Is meditation bad for your (mental) health?

You may have read or heard recent concerns mindfulness apps may be bad for your mental health?

Is this so? And if so, is there a risk in using the Allevi8 mindfulness and meditation app I have helped develop specifically to help people with their mental health, and with managing significant illness?

Also, pardon the long gap between post; there has been a lot going on that maybe warrants another post at another time, but first

          Thought for the Day

If you ask me what sort of self-control you need 

To do the work of contemplation, 

My answer is, ‘None at all!’ 

In everything else you do, 

You should practise moderation. 

Avoid extremes when eating, drinking or sleeping. 

Also, protect your body from severe cold or heat, 

Do not pray or read too long 

And do not spend too much time 

Conversing with your friends. 

In all of these things, it is important 

That you do neither too much nor too little. 

But in contemplation, 

You may throw caution to the wind. 

Indulge. 

I hope you will never stop doing this loving work 

As long as you live.

         The Cloud of Unknowing – wonderful 14th Century Christian mystical text 


Following the recent Choice investigation of mindfulness apps, Nicholas Van Dam, Director of the Contemplative Studies Centre, and Jeannie Paterson, Co-Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Ethics, recently spoke with Life Matters on ABC Radio National about the potential for harm that apps may pose to users, particularly (but not limited to) those with existing trauma or mental health issues.`

Allevi8’s experience in this domain goes way back to the 1980’s when I was learning from and being mentored by Dr Ainslie Meares. 

Dr Meares was a world-renowned psychiatrist and the earliest driving force behind the use of meditation in a therapeutic context. 

I had recently recovered (unexpectedly by most) from a very difficult cancer using meditation as a mainstay. 

Following some press and many enquiries, I was just beginning to help others affected by cancer, stress, anxiety and other conditions.

I had the good fortune to meet regularly with Dr Meares. 

We spoke often about potential risks, potential adverse side-effects and how to avoid them. The was not much research back in those pioneering days, but Dr Meares drew on his extensive psychiatric background, and we were both working with many people dealing with a wide range of conditions.

Maybe Allevi8 can present a full webinar or conference on this subject one day, but for now, maybe it is enough to point out:


1. The techniques used on the Allevi8 app have been clinically tested on literally thousands of people by Dr Meares, myself and the large number of staff I had the privilege to work with over nearly 40 years. These people had a very wide range of physical and mental health conditions. 

Dr Meares said the only concerns he had were for people with bi-polar disorder. So in my own work, we did screen people. However, as the years moved on, a number of people reported they had not disclosed their bi-polar condition, had learnt and practices meditation and had either felt much better, actually improved or in a couple of cases, remained symptom free over long periods of time.

2. The techniques used on the Allevi8 app have been developed with safety in mind. 

A big part of what we could describe as inbuilt safety, is the initial focus on relaxing the body. 

In our experience, techniques that only include the mind can lead to dis-association, whereas an initial bodily focus is very grounding and stabilising.

3. While not formally researched, the techniques on Allevi8 have strong similarities to techniques that have been researched and have been found to have both good efficacy and low risk profiles. 

A summary of the evidence base is on the Allevi8.net website. 

4. In all the nearly 40 years using these techniques and with over 100,000 people having used them in residential and non-residential programs with a good deal of interaction with staff, there have been no reported major setbacks or side-effects reported by these people, and most problems have been simply around difficulty with application – learning the techniques and practicing regularly.

5. At Allevi8 we take the concerns for adverse effects very seriously. This is another reason why we developed our online mentoring system and engaged senior, well trained, and experienced teachers to fill these mentoring roles. We know that personal connection with a teacher/mentor provides a strong safeguard.

6. We do encourage anyone who may experience problems to do the obvious thing and tell us about it via the website Allevi8.net. 

So in conclusion, while aware of small potential for risk, based upon our extensive experience, we have confidence in the techniques on the Allevi8 app and commend it for your consideration and use.

Street compassion

What do you do when you pass by the homeless in the city? Or a car window-washer at a street intersection? What do you do at the checkout in a supermarket? Or as you pass anyone in the street?

A friend has just introduced me to a beautiful term – “street compassion”. It refers to how we engage with people in the street, and it is a wonderful practice to take up consciously.

