at newcastle@rigpa.org.au to request a further concession.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-newcastle-evening-class-2-2/2026-03-26/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Newcastle":MAILTO:newcastle@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260324T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260324T120000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20260310T063446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T063446Z
UID:10009353-1774346400-1774353600@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | Newcastle | Day Class
DESCRIPTION:Join us on an experiential journey through The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Discover a deep and universal wisdom explored in the major themes of the book\, and learn about their practical implications for living well. Suitable for people of any religion or of none\, this course encourages you to reflect on the Buddhist teachings\, to see what makes sense to you and to experiment with applying these teachings in your daily life. \nThe Tibetan Book of Living and Dying is widely regarded as one of the most complete and authoritative presentations of Tibetan Buddhism. A manual for life and death and a source of sacred inspiration from the heart of the Tibetan tradition\, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying provides a lucid and inspiring introduction to the practice of meditation\, to the nature of mind\, to karma and rebirth\, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path. The teachings\, meditation and contemplations from this authentic tradition reveal how each of us can live a more meaningful\, connected and fulfilling life. \nParticipants in this course will learn: \n\nHow to meditate\nHow an acceptance of impermanence can help us understand death and change our attitude towards life\nHow meditation can transform our perception\, increase our confidence and fully connect us to the world around us\nThat mind is much more than just thoughts and emotions\nHow understanding the interdependency of all things and the principle of karma (that every action has an effect) gives us a logical basis for ethics and personal responsibility\n\nLed by Western meditation instructors with many years of experience\, each session consists of: \n\nVideo teachings from Tibetan and Western Buddhist masters including Sogyal Rinpoche\, Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche\, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche\, Mingyur Rinpoche\, Pema Chödrön and Sharon Salzberg.\nMeditation practice\nTime for contemplation\nGroup discussions and Q&A\, offering you the opportunity to explore the teachings and practices in an open supportive environment.\n\nThis is module one of a year-long course that students can join at any stage. Each module focusses on a different topic. \nDetails \nThis first module will give participants a taste of the main themes of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying\, including meditation\, finding inner peace and contentment and the true nature of our own mind. \n“In this book I endeavoured to share some of the wisdom of the tradition I grew up in. I sought to show the practical nature of its ancient teachings and how they can help us at every stage of living and dying. Many people\, over the years\, had urged me to write this book. They said it would help relieve some of the intense sufferings that so many of us go through in the modern world.” \n– Sogyal Rinpoche \nWhere: In person at Rigpa Newcastle\, 2/2 Smith Street\, Charlestown. \nWhen: Tuesday mornings\, 5 sessions\, 24 February to 24 March \nWho: All Welcome \nTime: 10:00am-12:00pm AEDT \nCost: 5 session module: Full $100\, Concession $50 \nFREE for Rigpa members/subscribers who may email newcastle@rigpa.org.au to request the discount code. If you wish to join the class after the first session of a module then please contact us via email to register. \nIf you are experiencing financial hardship please email us at newcastle@rigpa.org.au to request a further concession.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-newcastle-day-class-2/2026-03-24/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Newcastle":MAILTO:newcastle@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260307T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260307T173000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251205T064932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260302T013117Z
UID:10007315-1772895600-1772904600@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:A Path to Fearlessness | Meditation and Wisdom for Every Day
DESCRIPTION:The sense of fear is a useful tool for survival. Living in fear for fear’s sake\, however\, can be paralysing. \nThis session will present a short teaching by Dungse Jampal Norbu as he explores the root causes of our fear\, and how we can cultivate the antidote to them. From the Buddhist view\, fear arises from three negative emotions: attachment\, aversion\, and ignorance. By investigating the source of our fears and confronting them with fierce compassion\, Buddhism offers a path away from fear and anxiety towards courage. \n  \nA session in the Meditation and Wisdom to Transform Every Day Life series. \nSpend time with your best self on a journey from sadness and anger to peace and joy. The timeless wisdom and meditative insights of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition offer many practical methods to help us heal and thrive as we face the everyday challenges of anxiety\, depression\, anger\, physical pain\, loneliness\, and burnout. \nThis series of Saturday afternoon sessions offer an introduction to meditation and practical advice from some of the foremost Tibetan Buddhist teachers of our age. Applying these teachings can help us meet the challenges of these difficult times\, to heal ourselves\, and to bring us to the core of our own peace\, compassion and wisdom. \nLed by Western meditation instructors with many years of experience\, each session consists of: \n\nVideo teachings from Tibetan Buddhist masters including Sogyal Rinpoche\, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche\, Dungse Jampal Norbu and Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche.\nMeditation practice\nTime for contemplation\nGroup discussions and Q&A\, offering you the opportunity to explore the teachings and practices in an open supportive environment and to connect with a community of practitioners\n\nDates and Topics for 2026 \n7 March           A Path to Fearlessness\n4 April              No session due to Easter retreat\n2 May              Calming the Mind and Overcoming Anxiety\n6 June             No session due to the Finding Inner Peace and Contentment retreat\n4 July               Where Can We Find Lasting Happiness?\n1 August          Everything is Workable\n5 September   Overcoming Depression\n3 October        Accentuate the Positive: How to Work with Negative Emotions\n7 November    Beating Burnout and Stress\n5 December    How to Remain Unshaken By Life’s Ups and Downs \n  \n📍 Online and Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/a-path-to-fearlessness-meditation-and-wisdom-for-every-day/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/MaWtTEL-Mar-A-Path-to-Fearlessness-text.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260221T090000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260222T163000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20260109T051910Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260122T101801Z
