Author Archives: Dr. Meath Conlan

About Dr. Meath Conlan

Meath Conlan is the founder of Diverse Journeys. He creates and offers workshops, seminars and retreats for groups and spiritual counselling for individuals (personally or telephonically) without discrimination as to age, ethnicity, religion, or orientation. He extends his professional activities through leading small-group travel to places of cultural diversity and spiritual richness (India, Nepal, Tibet, etc.). Meath is a spiritual counsellor and director in private practice, with specialist experience in multi-cultural and inter-religious dialogue, midlife issues and contemplative spirituality.

Bhutan Tour: August 25 – 30, 2013

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PILGRIMAGE TO BHUTAN – 25 AUGUST : Singapore – Paro -Thimphu

Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro

PARO DZONG, PARO, BHUTAN

Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, we will be greeted by our Druk Asia guide. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel. Here you will have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine.

 

Ruins of Drukgyal Dzong, Paro, Bhutan

Buddha Point – at Kuensel Phodrang will also be open to tourists once it is completed. The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility will be completed soon. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.

 

Paro Dzong, Paro, Bhutan

Sangaygang -Drive about 15 minutes from the main city to a hillock where the Bhutan Broad Casting Tower is stationed. From there we can relish the beautiful scene of the whole of Thimphu City. On the way up or down from the hillock, we can also see Takin the national animal of Bhutan.

 

Thimphu Dzong, Trashichodzong, or the fortress of the glorious religion, Bhutan

Thimphu Dzong – the largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan, (5 – 6 pm Mon – Fri, 8 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun, to 5 pm in winter)

 

 

 

 

Thimphu Farmers' Market Thimphu, Bhutan

Centenary Farmers’ Market – Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and beyond come to sell their agriculture products.

Visit the Archery Ground on the weekend

Taktsang Monastery, Tiger Nest, Paro, Bhutam

National Memorial Chorten – which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Shop. Walk around Thimphu town.

For a taste of local life:

  •   Take coffee at Karma Caffee (better coffee in town)
  •   Ambient Café is where NGOs and expats often converge. It is run by a Western monk who is involved in drug rehabilitation programHotel in Thimphu – Kisa Hotel

    26 AUGUST : Thimphu (Tango Day Trek)

    Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Thimphu

    Day Trek – Tango Goemba

    Trongsa Festival, Trongsa, Bhutan

    The Tango Goemba site has had religious significance since the 12th century when it was the home of the Lama who brought the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism to Bhutan. The monastery was built there in the 15th century by Drukpa Kunley (“The Divine Madman”). Tango is the highest center of Buddhist learning in the country; almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) completed the 9-year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend 3 years, 3 months and 3 days in mediation at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder or first unifier of Bhutan. It is currently the home of an 11 year old boy believed to be the seventh reincarnation of the fourth Desi, or ruler, of Bhutan.

    Estimated Duration:1 hour to ascend. (Those wishing not to trek may remain behind. There are wonderful opportunities for photography and sketching or quiet meditation)

    Additional Trek- Some of us may choose to trek to go Chari Goemba after Tango Gooemba. This is another one and half hour trek.

    Punakha Dzong in Spring, Punakha, Bhuta

    Chari Gompa – Hike to Chari Gompa. Chari Monastery was established in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder and unifier of Bhutan in memory of his late father Tenpai Nyima. Zhabdrung established the first Drukpa Kagyu monastic order here. The monastery which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu order is located in the North of Thimphu Valley about fifteen kilometres from the capital. It sits on a hill top close to Tango monastery.

    Estimated Duration:1 hour and 15 minute to ascend. (Those wishing not to trek may remain behind. There are wonderful opportunities for photography and sketching or quiet meditation)

    Heritage Museum – Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though the exhibition of artifacts used in rural households, (weekday, 10 am – 4.30 pm, Sat 10.30 – 1 pm, Sun, 11.30 – 3.30pm)

    Changangkha Monastery – Built in 12th century, Changangkha Lhakhang is oldest temple in Thimphu; hovering over a ridge above Thimphu, near Motithang. Lama Phajo

    Drukgom Zhigpo, who came to Bhutan from Ralung in Tibet, chose this site to build this lhakhang. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig: an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara as the central statue.

    Simtokha Dzong – Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom.

    Weaving Centre – at Changzamtog
    Zilukha Nunnery – This modern nunnery offers a good view of Thimphu Dzong and the Parliament.