So this week, street compassion – what it is and how to practice it, but first

   Thought for the day

       When your fear touches someone’s pain 

       It becomes pity.

      When your love touches someone’s pain, 

       It becomes compassion.

            Stephen Levine

So, we are all busy and have limited resources. 

But then there are the homeless, and the person at the checkout, and the one who gets into a lift at the same time as you. What to do?
Retreat into one’s self and maintain the status quo of ignore and isolate? Or find some way to interact? And if we do chose to interact, how to do that without descending into pity, condescension, guilt or even arrogance?

My friend tells me about her own 'street compassion' practice.  How in the everyday, she connects with people in the street from her own inner wisdom essence to reach out to them and be 'there' for them just as they are in that moment.  A kind word of appreciation, a hug of acknowledgement and to bear

witness to a story of difficulty and pain.  

She says this is always spontaneous and comes from within, from her own connection to her inner 'wisdom light'. She fearlessly reaches out to engage with all sorts of people. But she says this does not come from any preconceived intent; it is spontaneous, in the moment.

For me it has been a bit more pre-meditated. 

For years I have enjoyed attempting to engage with people I meet casually. 

I was inspired by Dr Patch Adams who I brought to Australia for those wonderful Mind, Immunity and Health conferences of the ‘90s. 

Patch told me how whenever he had time, he would ring random telephone numbers – in the days when we had home lines – and try to engage people in spontaneous conversations. 

He recounted how often these chats went to remarkable depths and often went on for an hour or so.

Often people would say no one had ever listened to them in such a way. And how delightful that was – for him and for them.

So my approach has been to attempt to engage with people whenever possible. Over the years, 2 approaches seem most reliable – flattery and a simple question.

Flattery is simple. 

Find something that stands out about the person and compliment them on that aspect of their being. 

Hair colour is easy, and even though those bright streaks are becoming more common, nearly everyone responds well. 

If you have gone to that much trouble to colour your hair, to have someone acknowledge it, seems always appreciated, and often opens to more of a conversation. 

Of course, with flattery and with being PC, one really has to check the motive, be genuinely interested in engaging openly with the other person, and be coming from a good place. 

The second approach, the simple question, is maybe less fraught. 

The most effective and reliable question I have found so far is simply “How is your day going?” 

Asked this of a teller in a service station just a couple of days ago. He seemed to be deeply troubled and yet he replied “fine” in a manner we both knew meant far more. However, this simple exchange felt like it was enough at even this basic level to acknowledge whatever deep distress he was feeling; and without needing to go into detail. 

Others will open remarkably to this simple question…

And then the special case of homeless beggars...

There are 2 types of compassion – relative and absolute. Relative compassion requires an object. 

You see something or someone who arouses your compassion. 

This type of compassion has an intellectual aspect to it and fluctuates according to what provokes it. 

It is often accompanied by an inner debate.

Absolute compassion comes from the stillness of our inner essence. It is a ground state and exists independently of any particular object. It is there for everyone and everything. A bit like unconditional love or agape, this is unconditional compassion. With absolute compassion there is no inner debate; one just acts or does nothing as the circumstances dictate.

So beggars and the homerless. How conditional or unconditional are we? Do we give effortlessly, or do we enter into a frantic inner debate? Are we encouraging them by giving money? Are we feeling superior as we part with a few dollars? Are we paying for a drug habit? Are we providing refuge for the night? Is their need genuine?

I love watching my mind when approaching someone in need on the street. Definitely an advanced practice – to act spontaneously, do what is appropriate and then, whether having parted with some cash - or not, not spend the next 5 minutes in internal debate around whether it was in fact the right thing to do - or not.

By the way, Ruth is a master practitioner with this and gives naturally, freely and often :)

So here is the challenge – what form does your street compassion take?

 

 

Why Buddhism? And the Easter meditation retreat

Having grown up in a Christian family that went to church most Sundays, I loved it. Many years later, when it comes to the census, I describe myself as a Buddhist. Why the switch? 

In this post, an explanation of the transition, along with details of Mind in Comfort and Ease, the Easter urban (as in non-residential) meditation retreat I will be presenting in person and online that will include a fairly comprehensive overview/summary of Buddhist philosophy, how that knowledge aids entering into the deeper experiences of meditation, and how the study and practice of meditation can inform a more joyful, satisfying and meaningful world view, but first 

           Thought for the Day

   A human being is part of a whole, 

   Called by us the ‘Universe,’ 

   A part limited in time and space. 

