Toby Gillies Buddhist Meditation

Meditation, Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism

Articles related to our meditation classes

Venerable Toby Gillies

These essays explore some of the topics we cover in our introductory meditation classes and some of the subjects examined in our Buddhist meditation classes. The perspectives are drawn from the Tibetan Buddhist teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Geshe Thubten Loden.
Pick any topic that may interest you, they have links to any other related topics. The most recently posted is always at the top.

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Meditation

Some of these articles focus on how to meditate. They range from an overview to a detailed explanation of the stages of concentration. Clear concentration provides a sound basis for greater understanding. We gain further insight through the practice of wisdom. Several posts discuss the benefits of integrating meditation with wisdom.

Meditation itself is not dependent on any form of religious belief. Whatever your beliefs you can benefit through the practice of meditation. We can incorporate the practices into traditional religions and also secular and scientific views of the world.

Buddhism

The source of knowledge presented here is the teachings of the Buddha. This Dharma (truth) aims towards freeing one from suffering and the cause of suffering. The truth delivers an experience of ever greater happiness. The pinnacle is the constant bliss and peace of enlightenment.

There has been interest in Buddhist teachings in the West for the last forty years. Western science and psychology have been enriched. They have used Dharma teachings on meditation and mindfulness. Scientific verification has given confidence in approaching meditation practice.

Tibetan Buddhism

One of the greatest influences of Buddhism in the West has been Tibetan Buddhism. Tibet’s Dalai Lama has interacted with leading scientists. He has also established regular conferences with academics in psychology and philosophy.  This has enriched our modern understanding. Elements of the Tibetan tradition have helped a better understanding of the mind. Meditation and mindfulness are now common.

Tibetan methods of investigating reality use formal logic. They engage in systematic debate and test this with meditation. This wonderful tradition of Buddhist practice is now finding expression in the West.

Learn to Meditate in 2022 – Meditation Melbourne

Learn to Meditate in 2022 – Meditation Melbourne

Learn to meditate? Follow your impulse to learn about meditation this year. Our meditation classes continue in 2022 on Tuesday evenings at 7-8.00pm This year our classes are exploring the forms of meditation which make up the Tibetan Buddhist path to Enlightenment....

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Meditation classes Melbourne – an Introduction

Meditation classes Melbourne – an Introduction

Each year we give meditation classes as Meditation classes as an introduction to meditation. They began in 2020 on Tuesday, February 4 at the Augustine Centre, Main Hall, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn. (However, subsequently, because of Covid-19 the classes are now given...

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Buddhist meditation classes Melbourne this year

Buddhist meditation classes Melbourne this year

Our Buddhist meditation classes this year expand on the method of combined study and practice contained in the Lam Rim. Have you ever wondered how Buddhist philosophy and the practice of meditation work together? Why is this integration of theory and practice so...

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Meditation classes through November 2019

Meditation classes through November 2019

Why is it that everyone seems to advocate the practice of meditation these days? What can meditation do for me? Why should I invest time to learn about the practice, and then to continue daily meditation? What is happening in the world? Our modern culture perpetuates...

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Meditate in Melbourne and develop a daily practice

Meditate in Melbourne and develop a daily practice

Meditate in Melbourne. There are many options for learning to meditate. At first we want to learn to meditate. Then we get serious about it and we want to improve. When someone asks me for tips about making progress, I always answer the same. The most important thing...

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How meditation and karma create you

How meditation and karma create you

Why did you become the person you are? How will you become the person you would like to be? What is it that creates the circumstances you encounter in life? How can meditation influence these circumstances? Understanding how meditation and karma create you and shape...

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Concentration: the stages and process of development

Concentration: the stages and process of development

Concentration: Calm Abiding meditation   We need to improve our capacity for clear concentration and like everything it gets better with practise. This article aims to explain the stages of developing concentration and the methods used to accomplish each stage....

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How meditation develops understanding

How meditation develops understanding

It is through regular practice that meditation develops understanding. We see increasingly more deeply into things and develop a clear insight over time.   Meditation develops understanding   Exploring how we use meditation to develop understanding is an...

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Learning with mindfulness and meditation

Learning with mindfulness and meditation

Having taken up the practice of meditation, we enter a new phase of learning with mindfulness meditation. Learning mindfulness meditation   Learning mindfulness meditation establishes a platform for a life of continued learning and discovery. It is a very useful...

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Traditions in conversation. Interfaith dialogue

Traditions in conversation. Interfaith dialogue

Meditation today: Traditions in Conversation   Traditions in conversation was an event held on Friday, February 23, 2018. The full day event was titled “Colloquium, Meditation today: Traditions in Conversation.” It was held at the Melbourne University of...

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A one minute Buddhist meditation

A one minute Buddhist meditation

This simple one minute Buddhist meditation has the power to change your life Let your gaze rest briefly on the image of the Buddha and know him as your Guru. Then recite the prayer, it only takes half a minute at normal pace. Spend the rest of the minute allowing the...

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A New Year meditation

A New Year meditation

A Meditation to start your year The Buddhist teachings tell us that New Year is a special time. It is a new beginning and a time to set our direction. It is worth taking the time for a new year meditation. Every morning we awaken to the day grateful for yet another...

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