Spring Newsletter 2021
SPRING COMES
Dear Friends
The beginning of a new Season reminds us that time is passing.
This is particularly so for the Season of Spring, especially here in the Southern Hemisphere, reminding us that the year is now half over.
Spring is a beautiful Season with the warmth that it brings after the cold of Winter, and the great flush of colour and fragrance, calling us to our senses.
Spring is a hopeful Season, reminding us to connect with Nature and that which is beyond our mind made issues and worries.
Spring can also offer us strength to deal with challenges that we face that may have felt overwhelming during the season of Winter!
Whilst our world still deals with the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic; may Spring 2021 bring some relief and joy to our heart as we take pause and become present to Nature sharing it’s beauty.
My verse below speaks to this possibility.
Kind Regards
John B.
SPRING COMES
Spring comes but once a year;
A season that all creatures;
Hold as dear!
Spring brings both warmth and light;
Lifting our mood;
Our mind feels bright.
Spring offers blossom and flower;
An expression of Natures gifts;
It’s glory and power.
So many fragrance and colours to see;
Spring calls us out doors;
To walk, sit and just be!
Spring invites us to be here and Now;
To let go past and future
And to the Present respectfully bow!
The awakening and birth of new life;
Brings joy and hope;
Freeing our mind from stress and strife.
Spring reminds us of the fresh and new;
With patience, kindness and Care;
All issues we can get through!
VASSA MEDITATION RETREAT 2021
As you know the period from the Full Moon of July to the Full Moon of October is a special time of Buddhist Retreat around the world, particularly for Buddhist Monks, Nuns and those interested in developing and deepening their practice of Mindfulness and Meditation and understanding of the Buddhist Path the Peace and Freedom from stress and suffering.
A group of us started the Vassa Retreat 2021 at Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery near Lismore at the end of July with a day of Meditation and instructions from Venerable Pannyavaro.
The Retreat – as a period of time is open to any one that wishes to make use of this time for more focused practice, whether they attend the monthly Meditation Days or not.
The next Meditation Day of the Vassa Retreat was planned for last weekend; however, due to the current NSW Lock-Down and travel restrictions, the August Meditation Day did not be go ahead.
As the registration for this Meditation Day was through the Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery website – (rather than through WELL-AWARE-NESS), Venerable Pannyavaro will be offering those that registered a place on the September Meditation Day – Vassa Retreat Saturday 25th or Sunday 26th.
Whilst it would have been wonderful to meet together at Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery for a day of Meditation and Teachings, our Mindfulness, Meditation and Wisdom practices continue where ever we are, particularly with our home-based Meditation practice.
During this COVID-19 time of Restrictions and Lock-Down, we can make good use of the situation as a period of Conscious Retreat, focusing on well-being and inner freedom, amidst the external limitations and ongoing mood of unease and uncertainty.
Certainly my weekly Meditation Group and monthly Meditation Days, are still on hold until these restrictions lift both in travel and allowance for people visiting a home space.
What is certain is that things will change and pass in the passage of time!
Let’s be calm, patient and present to life with Mindfulness and Care.
Please find below some helpful links for our ongoing Meditation and Wisdom Reflections.
Ajahn Munindo’s wisdom writings:
Servant of reality?
Venerable Bodhidhamma’s COVID-19 Retreat Reflections:
Coronavirus lockdown talks and meditation
John’s Wisdom Podcast from Meditation Group Talks:
https://www.wellawareness.com.au/podcasts
PSYCHOLOGY SESSIONS AND MINDFULNESS TRAINING WITH JOHN
Whilst NSW and other areas remain in Lock Down, it becomes even more important to be mindful and careful of our Mind Health given the ongoing challenges and changes to our usual way of life.
John continues to see clients both face to face and also through Telehealth – Phone, Skype, Facetime Sessions.
Medical and Allied Health appointments can still be attended however the option of Telehealth can be made use of if preferred.
Please feel free to contact John via email: info@wellawareness.com.au or Phone / Text: 0400 022 048 if you wish to make a booking for a session.