    Textile Museum – witnesses the art of traditional Bhutanese weaving.

    Hotel in Thimphu – Kisa Hotel

    27 AUGUST : Thimphu to Punakha

    Elevation 1,300m | Weather in Punakha

    Punakha Dzong in late Spring, Punakha, Bhutan

    In the morning we will head on to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The roads bring visitors through scented pine and cedar forests, festooned with hanging lichen. The Punakha river is one of the biggest rivers in Bhutan. During spring and winter, the color of the river turns jade and is beautiful.

    Dochula Pass – at 3,050m, this beautiful pass with its 108 Bhutanese stupas is the memorial site of fallen Bhutanese soldiers in the 1990s.

    Dochu La Nature Hike – Hike through the deep forest of Rhododendrons, Magnolia and Juniper for more than 2 hours to the Botanical Garden at the bottom. Beautiful hike to see the flora that Dochu la has to offer. This is possible if you start early or have picnic lunch.

    Taktsang Monastery, Paro, Bhutan

    Chhimi Lhakhang – A 20-minutes walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside, to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ‘Divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim-site for women desiring to become pregnant.

    Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the Dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years, but has been carefully restored, and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

    Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge. If time permits:

    Wangdue Dzong, Wangdue, Bhutan

    Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – Built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, this Chorten is a splendid example of Bhutanese architecture and art, and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years in its details have been drawn from religious scriptures.

    Alternatively some of us may take a walk from Punakha to the hotel – that is, if we are staying in Meri Puensum.

    Drive time 3 and a half hour.

    Hotel in Punakha – Meripuensum

    28 AUGUST : Punakha to Paro

    Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro

    In the morning, we can walk along the valley.

    Paro Valley – This beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley, whose glacial-water forms the Pachu river flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.

    Paro Dzong – also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress/monastery, is also the administrative center of the Dzonkhag.

    Ta Dzong – Built as a watch-tower, the Ta Dzong has since been turned into the national museum.

    Zuri Dzong Trek. If time permits and the weather is good. This continuse from Ta Dzong.
    Visit the National Museum in Paro. Hike along forested area to Zuri Dzong and then down to Uma Resort. On the way, we will pass Gonsaka Lhakhang, a neglected but charming place that actually predates paro dzong. There is a meditation cave that we can explore here. The view down over the valley and dzong are wonderful. Duration: 2 hours

    Drive time 5 hours
    Hotel in Paro : Metta Resort and Spa

    29 AUGUST : Paro to Haa via Chelela

    Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro

    Dochula La and 109 Stupas, Thimphu, Bhutan

    The beautiful Paro valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.

    Drive to Haa through Chele La (3,988m). From the pass we can see Paro valley on one side and then Haa valley on the other. We can also have a picnic at Chele La. In Haa, we are able to visit Katsho village and also the Katso Lhakhang.

    The Valley of Haa was only opened to Tourist in 2002. Haa is the least visited valley in Bhutan due to the lack of Tourist infrastructure. This has helped preserving Haa the way it has always been, with Bhutanese families living their traditional and simple life. There are no tourist standard hotels in Haa valley, so we return back to Paro for the night.

    Drive time 2hrs 30 mins each
    Hotel in Paro : Metta Resort and Spa

    30 AUGUST : Paro

    Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro

    Finale at Paro Festival, Paro, Bhutan

    Taktsang Monastery – is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex, located on the cliff-side of Paro Valley. According to legends, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a Tigress (his consort Yeshey Tshogyal) and meditated in one of the caves. Guru Rinpoche performed meditation, and emerged in eight manifestations and the place became holy. Thus the place gained the name ‘Tiger’s Nest”.

    Estimated time to ascend 2 and half hour. Estimated time to descend 2 hours. (Note: This is not for everyone, so those wishing to remain behind may do so. We will make sure a thermos of tea is brought with us as a little comfort. Remember to bring your camera and sketch book for the sites)

    Drukgyal Dzong – A drive, north of Paro Valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories, it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.

    Kyichu Lhakhang – is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Just like the Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and pin down an Ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built in a single night.

    Walk and shop around Paro Town.
    Optional, Hot Stone Bath. – Here we can enjoy locally-owned the hot stone bath which can take 4 people at one time. Cost about 10 USD per person.

