Maitreya, Buddha to be born

 

     I have love for the footless,
     for the bipeds too I have love;
     I have love for those with four feet,
     for the many-footed I have love.
                                    - Buddha

 

Where and when does Tortoise Mountain gather?

In 2010, Tortoise Mountain will sit reduced times. We'll meet once a month in Balmain, Sydney, with the teacher present; this will be on the last Monday of the month, from 7:30 to 9:30. Email (below), if you have any questions. Everyone is welcome, especially beginners.

Christopher McLean is the Dharma Teacher on these evenings. (See below for some extra activity, in the form of a Kalyanamitta (KM) group on the North Shore.)

On the Balmain evenings, we will meditate for forty-five minutes and then we'll practice mindful discussion (with a cup of tea) for the remaining time. The discussion is on death and dying.

The program in 2010 will be exclusively focused on DEATH AND DYING. The primary text (and practice) for the year will be Stephen Levine's A Year to Live. For many of us, we will be starting the practice, based on the book, on New Year's Day. However, the first meeting of the group will be on Monday 25th January.

Please note that you need not practice the 'Year to Live' practice, and you can simply join us to contemplate 'death and dying' at your own pace and depth.

We are an open group dedicated to exploring human life through the practice of Vipassana & Inquiry. (See Insight page & links for more on Insight Meditation.)

No membership necessary, no pledges required. It is customary to give a donation, "dana," which is a contribution to support the continuance of Buddhist teachings.

Kalyānamitta (KM) Group

The Tortoise Mountain ‘kalyānamitta’ (spiritual friend) group meets once a month. 

The nights begin with a 45 minute meditation followed by an opportunity for members to share their individual experiences with the dharma in an open space – speaking into the silence. To ensure that we nurture mindful speaking, the speaker holds a talking stick while they are sharing.   The intention is that the space remain open allowing members to feel free to follow a line of enquiry or to share anything that comes up for them in relation to the dharma. The facilitator role for this group rotates through those attending.  

 

The group meets at the Grail and donations for the venue are welcome.  A box will be provided at the meetings for these donations which will go towards a ‘kitty’ to cover ongoing cost. Our intention is to provide the opportunity for everyone on an ongoing basis rather than having those attending on a given night having to split the cost.

 

The Tortoise Mountain KM Group meeting dates for this year are:

14 June

12 July

16 August

13 September

11 October

November (TBA)

 

In the KM group, Meditation begins at 7 and we finish sharing promptly at 9.

The Grail
22 McHatton St
North Sydney

Feel free to call the number below to ask about the activities of the group.

Retreats and Mindfulness Weekends

Contact:

Phone:  61 02 4787 -5662 (Wednesday to Saturday)
Fax:      61 02 4787 -5847
Mobile: 0421 346 919