UID:10007808-1771664400-1771777800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:The "I can't meditate" trap (and how to escape it)
DESCRIPTION:A Weekend Course\, 21-22 February\, 9am – 4.30pm.\nFree introductory zoom call on Wednesday 11th February\, 7:00pm to 7:40pm.\nIn Person at Newcastle Rigpa Centre\, 2/2 Smith Street\, Charlestown 2290.\n  \nMany people believe meditation is something you either “get” or you don’t. They imagine a quiet mind or an instant sense of calm—then feel discouraged when thoughts inevitably show up! Western concepts of meditation have set us up to fail.\nMeditation isn’t about banishing thoughts to achieve peace. It’s about changing our relationship with thoughts\, so they no longer trigger anxiety\, fear\, or negativity. And it isn’t about becoming a different person. Meditation is about discovering the peace\, clarity\, and ease\, that are already there— hidden beneath our habits of rushing\, striving\, and self-criticism.\nThis weekend course is an invitation to step out of that pattern and explore and experience meditation in its most natural form without pressure or performance. \nFree introductory zoom call – This is a no obligation free introductory discussion about the weekend course “The ‘I can’t meditate’ trap (and how to escape it)”. You will meet the instructors Merryn and Craig who will describe the flow of the weekend\, the types of meditation practices we will do during the weekend and answer any questions you might have. Click this button to register for the zoom call.   \nWhat we’ll explore together\nAcross the weekend\, we’ll discover why trying to “force” meditation often backfires. Instead we’ll explore:\n• How genuine ease can arise naturally\nDiscover the quality of ease already present in your very being through meditation.\n• How mindfulness\, awareness\, and spaciousness work in everyday life\nNot as abstract concepts\, but as lived experiences that can shift how we respond to stress\, relationships\, and uncertainty.\n• How everything can become meditation\nSitting\, walking\, eating\, conversations\, movement—even the difficult moments. Life becomes the practice.\n• How to meet your mind with curiosity rather than judgment\nThis includes learning simple techniques to work with overthinking\, restlessness\, emotional turbulence\, and sensory overwhelm.\n• How change becomes possible without straining for it\nWhen awareness deepens\, clarity and resilience emerge on their own. \nWho this course is for\nThis weekend is designed for people who:\n• have tried meditating but feel they’re “not doing it right”\n• have never meditated but are keen to dip your toe in\n• are curious about meditation as a way of being\, not just a technique\n• feel stuck or overwhelmed and want a spacious reset\n• want to build confidence in their ability to find inner peace and calm \nWhat you’ll take away\nBy the end of the weekend\, you can expect to leave with:\n• a sense of ease you can access anytime\n• practical tools for navigating stress and change\n• a renewed relationship with your own mind and emotions\n• confidence that meditation is possible for you\n• a simple daily practice you can sustain \nWhy a weekend?\nA short immersion allows you to slow down just enough to notice what’s always been available but rarely seen. This often leads to breakthroughs that are hard to access in quick or isolated sessions. \nEvening Zoom call introduction – optional Wednesday 11 or 18th February\nThis is a free introduction to the weekend that you can attend as either a taster and introduction to the weekend or to help you decide if you want to attend the weekend course. \nMeditation style and instructors\nThe techniques taught will be secular but based on the Tibetan Nyingma Buddhist meditation methods that are our tradition. These methods have been passed down from teacher to student for centuries. \n \nMerryn Kennedy is a senior instructor with Rigpa Australia with over 30 years of meditation practice. She was a senior civil servant in the Commonwealth Government. Merryn is an active member of Rigpa supporting retreats throughout the year. She finds having a daily meditation practice not only brings a sense of optimism but is the key to being able to better respond to everyday events and setbacks. \n \nCraig Dalton has been an instructor with Rigpa for over 15 years. He spends between 4 to 8 weeks in retreat each year. He is a public health physician and credits meditation practice with guiding him through the challenges of both work and raising two boisterous boys. He was the course coordinator for Buddhist and other Contemplative Traditions at the University of Newcastle. \nWhat the schedule looks like\nWe will start the program at 9am each day and end no later than 4.30pm.\nThere will be a mix of sitting practice\, meditation instructions and discussion. Some meditation sessions will be guided and others will be personal practice. Challenges to practice and integration in daily life will be discussed. We will have two 20 minute breaks and a 40 minute lunch break. \nOn Sunday\, for those who would like to join us for a complimentary light breakfast\, we’ll be there at 8am. \nAccessibility statement \nThe venue is ground floor with good access for wheelchairs and those with reduced mobility. Unfortunately the toilet is not wheelchair-accessible. The room has opening windows for fresh air and air conditioning. It is a simple comfortable room\, with easy access to the outside\, and there will be an image or statue of the Buddha. \nSetting\nWe create a cosy and quiet atmosphere\, and people are welcome to take breaks outside whenever they wish\, or to lie down if they need. Merryn and Craig are available to chat and questions are encouraged. \nMaximum group size 25 people \nWhat you need to bring\nBring a water bottle. A cushion will be available if you want to sit on the floor or you can bring your own. Chairs are also available. There is no “dress code”\, just wear comfortable clothing. \nIf you’re ready to explore meditation in a fresh and empowering way\, this weekend is a place to begin. All are welcome. \nCourse Details \n Date – 21-22 February with a free introductory zoom call on Wednesday 11th February \n Time – 9am – 4.30pm (at the latest) \nPlace – 2/2 Smith Street\, Charlestown \nCost – $180 full and $90 concession (we want no one to miss out because of finances so please contact us at newcastle@rigpa.org.au if you need assistance)
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/the-i-cant-meditate-trap-and-how-to-escape-it/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Newcastle-Meditation-Weekend-Logo-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260122