    Other places of interest:  Ugyen Pelri Thang

     ChhoetenLhakhang  Druk Choeding
     Dumtse Lhakhang

    A few options that can be pursued:
     Rent a bike and cycle around Paro

     Go to Gangtey Palace for Coffee Hotel in Paro : Metta Resort and Spa

    31 AUGUST : Paro – Singapore

    Elevation 2,280m | Weather in Paro

    Today we bid fond farewell to this beautiful country.

    This tour is a special pilgrimage that seeks to encourage a deeper experience of the land and its people. Meath Conlan from Australia is a Spiritual Director of 30 years’ experience and Margareta Lee from Singapore is a practicing Buddhist with deep wisdom and practical skills as a tour director.

    FLIGHTS from Singapore to Paro, Bhutan and return from Paro to Singapore included:

    25AUG     KB501     SIN-PBH     0630-1025

    31AUG     KB500     PBH-SIN     0720-1515

    Singapore-Kathmandu-Bangkok-Paro-Thimphu.

    Cost: S$4,000 (Singapore Dollars)

    The Total Package Cost will be Land Cost + Airfare

     The Total Package includes:

    1)      Visas

    2)      Return air tickets on Druk Air for SIN-PBH-SIN

    3)      A qualified & licensed English speaking guide

    4)      An experienced driver

    5)      A 4WD (Hyundai Sante Fe or Toyota Prado/Hyundai H1 or a Toyota Hiace Bus for group with 3 or more people)

    6)      All meals inclusive

    7)      Accommodation

    • 2 Nights at Namgay Heritage (4 star hotel)
    • 1 night at Dragon’s Nest (3 star hotel)
    • 1 Night at Dewachen (3 star hotel)
    • 3 nights at Tashi Namgay Resort (4 star hotel)

    *hotels are subject to availability

     8)      Taxes, surcharges, government contribution

    9)      Mineral water for the duration of the stay (foc)

    10)    Museum fees and other special entry fees 

    The package excludes:

    1)      Travel Insurance

    2)      Meals at 5 stars restaurants. Breakfast at 5 stars restaurant is included if you have booked a night at the hotel.

    3)      Tips for the guide and driver

    4)      Alcoholic drink

    5)      Expenditure of personal nature

    You can practically enter Bhutan expecting minimum expenses with this package as all costs have been included.

    For your visa application, we would need you to send us the following

    ·         A clear scanned copy of your passports

    ·         Occupation, address and contact numbers

     The government of Bhutan imposes a USD $65 per day royalty on each traveller to fund the education and health care services. This has been incorporated in the package cost.

    Further information can be obtained and all enquiries directed to:

    Dr Meath Conlan: meath@diversejourneys.com

    Margareta Lee: margareta.diverse@yahoo.com

     

Journey to Dhe-Tsang Monastery, Eastern Tibet – (late August, 2013)

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Cultural & Spiritual Journey to Dhe-Tsang Monastery, Eastern Tibet - (late August, 2013)

Join Dr Meath Conlan of Australia and Margareta Lee of Singapore on a spiritually rewarding, culturally rich journey through Sichuan and Eastern Tibet. Dhe-tsang Monastery is situated in Maerkang County in Aba Tibetan Autonomous prefecture in southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Dhe-tsang Monastery’s full name is Gadan Dhe-tsang Lhundrup Ling, and was built in 1414 by Tsako Ngawang Drakpa, a close disciple of the 15th century master Je Tsong Khapa. Dhe-tsang is the second oldest monastery of the Gelugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. At its height, Dhe-tsang Monastery housed over 1,000 monks practising and students.

The largest town near Dhe Tsang Monastery is Markam, which is in the Markam Prefecture of Aba County. From Markam to the Aba Prefecture (of Aba County) it is about 5 hours or so. Here there are monasteries and nunneries of Nyingma, Gelug, Kagyu, Sakya, Jonangpa, and the ancient pre-Buddhist Bonpo – all in one valley! Also we will see 40 meter tall stupas – that simply add to the extraordinary scenic and cultural possibilities of this little-visited region.

Sichuan is known as the “Land of Abundance” and has three places on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage List: Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area, Huang Long Valley (Yellow Dragon Valley) and Mount Emeishan including the Leshan Giant Buddha. Visitors to this province can experience a wide variety of beautiful landscapes, including plateaus, mountains, ravines, basins, hills, plains, rivers, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and limestone caves. In addition, there are an abundance of important historic relics. Visitors to Sichuan also taste the spicy Sichuan Cuisine.

