Christopher McLean

Christopher McLean's
2010 Teaching Activities

Background

My name is Christopher McLean. I have practiced Buddhist meditation for forty years; and for the last seven years I've been teaching in the Insight Meditation tradition. I teach Samatha-Vipassana (Calm & Insight) retreats in Australia and conduct workshops in Sydney. I've also studied in the Zen and Dzogchen schools, and so I have a broad 'Buddhayana' approach to Buddhist teachings. I was appointed to teach Vipassana by Subhana Barzaghi.

On this page you'll find times, dates and details for Insight Meditation practice, Mindful Inquiry days, Dharma Talks, Openness Mind Workshops & Focusing Workshops.

In 2010, I have reduced my activities for several reason which include the need to give attention to my health; and also the need to have a 'pause and reflect' on my teaching. I hope that the downtime will equip me to better serve the Dharma.

If you'd like to support the Dharma, through my work, you can provide "dana" (i.e., a donation for the continuance of the teachings) with the following PayPal link. In particular the dana helps me to take retreats under other teachers, and to continue my study.

STOP PRESS - "Ananda's Breathing Meditation."

Thank you to all who attended this precious event, bringing the New Year in with the blessings of your energy.

We're having another 'Ananda's Breathing Meditation' weekend retreat, in May. We'll call the retreat 'The Mind of Winter Retreat.' It's planned to be at the BKS Centre at Wilton, for the weekend of 14th/15th May. Contact me for more info or registration.

This meditation approach is very safe way of entering the deepest reaches of our heart. Suitable for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

BUDDHIST INSIGHT MEDITATION

BLUE GUM SANGHA

I teach in the Blue Gum Sangha, with Subhana Barzaghi and Winton Higgins.

This next year I will only teach every two months, as I'm reducing my activity in 2010, to spend more time in contemplation. I'll lead every second sutta study evening. This year we're studying the Dhammapada.

Blue Gum meets every Tuesday night in North Sydney, from 7:15pm - 9pm. The program of activities for this group can be found on the web, here. My (proposed) sutta study nights for 2010:

January 5 - The Pairs
March 2 - The Mind
March 23rd - I'll lead a special 'Anger' inquiry.
May 4 - The Fool

and thereafter:

July 6 - The Arahant
September 7 - Evil
November 2 - Old Age

For further details about Blue Gum Sangha (especially if you are a beginner) please call 9913 2979

TORTOISE MOUNTAIN SANGHA

In 2010, our Tortoise Mountain group will meet only once a month. We will meet on the last Monday of the month, in Balmain, and the text for study this year will be of Stephen Levine's A Year to Live. First meeting of the year will be 25th January. 7:30 - 9:30, as usual. (Contact email, below). Note: You don't have to be doing the Year to Live Practice, or to have read the book. The discussion will be relevant to all.

We begin with a 45 minute meditation. We welcome visitors. On these Mondays, there is no fee, but there is the traditional opportunity to give a dana.

We're having another 'Ananda's Breathing Meditation' weekend retreat, in May. We'll call the retreat 'The Mind of Winter Retreat.' It's planned to be at the BKS Centre at Wilton, for the weekend of 14th/15th May.

Dates for Tortoise Mountain gathering this year are:

January 25th
February 22nd
March 29th
April 26th (Anzac holiday)
May 31st
June 28th
July 26th
August 30th
September 27th
October 25th
November 29th
December 13th

There is negotiation going on between members which might produce other nights for meditation, sangha-led nights. I'll post information here, if that goes ahead.

MINDFUL INQUIRY DAYS

We hold full-day Mindfulness Days once a month on a Sunday. This group is a development from what was Sydney's first Insight Dialogue group. However, it morphed some years back into what we call "Mindful Inquiries," where the objective is to develop mindfulness while in conversation, a crucial skill for lay practitioners.

We meet at (the Grail) 22 McHatton St, North Sydney (round the back) and start at 10:00 sharp, and finishing at 4:00. Come about 9:40 and settle in with a cup of tea.

Admin fee: $10 and Dana (generosity practice or donation) is welcomed.

NOTE: If possible bring a packed lunch. We practice the Buddhist practice of 'noble silence' during the day, and the grounds of the Grail are very pleasant for sitting on the grass, mindfully eating your lunch.

This is the development of meditation practice in and through mindful inter-human attention. The basis for mindfulness training in the workshops will be the FOUR FOUNDATIONS OF MINDFULNESS applied to BODY, SPEECH and MIND in interaction. People who practice Gregory Kramer's (Insight Dialogue) mindfulness guidelines are welcome to practice those on the day.

The last meeting for 2009 is on November 29th - Interpersonal approach to Right Samadhi.

Mindful Inquiry Days for 2010:

January 31
February 21 (because I'm teaching Focusing in Canberra on the last weekend of February)
March 28
April 25 (Anzac weekend)
May 30
June 27
August 1
August 22
September 26
October 31
November 28

OPENNESS MIND PROCESS

Buddhist Contemplations Using Voice Dialogue

I facilitate 'Openness Mind' contemplations, which have so far been very beneficial to seekers. I initially drew my inspiration from hearing about Genpo Roshi's 'Big Mind' process. (See www.bigmind.org). However, in 2010, in keeping with a quieter year for me, I'll only conducting one of these events - September 12, 2010.

I keep the groups small so that I can give personalised attention to each participant. Preferably participants should have a regular sitting practice, but this is not essential, because for people of reasonably stable emotional health, the day can introduce the essential nature of meditation very effectively.

If small groups want to organise themselves and invite me to lead a process, I'll be happy to do that. Please contact me.

There is no cost, unless there's a venue cost; but the traditional opportunity is there for generosity practice; that is, there will be a DANA box available.

NOTE: This is not psychotherapy, even though it uses Hal and Sidra Stone's Voice Dialogue. It is a serious and powerful application of Buddhist Psychology, in particular of the teaching of interdependent co-arising (paticcasamuppada). Be prepared to enter the unknown, to inquire into the human condition, and to be mindful of your actual body and feelings. It's an opportunity to investigate what some call the non-dual dharma.

Also note that this is not the same as Roshi's Big Mind process, and I am not trained in his methods. I use Voice Dilaogue but with the teachings of early Buddhist canon, the Pali Dharma, instead of Zen.

The next Openness Mind Process will be held on September 12. Contact me to let me know you're coming, for details of the venue, times and so on. I need to know how many people are coming. It's likely that the workshop will be in Balmain at our new office.

FOCUSING

I am a Focusing Trainer. This is the work originated by Eugene T. Gendlin. I was trained by Ann Weiser Cornell. Call me to find out about my two-day workshops. See (www.focusing-sydney.net). Call 0421 346 919 or 4787 5662 for details. Cost for a two-day Focusing workshop is $300.

THE NEXT SYDNEY FOCUSING LEVEL 1 WORKSHOP A two-day weekend workshop on March 20 & 21, 2010. See focusing workshop page.

Also, I'll conduct a Level 1 Focusing workshop in Canberra, in February, Friday 26 & Saturday 27. Contact me for details.

Thereafter, I plan Sydney Focusing workshops for:
June 19/20 - Level Two Focusing;
September 18/19 - Level Three Focusing;
December 4/5 - Focusing for Meditators.

Special workshops: March 7 - Let Your Body Interpret Your Dreams - A Focusing Dreamwork Workshop;

and Focusing for Psychotherapists four-day workshop will be held in the Green Room at the Marist Fathers, in Hunters Hill, 9-12 July, 2010.

Private tuition is also available.

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