Discovering Buddhism Retreat
We review the main points of the Discovering Buddhism topic covered in the previous weeks. The day is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your understanding of the material from the weekly course. This is a required integration activity for all those doing the Discovering Buddhism course, but the day is also open to anyone with a background in the topic.

About the Day
We have 4 sessions throughout the day, each session concentrating on a different aspect of the practice. We also watch the especially prepared 20 minute DVD on the topic in the session after lunch.

About the retreat leader Eddie Peet

Sunday 15th August - "WISDOM OF EMPTINESS"
9.00 am - 4.00 pm (arrive any time after 8.30 am)
Suggested donation $65 / $55 (BYO lunch)

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Mindfulness Retreat Day
Due to popular demand, Chris will run the mindfulness retreats again this year, but with a difference. He says: "In accordance with Geshe Tashi Tsering's advice, I will facilitate 2009 retreats by drawing more systematically from the pure textual and practice traditions of the Buddha Dhamma. I will teach from key ancient Pali suttas (discourses)and Indo-Tibetan texts on mindfulness that were either directly taught by the Buddha himself or by the awakened teachers that followed him. In past retreats, I've quoted extensively from both Pali and Indo-Tibetan texts as signposts for our practice. I've also introduced a rare text by the 7th Dalai Lama called "The Song of the Four Mindfulnesses". This important and fundamental discourse was given by the Buddha to guide us in the systematic and comprehensive development of mindfulness, aimed at nothing less than utter liberation of the mind itself."

Led by Chris Kang
Contact him direct on (07) 3856 0219 or 0422 295 738

Once every two months (see calendar for details)
Saturday 23rd October, 2010
9.00 am - 4.00 pm (arrive from 8.30 am)
By donation (from $20 - $200, whatever you are comfortable with)

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Weekend Course
Buddhist Mental Health Intensive
Buddhist psychology shows that mental health is achievable for everyone, no matter who you are or what situation you find yourself in. It teaches practical tools to face negative or painful experiences with an inner calm. This beginner’s intensive uses Buddhist psychology to cut through the very root of our unhappiness and fear. The intensive will specifically address issues in the workplace, the media, and in families. Participants will be able to put in place new strategies to dealing with difficult situations, as well as looking at the underlying emotional causes.

Participants will learn practical strategies for anger management, dealing with stress, and overcoming negative relationship patterns. They will be able to apply these methods in their day-to-day life to effectively deal with issues at work and home. These methods are not just for Buddhists. They are universal and can be easily adapted to any practice, whether religious, psychological, or scientific.

Topics covered include:

• practical techniques to overcome anger
• building harmonious relationships
• dealing with anxiety and depression
• self-reflection tools and meditations
• what to do? Applying Buddhist psychology in modern life

About this Course
Held during National Mental Health Week, this is a popular course that many people find a life-changing experience. It is suitable for Buddhists and non-Buddhists interested in how Buddhist psychology can help us overcome everyday emtional problems and negative attitudes. There will be self-reflection worksheets and short meditations throughout the weekend.

About the Teacher Miffi Maxmillion

Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th October, 2010
9 am - 5pm both days (arrive from 8.30 am)
Ssuggested donation $110/$90

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Topics to be covered on the day include:

• Overview of major mental health issues/illnesses i.e. anxiety, depression, psychosis
• Interventions to assist each of these groups
• Treatment options & resources available locally
• Mental Health Act and its application in emergencies i.e. voluntary and involuntary assessment
• Assessment & interventions for suicide risk
• Assessment & management of danger to the person/others e.g. violence

About the Day
This is a 1-day course, for both LTC volunteers and any students with a strong interest in the topic. Limited to 15 people, so early bookings essential.

About the Trainers
Russell Williamson and Helen Jones are both Registered Mental Health Nurses with 20+ years experience. They both hold a Master of Mental Health Nursing and are Credentialed MHNs with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses. In recent years Russell and Helen have worked as Nurse Educators, enjoying the opportunity to teach mental health to a variety of people.