Jiuzhaigou is a deep valley of stunning natural beauty, approximately 620 square kilometers (240 square miles), located in north Sichuan. It is a national park and has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The name Jiuzhaigou refers to the 9 Tibetan villages that are situated in the valley. The valley has a variety of natural scenery – lakes, waterfalls, snowy mountains and lush green forests. There are also more than 100 lakes of various sizes and shapes that sparkle with color in the flickering sunlight.

Huang Long Valley has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. In 1992 it entered “China World Cultural and Natural Heritage List”. It covers an area of about 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) and has two parts: Huang Long and Muni Gorge.

Huang Long has unique scenery, rich natural resources and a primeval forest. The majestic and unrivaled emerald-coloured lakes, layered waterfalls, colorful forests, snow peaks and Tibetan folk villages blend harmoniously into the mountains and sparkle like jewels. Huang Long is known as a “mountain fairyland.”

Expressions of interest are welcomed. The full itinerary and cost will be posted very soon.

Visit: www.meathconlan.com

Contact: meath@meathconlan.com

New Book! Featuring Khejok Rinpoche & The Desert Elders

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New Book! Inter-spiritual Journey with Khejok Rinpoche & The Desert Elders

A new book by author Meath Conlan, PhD to be published in 2013. This book takes select teachings of a modern-day Buddhist Master and attempts to show how common ground of inter-spiritual wisdom can be found between his aphorisms or sayings and teachings from the early Christian centuries (250 AD to Late Roman Antiquity). Khejok Tulku Rinpoche is one of the diminishing numbers of “old teachers” in the Tibetan Tradition. Born in the 1930s, he is regarded as an incarnation of a renowned lama from the 5th Dalai Lama’s time. As a boy he was recognised and installed as Abbot of the second oldest monastery in the Gelugpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism – Dhe Tsang Monastery, in Eastern Tibet. Khejok Rinpoche crossed the Himalayas and eventually came to Australia in 1986. He established centres dedicated to the learning and practice of Buddhism in the Gelug lineage. Meath Conlan, a student of the late Dom Bede Griffiths, met Rinpoche in 1988. The two men have become firm friends, having travelled together to Christian and Buddhist Monasteries in Tibet, India, Nepal and Australia. Throughout the book, original drawings, taken from the author’s field notebooks during his travels in Tibet and Nepal, will add interest to the readings contained in this book. For further information please contact: meath@meathconlan.com

Journey to Bhutan and Nepal: September – October, 2013

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Cultural Journey to The Kingdom of Bhutan and Nepal

(September – October, 2013 – * a date to be confirmed – * expressions of interest welcomed)

Join Meath Conlan of Australia and Margareta Lee of Singapore on a spiritually rewarding, culturally rich journey through the Kingdom of Bhutan and Nepal. Be touched by Bhutan’s ever-changing skies beneath which climb the eternal mountains in shimmering colours of valley-greens, glistening snow-whites, the red roofs of ancient thick-walled Buddhist monasteries and the polka-dots of small peaceful villages scattered throughout. Take in the alluring scents of village-markets, and be welcomed by the deep spiritual history and animated Buddhist culture of this ancient Himalayan region. Travel through the charming towns of the Bhutanese Plains to picturesque pilgrim-monasteries along the sacred rivers of these Eastern Himalayan foothills. Enjoy tranquil monastic gardens, scintillating bazaars, and the excitement of local festivals that honour the gods. Our Bhutanese journey is a wonderful way of exploring this unique and largely unexplored Buddhist Kingdom in a small-group setting with like-minded travelers ready to explore new spiritual and cultural adventures. Nepal will be similar in many ways, though this is a country that has been through vast upheavals in recent years. Yet the people and the landscape remain the same – ever fascinating mountains and valleys, forests and wilderness.

The philosophy of spiritual Bhutan is a celebration of the sanatana dharma or Universal and Fundamental Law of our human nature, through the honoring of the human person. In this remote valley-culture they have made a virtue of declaring Happiness as their ultimate Gross National Product. This is beautifully represented in the multiple art forms, architecture and spiritual teachings as represented in Mahayana Buddhism. Here, in sight of ‘Father Himalaya’, we will bring unity to our bodies, minds and spirits. Daily, through our understanding and practice of meditation, we will purify and rejuvenate our bodies and minds. Ascending the mountain valleys, we lift our spirits to new heights, feeling at one with our surroundings.

Our journey of exploration brings us to some of the sacred temples and monasteries, divine and majestic peaks, hidden green valleys and crystal clear river waters of Bhutan. Witnessing this from close quarters provides us with an opportunity to surrender to the serenity that embraces us.