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260127
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251106T022218Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251222T090148Z
UID:10006836-1769040000-1769471999@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Know your mind\, transform your life
DESCRIPTION:This five-day retreat will take you to the heart of the revolutionary insight of Buddhism\, that life and death are in the mind\, and nowhere else. In Dzogchen—the most direct stream of wisdom within the teachings of Buddhism—the mind is revealed as the universal basis of experience: the creator of happiness and the creator of suffering. \nGuided by the teachings of the Buddha\, deep reflection\, and our own personal meditative insight\, we will investigate exactly how the mind is the root of our entire reality. This exploration leads to a profound certainty and confidence in our mind’s essence: the lucid\, pure awareness that underlies the whole of life and death. \nThe foundation of trust in our inherently pure nature\, allows us to investigate \n\nhow the mind’s unending display of thoughts and emotions are workable\nthe cognitive and emotional patterns of delusion that perpetuate samsara; and\nthe challenging\, yet liberating notion\, that ‘samsara is mind turned outwardly\, lost in its projection\, whereas nirvana is mind turned inwardly\, recognising its nature.’\n\nThis paves the way to the profound method of leaving the mind unaltered in its true nature\, finding a natural great peace\, bliss and clarity. \nThe retreat will allow for reflection and meditation on the teachings tailored to each participants’ prior experience: from complete beginners to ngondro\, and dzogchen practitioners. \nJoin us for a journey from our ordinary\, everyday mind\, to the true essence and nature of mind. \n  \n📍Rigpa Melbourne\, 803 Nicholson St\, Carlton North;\n📍Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\n📍& Online \n(Those gathering at the Rigpa Melbourne Centre will view the live event from Sydney via Zoom. To attend the retreat at the Melbourne Centre\, please select the online option when registering. You may register to attend part or all of the retreat. Our Melbourne team will then be in touch to confirm arrangements.)
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/know-your-mind-transform-your-life/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Established Students,For Everyone,Melbourne - Everyone,Melbourne Established Students,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Established,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/KYMTYL-mel-syd-online-square.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251206T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250719T052637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250719T052637Z
UID:10006472-1765033200-1765040400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Break Free from Self Obsession
DESCRIPTION:  \nWe invite you to join us to investigate how self-centredness stacks up against a\nmore compassionate view\, look at some simple\, practical things we can do to\nsoften our self-obsession\, and introduce loving kindness practice\, one of the\ncore entryways into the vast toolkit of the Buddhist compassion practices. \n🗓️ Saturday 6 December \n⏰ 3-5pm AEDT (12 noon Perth\, 2.30pm Adelaide\, 5.00am CET\, 11 pm Friday US East\, 8:00pm Friday US West) \n📍Online & Sydney
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/break-free-from-self-obsession/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251201T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251201T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251204T061747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251204T061816Z
UID:10006694-1764615600-1764622800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Self Forgiveness in the Light of Compassion
DESCRIPTION:A seminar with Christine Longaker \nDiscover how to live with a lighter\, kinder heart. Many of us carry beliefs that we’re unworthy of love or beyond forgiveness\, leaving us trapped in self-blame. But punishing ourselves only deepens our suffering. Through insight\, compassion\, and guided meditations\, you’ll learn to soften your “inner critic\,” release false beliefs\, and understand why you can let yourself off the hook—all of which lightens your heart. As you cultivate forgiveness and compassion for yourself\, you’ll naturally feel empathy and understanding for others— which brings more kindness and healing into your family and the entire world. \nSeminar topics:  \n●      Dismantling the barriers to self-forgiveness \n●      Understanding your life with kindness and acceptance \n●      Transforming your “inner critic” \n●      A few good reasons to let yourself off the hook \n●      Meditations that deepen authentic compassion and forgiveness for yourself and others \n  \nAbout Christine Longaker \nChristine Longaker co-founded one of the first home care hospices in California in 1978\, and helped establish the international Spiritual Care Program in 1993\, in which she trained teams of caregivers who collectively brought the vision of compassionate care for the dying to over 30\,000 people. Her book\, Facing Death and Finding Hope: A Guide to the Emotional and Spiritual Care of the Dying\, is published in eight languages. For forty years\, Christine Longaker has become an internationally renowned teacher on meditation\, compassion\, and care for the dying. Her trainings inspired the founding of four hospices and two spiritual care centers. \nLongaker was developer and faculty for the six-month “Contemplative End-of-Life Care” training that was accredited by Naropa University in Colorado. The long-term benefits of spiritual care training were demonstrated in research she co-authored that was published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine in 2005. \nBecause self-compassion is the most vital ingredient for inner healing\, building resilience and the essential precursor to having compassion for others\, Christine Longaker’s vision is to bring the skills and methods of self-compassion to many areas of endeavor. This\, combined with her decades of spiritual training and skill in communicating with diverse audiences\, bring unique insights and powerful methods to the work.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/self-forgiveness-in-the-light-of-compassion-2/2025-12-01/2/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20251119T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Brisbane:20251119T204500
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251021T135354Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T013532Z
UID:10006833-1763578800-1763585100@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Meditation in Action
DESCRIPTION:Meditation in Action  \nBuddhist meditation and philosophy for everyday activity \nRigpa Brisbane is pleased to announce we are offering this new and exciting 5 week course starting Wednesday 5 November 2025. \nThe course is open for in-person attendance for all. \nFor more information and to register please  click here.  \nEnquiries: brisbane@rigpa.org.au
