Happy New Year 2025
Arōgyā paramā lābhā
santuṭṭhi paramaṁ dhanaṁ
vissāsa paramā ñāthi
Nibbānaṁ paramaṁ sukhaṁ
A healthy mind is the greatest gain,
Contentment is the greatest wealth,
A trustworthy friend is the best of kin,
Unconditional Freedom is the highest bliss.
(The Buddha: Dhammapada verse 204)
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year – 2025!
Welcome to another year in our life where we have the opportunity to develop our Mindfulness, depth of Meditation and clarity of Insight, Wisdom and Compassion.
To be sure, the more mindful that we are, the more we have the ability to choose how we spend our precious time and energy.
The beginning of the New Year is a great time to pause and ponder on What is the Focus, Form and Function of our Life, especially over the period of the year?
What are we hoping to fulfill with our life this year? ‘What is a year well lived and what is the result of a life well lived?
Indeed, what is it that we aspire to or make the meaning, worthwhile gain or goal of our life in general and this year in particular?
Given that we all are alive; that we have life, it can be most important to consider these questions above and then check in and see if we are indeed leading our life in accordance with the result that we are wanting or expecting.
While the appreciation of the results of a life well lived may vary from person to person, I personally find great inspiration and encouragement in the Buddha’s words in the Verse above from a collection of Verses called the Dhammapada. This is one of my favourite quotes from the Buddha as it offers a wonderful statement of what may be considered worthwhile and important for us as human beings.
This Verse expresses a perennial wisdom in that it transcends time, place, customs, culture, gender and age.
The Verse states what is important in four main areas of our life – Health, Wealth, Relationships and Happiness.
We note that much of our current culture would see other things as important in those four domains. These might include: Physical Health and Beauty; Financial Success; Lots of fun-loving Friends; Sensory Pleasure as Happiness.
What the Buddha has stated in his Verse are in the domain of Psychological and Spiritual things rather than the ways and values of ‘the world’ or ‘worldliness’. This takes into consideration that whilst physical and material things are important and can bring some degree of pleasure and happiness, they are subject to change and demise. They are conditioned and conditional and thus not a sure, safe refuge or a reliable investment of our precious time and energy. The verse expresses what we may know, we just need to take it to heart and actualise it.
Take some time in being Mindful and Meditative to feel into each of the four statements of the Buddha.
Ask yourself:
- What does this statement mean for me?
- If the statement does align with my values, then how am I bringing this to fruition in my life?
- If something is hindering fulfilling the value the statement expresses, what can I do about this?
- Anything else I would like to feel or note about the statements or the Buddha’s Verse as a whole?
Certainly, much of what the Buddha’s verse above expresses can find fulfillment through our ongoing practice of Meditation – SAMADHI. Apart from having your own daily Meditation practice it is wonderful to connect with other Meditators – SANGHA, through a regular Meditation Group and also Meditation Retreat Days.
At Ratanagiri – Farrants Hill NSW, we have this opportunity in attending the weekly Thursday Evening Meditation Group: 6.30 – 7.30pm (NSW time) and also the monthly Sunday Meditation Retreat Days. Whilst I have been practicing Meditation and the Buddha’s Teachings – DHAMMA, for over 40 years, I continue to find being part of a regular weekly Meditation Group and monthly Meditation Retreat Days, most helpful and supportive for my practice. I do encourage you to connect or continue to attend these sessions and be part of our SANGHA through 2025.
May we all have a wonderful year and be an inspiration to both our selves and others in what our world so desperately needs – Peace, Patience, Wisdom and Compassion.
Kind Regards – METTA
John B.
RATANAGIRI MEDITATION GROUP
Starting back Thursday 16th January 2025
Our group runs every Thursday evening 6:30 – 7:30pm (NSW Time) at Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill, NSW 2484.
If you are coming for the first time please email us at info@wellawareness.com.au.
We have a new name for our group in 2025
‘Ratanagiri Meditation Sangha’.
New YouTube Link – https://www.youtube.com/@RatanagiriMeditationSangha
RATANGIRI MEDITATION RETREAT DAY
Theme: Meditation & Reflections on Beginnings & Endings
(Our December Retreat with this theme was cancelled due to a weather event).
Date : Sunday 16th February 2025
Time: Arrive at 9.20am for a 9.30am start – 3.00pm finish. (NSW daylight saving time)
8.30am start – 2.00pm finish (QLD time)
Venue: Ratanagiri at 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484
Led By: John Barter
Practice: Samma Samadhi
Cost: Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance (suggestion – cash on the day $50 – $100)
If attending online and you wish to contribute Dana, bank details are below –
Account Name: WELL-AWARE-NESS Pty Limited
BSB: 082 738
Account No: 484 342 890
Bring: Your own lunch, notepad and pen, water bottle, cool clothes, rain gear if needed, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation Cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).
Parking: (see attached photos below) Please park in the Parking Area below the house (see attached photos) – off Double View Road on the left hand side – entrance between the Orange Witches Hats, just before the yellow Private Road sign. Return to the road and walk up to the House (Ratanagiri sign by the Stainless Steel Letter Box) – enter on the Left where the Rock Wall is.
Registration: Please email us to register your interest in attending this retreat.
Contact Christie at WELL-AWARE-NESS –info@wellawareness.com.au.
ZOOM LINK –
Retreat Days can be attended online on request if you cannot physically attend.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1
RETREATS 2025
- 16th February 2025
- 9th March 2025 with Ajahn Tiradhammo
- 20th April 2025 (Easter) with Ajahn Bhuripanyo
- 11th May 2025
- 15th June 2025
- 13th July 2025 -Start of VASSA Day 1
- 10th August 2025 -VASSA Day 2
- 7th September 2025 -VASSA Day 3
- 5th October 2025 -End of VASSA Day 4
- 7th December 2025
https://www.wellawareness.com.au/courses-retreats/meditation-retreats/
