Millthorpe Meditation Centre
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Heart's Ease

1/10/2021

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PictureHeart's Ease
Like all myths and stories that are told and retold, the details always vary somewhat, but the sight and the story of 'heart's ease' always fills me with a quiet joy and contentment.

I'd like to share it with you today because a little clump self-seeded outside my back door and each time I go in and out I am welcomed and reminded of its message:

It is said, that a long long time ago in Europe, there was a wise and benevolent king. He governed justly and was loved by his subjects. But one day, he was called upon by other kings to go on a great crusade to a far off land; and so, with great sadness, he and his entourage readied themselves and set off. He thought he would only be away for a short time but weeks turned into months and months turned into years. Finally the day came when his purpose had been achieved and his home sickness could at last be relieved as he turned towards home.

During the long journey back, he had much time to think of his kingdom, his loyal subjects, his family, his beautiful wife and his very special walled garden. That was a place of peace, where he used to go to enjoy and be soothed by the beauty of nature. There were all sorts of trees, plants and flower - a vast array showing the wonderful creativity of nature.

When his subject heard of his return they travelled out to meet him. Joy, love and laughter along the final part of his route home, and the tightness around his heart began to lessen.

There were many people to be greeted and acknowledge, there was the warmth of his family as they celebrated his return with a banquet. Finally, he could slip away to his beloved walled garden. As the garden gate creaked open, he could scarcely believe his eyes. It was a wasteland. It looked as if everything was dead or dying.

He went over the the pine tree and asked, "what's wrong"?... and the pine tree answered, "I wish I was willowy like the willow tree"; he then turned to the willow tree, seeing it was struggling, ask the same question. "I want to be big and strong like an oak tree, and I'm not".

The king was dismayed as he went from tree to tree, plant to plant and saw them all suffering. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of colour, a tiny flow was growing  again a rock. She was bright and cheery - in such contrast to all the plants around. The king asked, "how is it that you are so bright and healthy?" "Well, said Heart's Ease, if the good Lord had meant me to be a pine tree, a willow tree, an oak tree or anything else, he would have made me like that. I am made to be me, just as I am. I am happy with that".

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Self Awareness is not Self Indulgence

4/5/2021

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“I didn’t know I was tense until after we finished meditating, and I felt relaxed”
“I didn’t realise it had affected me this much”.


Those two comments give some indication of why I love offering my monthly programmes at the Millthorpe Meditation Centre.

The Chanting and Meditation programme I offer freely as a way for people to give themselves some time out, to stop and become aware of how they are feeling and what they feel about themselves and life at the moment. Unless we stop and give ourselves time to develop greater self awareness we will not realise how stressed and tense we are. When we are stressed we are not functioning as well as we could. This past weekend one of the meditators said: “it didn’t know I was tense until after we finished meditating, and I felt relaxed”

Chanting, in the form of call and response, is a wonderful meditation technique: it requires presence and focus. One has to focus on the words to be sung and when to join it and the breath is a natural part of that process. It flows, oxygenates the system and flushes away tension. It also prepares us for silent meditation. It is as if the chanting short circuits our mind chatter and allows us to sink more easily into deep, restful silence.

The Conscious Breathing Circle is especially for those who want to continue their deep inner journey and have already experience that power of Conscious Connected Breathing. It is a deeper inner work that links the physical, mental, emotion and spiritual aspects of ourselves. “I didn’t realise it had affected me this much” is the sort of thing that we would say. The tears flowed in the best of ways and the participants found a safe space to feel, acknowledge and let go of emotions that they had swallowed down. The result is a lightness and expansion

Awareness of the breath, Self Awareness, in both meditation and Breathwork is the path to freedom.

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Love and roses. Roses and love

14/2/2020

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Nature calms us. Beauty inspires. Would you like to connect on line and experience that?

Contemplation and meditation came together November 2019 in Millthorpe when Ann Harrison guided "Meditate in the Garden" at the Millthorpe Garden Nursery. Seated in the garden under a shady trees we experienced that calm contemplation and insight.