Saturday 30th October
9.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 8.30 am)
Suggested donation $65 (members) $25 (volunteers)
Bring a (vegetarian) plate the share

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The Dharma Kit-Bag
Everything you ever wanted to know about Buddhist ritual but were afraid to ask!
This is a very popular course that is run once a year. We learn how to set up an altar and offer water bowls, and the meaning behind these activities. We also learn how to do long and short prostrations and the visualisations accompanying this practice. The course covers gompa etiquette, how to treat the Sangha, and how to relate to Geshe-la. We spend a large part of the day learning and practicing the long mandala - the 3-tiered rice offering representing an entire and perfect world-system.

What to Bring

• Piece of fabric 1 metre square (clean, preferably not slippery)
• 1kg bag of rice ('fat' rice, like Arborio)
• New 1 litre jug (plastic is OK, with a good pouring spout)
• New tea towel
• Mala (rosary) if you have one
• Your lunch!

About the teacher Miffi Maxmillion

Pocket Dharma CD with instructions on offering the long mandala, tunes for different occasions, and a 20-page booklet to print out.

November 13th, 2010
Please email us with expressions of interest
9.00 am - 5.00 pm (arrive any time after 8.30 am)
Suggested donation $75/$95 (included mandala starter set and all notes)
BYO lunch

It is essential you book at least 1 week in advance so we have time to prepare the materials (the last course was cancelled due not not enough people, and then we had 4 enquiries on the day before the course! - this is just not enough time for us to prepare all the wonderful goodies you get on the day!)

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Easter Retreat on Compassion Buddha - Nyung-Ne
For the first time ever, we will hold a residential Nyung-Ne retreat here at Camp Hill. Rinpoche has said that it is very beneficial to do this practice on holy days - and not just Buddhist days, but other religions also. So it is fitting that that this practice dedicated to developing compassion and taking the sufferings of others be held over the Easter break!

A Nyung-Ne is a vigorous and profound 2-day practice, a length of time especially helpful for people whose schedules cannot accommodate long-term retreat. It involves the keeping of strict vows; the second day is devoted to complete silence and fasting (including no water). In addition, one does many prostrations each day. The meditation centers on the recitations, mantras, and guided visualisations of 1000-arm Chenrezig, the embodiment of all the buddhas' loving-kindness and compassion. Doing even one Nyung-Ne or "abiding in retreat" for just two days is said to be as effective as three months of other purification practices and is extremely powerful for healing illness, purifying negative karma, and opening the heart to compassion.

The merit from sponsoring someone to do a Nyung-Ne is the same as if one does it oneself. We invite you to sponsor an LTC member to attend a Nyung-Ne - $66 each. Please email your special dedications (for the sick, the success of projects, exams, quick resolution to problems, for the recently deceased, to halt to global warming, for world peace etc).

This is a residential retreat, so bookings are essential as places are limited
Suggested donation (to cover costs and offerings) $66 per Nyung-Ne
We have some sponsorships available so please ask at reception
Begins Thursday evening, ends Tuesday morning (you can go to work at 9am)
(see calendar for details).

Essential Nyung-Ne FAQ's

Read amazing and entertaining stories about previous Nyung-Ne's

View photos from the Chenrezig Institute Nyung-Ne Marathons

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Beginner's Course over 2 Sundays
Meditation 101
A special introductory course for beginners. Advice on the purpose and benefits of meditation, correct and comfortable posture, using different types of meditation (placement and analytical) skills in daily life, and how to overcome obstacles like drowsiness and distraction. The course is ideal for first time students, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. The meditations can be used in all traditions, and there is no expectation that you become a Buddhist. The classes include short guided meditations, a talk, selected readings and time for questions.

About this Course
This course is only offered twice a year - so don't miss out! This time we are holding it over 2 consecutive Sundays, so you can practice during the week and come back with any successes or difficulties and discuss them on the following Sunday.

Special Guest Teacher, western nun Ven. Lhagsam

Dates to be announced (later half of 2010)
10.00 am - 4.00 pm (arrive from 9.30 am)
$120 / $110 suggested donation (so we can also make an offering to Ven. Lhagsam)
BYO lunch (tea, coffee and refreshments provided)
Bookings appreciated so we know how many notes to print!