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/meditation-in-action-4/2025-11-19/
LOCATION:Rigpa Brisbane\, Unit 2/19 Enoggera Terrace\, Brisbane\, Queensland\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Brisbane Everyone,For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Meditation_in_action_sq2_11-2025.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Brisbane":MAILTO:brisbane@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251119T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251217T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251117T053406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T053448Z
UID:10006838-1763577000-1766003400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | Mind is Like the Sky - Nov/Dec - Sydney and Online
DESCRIPTION:Mind is Like the Sky: Discover Inner Peace and Contentment in the True Nature of Your Mind \nIn this course\, we will learn to: \n· Sit with what is\, cultivating a gentle curiosity toward our inner world.\n· Explore the space between thoughts\, discovering the innate clarity and peace that is always present.\n· Work with energy and emotion not as enemies\, but as natural expressions of a dynamic mind.\n· Rest in awareness itself\, moving from thinking about experience to directly knowing it.\n\nThis is a deeply experiential path. It is for those who feel a call to look inward\, to move beyond concepts\, and to touch the timeless wisdom that has illuminated hearts for centuries. No prior experience is necessary\, only an open heart and a willingness to explore.\n\nJoin us. Let’s journey together from the turbulence of the surface to the profound stillness of the depths.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-mind-is-like-the-sky-sydney-and-online-2/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251116T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251116T163000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20251008T080633Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T100515Z
UID:10006745-1763285400-1763310600@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Expanding Our Heart: Love and Compassion in Everyday Life
DESCRIPTION:An Experiential Workshop with Valerie Baker\,\nNewcastle in Person\, Sunday 16th November\, 9.30am – 4.30pm\, Carrington Memorial Hall\, 1A Hargraves St Carrington\, NSW 2294.\n“If you want others to be happy\, practice compassion.\nIf you want to be happy\, practice compassion.”\n— His Holiness the Dalai Lama \nMany people think of compassion as something we either have or don’t — in the Buddhist tradition\, however\, compassion is a quality we can consciously develop\, just like mindfulness or concentration. \nRigpa Newcastle warmly invites you to a special workshop with Buddhist teacher Valerie Baker.\nValerie will guide us through profound yet practical methods from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition\, showing how compassion can grow our daily lives. \nTogether we will explore: \n\nHow compassion can transform the way we relate to ourselves and others.\nWhat begins to unfold when we actively cultivate compassion.\nThe Four Immeasurables — loving-kindness\, compassion\, joy\, and equanimity — timeless practices for opening the heart to others.\nSimple guided exercises that bring ease\, connection\, and a sense of spaciousness.\n\nAt a time when compassion is needed more than ever\, this is an opportunity to pause\, reflect\, and discover that compassion is not just an ideal\, but a practice that can be learned\, deepened\, and shared. \n📍Carrington Memorial Hall\, 1A Hargraves St Carrington\, (Newcastle). It is a charming hall\, is wheelchair accessible and has easy parking. \n🗓️ Sunday 16th November \n⏰ 9.30am – 4.30pm\nwith breaks for morning and afternoon tea (supplied) and lunch (not supplied). \nAbout Valerie\n \nValerie grew up in Ireland and has been a student of Buddhism since the early 1990s and has completed several traditional closed retreats. For the last 20 years\, Valerie has developed Buddhist courses and study programmes for Rigpa and has held teaching and practice events around the world.\nShe is known for her clarity\, her sense of humour\, kindness and humility. She currently lives and works at the Lerab Ling Retreat Centre in France.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/expanding-our-heart-love-and-compassion-in-everyday-life/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251101T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251101T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250719T051635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250719T051635Z
UID:10006471-1762009200-1762016400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Basic Sanity
DESCRIPTION:  \nOften our mind can seem like a wild monkey\, jumping restlessly from thought\nto emotion to thought. The good news is that we all have basic sanity. It is our\nessential nature. But mostly we do not know that. We identify ourselves with\nmad monkey mind and we suffer because we do not know who we really are.\nIn this session we’ll explore how meditation can begin to pacify monkey mind\nand reconnect us with our innate\, vibrant wisdom and peace. \n🗓️ Saturday 1 November \n⏰ 3-5pm AEDT (12 noon Perth\, 2.30pm Adelaide\, 5.00am CET\, 12 midnight US East\, 9:00pm Friday US West) \n📍Online & Sydney
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/basic-sanity-3/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251015T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251112T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250924T232642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T232826Z
UID:10006633-1760553000-1762979400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | Mind is Like the Sky - Sydney and Online
DESCRIPTION:Mind is Like the Sky: Discover Inner Peace and Contentment in the True Nature of Your Mind \nIn this course\, we will learn to: \n· Sit with what is\, cultivating a gentle curiosity toward our inner world.\n· Explore the space between thoughts\, discovering the innate clarity and peace that is always present.\n· Work with energy and emotion not as enemies\, but as natural expressions of a dynamic mind.\n· Rest in awareness itself\, moving from thinking about experience to directly knowing it.\n\nThis is a deeply experiential path. It is for those who feel a call to look inward\, to move beyond concepts\, and to touch the timeless wisdom that has illuminated hearts for centuries. No prior experience is necessary\, only an open heart and a willingness to explore.\n\nJoin us. Let’s journey together from the turbulence of the surface to the profound stillness of the depths.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-mind-is-like-the-sky-sydney-and-online/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251004T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20251004T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250716T061530Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250905T032017Z
