| Feature Article
Reflections on the Tai Chi and Meditation Retreat, April 2010
SIBA at East Gippsland is approximately a five hour drive from
Canberra. It is the perfect environment for hosting a retreat away from
the hustle and bustle of the modern world. It is quiet, accommodation
is comfortable and meals are well catered. There is a sense of a strong
spiritual ambience. Thirty one people joined us for this opportunity to
spend four days learning and practising meditation and Tai Chi.
The main purpose of the retreat is to give people a good period of time
to practise and experience the benefits of meditation and Tai Chi,
without the usual daily pressures. The focus is on training the mind
and body. Due to our busy lives, it takes time to slow down enough to
experience and absorb the deeper benefits of these practices. There are
2 Qigong and Tai Chi sessions and 2 meditation sessions throughout the
day.
The meditation we learnt is called shamatha which means calm abiding.
This is a very useful practice. It helps us to be aware of our
thinking. As soon as we begin to calm down and focus, we discover this
very unruly mind. Various techniques are employed to help us tame the
mind, such as counting the breath and using different colours to
identify the inbreath, retention and exhalation. The techniques become
more detailed as you advance until you can stop the flow of discursive
thoughts.
The ability to abide in calmness prepares meditators for the next
stage. Now we use this calm focus to examine and uproot negative
emotions or as the Buddhists say, afflictive emotions, such as anger,
pride, arrogance, hatred. Anger and fear are strong emotional states
that can affect our health and well being and blind us to more sublime
states of being. Anger not only harms other people but also ourselves.
Hatred can lead to terrible acts of violence and cause endless sorrow
and pain. Ignorance is a common underlying cause of these negative
emotions. We do not really know why we react the way we do. As we look
into the mind and understand the consequences of our actions, we can see
that we can make choices. This practice gradually leads to a deep sense
of calm and happiness and the awakening of our true nature.
Tai Chi and Qigong are forms of moving meditation. By practising
structured movements in a relaxed manner, we learn to use the mind to
move the body with a heightened awareness and more skilful
coordination. Well known for its health benefits, Tai Chi also uses the
body as a dynamic tool to calm and focus the mind. In China, meditation
and movement have gone hand in hand for thousands of years. The Taoists
developed arts such as Xing Yi Chuan (Form Intention Boxing), Ba Gua
Zhang (8 Trigram Palm) and Tai Chi Chuan (the Grand Ultimate Fist,
commonly known as Tai Chi). All these internal martial arts are imbued
with consciousness. In the Buddhist tradition, there is the Shaolin
martial arts. Monks learn to unite the mind and body, producing an
indomitable spirit. All these arts, whether practised for health and/or
martial purposes, aim to develop harmony within the different joints and
muscles among the physical body, heart and mind, qi (energy) and mind,
qi and power.
From the comments on the retreat, we learnt that participants gained the
experience we hoped for. People felt that their energy has been
recharged. Some people from the 2009 retreat returned this year
precisely for this reason to replenish their energy. They also felt
that they had deepened their understanding of all the practices from
this retreat. From the sitting meditation, Tai Chi practitioners are
more aware of the importance of the training of the mind in Tai Chi.
From the Qigong and Tai Chi, meditators are more aware that the body can
be an ally in developing their practice, rather than a hindrance.
Many participants commented that the morning Qigong session (7am to
8.30am) before breakfast was such a great way to start the day it
awakened the mind and body and yet had a calming effect throughout the
day. Some have determined to re-arrange their daily schedule to
incorporate Qigong practice in the morning.
My hope was that it would help people achieve that heartfelt
connection. Most of us rarely experience this gracious opening of the
heart. SIBA, with its nurturing and sacred energy, has the potential to
awaken our compassion and loving kindness. I trust that many
participants had a sense of this.
Chief Instructor Brett Wagland
I knew I needed a circuit breaker and from the flyer, it sounded as if
it would deliver what I needed.
The combination of Tai Chi and meditation provided the perfect mind body
release.
Every part of this retreat has been delightful from the warmth of the
residents of SIBA, the superb food, the beautiful property, to the
insights of Jampal and the skill and professionalism of Brett and
Fontane.
The experience has surpassed my expectations. Thank you.
Janet, Marketing Director
SIBA
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beautiful setting, excellent food, great facilities
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welcoming Buddhist compassion everywhere
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good value
Meditation
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my first experience
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very enjoyable teachings from a knowledgeable, informative and
experienced teacher
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mind opening if not mind bending
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feel privileged to have had such a competent introduction
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tools to change my life
Tai Chi
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main reason for attending as already a devotee
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taken to a completely new level and commitment
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excellent tuition from knowledgeable, dedicated teachers with contagious
energy
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totally gratifying and rewarding
A huge thanks for the opportunity!!
Rod, Builder/Carpenter
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Excellent weekend.