From that event grew a joint venture between Ann and Sue - the Millthorpe Meditation Centre and the Millthorpe Garden Nursery.

On our new website - www.essenceofplants.com.au - you will find a plant or flower feature regularly. There will be information about it and a guided meditation to help you gain insight.

Today is Valentine's Day - so this month we have chosen the rose. On the website your will find:
  • information on the rose
  • a connection to the nursery so that you can get help in purchasing the rose that is right for you
  • a short 2 minutes contemplation - free
  • link to a 6 minute meditation that you can buy for $1.99
Our wish is to help you keep that connection to nature and life through contemplation, meditation and simply encouragine you to be in the midst of a garden - even if it is just in your mind's eye.

Come and experience Millthorpe - wander through the Garden Nursery or participate in a programme at the Meditation Centre.

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Meditation for You - course summary

30/7/2018

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 Summary of an online Meditation for You Course delivered by Ann Harrison 2016

Meditation techniques are simple and various.  To master one of these techniques and meditate successfully is much more challenging.

Jack Kornfield's book: Bringing Home the Dharma - Awakening Right Where You Are is a wonderful handbook for meditators. He describes so candidly his own journey as he encountered challenges along the way, teachers who contradicted each other and teachers who masterfully guided his way and deepened his understand in this human spiritual journey.

I am so glad that there is a book out there that explain the chaotic mind states that can be encountered as the meditator learn to journey through and find the still deep place inside.

A couple of years ago of years ago I offered an on line introductory Meditation for You course. My personal journey and meditation practice of course informs my teaching. At the same time I recognised there are categories of meditation techniques - sight, sound, movement, breath - that beginners find easier when they first start; and there are traditions - Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist etc that appeal to different personalities.

Find the teacher, and the tradition with which you resonate and just practice.

If you would like one of my guided meditation you can perhaps find something you like here - www.breathandinspiration.com  Or feel free to contact me with your questions
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Breath Awareness in Millthorpe

18/5/2018

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When you need a both a rest and an energy boost,  taking time out to work consciously with the breath is easy and cost effective. These two short workshops at the Millthorpe Meditation Centre offer you just such an opportunity.

The Chanting and Meditation evening is a short pause in your month. Helf an hour of chanting followed by silent meditation. Chanting is a particular way of being aware of your breathing. You become the instrument and your chanting is a preparation for entering that deep refreshing stillness within you. If you are a long time meditator or beginner, this hour is both a reminder and support

The Breathing Circle is a longer experience of meditation on the chakra centres and an exploration of the power of conscious connected breathing to take the internal pressure off, gaining insight and feeling refreshed. A recent participant said: " it was like I've been totally rewire. I feel great".

"I have been working consciously with the breath for more than 30 years now. It simplicity and power of Breath Awareness continues to astound and humble me"  Ann Harrison
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Meditation in Millthorpe

5/6/2017

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" Your meditation workshop was truly amazing and a life changing experience for us all."
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Meditation and awareness practice has been a part of my life now for more than 30 years. It is my foundation and  always a joy it is to be able to share that practice with others.

I had the privilege a couple of weekends ago of running a workshop for a group of friends who had come to Millthorpe to celebrate a 40th birthday. So much love in the group before we even started, and the energies of the old church on the hill helped deepen all our experience.

We - including me - lost our sense of time and place, as we connected deeply to ourSelves. Group members discovered meditation techniques that worked for them, some felt blocks that they had been carrying in their hearts dissolve. We found that the two hours disappeared in the blink of an eye.

It would be my delight to connect with you
  • through an individual consultation in Millthorpe or on Skype [ including a personal guided meditation]
or
  • work with you and a group of your friends
or
  • you may buy my guided meditations on line http://breathandinspiration.com/shop-front/

Contact me here if you would like to discuss possibilities
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Breath and Inspiration - Koh Samui - Oct 2016

10/8/2016

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PictureBanburree Resort and Spa Pool
Have you booked your place yet?
The programme is firming. The aim is to have a balance of supported and self directed time.

