Teacher: Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (In Person)

Sat 18 April | 9.00am-4.30pm AEST

Location: Concord (address will be emailed to those who have registered closer to the event)

Cost: Free (Donations to teacher happily received)

In this series of mini-retreats with Ven. Tenzin, we propose to explore the cultivation of Śamatha-vipassana, based on Satipatthāna (Four Establishments of Mindfulness). Drawing on perspectives from Mahayana and Theravada, especially the Tibetan, Burmese Forest and Plum Village Zen schools. We will emphasise engaged practices of breath awareness, mindfulness in daily life, and metta (loving kindness).

Session 2: Vedananupassana - a philosophy of feeling

In this long-awaited second session, we will move on to the second foundation of mindfulness - that of feelings or vedanā - we will examine some theory and practice of this crucial contemplation - and strategies for coming to terms with pleasant and unpleasant feelings arising in both body and mind.

Proposed Schedule
9:00 Welcome and mindful movement practice (45 mins)
9:45 Guided sitting meditation (30 mins)
10:15 Dharma talk (45 Mins)
11:30 Lunch (1 hr)
12:30 Guided relaxation (45 minutes)
13:15 Dharma talk - Q and A (45 mins)
14:00 Sitting meditation (45 mins)
14:45 Mindful afternoon tea (30 mins)
15:15 Sitting/ slow walking meditation (45 mins)
16:00 Dharma discussion - Q and A and Conclusion (30 mins)
16:30 Close

About the Teacher: Venerable Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson) began with a research ecologist’s understanding of interdependence - studying impacts of climate change on biodiversity. The rainforest soon led him to Buddhist meditation however. Now ordained as a monk in the Buddhist tradition, he has been fortunate to study and practice under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village in France, His Holiness the 42nd Sakya Trizin in Kathmandu, and at Pa Auk Tawya in the Burmese Forest tradition. A qualified martial arts and Hatha Yoga teacher, Ven. Tenzin is also ordained in the Plum Village Order of Interbeing, a worldwide community of engaged mindfulness practitioners. With a passion for Yatra - walking retreats in wild places - his work is an exploration of “Sacred Ecology” - and lies at the intersection between Buddhist meditation, embodied movement, nature connection and deep ecology. He currently resides on Gumbaynggirr country on the Dorrigo Plateau, where he has a project to co-create community space for meditation, forest restoration and nature connection: http://www.gaiaforest.org

Began with an ecologist’s understanding of interdependence, but the rainforest soon led him to Buddhist meditation. Now ordained as a monk in the Sakya Tibetan tradition, he has also studied and practiced meditation under Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh at Plum Village in France, at Mountain Spring near Sydney, and in Myanmar at Pa Auk Tawya. Also ordained in the Plum Village Order of Interbeing, an engaged Buddhist approach to the bodhisattva path, his practice is informed by Theravadin, Zen, and Vajrayana methods of meditation and mindfulness, as well as Hatha Yoga, Deep Ecology, and his deep love of wild places. He currently lives In Australia, on Gumbaynggirr country on the Dorrigo Plateau, where he has a project to co-create community space for meditation, forest restoration and nature connection: http://www.gaiaforest.org

Hybrid event: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session in person at the Metta Centre or online by clicking on this link to access the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506489824?pwd=cmpNQ1ljSmFVYURLWVN1dWllYUN1dz09 Alternatively, you can dial in from your telephone (call charges apply): +61 2 8015 6011 | Meeting ID: 835 0648 9824| Passcode: 718905

If you are feeling unwell please stay home