UID:10006470-1759590000-1759597200@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Healing Low Self Esteem
DESCRIPTION:  \nThe Buddhist teachings are adamant that the core of our being is fundamentally good. It is our negative emotions and misunderstandings that oppress us and lead to low self-esteem\, insecurity and feeling unloved. Join us to investigate how we can begin to heal ourselves by acknowledging and connecting with the fundamental goodness and unconditional love that we all have within us\, which we call our buddha nature. \n🗓️ Saturday 4 October \n⏰ 3-5pm AEST (7.00am Paris\, 1:00 am US East\, 10:00pm Friday US West) \n📍Online & Sydney
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/healing-low-self-esteem/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250906T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250906T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250715T063850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250715T063850Z
UID:10006469-1757170800-1757178000@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Transforming Loneliness
DESCRIPTION:  \nOften\, we go looking for happiness\, comfort and company outside of ourselves. \nUltimately\, however\, deeper lasting contentment lies within ourselves. Through working with our own mind and heart\, emotions like loneliness can be transformed and transcended so that we can feel comfortable in our own skin whether we are in a crowd or completely alone. \n🗓️ Saturday 6 September \n⏰ 3-5pm AEST (6.00am London\, 5:00am CET\, 1:00 am US East\, 10:00pm Friday US West) \n📍Online & Sydney
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/transforming-loneliness/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250827T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250924T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250818T043818Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250818T043818Z
UID:10006549-1756319400-1758745800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | The Spiritual Path - Sydney and Online
DESCRIPTION:The Spiritual Path (Module 6 of the full-year course\, new students are welcome to join) \nThe first declaration that the Buddha made at the time of his enlightenment was: “Profound peace\, free of complexity\, natural simplicity\, uncompounded luminosity.” \nThis module examines what enlightenment is and explores the practical training of the Tibetan Buddhist Dzogchen Path in terms of View\, Meditation and Action. To see directly the absolute state\, the Ground of our being\, is the View; the way of stabilizing that View and making it an unbroken experience is Meditation; and integrating the View into our entire reality\, and life\, is what is meant by Action. \n 
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-the-spiritual-path-sydney-and-online/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250802T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250714T230145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T230145Z
UID:10006468-1754146800-1754154000@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Overcoming Fear and Anxiety
DESCRIPTION:Fear is one of the strongest emotions we may face\, and anxiety can be utterly paralysing. \nThe Buddhist teachings illuminate the deepest source of our fears\, and offer a rich array of tools to help us pacify and ultimately conquer those fears. Invoking protection from small heartedness\, we can access the courage to heal ourselves\, transform our fear\, and develop as expansive confidence that empowers us to help others. \n🗓️ Saturday 2 August \n⏰ 3-5pm AEST (5:00am CET\, 12:00 midnight US East\, 9:00pm US West) \n📍Online & Sydney
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/overcoming-fear-and-anxiety-2/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T191500
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250801T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250531T094304Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250710T060519Z
UID:10005984-1754075700-1754082000@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:An open heart in tumultuous times
DESCRIPTION:An open heart in tumultuous times\nHow the Buddhist approach to compassionate living can nourish us all. \nHis Eminence the 7th Yongzin Ling Rinpoche will teach on Bodhichitta and the Eight Verses of Training the Mind. \nGive all profit and gain to others\,\nTake all loss and defeat on yourself. \nThese astounding words\, so contrary to our conventional worldview\, encapsulate the Buddhist teaching of training the mind in compassion. \nThe compassion teachings summarised in the Eight Verses challenge us to go beyond our usual fixed ideas and assumptions\, revealing a much bigger\, brighter\, freer version of ourselves. By learning how to overcome a limited view of ourselves we can begin to relate to others\, ourselves\, and the world with more kindness\, compassion\, and understanding. We start to see through divisiveness and antagonism and experience a deep and liberating connection with others. \nAt a tumultuous time when our lives are getting fuller\, faster and more stressful\, the advice and practical training contained in the Eight Verses is invaluable in helping us to not only cope with the challenges of our life but to actually use them as the raw material for our awakening. \n🗓️ Friday 1 August\n⏰7:15pm\n📍Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown & Online via Zoom \nAbout Ling Rinpoche \nLing Choktrul Rinpoche (7th Kyabjé Yongzin Ling Rinpoche) is an important lama of the Gelugpa school\, born in India and recognized at an early age by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of his Principal Teacher\, His Holiness the 6th Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche. \nLing Rinpoche entered Drepung Monastic University in South India in 1990. He received his geshe degree in 2016 and completed his tantric studies in 2018. \nSince the early 1990s he has given teachings and tantric initiations in many countries in Asia and Europe\, North America and Australia. He has participated in the Mind and Life Institute dialogues between His Holiness the Dalai Lama and scientists on a variety of topics\, such as physics\, neuroplasticity and destructive emotions.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/an-open-heart-in-tumultuous-times/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250730T210000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250409T072015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250708T042153Z
UID:10005647-1753902000-1753909200@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Bringing the Mind Home - Finding Inner Peace\, Compassion\, and Wisdom