Groupwork will take place in the morning. The rest of the day will be up to you - free consultation with me,  Ann Harrison, or massage or reflective time for yourself ... or a combination of all of that.


Programme

Pre Breakfast - self directed exercise, meditation or rest
Morning Programme - stimulus and support to deep inner work through Breathwork in pool
Afternoon - flexible: massage, consultation, listening to or reading inspirational material, other self directed activities
Evening Meal - the option will be to go out together for a meal and possibly  discuss your daily reflections & insights or continue in silence


Read the other news items for more details or ring me on 0403-823-636


DEPOSIT IS DUE 30 August 2016 TO SECURE YOUR PLACE. CONTACT ME FOR PAYMENT DETAILS

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Breath and Inspiration Retreat Accommodation

10/7/2016

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Banuree Resort, Koh Samui, Thailand

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Yoga Sala - Banburee Resort
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Spa area - Banburee Resort

I booked my ticket yesterday!!!! Koh Samui here I come.

The retreat accommodation at Bamburee Resort -  www.banbureeresort.com - is fabulous.  Luxury bungalows right by the beach. All the facilities and services you could dream of. So...
  • Do you need time out?
  • Do you want the time and space to deeply relax?
  • Do you want to get some perspective on a particular life issue?
  • Do you want to treat yourself with extra massages and spa treatments?
It is worth thinking about now.

The Breath and Inspiration Retreat will support your inner work. Banburee Resort will look after the rest.

I am firming up the retreat programme and will let you know as soon as possible. The foundation will be daily sessions of Breathwork in the water. This is the most powerful, most personally empowering work I know. No one can breathe for you. When you are supported to follow the life force in the breath you will discover parts of yourself that are just waiting to blossom, and release whatever it is that is stopping you.

Travelling to Thailand takes some planning.  Enrolment dates for the workshop close 31 August 2016.
Airline tickets and accommodation need to be sorted as soon as you can. Koh Samui is such a popular destination. You don't want to miss out

Here is some more information
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Breath and Inspiration Retreat - Koh Samui 10-14 Oct

23/6/2016

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I am so excited to be offering another Breath and Inspiration in Thailand in October.
It is simple, powerful and life transforming. Please contact me if you are interested

In the video below you will hear what participants of the 2011 retreat had to say. More information on the 2016 retreat to come.

I look forward to welcoming there.
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FREE ON LINE MEDITATION CLASSES

27/1/2016

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Begin your meditation practice or find support and encouragement for what you already know how to do.

Online classes that you can attend in your own home.
Three classes over 3 weeks - half an hour per class. Absolutely free!

Dates:  8, 15, 22 February 7.30-8pm                             REGISTER NOW

We know that meditation will help us remain relaxed and focused amidst the busy-ness of our lives.
Yet it seems so hard to make time for it.  For you, I have prepared  3 online classes that will
  • encourage you to take time out
  • give you a meditation practice
  • allow you to disengage and rest your mind

How will I do this?
You will meet me in a virtual class room on line, where you will be able to see other participants who make themselves visible and join in the contemplation and meditation. Once  you have registered you will get instructions on what to do next.

What will  you need?
A half hour you can dedicate to yourself.
A good internet connection.
Basic familiarity with the computer and internet.

The sessions will also be recorded so you can review them, or use them as part of your weekly practice, or catch up if you could not attend in real time.



REGISTER NOW
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Services:
1 hour - Breath Awareness Coaching, Stress Management
             Phone/Skype consultations available  how to prepare
2 hours - Breathwork - deep inner transformation
3 hours - specially designed individual programmes


Contact:
M. 0403 823 636
E. ann@annharrison.com.au
W. www. annharrison.com.au     www.breathworktrainings.com

PO Box 248, Millthorpe, NSW 2798

Member 1093 of the ATMA (the Australian Teachers of Meditation Association).Certificate  www.meditationaustralia.org.au
Ann is recognised as qualified to teach meditation in the following areas -  personal development, therapeutic support, spiritual growth.


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