Exploring Equanimity: Jill Shepherd (Sydney)

26 Nov to 27 Nov 2016 Early bird $30

Exploring equanimity: finding balance, ease and freedom in the midst of life’s challenges
Please book here through Eventbrite

Equanimity, or balance of heart-mind, is highly valued in the Buddha’s teachings.  It appears as the culminating factor in many of his lists of qualities to be cultivated – for example the Four Brahma-Vihara, the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Ten Parami.  However, equanimity can often feel quite elusive when we’re facing the many challenges inherent in daily life, especially in these times of increased fear and suffering in the world.

During this two-day workshop, we will explore many different facets of equanimity, using both traditional and relational insight meditation practices to cultivate the deepest freedom of heart and mind.  To support the development of equanimity in all areas of our lives, we will learn how to integrate the calm, clarity and concentration of traditional silent meditation into the arena of speaking and listening, using the six guidelines of Insight Dialogue as developed by the US dharma teacher Gregory Kramer.  For more information about Insight Dialogue meditation practice, see https://metta.org/insight-dialogue-3/

Working together in pairs, we will use the power of relational meditation practice to understand the habits of heart and mind that lead to stress and distress, and how to free ourselves from those habits so that we can live with greater equanimity, ease and happiness.

Teachers: Jill Shepherd, assisted by Beth Faria. Jill Shepherd is a US-trained insight meditation teacher, offering retreats and workshops primarily in Australia, New Zealand and the United States.  In Australia, she teaches regularly at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre in Medlow Bath.  For more information about her, please see https://jill0shepherd-insightmeditation.com/about/

Elizabeth Faria has been a Buddhist practitioner since 1996, studying in many countries. She is a Buddhist psychotherapist, psychologist and mother.

Both teachers are participants in the current ID teacher training programme led by Gregory Kramer.

Times and dates: 9:15 am – 4:30 pm Saturday 26 November and Sunday 27 November 2016

Food: Please bring your own lunch.  Teas and herbal teas will be supplied.

Equipment: Chairs will be available, but please bring your own meditation cushion or bench if you have one, and a shawl or blanket.
Cost: $50 registration fee + dana/donation* to the teachers
$30 early-bird registration until 23 September 2016. No door sales

To register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exploring-equanimity-insight-meditation-two-day-workshop-sydney-registration-27251280313

NOTE: In support of our group practice, please arrive by 9:15 am for a prompt start at 9:30 am, and make a commitment to stay for the whole day, each day