Aspects of Early Buddhist Meditation: Serenity and Insight - 4 Week Course

Speaker: Malcolm Huxter (online, joining from Lismore)

30 Jul, Aug 6, Aug 13 & Aug 20 | 7.00-8.30pm AESTLocation:  In person at Western Sydney University, Parramatta City Campus (Entry at 1 Parramatta Square), Level 4 Room 1.4.33; or

Online (Zoom link below)Cost: Free

Week 1 - July 30 - “The dynamics and mutually supporting aspects of serenity and insight”

This Dharma talk will discuss the differences and dynamics between the two

general aspects of early Buddhist meditation, serenity and insight. It will list the

varying features of these two approaches and discuss how they work together

and support each other in order to result in awakening.

Week 2 - Aug 6 - “Spiritual pleasure and cultivating joy, happiness, contentment and peace regardless of what is happening in the world”

Along the theme of serenity, this Dharma talk will mention how spiritual pleasure

can lead to joy, happiness, contentment and equanimity. These wholesome

states of mind also be prioritised and nourished with wise attention. In addition,

with wise attention we can also de-nourish the unwholesome and the unhelpful.

An example of using these principles in a daily life and in clinical settings will be

described by referring to the Having Enriching Absorbing and Linking (HEAL)

protocol developed by Rick Hanson, clinical neuropsychologist and meditation

teacher. As an example of serenity, the H-E-A of HEAL can be used to cultivate

these and other wholesome and sublime states of mind, including the four divine

Abodes.

Week 3 - Aug 13 - “The fetter of self-conceiving”

Along the theme of insight, this Dharma talk will mention the 10 fetters or binds

blocking awakening and focus on the 8th fetter, the conceit “I am” or the process

of self-conceiving. These self-conceiving processes are discussed as ego stories

that we identify with and carry around with as if they are true. However, when we

understand with wisdom, we realise that they are just a mental constructions and

fictions. When we wake up to the illusionary nature of self-conceiving, we are

more able to release their burden.

Week 4 - Aug 20 - topic to be announced later, along the theme of Insight and

Waking up

About the Presenter: Malcolm Huxter is a semi-retired clinical psychologist in private practice. He is also a Dharma teacher. Malcolm or Mal began following the teachings of the

Buddha in the mid 1970’s, mostly within the Theravada traditions. However, he has

also practised within Tibetan Mahayana and Japanese Zen traditions. He has been

teaching mindfulness and related meditation practices such as loving kindness and

compassion to clinical populations, clinicians and the general public with courses,

seminars, workshops and retreats for nearly 35 years. Mal ordained as Buddhist

monk for a short 2-year period in the forest traditions of Thailand in the late

1970’s. After disrobing, he was a shiatsu therapist for 10 years until he gained

psychology qualifications. He has worked as a clinical psychologist, supervisor and

trainer in a variety of settings in rural and remote Australia as well as in the UK.

Mal has an abundance of talks and guided meditations available online, has written

several mindfulness-based workbooks, published in psychology journals and

magazines and had a book called “Healing the heart and mind with mindfulness.

Ancient path, present moment” released in February 2016. He is a loving partner,

proud dad of three adult sons and a doting granddad. He currently lives with his

partner and dog in Lismore, where he likes to meditate, cycle, be with nature and

tries to learn to play guitar, when he can.

Hybrid event: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an interactive session in person at the Metta Centre or online by clicking on this link to access the session: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83506489824?pwd=cmpNQ1ljSmFVYURLWVN1dWllYUN1dz09 Alternatively, you can dial in from your telephone (call charges apply): +61 2 8015 6011 | Meeting ID: 835 0648 9824| Passcode: 718905

If you are feeling unwell, please consider staying at home and joining online instead.