DESCRIPTION:The key message of Buddha’s teachings is both empowering and optimistic: that inherent in the essential nature of our mind is a kindness\, compassion\, and wisdom that is naturally ours. And through the simple\, yet revolutionary shift in orientation that comes when we learn to turn within and come to know that aspect of our mind\, we will come to discover within ourselves a tremendous capacity to benefit ourselves and our world. \nThe teachings of the Buddha say that when we understand our mind\, we understand ourselves and who we really are\, and this brings with it a deep sense of peace\, confidence\, and well-being. For those of us who are searching for a wholesome relationship with ourselves and the world around us\, Buddha’s message is an invitation for exploration and investigation. \nThe Buddha never asked anyone to just believe what he said\, but instead asked us to deeply investigate anything before accepting it. In this course\, we invite you to do exactly this\, and will facilitate a process of \n\nlearning about what Buddha had to say about our mind\, and its role in creating our reality\nreflection and investigating this to see if it rings true to you\, and challenging our own views and habits in light of our understanding\nmeditation – which is a direct and experiential process of clearly and directly seeing your own mind and reality\, in light of the insights gained through learning and reflection\n\nThe course draws on a variety of sources\, ranging from the direct teachings of Buddha recorded in ancient texts called sutra and abhidharma\, to contemporary masters who hold the living and unbroken transmission of the Buddha’s wisdom mind\, and are able to guide us from the depth of their insight and compassion. \n  \nCourse details \nThis is the first module of a two part course. It can be followed as as stand-alone course or taken together with the next course module\, which will run from Wednesday 20 August to Wednesday 8 October 2025 \n\nWhen: Weekly classes on Wednesday evenings from 11 June to 30 July 2025\, 7:00 – 8:45pm AEST. Practice based classes on Sunday 29 June and Sunday 27 July\, 9:30am to 3:30pm AEST\nWhere: \nin person at Rigpa Brisbane\, 2/19 Enoggera Terrace\, Red Hill; \nin person at Rigpa Melbourne\, 803 Nicholson St\, Carlton North and \nonline (online attendance only available if you do not live in Brisbane or Melbourne)\nCost: $200 full fee or $110 concession\n\nFor Rigpa subscribers: The course is included in your subscription fees
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/bringing-the-mind-home-finding-inner-peace-compassion-and-wisdom/2025-07-30/
LOCATION:Rigpa Brisbane\, Unit 2/19 Enoggera Terrace\, Brisbane\, Queensland\, Australia
CATEGORIES:Brisbane Everyone,For Everyone,Melbourne - Everyone,Melbourne Established Students,Newcastle - All welcome,Online
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Brisbane":MAILTO:brisbane@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250723T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250820T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250521T223136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250601T035547Z
UID:10005982-1753295400-1755721800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind | Rebirth\, Karma and This Life - Sydney and Online
DESCRIPTION:Rebirth\, Karma and This Life (Module 5 of the full-year course\, new students welcome) \nThis module explores the Buddhist reasoning for the acceptance of rebirth and reincarnation. We will use the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths as a framework to help us take stock of our lives\, inspire a shift in the way we see ourselves and the way we relate to the world around us. Lastly\, the module investigates Karma. Karma is often misunderstood in as fate or pre-destination. Karma\, however if understood well\, presents us with an opportunity to be free from our suffering.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/inspiring-a-revolution-in-your-heart-and-mind-rebirth-karma-and-this-life-sydney-and-online/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Inspiring.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250717T190000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250717T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250224T033206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250529T015303Z
UID:10005252-1752778800-1752784200@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:A New Way of Seeing the World: Discovering Buddhist Wisdom
DESCRIPTION:A New Way of Seeing the World: Discovering Buddhist Wisdom \nWeekly ONLINE interactive course over 10 weeks with Dominique Side \nThis interactive course is an exploration of the key points of Buddhist thought. It examines these perspectives closely to see the similarities and differences between Buddhist views and contemporary ideas. We will be invited to revisit our own views and clarify for ourselves what our outlook on life actually is. This process leads to far greater confidence in the way we see things. \nThe course covers these topics:\nWeek 1          What is wisdom?\nWeek 2          Mindfulness: the support of wisdom\nWeek 3          How things appear and how things are\nWeek 4          The Four Noble Truths\nWeek 5          Who am I ? Body and mind\nWeek 6          The afflictions: how do they function and how can we eliminate them?\nWeek 7          Karma: what it is\, how it works\, can a Buddhist do without it?\nWeek 8          The Wheel of Life\nWeek 9          What does enlightenment mean?\nWeek 10        The journey: Stages on the Buddhist path \n  \nMay 15\, 2025 – July 17\, 2025 \nAvailable on Rigpa’s Online Courses platform from 15 May until 17 July 2025\,\nLive sessions every Thursday\, 19:00 – 20:30 Australian Eastern Standard Time (11:00 – 12:30 CET) \n  \nAbout Dominique Side \nDominique encountered Tibetan Buddhism in the mid-seventies in London—it rapidly became her life’s passion. Since then she has dedicated her life to communicating the extremely practical and at the same time deeply profound ideas of Tibetan Buddhism to people of all walks of life. \nDominique has studied with Sogyal Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche in particular\, and has completed several strict practise retreats. She also obtained a PhD in Madhyamaka philosophy from Bristol University\, UK. She taught Buddhism in London schools for eight years and wrote several textbooks on the subject. Under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse she initiated the Milinda training programme for Dharma teachers in 2017. For five years Dominique served as vice-president of the European Buddhist Union; and she manages Windows into Buddhism\, a website with educational resources for those who teach Buddhism to children. \nEntrusted as a Senior Teacher in Rigpa\, she specialises in making Buddhist thought and philosophy accessible to all. \nRecently Dominique started writing in-depth articles from the Buddhist perspective for her blog The Softer Gaze\, that have the power to enrich the everyday and support a softer view of life\, one that is infused with the Buddha’s compassionate gaze. \nShe is author of Discovering Buddhism (2022) that presents the history and key ideas of all the main traditions of Buddhism in an accessible way for the general public and the education sector. She edited two books by the Dalai Lama\, The Four Noble Truths (Thorsons\, 1998) and Transforming the Mind (Thorsons\, 1999).
