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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260221T090000
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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
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DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260226T183000
DTEND;TZID=Australia/Melbourne:20260226T203000
DTSTAMP:20260424T092517
CREATED:20260121T005202Z
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UID:10008294-1772130600-1772137800@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-2-2/2026-02-26/
LOCATION:nsw
CATEGORIES:For Everyone,Newcastle,Newcastle - All welcome
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