To help us enjoy all the wonders of Bhutan and Nepal in a true and authentic way, we have carefully selected beautiful standard properties for our accommodation.

Journey with Dr Meath Conlan and Margareta Lee on this trip of a lifetime and let yourself be happily surprised by this diverse and mysterious land. Come! Explore and immerse yourself in the Bhutanese experience that will cause your soul to be touched, moved and inspired.

MEATH CONLAN, Ph.D.

Dr. Meath Conlan, an adult-educator and spiritual counsellor, is Australian-born, residing for most of the year in Perth, Western Australia. He has wide experience of diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. His mentor and friend of many years was the late Bede Griffiths, an English Benedictine, who, for over thirty years, resided in and taught at Saccidananda Ashram, Shantivanam, in South India. While living with him, Meath’s outlook and sensitivity expanded to embrace a tolerant and inclusive understanding of diverse philosophies and spiritual traditions. Meath has been a leader in inter-religious dialogue for many years, having, at the invitation of H. H. The Dalai Lama, delivered a series of lectures since the late 1980’s in Western Contemplation and Philosophy to Tibetan Buddhist Monks and Nuns in Himachal Pradesh. Meath is the author of the book, “Bede Griffiths: Friend & Gift of the Spirit”, 2006, Templegate, Il.

MARGARETA LEE                                                                                                 Margareta, who was instrumental in establishing both the Institute of Buddhist Learning and Practices (Singapore), and the Kalachakra Buddhist Society, is a student of Tibetan Doctor and Lama H.E. Khejok Rinpoche since 1992, H.H. Khensur Rinpoche Ngawang Thekchok since 1994, and H.H. the Ninth Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpcohe since 1999. She is a much-travelled convener of spiritual journeys throughout Buddhist South East Asia, and an accredited and licensed Agent in the real estate industry in Singapore. Margareta is not new to exploring the varied and captivating horizons throughout the spiritually rich and diverse cultures of Asia. Margareta brings to our tours, her unusual gifts of focus and organisation, as well as many personal local connections. She thus enables us to broaden our understanding of spirituality. Margareta has developed many close connections throughout Buddhist S. E. Asia, which help our tours to be instructive and exciting potential avenues for building friendships between people of many nations, ethnicities, traditions and professions. Margareta and Meath have been friends for over a decade. They have enjoyed voyages of discovery in Tibet and India. Margareta may be contacted by email: margareta_assets@yahoo.com.sg

Our Daily Program will include: Meditation instruction and practice (with a published work-book by Dr Conlan for each person), and yoga-nidra (deep relaxation) exercise.

During our journey Inter-faith Readings will include selections from the Buddhist Dhammapada, as well as several Buddhist mystics. These will be sources of inspiration throughout our journey. Individual Spiritual Direction (spiritual counselling) with Meath Conlan is available throughout this retreat-journey..

Diverse Journeys offers various opportunities for experiencing the culture and spirituality of South India. In the coming year we are excited to present a number of spiritual journeys. Dr Meath Conlan invites you to peruse our spiritual journey offerings and see if you or your friends may like to join us for one of these special opportunities.

“Your desire to make this trip to India successful for the Elliott Family was reflected in the time you devoted to organizing all the details in this very foreign land. We felt cocooned and protected from all the inefficiencies and small disasters that can be part of the Indian experience. It all went like clock-work. The whole experience more than met my expectations, and this is because of all the work and effort you put into our trip Meath. I will be talking widely about the experience . . .  I will be recommending you as the master of ceremonies. Thanks again mate.”

Herb Elliott, AC., MBE.  Olympic Athlete, Australia

Meditation and Quiet Reflection

Diverse Journeys has a unique combination of cultural and spiritual experiences in one of the friendliest and most relaxed regions of the world. Yes, there’ll be time for shopping among the colourful bazaars and markets throughout the journey. But there will also be plenty of time for solo and group meditation as well as quiet reflection.

For most days, there will be opportunities for interreligious learning as well as Deep Relaxation (yoga nidra), and Meditation (Dhyana).

Sacred Spaces and Friendships

In Asia every day is special and potentially exciting. The ordinary, everyday colours, sounds, tastes and smells of this ‘Island of the Gods’, when experienced with a few others, provide terrific opportunities for building lasting friendships.

Talks and Discussion

As participants on Diverse Journeys are mostly adults, there will be opportunities for general sharing (on a completely voluntary basis) so that individuals may grow in new knowledge and integration.

