Original Nature

Four day Residential Retreat at Riverslea

Peter — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:32:25 +0000

Discovering our Original Self

What: Four day residential retreat at Riverslea

Who: Stephen Archer and Hugh Tennent.

When: Wednesday 24 (evening) – Sunday 28 February 2010.

Blurb:

“When we first seek the truth, we think we are far from it. When we discover that the truth is already in us, we are all at once our original self” – Dogen

On this retreat we will use various meditation practices to orientate ourselves toward the location of real being – our original self. Discovering how to move through and beyond the limitations of our personal patterning, and opening to the spaciousness of the present moment, we will practice together in an environment of silence and tranquillity. Regular sitting and walking sessions are scheduled within a simple structure of group sessions, regular instruction periods and individual supervision. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those more experienced in meditation.

Cost: This four-day retreat is offered in the spirit of dana. Dana is a system of payment based on the values of open-heartedness and generosity. This means it is open to you to decide the appropriate amount to give for the teachings. In addition to dana, $280 is required to cover accommodation and the organic vegetarian meals.

Registration Send $280 to PO Box 27015 Wellington making cheques payable to Stephen Archer

Via internet banking: e-mail Stephen and you will be sent bank account details.

Further info Phone Hugh 04 3839335 or email Hugh

Urban Practice Week with Stephen Archer

Peter — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:23:29 +0000

Urban Practice Week with Stephen Archer

What: Urban Practice Week: morning and evening meetings throughout the week, exploring the practicalities of integrating our practice with our working lives.

Who: Stephen Archer.

When: Sunday 25 – Friday 30 April 2010, 7.30pm.

Where: 31 Hobson Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington.

Blurb: These courses will enable participants to follow a week of focussed practice without needing to take time off work! We will meditate together in the city each morning and evening for one working week with instruction to explore daily themes and mindfulness exercises.

Cost: $220

Non-residential retreat with Sharda Rogell

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:18:25 +0000

Non-residential retreat with Sharda Rogell

What: 2-day non-residential meditation retreat.

Who: Sharda Rogell.

When: Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 April 2010 (times to be confirmed).

Where: Bodhinyanarama Buddhist Monastery, 17 Rakau Grove, Stokes Valley.

Blurb: to follow.

Cost: dana

Being Awake in the City – Stephen Archer

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:08:36 +0000

Being Awake in the City – Stephen Archer

What: Day-long meditation workshop.

Who: Stephen Archer.

When: Saturday 1 May 2010, 10am – 5pm.

Where: 31 Hobson Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington.

Blurb: to follow.

Cost: to be confirmed.

Open Nights

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:31:10 +0000

Open Nights

What: Monthly open night led by one of the Original Nature teachers.

When: Thursday evening, once a month.

Where: 1A Kensington St, Te Aro, Wellington

Cost: dana

Introduction to Insight Meditation – Stephen Archer

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:43:39 +0000

What: 6-week course suitable for beginners. These classes are designed to assist participants in getting started with their own practice and will cover:

What is insight meditation?
How to develop mindfulness
Posture, breathing and relaxation
Techniques to quieten the mind
Acceptance: opening your heart to yourself
Wellbeing and natural awakening
Meditation in daily life

Who: Stephen Archer.

When: Tuesday evenings running from 18 May – 22 June 2010, 6pm – 7.15pm

Where: 31 Hobson Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington.

Blurb: Insight meditation develops and expands our inner resources. Through it we develop mindfulness – a positive quality of awareness to bring forward into the challenges/adventures of everyday life. Mindfulness is our inherent ability to function from the wholeness of our being, and sense our inter-relatedness with all life. It springs forth from the heart of the present moment, and invites us into deep listening, and a way of authentic participation that helps us regain peace and wellbeing.

Cost: $120

Being who we Are – Peter Fernando

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:36:27 +0000

What: 6-week course Being who we Are

So much of our experience in the world can be driven by feelings of unworthiness, self-blame and guilt. These patterns sometimes feel so personal and real that we forget they are something we ourselves are doing, in the heart, in each moment. We forget that it’s actually OK to be just as we are.

Through wise and compassionate awareness we can begin to transform our relationship to ourselves from one of conflict and contraction, into kindness, acceptance and natural ease.

The Buddha’s teachings on the open heart and the nature of ’selfing’ are a powerful template for this transformation. With trust and the clear seeing that comes through the intimate space of meditation we can begin to awaken out of our limitation into a whole body and mind freedom to be as we are.

Who: Peter Fernando.

When: Tuesday evenings running from 18 May – 22 June 2010, 7:30 – 9:00pm

Where: 31 Hobson Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington

Meditation in the Marketplace – Hugh Tennent

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:26:14 +0000

What: 6-week course exploring the integration and support of awareness in our working lives. Suitable for anyone who has completed a beginners’ Insight programme or has previously learned and practiced a meditation technique, and wishes to extend themselves into new areas of learning.

Who: Hugh Tennent.

When: Tuesday evenings running from 6 April – 11 May 2010 (time to be confirmed)

Where: 31 Hobson Crescent, Thorndon, Wellington.

Blurb: Exploring the integration and support of awareness in our working lives, encountering the 8 worldly winds, the role of the personality and investigating where we place our reliance.

Awakening to Reality in a Woman’s Body – Erin Taylor

Peter — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:14:54 +0000

What: 5-week course exploring the unique joys and challenges of waking up in a womans body.

Who: Erin Taylor.

When: Tuesday evenings running from 16 March – 13 April 2010, 7:45pm – 9:15pm.

Where: Powa Centre 1 Marion St, Wellington

Blurb: In Western cultures we are encouraged to make ourselves externally attractive, fit and healthy. But we often feel alienated from our inner experience and the cycles and changes our bodies go through.

When we bring loving attention to our inner life and to our bodies, we can open to the well-being and feminine wisdom that is our true nature.

During this 5 week course for women we will practice coming home to ourselves and to our bodies using relaxation, meditation and gentle Chi Gong exercises. There will be opportunities for sharing. We will explore how we can become estranged from our lived experience and how we can strengthen our ability to tap into our inner wisdom and happiness.