We are recommencing Meditation Classes next week and I have returned from my absolutely fabulous holiday in Vanuatu much refreshed and ready to go!Classes will continue until 13th and 15th December whereupon we will break for Christmas and the School Holidays to recommence again on Tuesday, 7th and Thursday, 9th February 2012.
WEEKLY CLASSES: As detailed on my Website, I have two classes a week run by Meditation in the Shire, Tuesday evenings at the Menai Community Centre, Menai Marketplace Shopping Centre, from 7 to 8 pm and Thursday mornings in Meeting Room 1 in the Cronulla Central Community Centre (opposite the new Library) from 10 to 11 am.
The rent for these rooms are generously paid for by Sutherland Shire Council There is also an additional class run by the Older Women's Network for Wellbeing in the Sutherland United Services Club on Monday mornings from 10.45 to 11.45 am. Older women only so please check out the website for details on this class or ring me. I lead meditation for this group.
NEXT WORKSHOP: Sunday, 16th October at Meeting Room 1 in the Cronulla Central Community Centre (opposite the new Library). Commencing at 10 am and going until about 3.30 p.m. Morning and Afternoon tea provided but please make your own lunch arrangements. Contribution is a donation of about $10 or whatever you can afford. There will be books, malas, prayer flags and singing bowls for sale (cash or personal cheque only). No bookings are necessary, please just come along.
NEXT MEDITATION RETREAT: Will be a one-day Vipassana Retreat to be held in February or March 2012. The exact date will be on the Website asap. It will take place at the Bundeena Community Centre from 8 am to 3.30 pm. Morning and Afternoon tea will be provided but please bring your own
vegetarian lunch. Contribution is a donation of $10 or whatever you can afford.
CLASSES FOR CHILDREN: These will recommence on
Thursday afternoons, 9th February, 2012 from 4 pm in the Lotus Rooms, behind the "Best Little Bookshop in Cronulla" (opposite Cronulla Railway Station). There will be a charge of $5 per child as these Rooms are not paid for by Sutherland Council. It is
essential that children must be booked in with me (9589 0334) and any impending absences reported as I will not wait if your child is not going to come. Please read the Rules for these classes on my Website. Class times and length of class will depend on your child's age, maturity and behaviour. I reserve the right to no longer teach your child if he or she is undisciplined or not gaining any benefit from meditation.
The parents should be fully responsible for their children's meditation and ideally meditate regularly yourselves.Meditation for children should really start in the womb being absolutely ideal for pregnant women to join our adult classes. Mothers with newborn babies are welcome at the adult classes until such time as your baby is a disruption to the class. Once the baby is born, it is ideal if the parent/s meditate with the child regularly with singing, playing music, singing bowl and chanting. As the child grows, then there are several mindful meditations which can be used. Walk in the garden, walk around the house, eating, drinking, listening, visualisation and sound eg singing bowl.
Walking around the garden: concentrating on the things we can see, point them out, flowers, bees, butterflies, ants, leaves, dirt; touch the dirt, the flowers, the plants; hear the birds, the bees, the traffic; smell the flowers, the air; feel the sun, the rain, the breeze;
Mindful Eating: Make the child take 10 minutes to slowly eat a treat, snack and drink; insisting the child smell, taste, chew slowly and swallow
Listening: In the park, garden anywhere. Encourage the child to hear the birds, the traffic, the people, the car doors, the remote controls, the icecream van, the rustling of the leaves,
Visualisation: Pretend to go to the beach, the park, McDonalds, Pretend to see a rainbow, butterflies, aeroplanes, Pretend to go up in space, to the Zoo, shopping,
If you wish to send your child to class, they will get similar meditations in a group situation. First they will relax and then meditate and dedicate.
Even though your child attends a weekly class, it is essential that you give your child every opportunity and encouragement to meditate with you or on their own. They will do this in the bath, in their room or in the garden so you must co-operate fully. The child will be encouraged by me to practice at home as the full benefit of meditation can only be gained with regular daily sessions. Your responsibilty as a parent does not stop when you drop your child off once a week. A lot of children tell me that they are not given the time or the opportunity to meditate at home or are "not allowed". This is not ideal.
If your child suffers from a syndrome or serious behaviour problem and especially if your child is on medication for these conditions, it is wise to obtain a written referral or seek the advice of a Counselor, Psychotherapist, or Psychologist that meditation is suitable for your child. Meditation is not always the answer! As the classes are in a group situation, disruptive behaviour will not be tolerated. No private classes for children at this stage.
Please do not force your child to take meditation, it is only wasting my time, their time and your money and no benefit is gained at all. If your child finishes school that day and does not want to come because they do not feel well or it is too hot, do not force him or her but do let me know. Please feel free to telephone me at any time (9589 0334) to discuss any of the above.
TIBETAN SINGING AND HEALING BOWLS: These were introduced into meditation classes for the first time earlier this year and they will be repeated from time to time. Listening to sound is a very strong way of healing and the use of these bowls will be demonstrated throughout the year. They are used regularly in the children's classes with a lot of adult and children purchasing their own. They are not a toy!!! The price of a machine bowl starts at $30 with handmade bowls ranging from $50 to $100 or higher if you wish. The more metal in the bowl, the deeper the sound. The bowls come with their own pillow and hammer. Instructions for their use will be given at the Workshop this Sunday or at the next class when they are used.
In the meantime, I hope to see you at the next Workshop and or at one of our classes.
Blessings, Venerable Yangchen
