Insight Meditation and Insight Dialogue workshop

NOTE: A range of different insight meditation practices will be offered over these two days, and you can attend either or both of them. Priority will be given to people attending both days.

Saturday: Insight Meditation

Equanimity: Finding (Moments of) Ease in the Midst of it All

Equanimity is a quality that is highly valued in Buddhist teachings, as one of the four divine abodes (along with kindness, compassion and joy), and also as one of the seven factors of awakening that support transformative insight.

For many people though, this steadiness of heart and mind can feel elusive in the midst of the personal, societal, and even existential difficulties that we’re facing in these challenging times.

Fortunately, it’s possible to actively cultivate equanimity, both in formal meditation practice and in our daily life, and with practice, it becomes more and more accessible. This workshop will support us to gradually quieten our hearts and minds, so that we can meet our challenges with steadiness, care, courage and wisdom.

The day will include meditation instruction, guided and silent sitting meditation, walking meditation, and some small group discussion.

Sunday: Insight Dialogue - relational meditation

Cultivating Wise Speech

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice that brings the mindfulness, tranquillity and steadiness of silent insight meditation directly into our relational lives. Meditating together in pairs or small groups, the six guidelines of Insight Dialogue - Pause, Relax, Open, Attune to Emergence, Listen Deeply and Speak the Truth - support us to interact with each other mindfully and kindly, allowing a deeper exploration of the Buddha’s teachings on Wise Speech. As a result, we begin to understand some of the habits of heart and mind that cause relational stress and distress, and how to free ourselves from those habits so that we can live with more ease, happiness, and mutual understanding.

This workshop is best suited to people who have some experience of insight/vipassanā/mindfulness meditation, but prior Insight Dialogue experience is not required.

Teacher: Jill Shepherd http://jill0shepherd-insightmeditation.com

Times: Saturday and Sunday 9:30-4:30 pm
Cost: $50 each day or $75 for both days + dāna/donation* to the teacher
Food: Please bring your own lunch. Teas, herbal teas and biscuits will be supplied.
Equipment: Some chairs will be available, but please bring your own meditation cushion or bench if you have one, and a shawl or blanket.
Newcastle contact person: Kathy Tetu 042 856 9010

Cancellation policy:
Full refund (minus a $15 admin fee) up to two weeks before the event starts. No refunds after Saturday 19 April 2025

*The registration fee covers only a contribution to room hire, tea and biscuits and incidental costs associated with running the event.
In keeping with Buddhist tradition, the teachings are freely offered on a dāna basis which means the teacher is not paid to offer this workshop. Instead, they rely on the generosity of the participants to help them continue to share their teachings with others, and there will be an opportunity at the end of the workshop to offer donations to support Jill’s ongoing teaching.