Newsletter – September 2009

Meditation VCE workshops in September

"The workshop was enjoyable, relaxing and fun. Eileen is really nice and it was easy to relax.” Julia, year 11

"The workshop was fantastic and calming.” Diana, year 10 student

These were among the comments from a small but enthusiastic group of young meditators, from years 9 to 12, attending the Stress less, study smarter workshop in July.

Popular segments included quick strategies for releasing stress, an insight into the breath as a way of identifying how you are feeling and ‘sleep soundly’. The latter included relaxation and visualisations for easing into sleep.

For me, the afternoon workshop was all I could have wished – sharing my passion for meditation with a delightful group of teenagers interested in exploring the concepts presented.

Stress less, study smarter workshops

Level 1

~ Saturday 26 September, 1pm – 4pm

~ For beginners

~ During this meditation course for VCE students, learn practical strategies to relax quickly and reduce the chatter in your mind. Enjoy a range of simple meditation and the ‘sleep soundly’ segment.

Level 2

~ Saturday 3 October, 1pm – 4pm

~ Designed for students, who have attended a previous Meditation Pathways course or workshop.

~ During this meditation course for VCE students, discover how to harmonise and balance your body using affirmations and toning, explore stillness, concentration and visualisations for achieving your goals. Part two of the ‘sleep soundly’ segment.

More details

~ Workshops are in Donvale/East Doncaster

~ Cost: $65 (includes notes)

~ Bookings are essential

~ For more information, phone Eileen 0407 881 286 or go to Contact Us

Benefits of our meditation courses for VCE students
Being calm and balanced helps to:

• Improve your concentration and memory
• Enhance your creativity
• Boost your energy and productivity
• Ease insomnia, fatigue, headaches and physical pain (all signs of stress)
  

You can relax

Join our next series of meditation courses in Melbourne and relax your way through the hectic end-of-year activities.

MEDITATION COURSES IN SURREY HILLS

Free information session

• Wednesday 23 September, 8pm - 9pm

Meditation for Beginners (4 weeks)

• Starts Wednesday 30 September ~ Time: 8pm – 9.15pm

Intermediate Meditation (6 weeks)

• Starts Wednesday 28 October ~ Time: 8pm – 9.15pm

MEDITATION COURSES IN CAULFIELD

Free information session

• Monday 12 October, 6.30pm – 7.30pm

Meditation for Beginners (6 weeks)

• Starts Monday 19 October ~ Time: 6.30pm – 7.45pm

Intermediate Meditation (6 weeks)

• Starts Monday 12 October ~ Time: 8pm – 9.15pm 

For bookings: phone Eileen (0407 881 285) or go to Contact Us

Meditation classes for children

Designed for upper primary students, the classes are always filled with lots of mini-meditations that youngsters enjoy.

In their busy lives, children also need to know how to relax and calm their mind and body so they feel fantastic

~ Meditation course for children in Caulfield

~ Starts Monday, 19 October, 4.45pm - 5.45pm

~ Bookings essential ~ Phone Eileen (0407 881 285)

Try these 10 tips

Meditation is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself – but it involves a commitment.

Try these 10 tips for establishing a meditation practice.

Tip 1 What is your motivation?

Be clear about why you want to meditate and what you would like to gain from the practice. Then you are more willingly to work at it.

Tip 2 Have a routine

Set aside a particular time for doing meditation – and keep this appointment with yourself every day or for at least six days a week. If you meditate every day for one month, it will become part of your daily routine.

Tip 3 Select your ‘meditation’ space

Assign a particular place in one room as your meditation space and sit on the same chair or cushion each time. The repetition of going to the same place at the same time subconsciously establishes your connection with meditation. Also, when you meditate, you create a particular energetic vibration so going to the same spot connects you with the energy of meditation.

Tip 4 Minimise distractions

Take the phone off the hook and put out the ‘do not disturb’ sign to your family.

Tip 5 Relax your body

Do some stretching or yoga exercises before starting your meditation practice. Loosening your body enables you to feel comfortable sitting for a longer time. Also, the more you relax your body, the more you calm your mind.

Tip 6 Start slowly and enjoy yourself

For the first week, meditate for five minutes once or twice a day. When that does not seem long enough then increase the time. The most important thing is to be at ease within yourself and enjoy yourself.

Tip 7 Choose meditations you like

Try various meditations and discover the ones that appeal to you. If you sit with one meditation at each session, it will lead to a deeper meditative experience.

Tip 8 Be curious

Approach each session with interest and curiosity, as if this is the first time you are experiencing the sensations of your breath and body with each in-breath and out-breath.

Tip 9 Use mini-meditations

Find more mindful moments during the day. When you stop and become aware of what you are doing, thinking, hearing, seeing or feeling, this helps your meditation practice to develop.

Tip 10 Be patient

Remember that the greatest benefits from meditation come over time so be patient with your practice – and also be gentle with yourself by having no expectations.

When is the best time to meditate?

The best time to meditate is when it suits you.

According to some Eastern traditions, the hour before dawn is considered the best time to do meditation because the body’s natural energy has not been disturbed by any activity.

My preference is the morning – though not quite so early. At the start of the day, I feel peaceful from the night’s sleep.

The hardest part is slipping out from under the doona! The rest is so easy.

I wake the body with some gentle stretching and enjoy connecting with the movement and the breath. There is also the wonder of the new day – the morning sky, the canopy of the trees outside the window and the stirring of bird life.

The quietness in my body and mind is conducive for enjoying a deeper meditation. I also know that the feelings of energy and peace from my meditation will keep me going through my busiest day.

You may prefer to meditate immediately after work, as a way of casting off some of the stress you have accumulated during the da,y so you can enjoy the evening ahead.

Of course, there are so many opportunities during the day for a mini-meditation – on the train to work, during an uninteresting meeting, at lunchtime, while walking, standing in a queue or enjoying the beauty of a sunset or a tree in bloom.

Make every spare minute count by taking a breath, feeling it go right through your body and then experiencing the stillness in your body and mind before taking the next breath. It’s so simple and it makes you feel so wonderful.

Rejuvenate with reflexology

You feel really amazing after a session with reflexologist Jennifer Hill.

She has a special introductory offer at her new venue at the Abbotsford Convent. Three sessions for the price of two are available on Tuesdays until 29 September.

For more details, phone Jennifer on 0412 220 623

Meditation Pathways News

If you would like to receive future editions of the Meditation Pathways Newsletter, please go to Contact Us.

Enjoy your meditation journey
Eileen