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Gained much equanimity.
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Tai Chi and meditation complemented each other really well.
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Program was well organised and challenging as it should be.
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Gained many tools for meditation and learned of the beauty of Tai Chi.
Hope to continue both.
Jo, Doctor
Very well organised and presented. The teachings have been nothing but
amazing. For this, I thank you very much. My prayer is that I can
continue down the road that the Retreat has placed me and my beautiful
daughter
on.
I thought that due to my work that I was in reasonable condition, but
now realise that there is a long way to go.
Many many thanks to you all.
Mal, Rigger / Scaffolder
The retreat has rejuvenated, re-energised and revived the mind, body and
spirit. The combination of mind and body work was excellent. I gained
immensely from the combination and from the opportunity to experience it
in such a beautiful, powerful environment. Thank you for your time,
energy, insights and persistence in teaching me. I found Tai Chi to be
a very connecting practice. Many thanks and I hope to participate
again.
Liz, Social Worker
This was my second retreat and I already know that I will sign on for
the next one. To learn meditation is an idea Ive had for years. And
now I understand more about it. And the benefits are so clear and so
immediate. The journey to my self, to the person I really am, continues
with the help of this practice.
And Tai Chi, the morning element of the retreat is perfect to stretch my
body and my mind. Thank you, Fontane and Brett for doing what you do.
I am blessed to learn from you.
Lynda, Therapist
A great combination of meditation and Tai Chi. I gained a deeper
understanding of both. Jampal, Brett and Fontane are excellent
teachers.
Paul
I gained a lot! I learnt that I benefit so much from both practices and
need to continue with them, for my health and mental and spiritual
well-being. I can see by continuing both practices, I can help my
family as well as myself. It is a positive way for me to manage life
stresses and remain happy and healthy. It is a privilege to have
attended the retreat!
Gayle, Office Worker / Artist
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The surroundings are just beautiful.
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I have found myself again.
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I am now happy.
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I will be back.
Rosie, Student
Reflections:
The monkey mind is sleeping. Meditation and Tai Chi helped me to put it
to bed.
Gained:
Sensitivity and direction a dull routine of agitation and monotony has
been beautifully shattered.
Andrew, Student of Life
I found the blend of both mind and body disciplines very revealing and
inspiring an excellent idea to combine the two. Thank you to all
involved for a very welcoming and friendly atmosphere, and the depth of
teachings offered.
Graeme
Truly excellent work on the Tai Chi component. The morning program will
translate positively to my own readiness from my point of view. The
intensity of the Tai Chi workshop over a number of days meant I
revisited many of the areas that I was well-primed to work on. The
elusive qi was my primary motivation for the retreat and there has been
progress both in knowledge and understanding. Thank you both for a well
planned retreat.
Bob
A deeper awareness and experience of both Calm Abiding Meditation and
Tai Chi. I think my practice of both will deepen, as long as I overcome
the obstacles to practise!
Thanks so much to Fontane for her committed, aware and caring teaching.
It makes a huge difference to the quality of what I can do for myself
through Tai Chi. Fontane and Brett are true treasures for us in
Canberra.
Thank you also to Jampal for the depth, honesty and passion in his
teachings. The examples and explanations were real and understandable.
This is a great gift. I feel I have a lot to learn from him.
Kate, Public Servant
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Well done. Thanks so much.
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Extremely well constructed weekend.
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Excellent combination of mind and body which shows more than anything
how totally interlinked the two are.
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Great food.
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Great company.
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I learned so much.
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Noble silence was a great teacher.
Thanks Brett, Fontane and Jampal. So good.
Beth, Clerk
I enjoyed the peace and calm of the place and the event. The people
were very welcoming and the food was great. Thank you.
Louella, IT Project Manager
Thank you to you all. A really good experience.
Paul, Farmer
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful
Consider doing it twice a year!!
Leo
Thank you Fontane and Brett for providing this opportunity to escape
daily life and reconnect with calmness and happiness! I learnt the
tools to begin to explore meditation and I found Jampals teaching very
insightful.
I enjoyed the Tai Chi and am in awe of Fontanes tenacity and energy in
teaching. Thank you for continuing to pass on your insight.
The program was very well organised, with enough space so it didnt feel
rushed. The balance of Tai Chi and meditation was great.
I am going home much lighter and happier, with a determination to put
into practice what I have learnt.
Claire, Public Servant
Namaste. As this was a first for me, I was just blown away with the
elegance of Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a great addition to my current practice
of Calm Abiding Meditation. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Om Mani
Padme Hum.
Shereen, Massage Therapist / Mother / Nanna / Wife
I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. It was great to not follow the day to
day routines of life work and worries. The retreat was a great mix of
physical and mental workouts combined with great principles of leading
a good life. Thank you.
Anthony, Accountant
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