Victoria: Meditation and Compassionate Social Action

A COLLOQUIUM on Meditation and Compassionate Social Action with presentations from Ayya Yeshe, Dr Roger Coles, Sister Brigid Arthur, Simon Moyle and Rhys Aconley-Jones will be presented by Confluence and The Contemplary at North Fitzroy Library Community Room on Sat. 27 October 2018.


 

Traditions of meditation are concerned with the transformation of the person in light of a vision of the highest possibilities of life. From this, a meditator acts in the world, transforming it from within. This gathering explores different dimensions of the relationship between spirituality and compassionate action in community life, historically and today, and invites speakers from different backgrounds to discuss:

  • Where in their faith tradition do people find a source, nourishment or inspiration for compassionate action?
  • How do people with a social conscience (i.e. a commitment to wider social goals) and engaged in pro-social activities, benefit from contemplative practices?
  • Can social actions be more powerful, more effective, more sustainable, with contemplative practice as their foundation?
  • How much is social engagement an inevitable outcome of the contemplative life?

Join us for a day of presentations and dialogue, and experience contemplative practices that stimulate, inspire, nourish and sustain compassionate action.

The format of the day

The colloquium with open with a meditation. Each presenter will give a short talk in response to the topic of the colloquium. After their talk, each presenter will then lead a contemplative practice that inspires, or sustains them in their compassionate social action and take questions from participants. Following the presentations, there will be small group discussions involving all those attending the colloquium. This will provide an opportunity for participants to share their own experiences and responses to the questions posed by the colloquium. There will then be a panel discussion involving the presenters, followed by time for questions to the panel from participants. The day will close with a meditation.

Food and drink

There is no catering for this event. The venue is located near serveral cafes providing coffee, teas and good food. Participants are invited to bring their own snacks and drinks and can use tbe kitchen attached to the room. Boiling hot water is available in the kitchen but you will need to bring your own mugs and tea.

Colloquiuam Fee and donations

A $25 registration fee is charged to gain access to this event. In addition we encourage particpants to make an additional donation on the day. Both the registration fee and all donations will be passed on (in full) to the presenters to support them in their activism and compassionate social action. Presenters such as Ayya Yeshe live and work by donation alone so please be generous. This event is sponsored by The Contemplary and Confluence who will cover all the organisational costs including interstate flights, accommodation and venue hire.

Parking and public Transport

Parking is limited within this area and parking restrictions apply. It is recommended by the venue that you use public transport options. Rushall Station on the South Morang railway line is only 10 minutes away. The Route 11 Tram from West Preston to Victoria Harbour Docklands runs along St Georges Rd; Stop 21 is located near the southern corner of the building. The Route 86 Tram runs along Queens Parade and Stop 22 is located on the Queens Parade/Smith St corner, a 10-minute stroll away across the Edinburgh Gardens. Just north of the library there’s also the 504 Bus (Moonee Ponds-Clifton Hill) running along Scotchmer St with two stops along St Georges Rd.

More Information

Find out more and register for this Colloquium on Eventbrite.