Meditation Course 2010

Vipassana Short Course 2010
This course is an extension of the 2nd Course (Sept/Oct 2010) but those who have completed the course in Sept 2009 are most welcome to attend as well.

Every Tuesday Starting Nov 9th 2010
Time: 8 pm to 10 pm
Venue: PEACE HOUSE 49 Lorong Bukit Gambir 3, Ashley Green, Jalan Yeap Chor Ee

WEEKEND RETREAT
Date: 13th & 14th Nov
Venue: MBMC, 355 Green Lane, Pg
Check in on Friday night 9.30pm or Sat 8 am.
Check out on Sunday 8pm.

Retreat at SANTARAMA BUDDHIST HERMITAGE BALIK PULAU 2009

Hermitage Address 
138 Mukim 5
Balik Pulau (Rumah Bukit)
11000 Penang
MALAYSIA

The Retreat Time Table

7 November 2009

5.00 - 6.30 pm: Arrival/Registration/Check-In
6.30 - 7.00 pm: Tea Break
7.00 - 8.00 pm: Taking 8 Precept & Briefing
8.00 - 10.00 pm: Dhamma Talk, Q&A
10.00 - 10.30 pm: Metta Chanting & Transference of Merits
10.30 - 11.00 pm: Refreshment

8 November 2009

5.00 - 5.30 am: Morning wake-up bell & Washing up
5.30 - 6.15 am: Walking Meditation
6.15 - 7.00 am: Sitting Meditation
7.00 - 8.30 am: Breakfast & Washing Up/ Shower
8.30 - 9.30 am: Walking Meditation
9.30 - 10.30 am: Sitting Meditation
10.30 - 11.00 am: Walking Meditation/Shower
11.00 - 12.00 noon: Lunch
12.00 - 1.00 pm: Rest/Shower/ Interview
1.00 - 2.00 pm: Walking Meditation
2.00 - 3.00 pm: Sitting Meditation
3.00 - 4.00 pm: Tea Break/Walking Meditation
4.00 - 5.00 pm: Sitting Meditation/ Group Interview
5.00 - 6.00 pm: Sitting Meditation/ Group Interview
6.00 - 6.15 pm: Cleaning Up & Packing
6.15 - 6.30 pm: Talk & Transference of Merits
6.45 pm: Departure

Reminders for items to bring

-Sleeping bag/blanket/mattress/ pillow/bedsheet
-Water bottle/drinking water
-Meditation cushion (optional)
-Mosquito and insect repellent
-Long sleeve shirt and trousers
-Bathing towel and toiletries
-Own preferred food (breakfast and lunch)
-Candles/torch/light
-Notes/files/stationary
-Umbrella/raincoat (optional)

Insight (Vipassana) Meditation Course with Sister Gavesini (Sis. Gin)

Thursday, September 3, 2009

INSIGHT MEDITATION COURSE

@ House of Inward Journey
8th Sept 09 - 31st Oct 09
Every Tuesday (8pm - 10pm)

ANNOUNCEMENT

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Introduction Class @ 8th September 2009

For those who are still interested to
attend this meditation course,
they may register on this coming 2nd class,
15th September, Tuesday.

Kindly take note that the whole course consists of 8 weekly lessons
(not 7 weekly as stated previously) and a one-day retreat.
The course is held every Tuesday from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm and
conducted by Sister Gavesini (Sister Gin),
an experienced meditation instructor, who has been
practising for more than 25 years.

Vipassana Meditation? What is that?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

It was the second lesson of the Vipassana Meditation Course. Arriving yogis were filling up the meditation hall as the clock indicated five minutes more before striking 8. Everyone sitting in the hall was eagerly waiting for Sister Gin, the instructor, to break out the noble silence session by delivering her lecture for the day. Most of them came to this meditation lesson to satisfy their curiosity on two major questions ‘What is Meditation’ and ‘Why do we meditate’ playing in their mind.

A few minutes later, the lady instructor in white blouse and longy (sarong) made her way mindfully across the centre of the meditation hall towards the instructor’s seat. Finally, Sister Gin was in position and ready to clear out the doubts and qualms about the purpose for meditating. Despite that she had given a brief introduction on Vipassana meditation in the first lesson last week, yet some of the yogis still hold vague views towards Vipassana meditation is intended to create miracles and psychic powers.

She started her talk with some facts on ‘what Vipassana is not’ so that people could understand that meditation is not for gaining supernatural power, for praising the Gods and deities, for the ability fortune telling, for whispering to unseen beings. It is also not a skill to have perfect control over one’s mind nor is it to run away from reality and problems in life.

The proper sitting meditation postures were also taught in the lesson as the most essential basic knowledge for meditation practice, that is to keep the back (spine) straight and leg crossed as it is a very stable and conducive way for the development of deep concentration. Sister Gin also mentioned that Yogis with special needs may sit on the chair instead (back pain, spinal problems, pregnancy etc).



After providing clear descriptions of different meditation postures, Sister Gin went around to provide guided supervisions to assist fellow yogis in correcting their postures individually. Surprisingly, most of the first-timer yogis got their posture correct in the 15 minutes self practice and look forward to attend the next session next week.

WALKING MEDITATION

Lesson Three

Insight (Vipassana) Meditation Course 2009

with Sister Gavesini (Sis. Gin)

@ House of Inward Journey
8th Sept 09 - 31st Oct 09
Every Tuesday (8pm - 10pm)


ABOUT THE COURSE

This meditation course is tailored for busy people who want to learn up the basic technique of Insight Meditation in a systematic way within a short period of time.

Interested participants are encouraged to attend the whole course, which consists of 7 weekly lessons and a one-day retreat, spread out over 2 months. To acquire the maximum benefit from this course, participants are highly recommended to practice at home on a regular daily basis during that period.

Instructions together with handouts and interviews will be given at every lesson by the Course Instructor.

• Lesson 1 : What is Meditation? Samatha & Vipassana, Preliminaries
• Lesson 2 : Sitting Meditation — Posture & Basic Principles
• Lesson 3 : Walking & Standing Meditation
• Lesson 4 : How To Report At Interviews & The 6 Temperaments
• Lesson 5 : Mindfulness of Sensations — Sitting and Touching
• Lesson 6 : Mindfulness of Consciousness
• Lesson 7 : Mindfulness of Mental Objects — The Five Hindrances
• (Retreat) 8 : Joy & Bliss of Meditation

Please come in loose clothing like track bottoms, slacks, sarong or long skirts and bring along your 'zafu' (meditation cushion) or even a towel/blanket will do.