The Calm of Acceptance
THURSDAYS, 6 – 7.30 pm
7, 14, 21 September (3 weeks)
Teacher: Birgit Saunders
Suggested Donation: $12 (or what you can afford)
Every day we encounter many challenges both large and small and these can cause us to feel irritated, frustrated, or angry. These feelings can destroy our happiness and peace of mind.
Through learning to view and respond to things differently we can experience the transformative power of patient acceptance – a vast and profound experience of calm that embraces challenges without being disturbed or harmed by them. It enables us to accept other people, ourselves, our life and at the same time helps us to deal with our problems in a constructive way.
In this course we will learn meditations and methods that help us understand and develop the deep calm of patient acceptance, we can enjoy the space and joy that this acceptance brings in our mind and take home techniques that bring calm to our life.
DETAILS
Our general programme classes include Dharma teachings along with guided meditations. Each class is self-contained and is also presented as part of a series. Drop into any class you like. These classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners. No special clothing is required. Most people sit on chairs. Everyone welcome!
WHERE
Whanganui Arts Centre
19 Taupo Quay (Riverside entrance)
Whanganui, 4500
Karma, Why Me?
How to apply the law of karma to our lives
THURSDAYS, 6 – 7.30 pm
28 September; 5, 12 October (3 weeks)
Teacher: Birgit Saunders
Suggested Donation: $12 (or what you can afford)
Why me? That’s the question we often ask when we find ourselves immersed in problems. But do we have an actual answer to that question? Or do we just feel unlucky? Or that we’ve been dealt an unfair hand?
Buddha’s teachings on the law of karma give us a clear and practical explanation on why things happen the way they do. How can we begin to change our experiences from not so great to fantastic, or at the very least, better. Rather than seeking happiness, we learn to create it. Rather than running from unhappiness, we learn to abandon its causes. Understanding karma puts us in the driver’s seat of our own life.
In this course we will learn that by understanding how to use the law of karma, we can change our experience of the present, heal the past, and create a more fortunate future.
DETAILS
Our general programme classes include Dharma teachings along with guided meditations. Each class is self-contained and is also presented as part of a series. Drop into any class you like. These classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners. No special clothing is required. Most people sit on chairs. Everyone welcome!
WHERE
Whanganui Arts Centre
19 Taupo Quay (Riverside entrance)
Whanganui, 4500
A Clear and Happy Mind
THURSDAYS, 6 – 7.30 pm
19, 26 October; 2 November (3 weeks)
Teacher: Birgit Saunders
Suggested Donation: $12 (or what you can afford)
Our mind always has the potential to be clear and positive. Peace isn’t something we have to force into place; it’s always there. Through recognising the clarity, nature and function of our mind we’ll come to understand its boundless potential.
The meditations on the mind are deeply relaxing, help us develop concentration and mindfulness and give us the opportunity to experience the vast spaciousness and mental peace that exists within all our minds.
In this way, we will get to know the clear, peaceful nature of our own mind, learn how to transform our mind into our greatest ally, and find ever increasing peace of mind, genuine happiness and emotional well-being.
DETAILS
Our general programme classes include Dharma teachings along with guided meditations. Each class is self-contained and is also presented as part of a series. Drop into any class you like. These classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners. No special clothing is required. Most people sit on chairs. Everyone welcome!
WHERE
Whanganui Arts Centre
19 Taupo Quay (Riverside entrance)
Whanganui, 4500
Emptiness: Exploring Reality
THURSDAYS, 6 – 7.30 pm
9, 16, 23, 30 November; 7, 14 December (6 weeks)
Teacher: Birgit Saunders
Suggested Donation: $12 (or what you can afford)
“… there is no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on emptiness.”
– Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
How do things really exist? Are things solid and real as they seem? Emptiness is the way things really are. It is the way things exist as opposed to the way they appear. Of all Buddha’s teachings, none are as far-reaching and transformative as the teachings on emptiness, the true nature of reality.
It is through our understanding of emptiness that we come to solve all our own problems and be of greatest benefit to others.
“If we dream of an elephant, the elephant appears vividly in all its detail – we can see it, hear it, smell it, and touch it – but when we wake up, we realise that it was just an appearance to mind. We do not wonder ‘Where is the elephant now?’, because we understand that it was simply a projection of our mind and had no existence outside our mind … Buddha said that the same is true for all phenomena; they are mere appearances to mind, totally dependent upon the minds that cognize them.” – Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
In this course we will learn meditations on Buddha’s wisdom teachings, ultimate truth; emptiness and how to apply this wisdom to our daily life.
DETAILS
Our general programme classes include Dharma teachings along with guided meditations. Each class is self-contained and is also presented as part of a series. Drop into any class you like. These classes are suitable for both beginners and more advanced meditation practitioners. No special clothing is required. Most people sit on chairs. Everyone welcome!
WHERE
Whanganui Arts Centre
19 Taupo Quay (Riverside entrance)
Whanganui, 4500