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/a-new-way-of-seeing-the-world-discovering-buddhist-wisdom/2025-07-17/
LOCATION:Online via Zoom\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/A-new-way-of-seeing-the-world-1080px-_no-text.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250607T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250608T150000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250401T041815Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250424T032333Z
UID:10005361-1749288600-1749394800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:The Essence of Tibetan Buddhism: A Weekend with Jan van der Breggen
DESCRIPTION:In this weekend of teachings\, shared reflection\, and meditation practice\, Jan van der Breggen will guide participants through an exploration of key elements of Tibetan Buddhist tradition\, with the aim to help anyone — whether new to Buddhism or with an already established practice path — establish a meaningful relationship with the vast and colourful world of Tibetan Buddhism. \nThe Buddhist path can be divided into three broad stages: the foundational path\, emphasizing peace\, the mahayana path\, emphasizing compassion and wisdom\, and the vajrayana path\, emphasizing transforming our perception of ourselves and the world we live in. \nDuring this weekend we will explore how this third approach — that of transforming our perception\,  forms a thread that runs throughout all three stages. It is founded on the view that the awakened state\, enlightenment\, is right here\, in the present moment\, and can be brought into every aspect of the spiritual path. \nFrom this perspective\, our world and our reality depend entirely on our own mind\, and the way it perceives reality. And so\, the unsatisfactory nature of our lives that Buddha’s teachings speak of\, is not caused by an inherent problem with our world. Instead\, it is a result of our limited\, distorted perception. \nFounded on this view\, Tibetan Buddhism is marked by a rich array of skilful methods which it has nurtured and perfected over hundreds of years. This includes basic meditation practices to calm and stabilise the mind; contemplative methods to awaken in us deep wisdom and vast compassion; visualization practice\, mantra recitation\, and profound meditation to help us arrive swiftly at a direct realization of our true nature and the nature of reality itself. \nDuring this workshop we will explore some of these methods\, and how each of them is founded upon the view they are designed to help us bring into direct\, personal experience. \nAbout Jan van der Breggen \nJan began his path of meditation at 17 years old\, touched by the tenderness of the human experience and filled with questions about what reality was all about. Thirty years later\, Jan continues to be moved by the vast profundity of the Buddhist path and its vision of the inherent wisdom\, loving kindness and strength that lies in the minds of each and every one of us. \nJan completed Rigpa’s three-year retreat\, is a Senior teacher\, and\, in 2017\, he was selected to participate in the Milinda program\, a 10-year\, international Buddhist teacher training program under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. \nJan grew up in the Netherlands and has lived in Brisbane\, Australia\, since 1998\, where he obtained a postgraduate degree in information technology. He makes a living as a data and analytics professional for a large financial service provider. Jan was instrumental in founding Rigpa Brisbane in 1999\, where he has served as a Dharma instructor for over 20 years.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/the-essence-of-tibetan-buddhism-a-weekend-with-jan-van-der-breggen/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250601T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250110T020310Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T020531Z
UID:10004863-1748770200-1748782800@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Sydney Sangha Day - June 2025 - Refuge & Bodhichitta (Part 2)
DESCRIPTION:This session continues from our May sangha day with Part 2 of teachings on Refuge  & Bodhichitta by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/sydney-sangha-day-june-2025-refuge-bodhichitta-part-2/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sydney-Sangha-Day-Square-540-×-540-px.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250504T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250504T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250110T015001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250319T015617Z
UID:10004862-1746351000-1746363600@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Sydney Sangha Day - May 2025 - Refuge & Bodhichitta (Part 1)
DESCRIPTION:Refuge and Bodhichitta (Part 1) teachings by Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/sydney-sangha-day-may-2025-refuge-bodhichitta-part-1/
LOCATION:
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sydney-Sangha-Day-Square-540-×-540-px.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250503T100000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250504T160000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250423T024604Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T024604Z
UID:10005876-1746266400-1746374400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Mind\, matter and consciousness: a Buddhist exploration
DESCRIPTION:Mind\, matter and consciousness: a Buddhist exploration \nA weekend with Andy Karr and Lynn Friedman \nCombining contemporary Western philosophical inquiries with classical Buddhist investigations into the nature of mind\, Andy and Lynn invite you to spend a weekend on a personal\, experiential journey to look deeply at mind and the nature of reality. Accessible and practical\, these contemplative and meditative practices help us face our own experience with openness\, spontaneity and compassion\, liberate ourselves from the tyranny of our mental projections and access our own natural goodness. \nOver the course of this weekend\, you will: \n\nLearn how to meditate\nBuild a deep appreciation for why we meditate\nUnravel your ordinary concepts about mind and the world around you\nInvestigate the flaws of a materialistic world view\nGet a taste of your mind’s vast capacity for wisdom and compassion\n\n  \nWhen: 3 & 4 May\nTime: 10:00 – 4:00\nWhere: Melbourne & Online\nRichmond Theatrette 415 Church St\, Richmond
