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Kwan Shi, Australia, July 2009 |
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events in 2009-2010
Nature of Mind & The Enneagram
True Nature: Wisdom and Compassion
with Kwan Shi (Lawrence Graziose)
Canberra, 25-26 July
Sydney, 18-19 July
Brisbane, 4-5 July and 11-12 July
Nature of Mind & The Enneagram
CANBERRA
Date: Saturday 25 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: The Mezzanine (P&F Room), Australian National University Sport and Recreation building, North Rd, Acton
Cost: $125 ($200 if you attend both 25 and 26 July), credit card or cash paid in advance, call Olivia on 0403 290 932 or email
SYDNEY
Date: Saturday 18 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: The Posture Centre, 174 Concord Rd, North Strathfield
Cost: $125
Contact: Donna Eddy or Cherie Seeto
Cost: $125, credit card or cash paid in advance, call Louise on (02) 9743 2112
BRISBANE
Dates: Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: Kenore, QLD (see Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre)
Cost: $200
True Nature: Wisdom and Compassion
CANBERRA
Date: Sunday 26 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: The Mezzanine (P&F Room), Australian National University Sport and Recreation building, North Rd, Acton
Cost: $125 ($200 if you attend both 25 and 26 July), credit card or cash paid in advance, call Olivia on 0403 290 932 or email
SYDNEY
Date: Sunday 19 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: The Posture Centre, 174 Concord Rd, North Strathfield
Cost: $125
Contact: Donna Eddy or Cherie Seeto
Cost: $125, credit card or cash paid in advance, call Louise on (02) 9743 2112
BRISBANE
Dates: Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July
Time: 10 am to 5 pm
Venue: Kenore, QLD (see Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre)
Cost: $125 per day, $200 for the weekend
Nature of Mind & The Enneagram
The Enneagram is an ancient teaching system and a tool used to facilitate expanded awareness of the Self. Whether you are very familiar with the Enneagram, or if you’ve never heard about it, the information presented during this day will be new. The ego-mind has certain aspects which tend to lead us towards upset and suffering, while telling us that these are pathways to happiness. The ego-mind will attempt to divide our experiences of life in half, desiring or clinging to some aspects, while repressing or avoiding others. This sets up a dualistic pattern of relating to life where the ego ‘leads the show’. In reality, neither of the aspects (the attraction or the repulsion) lead to a lasting satisfaction, happiness, or peace. The reactionary ego-habits and also the basic inherent peace or happiness beyond the ego-mind will both be illuminated on this day.
Although the Enneagram will be used as one model or template for the ego-patterns, this day will include much more. The ‘Nature of Mind’ will be presented in several different perspectives, including views from Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Advaita Vedanta, and Native American and Hawaiian shamanism. There will be a balance between information (including ample time for questions) and experiential practices on this day. No previous experience with meditation or other spiritual practices is required.
True Nature: Wisdom and Compassion
Wisdom
The word ‘wisdom’ is sometimes used to refer to someone who has collected a lot of information or understanding. The actual state of wisdom, inherent in all human beings, comes forth from an empty, open mind. It is a clear intuition or direct-knowing, coming from emptiness itself.
Wisdom is the precursor to freedom from the confines of the ‘small-I’, or ego-based existence. There’s nothing wrong or bad about the ego, of course, it’s just doing the job it was designed to do. However, it has a limited way of perceiving the world, and often obscures the beauty and infinite possibilities that exist in true Reality. Ego-mind wants to remain small and closed, with limited possibilities. The seeds of wisdom start with a quiet and open mind, ready and willing to perceive many possibilities.
During this day, we will utilize spiritual practices (from various traditions) that are designed to create an open, expanded mind, as well as the ability to experience pure awareness. There will also be practices to bring forth experiences of the intuitive aspects of mind. From this solid foundation, we can then make a deeper movement into the area of Self-inquiry. This is not an intellectual exercise, but a focus of awareness into the source of the ‘I’-thought, and the source of the ability to perceive. Seeing beyond the habitual mental-patterns into the clear and simple reality of direct Truth. This is wisdom, the opening of the third-eye.
Compassion
So often our lives revolve around the ‘small-I’ and its needs, when the true source of happiness involves finding our ‘right livelihood’, our own form of ‘seva’ or ‘service to others’, or as the Native Americans call it, our ‘medicine’. Areas of difficulty and darkness that we encounter and find our way through can often become a gift to others. From darkness comes light. In addition, we all have inner gifts that sometimes do not fully manifest, or are not allowed to flourish, for different reasons. These inherent aspects, all forms of love, will be encouraged to come forth on this day.
The practices and exercises will be designed to open the heart centre, to connect with what it feels like to be a true human being, able to experience both sadness and happiness.
Wisdom is the ability to be free from suffering. Compassion is the natural impulse to help others through their own difficulties and sufferings. Before we can do this, we have to let go of our own personal suffering, and find our inner gifts. When they are found, a simple happiness or peacefulness is the result. It feels expansive, beautiful, and truly alive when we share these gifts with others. If they are not brought forth, our lives start to feel contracted, or disconnected, or lost.
The core of compassion is alive in every human being in the heart centre, the 4th chakra (Anahata). It is through this centre that darkness and suffering can be transformed into joy and love.
Kwan Shi (Lawrence Graziose) will be the teacher for the weekend. He has over 30 year's experience in Zen and Tibetan Buddhist, shamanic, Sufi, and other spiritual traditions, and became a Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um Zen School in 1983 in San Francisco. Lawrence has worked with and received blessings to teach from Zen Masters, Sufi and Tibetan teachers, shamans, Indian Gurus, and is an adopted spiritual-son of a Cheyenne (Native American) healer. He first learned the Enneagram in 1988, during a year-long program taught by two Sufi teachers. All that he has learned and experienced is included in the way he teaches the Enneagram. It is not taught as a psychological model used to ‘fix’ yourself, but as a way to directly perceive the ego and put an end to the useless suffering the ego-patterns have the tendency to create. It is taught as a tool to help you to set yourself free.
From Kit Laughlin
My teacher, the wandering Zen monk known as Kwan Shi (or Lawrence Graziose) is coming to Australia and has offered to present two workshops in Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane. I urge you to attend one or both, in order to have the opportunity of interacting with this extraordinary person.
In all of the self-development work I have been involved in over the last 25 years, Lawrence's work has had the major impact, by far. I cannot recommend his workshop too highly. Meeting LG (as he is also known) literally changed my life. I have continued to work with him over the last ten years and will continue as long as I can. I have attended over 90 workshops with him around the world and here in Australia in this time and have seen the effect his presence/wisdom/understanding has had on many, many people.
If you really want to make changes in your own life at the deepest level, please reserve your place. There will be plenty of time in both workshops to interact with LG personally; the atmosphere is open and completely supportive, and you can talk about anything at all with him.
Kit Laughlin
June 2009
