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Bonni Ross will be teaching in
Bonnie is to give a series of public classes followed
by a workshop and retreat further exploring the theme.
BONNI
ROSS has been teaching Dharma since 1978. She combines 30
years of study and practice in the Zen, Theravadin
and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism with motherhood,
experience in holistic therapies and Western Mysteries and a 16-year career as
a communications and strategic planning consultant to business and government.
She has served as
Resident Teacher at The Dharma Centre of
The City Talks explore
topics that relate to the impermanence and changing nature of our being. Change is inherent in all aspects of ourselves, surroundings, relationships,
community and ultimately the existence we experience through our humanity.
The talks aim to foster a
curiosity with a view to deepen the exploration in the workshop to follow,
“Death and Impermanence”. Rather than a negative unpleasant
contemplation, the exploration of impermanence and change can free one from the
suffering of unrequited dreams and make one available to experience the wonder
and joy of the dance of life.
The BodhisatTvas Path (A
Curious Journey)
Tuesday, 26th
AUGUST
Exploring with curiosity the
interconnections and impermanence of the habits and neuroses of a lifetime with
compassion, interest and joy for the sake of yourself and others.
What is the
reality of “death” ?
Wednesday, 27th
AUGUST
Is death another concept, or
a place on the path as body and mind travel on a journey towards Nirvana? The fear of the loss of body and mind is the
"little death" that holds us back from the ultimate expression of our
potential. Exploring the very nature of
change and impermanence allows us the freedom to surpass our clinging to a
dreamlike existence.
“Death and Impermanence”
(August 29, 30 and 31):
FRIDAY, 29th
SATURDAY, 30th
SUNDAY, 31st
If enlightenment is not attained during this short
time while the sand castle body and the small child's mind are together, although
one lists one hundred things learned and understood, this
will not help in getting free from the ocean of samsara.
Remaining lazy while one has perfect freedom, One will
agonize with regret when the unavoidable Lord of Death arrives. Staging one's own disaster like a madman
drinking poison -Thus the bardo of this life is
manifest.
Tsele Natsok Rangdol in The Mirror of Mindfulness; Shambhala, 1987
We were born; some time, we know not when, we will
die. All traditions of Buddhadharma ask practitioners to contemplate impermanence
and death. It is easy to accept these facts as ideas, and very hard to process
the strong emotions that arise when the reality of our own death faces us.
This
workshop provides a structured opportunity to explore these
feelings through a variety of meditations on death, group process, drawing and
movement exercises, personal contemplation and craft work. Death ceases to be
the unknown, feared enemy and emerges as a powerful ally which
can strengthen our aspiration to awaken and provide an energetic antidote to
lethargy and procrastination.
Learning to calmly accept arising and passing away
increases our sense of the preciousness of each moment and helps us to look
more clearly and fully, without denial or fantasy, at the wondrous reality of
life/death.
“PRACTICING THE SIX PERFECTIONS”
(The Paramis, The Path of the Great
Bodhisattvas).
(2 – 6th Sept )
The Mahayana (Great Vehicle)
teachings shift emphasis from enlightenment for the individual to altruistic
aspiration for the liberation of all sentient beings. Building
on the cooling and stabilizing effect of the practices of non-harming
(eliminating the negative), practitioners begin to accentuate the
positive qualities of generosity, morality, patience, energy, concentration and
wisdom. We'll explore this great work
alluding to the examples of the great Bodhisattvas -- Sakyamuni
( in his lives before Buddhahood),
Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabadhra, Maitreya and Vimalakirti.
THE PRACTICALITIES
If you wish to express your interest by booking and being kept informed about workshops or retreats with Bonnie, please contact Greg Winn, quest@webace.com.au
or Telephone (08-9470 4774).
COSTS
Fees are to be announced shortly
Talks, Workshops and Retreats will be costed
to cover all expenses in bringing Bonni to
Donations in the form of dana will go directly to Bonni to support her in her role as teacher.
VENUES
City Talks
Venue to be announced
Workshop
Venue to be announced
Retreat
Accommodation
The retreat is to be held at
The Origins Retreat Centre.
The centre has been reserved
for this work.
To make an accommodation
booking at the Centre,
please ring (08) 97
641 109.
A Note About Dana
Dana is often taken to simply mean
donation or gift. Dana is a Buddhist teaching about generosity of spirit or the
sharing of blessings, the aspiration to generate health and goodwill in all the
cycles of giving and receiving; the transactions of daily life. It is a
practice that fosters the understanding of the interdependence of social,
material and environmental forms of wealth and. reflects the value you place on
the teaching, the joy of giving and what is realistic for you.
Each participant arrives at the amount
voluntarily. Teachers of the Dharma are supported by considerate donation.
Following Buddhist tradition, Bonni charges no fee
for teaching, therefore Dana is Bonni's
sole income from teaching. You can place your donation in the dana bowl near the entrance. You
may also give it to Bonni directly .
It is customary to offer dana
at the beginning of the class. Giving prior to the teaching supports the
experience of openness and generosity.