Mind in Comfort and Ease Easter Retreat April 2022

Mind in Comfort and Ease - A Shamatha Meditation Retreat
Easter 2022: Friday 15 - Monday 18 April

Led by Rigpa Teacher Dr Ian Gawler
Supported by other Rigpa Teachers and Instructors
Online and in person in Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle

The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It is only through meditation that you can discover your true nature and find the stability and confidence you will need to live and die well.

Generally, we waste our lives, distracted from our true selves, in endless activity. Meditation is the way to bring us back to ourselves, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns.

Shamatha meditation is the practice of 'calm abiding' or peacefully remaining'. In shamatha, we let our mind settle naturally and simply rest in pure awareness.

We invite you to spend this Easter 'bringing your mind home' through the practice of shamatha in the supportive company of a community of meditators

Join us at one of our centres or online from 9.00am each morning until 6.00pm each evening for:

• Talks about the practice and benefits of meditation
• Guided shamatha meditation practices
• Time for contemplation
• Break periods in supportive silence
• Question and answer sessions where you can clarify your practice with teachers and experienced practitioners

This retreat is suitable for:

• People who have been enjoying Rigpa's 20 Minutes a Day Meditation program.
• Those who have attended Inspiring a Revolution in Your Heart and Mind - A transformative course presenting the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Rigpa All Encompassing Path Students
• Anyone who would like to develop their meditation practice - whether you are experienced or not.

Current social distancing restrictions allow us to welcome you to our centres and we will be following our COVID-19 safety plans at all our venues:

Melbourne: 803 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
Sydney: 158 Australia Street, Newtown
Newcastle: Unit 18/26 Oakdale Rd, Gateshead

The event will be available online for those who are unable to get to a centre. If you aren't able to join at a centre in your city and you are a Rigpa member, we strongly encourage you to meet together with other sangha members to practice together. For those who are not connected to the Rigpa sangha we’ll do our best to link you up with someone near you.

Retreat Fees:
Benefactor: $400
Rigpa Subscribers $210
Non-Subscribers $280
Non-Subscribers Concession $160
Student and 25 and younger $80

Rigpa is a not-for-profit organisation. All proceeds from our courses go directly to covering the cost of running our centres. Rigpa’s policy is that financial difficulties should not be an obstacle to attending our courses. If this is an issue for you, please contact us.

About Dr Ian Gawler

Dr Ian Gawler is a retired veterinarian, long term cancer survivor and best-selling author who has taught widely on meditation for over 30 years. Ian has been a student of Sogyal Rinpoche since 1985 and from 2006 to 2013 trained in the study and practice of authentic Buddhist teachings on meditation, mind, compassion and wisdom via Rigpa’s Institute of Wisdom and Compassion. He has also received teachings from His Holiness the Dalai Lama and many other teachers from across all traditions. Ian is closely involved with the Inter-Faith movement.

His books include the ground breaking You Can Conquer Cancer and Blue Sky Mind. He co-founded the world’s first lifestyle-based self-help programs for both cancer and MS and worked at the Gawler Foundation as therapeutic director for nearly 30 years. More recently he has been involved in developing a therapeutic meditation app Allevi8, and in establishing Centres for Contemplative Studies at the University of Melbourne and Monash University. Dr Gawler holds a Masters in Counselling and In 1987 he received the Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to the community.