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/mind-matter-and-consciousness-a-buddhist-exploration/
LOCATION:Richmond Theatrette\, 415 Church St\, Richmond\, Melbourne\, Vic\, 3121\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Melbourne - Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome,Online
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Melbourne":MAILTO:melbourne@rigpa.org.au
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250418T083000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250425T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250110T225357Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T033141Z
UID:10004864-1744965000-1745600400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Contemplating Reality | A retreat with Andy Karr and Lynn Friedman | Sydney & Online
DESCRIPTION:Acquire transformative tools for life—honed by an ancient Buddhist tradition and adapted for the modern world—to experience deep meditation and profound insight into reality. \nThis is a rare and unique\, life-enhancing opportunity—and a first in Australia. \nJoin Andy Karr and Lynn Friedman\, two senior teachers and long-time students of the renowned Tibetan master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche (1939–1987)\, for an inspiring one- to eight-day urban retreat that blends the spacious clarity of meditation with the rich wisdom of Buddhist philosophy and practical know how. \nThrough a unique combination of guided contemplation\, experiential exercises\, and extended meditation sessions\, this retreat offers a powerful opportunity to explore the nature of consciousness and awaken to the true potential of your own mind and heart. \nRooted in the teachings from Andy Karr’s acclaimed books\, Into the Mirror and Contemplating Reality\, this retreat provides a welcoming and accessible path into classical Buddhist inquiry—bridging ancient insight with modern understanding. \nWhether you’re new to Buddhist philosophy or looking to deepen your practice\, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of reality\, a stronger connection to your inner wisdom\, and tools to integrate these insights into daily life. \nDiscover the buddha nature within you. Step into a space of clarity\, compassion\, and transformation. \n  \n🗓️ 18-25 April\n🧘 Short option 18-21 April\n📍In person at 158 Australia St\, Newtown & Online \n  \nAbout Andy Karr \nAndy Karr has practiced and studied the dharma for over fifty years under the guidance of such great masters as Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Khenpo Tsültrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. He is the author of Into the Mirror: A Buddhist Journey through Mind\, Matter\, and the Nature of Reality and Contemplating Reality. He is also the co-author of The Practice of Contemplative Photography: Seeing the World with Fresh Eyes. \nAbout Lynn Friedman \nLynn Friedman has been a student of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche since the mid 1970s and has been teaching shamatha-vipashyana meditation in his tradition for 35 years. She had a long career as a software architect\, and is now the director of the Chögyam Trungpa Digital Library\, a project to transcribe and make available to the public the entire collection of recorded teachings of Trungpa Rinpoche.
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/contemplating-reality-a-retreat-with-andy-karr-and-lynne-friedman-sydney-online/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250412T150000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250412T170000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250322T060501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250408T020943Z
UID:10005301-1744470000-1744477200@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Finding Courage in a World Full of Fear
DESCRIPTION:Fear is a useful tool for staying alive; recognizing danger we avoid harm and survive. Fear for fear’s sake\, however\, can be debilitating. \nA connection with meditation practice\, which shows us the true capacity of our mind and heart for insight\, clarity and compassion can transform the way we perceive ourselves and our world around us. Buddhism offers a path toward fearlessness by confronting fear with inner strength and open-hearted courage\, to help us step out of the clutches of fear and discover new meaning\, inspiration\, and joy in our lives. \n🗓️ Saturday 12 April\n⏰3:00-5:00pm\n📍Rigpa Sydney and Online \n💰$20 standard\, $10 concession
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/finding-courage-in-a-world-full-of-fear/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ORGANIZER;CN="Rigpa Sydney":MAILTO:sydney@rigpa.org.au
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250406T093000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20250406T130000
DTSTAMP:20260424T023202
CREATED:20250108T025114Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250203T040353Z
UID:10004760-1743931800-1743944400@rigpa.org.au
SUMMARY:Sydney Sangha Day - April 2025 - Knowing what to do and what not to do
DESCRIPTION:Sydney Sangha Day – 6 April 2025 \nPowerful reminders: Knowing what to do and what not to do – Kirsten Czeczor 
URL:https://rigpa.org.au/event/sydney-sangha-day-april-2025/
LOCATION:Rigpa Sydney\, 158 Australia St\, Newtown\, Sydney\, NSW\, 2042\, Australia
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle - All welcome,Online,Sydney - Everyone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://rigpa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Sydney-Sangha-Day-Square-540-×-540-px.png
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END:VCALENDAR