Category Archives: Newsletter
Rains Retreat, Vassa 2017
This last week has marked the end of the Buddhist Monastic three months ‘Rains Retreat – Vassa 2017’
This verse arose in my mind on Pavarana Day – the ending of the retreat, and lends inspiration to realising reality and finding freedom.
Kind Regards
John B.
Pavarana Day – End of Vassa Rains Retreat 2017 – The Free Mind
Wander where there is no Path,
Find firm footing where there is no place to stand,
Seek shelter where no roof exists,
Live where there is no abiding...
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Our Practicing Peace
Fundamentally and ultimately, if it is Peace that we are really seeking, our ‘way of practice’ needs to focus on Peace as our path and purpose.
Here;
Our Perspective is Peace
- to see, be and relate from Peace.
Our Practice is Peace
- to exercise and enhance Peace at all times and in all places.
Our Process is Peace
- to develop and deepen our experience of Peace, both in the mind and in our life.
Our Presence is Peace
- to gift to all people and...
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Blessing of the Buddha – Real Happiness and Peace
The ‘Blessing of the Buddha’ is the gift to us all, of his realisation and revelation of a Real Happiness and Peace.
This ‘Happiness – Peace’, is not founded on or confounded by the way of things.
This ‘Happiness – Peace’, is not built and dependent on things that fundamentally do fade and falter, fatigue and fail, finalise and finish.
This ‘Happiness – Peace’, does not become, stressed and distressed, disordered and distorted. It does not diminish, dissolve, deconstruct or destruct. It...
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The Ending of Time!
The whole of I,
we, you and me;
is but a ‘cognitive creation’.
We think our self into being!
Behind and beyond the thought,
of I, we, you and me;
is simply energy manifesting as
the body and mind-ful awareness.
Meditation frees the mind,
from thought, from the activity of identification;
from ‘identity-ing’ and allows simply a
Body-Mind ‘Presence-ing’.
Here – Now, no one;
No – not now, no not here!
No story; no story teller;
no stress, no suffering; no drama and no SAMSARA.
For the I, we, you and me – self, is...
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Is It Peace?
Is it Peace?
Is it Peace that we seek?
Fundamentally and Ultimately, at the end of the day, at the end of our life, and everywhere and when in between; is it Peace that we seek?
Maybe!
So, what then is Peace?
Peace is a calm contentment, a quite joy, an ease and fulfillment.
Peace may be experienced in the external environment, but fundamentally is a quality and state of mind – heart (Citta).
Peace could be said to occur on three levels.
1. Peace is the...
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Make Meditation about Meditation ……
We need to make our meditation about meditation!
Our meditation may include awareness of the body and certainly may help relax and heal the body, but it is not about the body but about the mind.
And as the mind, our meditation is not about the thoughts, memories, stories and ideas about our self.
Our meditation is not about the self’s wishes and wants, worries and woes.
Our meditation is not about being caught in the mental content of our mind, but about...
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Anzac Day – Remembrance
‘PUJA’ is a lovely sounding word in the Pali language of traditional Buddhism.
Puja means the act or activity of devotion or dedication, to respect and honour, that or those that are worthy of honour and respect.
The morning and evening chanting done in Buddhist Monasteries is referred to as Puja.
Puja is a way of aligning the mind and body for focus and skilful activity.
Another way we can engage Puja – is by ‘Puja to the Present’.
Puja to the present is...
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New Year Message
Dear Friends
Trusting this message finds you well and mindfully engaged into this New Year.
Certainly our Year 2017 is moving forward, we have moved beyond Australia Day – 26th January and have also now had Magha Puja – the full moon on 11th February this year, which marks the occasion that the Buddha gave a significant teaching. This Teaching of the Ovada Patimokkha – is an essence summary of teachings stating 'Refrain from all that is unskillful, develop all that is skillful...
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Farewell from WELL-AWARE-NESS North Sydney
Dear Friends
As we close the doors on the North Sydney Practice of WELL-AWARE-NESS tomorrow, I would like to thank you for connecting with myself and the space here whether it be for a short time or over many years.
I have enjoyed sharing my teachings with each and every one of you.
I hope we can stay in touch through my newsletters and my visits to Sydney from time to time.
I wish you and your family a Happy Christmas, with much...
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Transcending and Transforming
Dear Friends
Welcome to NOW where it all appears to be happening. All that has been has arrived into now. All that will be will occur from now. However, for now, as you are aware, WELL-AWARE-NESS is in the process of transcending-transmigrating from Sydney and metamorphosizing into its new home, form and function on the Tweed Coast.
This is a busy time of year for myself but also for most others as well, a time to wind down without getting wound...
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