   He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, 

   As something separated from the rest

   —a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. 

   This delusion is a kind of prison for us, 

   Restricting us to our personal desires 

   And to affection for a few persons nearest us. 

   Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison 

   By widening our circles of compassion to embrace 

   All living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

                                            Albert Einstein 

Maybe it comes down to this. I have always been interested in the truth. Actually, the Truth – as in not just what is true when it comes to life, science and relationships, but what is true on the grand scale. Who are we? Where did we come from? and Where are we going? 

Or more simply – who am I really? I know what is most obvious about myself is changing all the time – body, emotions, thoughts – changing all the time. So amidst all that change, is there something more enduring? Something more permanent? 

Who am I really?
 

This is the spiritual quest. 

To look inside and search for our own direct experience of who we really are - the Truth of who we really are, and what we are a part of…

Now, I have always been attracted to Faith – that commitment arising from going so far with reason and analysis, and then making a jump; a leap of faith. 

And in earlier days this faith in God, in a world view based on my Christian values and ethics served me well.

But then came 3 major traumas one upon another within a 2 week span. None of it made any sense. However, despite the trauma, instead of turning me away from spirituality and Christianity in particular, the trauma led to an important insight and a deeper commitment. 

The insight? It was clear my understanding of life, and indeed my faith, did not stand up to life itself. Life at this point in my history made no sense. 

The commitment? The traumas led to a wider exploration; and began a quest for a more encompassing Truth.

After diving into some philosophy and most of the world’s great religions, I settled on Buddhism as being most relevant to my search. 

Why?

Buddhism is both a mind science, a philosophy and a world religion. 

One can approach it on any level, whereas I find all three appealing. 

However, most Tibetans do not describe themselves as Buddhists; they prefer the term nangpa: someone who seeks the truth not outside, but within the nature of their own mind. 

All the teachings and training in Buddhism are aimed at that one single point: to look into the true nature of our minds, and so free us from the fear of death and help us to realize the truth of our life.

I settled upon Tibetan Buddhism and stumbled onto the Dzogchen path; which turns out to feature the highest teachings in the Tibetan tradition, and includes all the others as well. 

The appeal is in the heart-recognition of the truth of these teachings. They make sense at every level – intellectually, emotionally and in that more abstract intuitive way. They feel right and stand up to analysis. Importantly, these teachings encourage open enquiry – personal investigation and analysis and there are no articles of faith.

Indeed, The Buddha said this

Just as a goldsmith would test his gold … 

So you must examine my words and accept them, 

But not merely out of reverence for me.  (from the Ghanavyuha sutra). 

So in telling the story of the Buddha’s life one can range over all his teachings and make a coherent whole of them. 

The Buddha began his life as a worldy Prince, rejected that life, followed a path of extreme renunciation for around 7 years, made progress but did not find what he was really looking for, then sat in meditation under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya and achieved full enlightenment. 

At first the Buddha remained silent; he said nothing. 

But those few around him at the time implored him to share his experience and to teach. 

Finally, he relented, spoke, and said this: 

Profound peace, free from complexity, uncompounded luminosity

—
I have found a nectar-like Dharma. 


Yet if I were to teach it, no-one would understand,


So I shall remain silent here in the forest. (Lalitavistara Sutra)

But after more requests he went on to teach in 3 main cycles, beginning with the Four Noble truths. 

His teachings spanned the remaining 60 years of his life and have been accurately recorded and preserved over the 2,500 plus years since. 

Needless to say there is a lot of material for those who like to study in depth! 

However, there are also more summarized and specialized teachings available that probably are more suited to most of us…

So for me, I never turned my back on my Christian roots; I still find it deeply meaningful and enjoyable to go to Church when the occasion arises. However, it is the Buddhist teachings I have focused upon to study and practice since 1985. That was when I first met Sogyal Rinpoche (author of the Tibetan Book of Living and Dying) and through him, his lineage, teachings and practices, found what I was looking for.

