January 2007 Newsletter

1. Welcome to our first 2007 Newsletter!

The Perth Insight Meditation Group is a not-for-profit organization with a small group of people who support meditation retreats in Perth. As the group has strengthened over a 13 year period, several retreats are organized annually, led by a range of visiting lay and ordained teachers.

PIMG invites both lay and ordained teachers from around the world to visit Perth to lead retreats. Ordained teachers include: Venerable Bhante Gunaratana, Venerable Sujiva, Sayadaw U Lakhana, Daw Ariya Nani, Sayalay Dipankara Lay teachers include: Patrick Kearney (NSW), Steve Armstrong and Kamala Masters (USA), Guy Armstrong and Sally Clough (USA), Sky Dawson (Perth).

2. How to Contact Us:

The Management Committee currently includes:

Julie Baker (Chairperson);
Anne Del Fante (Treasurer);
Bavali Hill (Secretary);
Wendy Francis; Sanath and Kanthi de Tissera; Sky Dawson; Laura Bernay.

The mailing address is;
P.O.Box 1611,
Fremantle.
6959.

website is www.pimg.org/

3. One Day Meditation Silent Retreats

Sky Dawson leads Sunday retreats every two months, encouraging meditators to take time to deepen their practice. Sky provides meditation instructions and Ray James offers simple stretching sessions to develop mindfulness in movement and to support the body in sitting.

These one-day retreats have been warmly received and well supported throughout 2006. For further information contact raysky@optusnet.com.au

Venue:
Beacon Yoga Centre,
151 South St,
Beaconsfield
6162

4. Early Bird Cost Option

In 2007 PIMG is offering an early bird discount price on Retreats, to assist us firm up retreat numbers well ahead of the start date. Look out for this option on the March Retreat with Patrick. To simplify the payment process, we have suspended the trial of the three tier payment structure for the time being.

This structure made it possible to assist another person to sit the retreat through making an extra payment over the actual cost, or to be assisted through nominating receiving dana from other retreatants. This may be resumed at a later date.

5. Retreat Manager Opportunity

There is an opportunity to manage Patrick Kearney's next Retreat in March 2007. The Manager will be able to sit the retreat free of charge. It is anticipated that this will still allow 5 or 6 hours per day of sitting, especially when the group settles into a deeper space after the first few days.

A list of duties and assistance will be provided for those who wish to support future retreats in this way. This role of Manager could be shared.

6. Progress of New Retreat Centre.

The Buddhist Society of WA is currently building the Jhana Grove Meditation Centre, located on a secluded piece of land surrounded by natural forest in the hills above Serpentine, just 1km from Bodhinyana Buddhist Monastery.

The Retreat Centre will comfortably accommodate up to 60 guests at a time in 10 individual cottages, each room with its own ensuite. This will allow a great deal of privacy and thus maximize the benefits of meditation practice. The cost of the project is estimated at $3 million, with $2 million raised up to early December 2006. It is hoped that building can soon commence on the site and a projected completion date is the end of 2007.

The vision is to be able to offer residential meditation retreats free of charge with the cost of food and maintenance provided solely by unsolicited donations given out of gratitude from those who have enjoyed the facilities. For pictures of the projected centre see http://www.bswa.org/modules/articles/article.php?id=13

7. Other news

PIMG is purchasing cushions (both round and C shape) and stools for use by Retreatants on future retreats. Additional smaller cushions will also be provided to assist with posture balancing and adjustments.

8. Dedicated Practitioner Programme

The Dedicated Practitioner's Program provides an opportunity to deepen practice and understanding through provided sutta and other readings, meditation practice and monthly discussion. The content of the discussion is based on the Senior Student's Group, which was established by Sally Clough and has run successfully in the USA since 2002.

If you are ready to make a deeper commitment to your practice and to be part of a support group to discuss meditation and the dharma and its application in daily life, meetings are held once a month in Shenton Park from 7.30pm on the first Friday of the month.

Please contact;

Laura Bernay Ph.9380 4704 lbernay@iinet.net.au;
Wendy Francis Ph.9328 5046

Newsletter Editor: Sky Dawson