Ian Gawler: Out on a Limb: Meditation, Contemplation and Teacher Training

09 November 2024

Meditation, Contemplation and Teacher Training - a pictorial essay

There is something quite magical that happens when 30 people with altruistic intention come together to learn how to teach meditation to others. Ruth and I have just had this wonderful experience, when along with our colleague Murray Paterson we led a widely varied group through 5 days of Meditation Teacher Training, where this time the specific focus was upon contemplation.

It has been well said that to teach someone else to meditate is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Then when it comes to contemplation, this is a personal practice that offers so much, and yet it is taught so infrequently, and for which there are hardly any books in print.

So our group came together, learnt theory (from our 200+ page manual), practised on each other, meditated and contemplated together; and the atmosphere was buzzing!!!

Not sure I can remember a more upbeat group or training for many long years; it was all such a delight; not the least as the spring was in full bloom at the Yarra Valley Living Centre so lovingly cherished by the BKs.

So it felt that this was a good time to produce another photographic essay – to convey something of the feeling of the training, and to celebrate all these amazing meditation teachers to be…

But first,

Thought for the day

Through the wisdom that comes from hearing (listening to teachings),

You are able to recognize the disturbing emotions.

Then through the wisdom that comes from reflection (contemplation),

You are able to overcome the disturbing emotions temporarily.

And finally, through the wisdom that comes through meditation

You conquer completely the enemy of negative emotions,

And obtain the confidence of the inexpressible wisdom

Of discriminating awareness.

Chokyi Drakpa

Contemplation has five main benefits:

1. Clarity – we learn how to use the thinking mind more logically and make good decisions

2. Insight – we learn how to gain deeper understanding of the knowledge we hold

3. Intuition – we learn how to access profound truths; directly and independently of thinking and emotions

4. Creativity – we learn how to access deep wells of creativity that can lead to both innovation and artistic creations

5. Embodiment – we learn how to take an idea, an intellectual understanding, into our body, into our heart; to live it and to become more authentic.

Contemplation is one of the most powerful self-empowering tools there are...

And so, the training…