The feeling is one of great good fortune…

Now, during the Easter urban meditation retreat I will present from the 7th to 10th of April 2023 for Rigpa – the Tibetan Buddhist group I am involved with – we will not only dive into the theory around, and the practice of meditation, I will present a summary of key Buddhist teachings that examine the truth of who we are and the nature of the world we live in. And "urban" means this retreat is non-residential, while you can attend in person or online.

The main point is that these teachings support the deeper experiences in meditation and together, the theory and the practice can lead us to a world view that is both more truthful, and makes for a more enjoyable, satisfying and meaningful life.

So if like me you are interested in the truth, do consider making time this Easter; give yourself a treat and join me in person or online for what will be a joyful, relaxing and quite possibly life changing retreat…

Groups will gather in several Rigpa centres. 

I will be in Melbourne, but other Rigpa teachers will support groups who gather to watch the teachings and meditate together in Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide and Brisbane. Or you can join us online...

From 10.30am Friday 7th April to 4pm Monday 10th April, 2023

Details and bookings can be accessed HERE.

 

 

Ian Gawler’s Easter Meditation Retreat – online and in person

Mind in Comfort and Ease – the essence of meditation; its theory and its practice

Having first taught meditation in 1981 – 42 years ago - and having studied and practiced meditation consistently throughout that time, one might hope to have something worthwhile to impart...

So this Easter I will be having another crack at it… 

Want to join in with what will be an urban retreat where you can attend in person or online?

Urban as in non-residential.

What will be featured

1.     A relaxed, balanced pace so you can gain from the Easter break, but still accomplish something meaningful and worthwhile.

2.     Very specific and complete instruction on relaxation, concentration, mindfulness, contemplation guided imagery and meditation, with plenty of time to ask questions and seek clarifications.

                                Suitable for beginners and the experienced alike

3.     Plenty of time for both guided and personal practice, all leading up to the direct experience of the inner peace, clarity and stillness of meditation itself.

4.     A thorough tour through the key elements of Buddhist psychology and philosophy that provide a framework into which the deeper experiences of meditation do fit; and which can help us to integrate and live by the profound View meditation offers.

5.     Time in noble company – time to contemplate and discuss with like-minded peers these key points.

                   Let your mind settle naturally and simply rest in pure awareness

Locations

I will be presenting from the Melbourne Rigpa Centre (a Tibetan Buddhist group I have been involved with for nearly 40 years) and online, while other in-person groups will be held by senior meditation teachers simultaneously at the following locations. 

So to be clear, you can gather with like-minded people online, or join us in person at one of these locations:

Adelaide: 310 South Terrace, Adelaide


Brisbane: 2/19 Enoggera Terrace, Red Hill


Melbourne: 803 Nicholson Street, Carlton North


Sydney: 158 Australia Street, Newtown


Newcastle: Multifencing, Unit 18/26 Oakdale Rd, Gateshead 

Schedule

Friday 11.00am – 6.00pm,
 Saturday 9.15am – 6.00pm
, Sunday 9.15am – 6.00pm,
 Monday 9.15 – 4.00pm

Also, as each day is fairly self-contained, partial attendance is possible. 

Obviously, attending the complete program is recommended…

Bookings: Essential – click HERE

Now, because meditation is so simple in its essence, to celebrate a post on this next meditation retreat, it makes sense – in a perverse sort of way – to prompt you to contemplate your motivation courtesy of what is the longest ever 

       Thought for the Day

Because we are not so good, we try to improve ourselves. 

That is our true nature. 

And we are aware of it

— we have some intention to improve ourselves. 

This intention is limited to human beings. 

Flowers come out in the spring without fail, 

But they do not make any effort; 

They automatically come out—that is all. 

We also try to open our flower in the spring, you know. 

We try to do right things at the right time. 

But we find it very difficult—even though we try to do it, we cannot. 

This is our human nature. 

We always try to do something. 

We always have some difficulties. 

But this point is very important for us. 

It is why we have pleasure as human beings

—because things are difficult and we are always making some effort. 

That effort results in the pleasure of human life, 

A pleasure limited to human beings. 

This is called our true nature. 

If you understand this true nature, 

You will find out the true nature within yourself and in every existence. 

Flowers have this nature. 

Even when it is cold, they are preparing for spring, 

Even though they do not know they are making a good effort to come up in spring. 