For further information: contact – Dr Meath Conlan (meath@diversejourneys.com – or – meath@meathconlan.com)

The Art of Seeing Things as They Are

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Mini E-Course of seven DAILY lessons

Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Seven: The Art of Seeing Things as They Are

Welcome to the consideration of these brief points in, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later next year.

Seeing Things as They Are

  • Seeing things “as they are,” moment-by-moment – helps untangle knots of attachment, fear, and confusion.
  • Addictive behaviours: craving pleasure, aversion from discomfort and pain, and tuning out from the neutral experience.
  • These need not be the ultimate ground of your daily life.

Becoming Clear

  • Once the fruits of our addictions become clear – as attachments, fears and confusions – we will, if we choose, be able to live more from a place of joy, wisdom, compassion, and equanimity.

The Simple Rule of the Four “R”s

  • Resist no thought
  • Retain no thought
  • React emotionally to no thought
  • Return to the breath

Thank you for participating for this mini e-course of seven daily lessons. I have enjoyed putting the material together for you and hope that you have derived benefit from reading and reflecting on it. There are other free mini e-courses on my website, www.diversejourneys.com – which I encourage you to visit and explore when you have time.

Point for Consideration: Take time today to become gently aware of the three areas of potential addictive reactions in your life:

  • craving pleasure, 
  • aversion from discomfort and pain, and 
  • tuning out from the neutral (boring) experience.

Make an effort today to learn the Rule of the “Four R’s”

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

Call - (+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

The Art of Gentleness & Compassionate Openness

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Mini E-Course of seven DAILY lessons

Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Six: The Art of Gentleness and Compassionate Openness

Welcome to your sixth lesson in this mini e-course, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later this year.

Returning to Mental Noting

  • As soon as you notice the mind wandering off, as it often does, lost in thought, be aware of that with non-judging awareness.
  • Gently connect it again to your anchor – the breath.
  • Simply ‘feel’ from within the stream of sensations.

Return to the One Thing …

  • Toward the end of your sitting, be aware of not striving or anticipating. If you can, patiently be in present moment.
  • Keep anchoring easily, gently and patiently: remember – one breath at a time – mentally noting this.

Compassion

  • Mindfulness of breath begins to collect and concentrate the mind.
  • Initial distractions: thoughts, emotions, sensations, and sounds, all soon become objects of awareness themselves!
  • Self-sensitivity and compassion will grow.
  • Insight is gained into the true nature of the body and mind.

Openness to all Sensations

  • Daily practice of mindfulness opens to the entire “flow” of body/mind experience through all the sense doors — sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touch and mental/emotive.

Point for Consideration – Are you enjoying your life at this time? Our happiness or unhappiness depends more on the way we perceive and deal with events than on their nature within themselves.

Tomorrow you will receive your seventh and final lesson in this mini e-course.

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

Call- (+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

Tomorrow’s Lesson: The Art of Seeing Things as They Are.

The Art of Mental Noting, Receptivity and Surrender

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Mini E-Course of seven DAILY lessons

Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Five: The Art of Mental Noting, Receptivity and Surrender

Welcome to your fifth lesson in this mini e-course, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later this year.

Natural Breathing Process

  • Attend sensitively to your natural breathing.
  • Locate the area where the breath is most clear and lightly rest there. (a) For some it’s the sensation of the rising and falling of the abdomen.

(b) For others, the sensations experienced at the nostrils with the inhalation and exhalation.

A useful device to support meditative attention is naming or labelling the various objects that become evident to your attention during the observation of your own body and mind. Used carefully, it is a useful tool to assist in focusing and sustaining the attention.

The noting is done by repeatedly making a mental note of whatever arises in your body/mind experience. For example, ‘hearing, hearing’, ‘thinking, thinking’, ‘touching, touching’, and so on. When focused on the abdominal movement, note ‘rising, rising’ and ‘falling, falling’. This is an aid to help establish the attention, especially at the beginning of the practice, when it is necessary to systematically note as much as possible to stabilise the attention. Otherwise, you are likely to get lost in unnoticed daydreaming with long periods of inattention.

Mentally Noting – simple guidelines 

  • Mental labels guide attention to the breath. “Rising/falling” for the abdomen and “in/out” for the nostrils.
  • Avoid breath-control, direction, or force.
  • Feel each breath – from within the breath, rather than from the head.
  • Feel the full breath cycle: beginning, middle to the end.

