Meditation & Beyond - An Urban Weekend Meditation Retreat with Dr Ian Gawler

MEDITATION and BEYOND
An Urban Retreat with Ian Gawler

Do you like the idea of meditating but find it hard to practice?

Is meditation something you do when all else is complete? Or when you are desperate?

What would it be like to actually relish your practice? To delight in it?

This weekend will re-energise your meditation practice

Join Rigpa Teacher, Ian Gawler for two days of highly experiential teachings. Together, we will explore two wonderful approaches: the Unifying Practice and Open Awareness meditation.

Whether you are new to meditation, or an old hand, this weekend will guide you to a deeper, more satisfying meditation experience.

The weekend will include plenty of time for discussion, questions and answers, and meditation practice.

Online or in person in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle

A weekend for retreat, a weekend for your self

SATURDAY – THE UNIFYING PRACTICE

Anyone who has begun meditating knows the mind is tricky. As we get to know it more, we come to realise that rather than us using it as the wonderful tool that it is, it often tends to use us!

To tame this mind of ours, to bring it under control, to be able to use it to its best, we need to train it.

This is the role of meditation.

The Unifying Practice is a unique combination of three core meditation techniques that are first learnt individually then brought together. A special technique developed by Sogyal Rinpoche, it is simple to learn and has direct application for many needs - wellbeing, stress management, study, work, sport, health and healing, as well as providing a mainstay on the path to enlightenment.

Ian will introduce the theory, share the techniques, guide the practices.

The Unifying Practice is actually the ground of all practice, and can be applied at all levels, meditation, ngöndro, sadhana practice and dzogchen.Through this practice, our ordinary body, speech and mind are transformed into the enlightened body, speech and mind of the Buddhas.As we practise the sequence of the three methods, slowly our thoughts, emotions and energy get transformed and meditation happens effortlessly. So, through simply practicing the Unifying Practice, we can gradually reach the innermost nature of mind.

- Sogyal Rinpoche

SUNDAY – AWARENESS MEDITATION

Pure awareness: “knowing”, “clarity”, or “luminosity”, is one of three fundamental qualities of our mind, along with love and wisdom. Awareness illuminates all we perceive and indeed, it illuminates our own true nature.

When in pure awareness, we are fully in the present moment. We are able to fully engage with life - joyfully. Experiencing pure awareness is possible for everyone. It is always there.

We simply need to learn how to recognise it, and then remain in it.

While most meditation techniques focus upon a particular object, Awareness Meditation is special; it is object-less. Also known as Shamatha Without Support, this is almost like non-meditation. It takes us beyond technique to a more direct experience of who we really are.

Awareness Meditation takes us to the very heart of meditation…

And what we experience in our formal practice will translate directly into enhancing our everyday life.

Based on profound teachings by Sogyal Rinpoche, and building on the practices of the retreat’s first day, Ian will share practice tips, guide practice sessions and answer questions.

When we try to control the mind or hold on to an experience,
We do not see the innate perfection of the present moment.
Pure awareness is like space, boundless and open.
It is always here.
You do not have to make it up.
All you have to do is rest in that.

- Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche

About Dr Ian Gawler OAM

Dr Ian Gawler is a retired veterinarian, long term cancer survivor and best-selling author who has taught widely on meditation for over 40 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 Multiple Sclerosis 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.

Details

This weekend is open to anyone with an interest in meditation and Tibetan Buddhism

Date: Saturday 24 February 2@ 10am-5.30pm (AEDT) &
Sunday 25 February @ 9.30am-5pm (AEDT)

How: You can attend with Ian in person at Rigpa’s Melbourne Centre; or Online via Zoom; or in Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle with streaming.
Rigpa Instructors will be in attendance online and in Brisbane, Sydney and Newcastle to facilitate discussion and answer your questions.

Where

Rigpa Melbourne (Ian Gawler In Person) - **FULL - CENTRE ATTENDANCE OPTION IS NOW CLOSED** PLEASE REGISTER FOR ALTERNATIVE ONLINE OPTION, THANK YOU.
803 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

In Melbourne, consider using public transport. Tram route 96, stop #19 (Brunswick Rd Nicholson St) On Saturday, there is limited 4 hour parking in Park St. Please read the parking signs carefully. Sunday is easier.

Rigpa Sydney (Ian Gawler remote streaming)
158 Australia St, Newtown

Rigpa Brisbane (Ian Gawler remote streaming)
2/19 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill

Rigpa Newcastle (Ian Gawler remote streaming)
Unit 18/26 Oakdale Road, Gateshead - the offices of Multifencing.