When we become aware of it, 

We will know that this nature we have is universal to every existence. 

Again, this awareness of true nature is limited to human beings, 

So it is very important. 

This is the awareness, in short, of trying to do something good. 

It is our spirit. 

We do not know why we should try to improve ourselves. 

No one knows. 

There is no reason for it; it is beyond discussion. 

Our true nature is so big. 

It is beyond comparison, beyond our intellectual understanding, 

So it does not make any sense. 

Those who are aware of it will laugh at you if you discuss about why it is so. 

“What are you talking about?” 

It is too big a problem to discuss. 

This is why we bow to Buddha.

    From the oldest extant recording of a dharma talk by Suzuki Roshi

              Given in Los Altos, California - 22nd July 1965

 

Ruth and I are moving on…

Ruth and I have been incredibly fortunate to act as custodians for a small farm in the Yarra Valley these past 20 years; now it is someone else’s turn, it is time for us to move on...

So this is to pay pictorial homage to this wonderful place, its magnificent trees and the garden that has fed us for all this time. And maybe you might know of someone interested in a genuine lifestyle property: 40 McMaster’s Rd, Gladysdale adjoining the Little Yarra River and State Forest… , but first

   Thought for the Day

      There is no value in life

      Except what you choose to place upon it

      And no happiness in any place

      Except what you bring to it yourself

               Henry David Thoreau

 

For me it is the trees. Magnificent! 

Hundred year old Oaks, Elms and Liquid Ambers

Others prefer the intimacy of the forest paths

Still others, the towering Manna Gums, 

Messmates and other native forest trees.

Plus the Little Yarra River...

Some draw more joy from the landscaped flower gardens

Others, including us of course, 

have benefited from the rich soil 

developed in the vegetable beds over 20 years 

– will grow almost anything well now… 

The property has been managed using biodynamic and/or organic gardening principles for over 30 years. (It was fully BD for at least 10 years before we arrived). 

No domestic animals have grazed the land during our tenure.

We did make some enormous compost heaps

over the years... 

The orchard features most common and several uncommon fruit and nut varieties. A range of avocadoes and macadamias are highlights. 

There is a tree register recording all the significant trees – what they are; where and when they were planted.

 

There are many thousands of naturalised daffodils spread over around 1HA of the property 

– truly a field of gold in Spring. 

There are also many tulips, hyacinths and lilies.

 

The house is believed to have been built first in the 1920s and was one of the pioneering homesteads of the area. 

A significant extension was made in 1988, and renovated further in days gone by. 

 

We have rented out the single bedroom cottage to a series of excellent tenants. 

This quaint building was built by the Belgian Consul in 1956 to house some of their Olympic Equestrian team as they trained over the road at the Shirley Heights Equestrian Centre - which is still operating.

 

And there is the luxury of a self-contained studio 

where I do my painting.

 

The shed features one of my follies 

– a shadow board for tools I painted 

over a Christmas years ago. 

It also has electricity, lighting, water and a sink

And adjoins the glasshouse and 2 double carports.

The glasshouse also has electricity, lighting, water and a sink.

 

The property is blessed with multiple water sources that are very reliable.

i)               Roof tanks for house and cottage. 

ii)              There is a 200 litre stainless steel water tank that collects water for drinking. This tank also runs by gravity and has a bi-pass valve so water can be collected only when very clean.

iii)            Two megalitre domestic and stock pumping right from Little Yarra River. 

There is an old pumphouse and electric pump on the river bank.

iv)            A bore is linked to an extensive watering system that spreads throughout the garden, orchard and landscaping.  

v)             A substantial 4 megalitre dam is also linked by gravity feed to the watering system.

How does it feel?

Family, friends and others are asking how I feel about moving after spending so much time in this beautiful place, and having developed the gardens to such an extent?


It feels wonderful to have been here so long – the longest both Ruth and I have ever lived in the one place. But we never truly own anything – do we? We are just passing through… custodians for a while; with the opportunity to leave the place a little better than when we arrived. Hopefully, both the land, plants and buildings are all like that – a little better than when we arrived. 

So with gratitude, we are moving on… Very content with our time here.

Where to? 

Not exactly sure yet. We have a one bedroom flat in Melbourne that will provide a good interim, and once we have finalised things here, we can look to what comes next…