Receptive Attention

  • This breath-awareness is sensitive: a sort of combination of light, spaciousness and receptivity. It’s like listening while being alert, with attentive presence. With such breath-awareness you can touch the actual texture, shape, and form of sensations.

Surrender

  • Surrender everything else, or, merely let it be in the background. Let the breathing “breathe itself.” Relax in your feeling of mindfulness, with the sensations of the breath.

Point for Consideration: Try to develop an awareness of what works best for you: observing the breath rising and falling, or, resting at one point, for example, where your breath enters your nostrils. Once you choose which is best for now, you can keep that practice as your “object of focus” for the period of mindfulness meditation.

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

(+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

Tomorrow’s Lesson: The Art of Gentleness and Compassionate Openness

The Art of Body Awareness

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Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Four: The Art of Body Awareness

Welcome to your fourth lesson in this mini e-course, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later this year.

Simply Sitting

  • Simply feel the sensations of such things as sitting. But sidestep your mental tendency to image your body, to interpret, to define or think about it.
  • Just let such thoughts and images come and go without being unduly bothered by them. Be sensitive to the bare sensations of sitting.

Gently become aware of your feet, and with the contact you have with the floor or ground. Allow your awareness fill your feet. With more awareness of your feet, the more you can allow them to relax. Let the muscles soften and lengthen.

After a while take your awareness from your feet through the rest of your body, bringing a sense of “letting go” as you move through the different muscles. Bring aware of your legs, thighs, hips, back, shoulders, arms and hands, neck, head and face. Becoming aware of each particular area of your body: soften, relax, and let go.

Note subtle changes in the quality of your experience – from awareness to relaxation. As your body relaxes, perhaps you’ll note some energy, or tingling, or feelings of pleasure.

Having gone through your entire body, area by area, become aware of your body as a whole. Pay particular attention to the following parts of your body, where lots of tension is commonly stored:

  • calves and thighs
  • hips and buttocks
  • shoulders
  • neck
  • jaw

Body Awareness

  • Feel your body with an awareness that arises from within your body, rather than from your head.
  • Awareness of the body provides a constant “anchor-hold” for your attention in this present moment.

Body Awareness – Deepening 

  • Gently, calmly sweep your awareness through your body. Feel the sensations with no agenda, no goal. Allow your body to anchor awareness in the present moment by staying mindful of these moment-by-moment sensations.

Sound Vibrations

  • Shift awareness again to sound vibrations – potential to create openness and receptivity in the mind.
  • Be aware of sound vibration as well as the space or silence between the sounds.
  • Avoid definitions, or thoughts about the sound. Simply attune to the sound as it is.

Point for Consideration: the difference between criminals and us lies more in what we do that in what we are. Under the right set of circumstances, any behaviour is possible.

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

Call - (+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

Tomorrow’s Lesson: The Art of Mental Noting, Receptivity and Surrender

Anchoring the Mind: The Art of Sitting

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Mini E-Course of seven DAILY lessons

Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Three: The Art of Sitting

Welcome to your third lesson in this mini e-course, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later this year.

When first practicing it is advisable to be in a quiet and undisturbed place. Though background noise such as traffic or machinery may have to be accepted and indeed can form part of meditation. Sitting in the garden or park can also be a wonderful environment in which to meditate once meditation has become part of every day life.

Many people create a small and special space in their home perhaps with a spiritual image or of someone special in their life. Burning incense nearby can also help to create a relaxing and consistent atmosphere in which to meditate. Essential oils can be beneficial, but as with incense maintain a consistency of odour.

If possible one can sit with the knees below the hips, i.e. cross-legged on a cushion or special meditation stool. Sitting on a chair or stool if sitting cross-legged is too uncomfortable is also fine. There are special round cushions, which have been created to make sitting more comfortable. These are known as Zafu’s.

If you are new to meditation try sitting cross-legged on a cushion first, and then, if after some perseverance this is not possible try a stool or chair.

Try to keep your back straight. Not ridged, but upright without slouching  – though, if you suffer more than a little initial discomfort consult your medical practitioner or seek other professional advice about posture.

The head is tilted forward very slightly and resting comfortably on the spine. Some people meditate with the eyes open and others with eyes closed. If you choose to keep your eyes open then your gaze should not shift around or be focused on any particular object. In effect if the eyes are open they should be almost out of focus – a soft gaze at a point around 5 feet away can be helpful.

Equally if the eyes are closed they are softly closed rather than clamped shut! – the eyes behind the lids can remain relaxed and looking slightly downwards.

The basics of sitting: upright with the knees below the hips, so if you find one cushion still leaves your knees above the line of your hips find an extra cushion to raise you up a little. Be as comfortable as you can.

Meditation is an opportunity to be “as you are” for twenty minutes or more once or twice a day. It is an opportunity to let go of the pressure of daily life. It is not to switch off the mind but equally not to get caught up in thoughts. Nor is meditation an opportunity to rest in the sense of sleeping or sitting on the sofa gazing into space.

Remaining Alert …

  • Allow the body and mind to become relaxed while remaining very alert and attentive to the present moment – be attentive to the sounds outside and inside (the room), and perhaps, within your own body.

Feel the Tension …

  • Try your best to feel the areas of your body that are tense, and the areas that are relaxing. Let your body follow its own nature. Try not to force, alter or fix anything.

“Spacious Awareness”

  • Be calm: let your mind be soft, and sensitive. Allow a “spacious awareness” to wash, sift and sigh gently through your body.

Point for Consideration: – Do not feel ashamed of anything that you have done in the past.

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

Call - (+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

Tomorrow’s Mini-Lesson: The Art of Body Awareness

Lesson Two: The Art of Being Present to the Now

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Mini E-Course of seven DAILY lessons

Anchoring The Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation

Lesson Two: The Art of Being Present to the Now

Welcome to your second brief lesson in this mini e-course, “Anchoring the Mind: The Practice of Mindfulness Meditation”. Some of this material will be included in a new book to be published later this year.

Some practical “guidelines” for being present to the now moment

  1. Pay Attention – In a multitude of daily situations, when you have a brief moment free, pay attention. Instead of letting your mind run ahead of you with all its usual planning, take a moment to pay attention. Notice the leaves dancing in the wind, listen to the birds’ chirp, and the rustling of leaves. Do it for a few moments; it’s a good start.
  2. Observe – In all circumstances of daily life observe what is going on. Observation is like watching a movie on a screen. Watch the action; the body language; listen for intonations. Remain silent. Take in everything that is playing out around you. Also what is happening within your mind, breathing and physical comportment.
  3. Breathe – Try to pay attention to your breath before you sleep. Spend 15 minutes paying attention to the rise and fall of your belly. Heading into sleep? Noticing that your mind is wondering? Gently bring it back to your belly.
  4. Meditate – Let your thoughts go. When you realize that your mind is chasing your thoughts, gently bring it back to your breath. Be still. Nothing to do or think about. Nothing to ponder. Silence. Just be.

Becoming “present” is a choice

  • As a spiritual practice, becoming ‘present’ to what is, now in this moment (the only one we have), is a deliberate and daily choice. Philosopher John Henry Thoreau said, “the only life worth living is the deliberate life.”

Mindfulness – background

  • So, now to the practice of mindfulness – one that has its roots in Buddhist vipassana (insight) teaching, the yoga sutras of Patanjali, the Western World’s Desert Tradition of Late Roman Antiquity, and, in contemporary times,  the highly regarded practice of Centering Prayer as taught by Cistercian Abbot Thomas Keating.

Mindfulness is …

  • In the beginning, mindfulness means to gently apply ‘thought-force’ consciously;
  • to thus produce harmony within and without;
  • to obtain ‘control’ over the mind and emotions; and
  • to open the faculty of intuition.

Point for Consideration: – The best examination of conscience that you can perform is to ask, “How have I lived the past hour?”

What Diverse Journeys Can Do For You:

Contact Diverse Journeys to discuss ways we can help you or your organization focus on the importance of spirituality in daily life. We can conduct live, on-site events, meditation courses, seminars and personal or group spiritual counselling. We can work with you or another designate to assure a high level of involvement using stimulating presentations and interactive team challenges. Dr Conlan travels to North America, Europe and Asia, and is ready to work with you in setting up a tailor-made program in your area. Additionally Diverse Journeys conducts spiritual journeys to significant ashrams and spiritual centres in India, Thailand, Nepal, Tibet and various other locales throughout the world.

Dr Meath Conlan is a spiritual counsellor (Spiritual Director) of many years’ experience. He accepts online applicants and will conduct 50 minute online sessions through Skype. For more information, his email: meath@diversejourneys.com

(+61) 408 080 560 (cell) or go to the website: www.DiverseJourneys.com

Tomorrow’s Lesson: The Art of Sitting