Perth Teaching Series 2024

The Symbolic and the Practical: Buddhist Teachings for the Calm Engagement with Life

Dynamic Embodiment

Teachings on Archetype, Symbol & Mudra

in the Sacred Theatre of Tibetan Buddhism

with Chimé Shore

(online with ZOOM or in studio)

This year’s classes and wongkurs we will continue with Arising Yoga working with the mind of imagination. Each archetype that we study is depicted in a specific posture. They are sitting or standing, dancing or stomping, ready to come to standing; some are static and some are in action. What does the physical organization contribute to the overall principle(s) of Dharma being expressed? How does it help the practitioner to embody the teaching and enact it in daily life and in a time that needs wise, courageous, and skillful advocates for peace?

Dates and topics for 2024:

24/25 February (1 March): Akshobya;

16/17 March (22 March): Red Chenrezi;

27/28 April (3 May): Healing Triad: Vajrapani, Garuda, Hayagriva;

15/16 June (21 June): 1000-Armed Chenrezi;

20/21 July (26 July): Namgyalma;

21/22 September (27 September): Amitabha;

2/3 November (8 November): Terma Guru Rinpoche.

Saturdays, 3pm – 4.30pm: Discourse, questions & comments and suggestions for practising.

Sundays, 9.50am – 11am: Interactive wongkur (ceremonial, symbolic, sacred theatre) related to the previous day’s discourse. Each weekend will celebrate and explore a different archetype.

Saturday and Sunday sessions are live in the studio, on ZOOM and recorded (available for 3 days only post session).

Following Friday (dates in brackets above) 7.30am – 8.45am: Chime leads a ZOOM only study group, reading and commentary on the sadhana, opportunity to ask further questions. Register with John at john.itguru@gmail.com

Venue for Saturdays and Sundays: Centre for Movement Studies, 45 Evans Street Shenton Park and on ZOOM. To register and receive further information (e.g. ZOOM links), please contact Gaby at mindmed.yin@outlook.com

Cost is, as always, by dana. There is a bowl at the entrance of the studio if attending in person. For Zoom attendees: Please send your donation to the Teachers Account: BSB 066 504, Account 1012 8642 or Paypal: https://paypal.me/chimshore?country.x=AU&locale.x=en_AU

All sessions are live in the studio, on ZOOM and recorded (available for 3 days only post session).

Venue and bookings: In studio (usually) and/or online with ZOOM. Please register with Gaby for a place in the studio and/or to receive the ZOOM link / recordings : mindmed@tpg.com.au

To register and receive further information (e.g. ZOOM links), please contact Gaby at mindmed@tpg.com.au

No previous knowledge or experience is required to attend. Each of these classes are connected (so it is preferable that people attend sequentially), but they may also be attended as stand-alone sessions.

Chime Shore has studied and taught in the Buddhist tradition for over 40 years. He is a meditation teacher, sculptor, community worker and father. He has also worked in the mental health system helping people with their personal recovery. All these things inform his teaching. Born in Canada, he now lives and teaches in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. He is the founding teacher of the Origins Centre in Balingup and The Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre near Nelson, New Zealand.

Venue and bookings: In studio (usually) and/or online with ZOOM. Due to potential COVID restrictions in 2022, please register with Gaby for a place in the studio and/or to receive the ZOOM link: mindmed@tpg.com.au

Centre for Movement Studies and Yoga Moves studio: 45 Evans Street Shenton Park. Studio entrance is opposite Lake Jualbup. Parking is available on Herbert Road, Onslow Road, and immediately in front of the studio.

Participants may sit on a chair or the floor. Chairs and cushions are provided. If you have a favourite meditation stool or cushion, please feel free to bring it.

COVID precautions:

Please do not attend the studio if you have any cold or flu symptoms or suspect that you have COVID.
All participants are free to choose to wear a mask (and in usual term time classes about 50 percent of people choose to wear a mask).
The studio has a large air purifier with a HEPA filter suitable for the size of the space (it is the same one the Victorian government has put in school classrooms and recommended by Choice).
The studio is cleaned between classes.

2024 Mindfulness with Chime Shore

Email origins@iinet.net.au for more details and for ZOOM registration links.

Mindfulness sessions with Chime Shore: All classes held at the Origins Centre, Balingup, and online with ZOOM. Teachings are made available by freely given donations.

Mindfulness Weekends

Building an independent and deepening practice that supports all activities, both inward and outward. The practice aims to foster the common good and promote healing in all our actions, thereby providing support for mental health.

Class Times: Saturday 9:30 am and 3 pm and Sunday 9:30 am [three 90-minute sessions]

Dates: 9 & 10 March, 13 & 14 April, 11 & 12 May, 8 & 9 June, 10 & 11 August, 7 & 8 September, 12 & 13 October, 9 & 10 November, 14 & 15 December

Sunday Morning Mindfulness – 8am to 9:30 am

This session offers an opportunity to learn, share, and integrate micro practices from the expansive realm of inner development. The last half-hour is available for questions, comments, and engaging discussions.

Time: 8am to 9:30am

Dates: 18 February, 24 March, 21 April, 19 May, 23 June, 18 August, 15 September, 20 October, 17 November

Weeklong Retreats (Only the first weekends are available online)

11-18 May 2024

7-14 September 2024

At the Origins Centre. Only the first weekend online. Contact the Centre on origins@iinet.net.au

Cost is by dana/donation.

Meditation practice in its myriad forms is a tool and a precious gift that has been passed from human to human over thousands of years to aid in the conscious cultivation of inner and outer peace in ourselves and others. The fruits of our practice should show up in our lives. When we notice a difference in our ability to navigate the inevitable challenges thrown up by life and to care more deeply for ourselves, others, and the planet, this is called the ‘signless sign’. It is the most important mark of useful practice.

However, there are also ‘signs’ that arise spontaneously and often as symbols in our dreams, in our waking life and sometimes within our meditation. Because meditation is an endlessly creative vehicle, it is also possible to work with the symbols directly to deepen our regular practice and our feeling of connectedness to all of life.

From Chime: “Imagination is a vast, virtual reality in our lives. A vital, powerful influence. Nevertheless, its’ role is often unremarked, even to ourselves, because it’s not expressed directly or operates without much thoughtful awareness. Imagination can mean anything from dream fantasy to artistic expression to meditative practice. Symbols are a means to bring awareness into imagination and to harness that power to practice. As we supplement reason and discussion with creative thought and expression, these practices are a powerful contribution to coherence, vitality, and emotional sustainability. They are a defence against unhelpful, reactive imagery and verbalisation and they transcend the boundaries that can separate us from each other."

Chime is the presiding meditation teacher at the Origins Centre in Balingup, WA, www.originscentre.org, who gives talks and holds wongkurs in Perth on a regular basis.

+++ Wongkur is a form of sacred art and theatre, a meditation practice which uses the mind of imagination. Each wongkur raises a particular question/aspect of life to explore. Explanation is given throughout the ceremony.

+++ Chime's teaching is by Dana [donation], a practice encouraging thought about fair exchange and acknowledging the interdependence of all life.

+++ If not stated otherwise, the Venue is Yoga Moves, 45 Evans Street, Shenton Park. +++

Chimé Shore and Origins Retreat Centre, Balingup

Meditation Teacher, Chimé Shore

Lama Karma Chimé Shore was, in 1974, a founding teacher of the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre near Nelson, New Zealand and in 1983 of the Origins Centre here in W.A. He has studied and taught for over 35 years and received ordination in the Theravada and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism. Chime has studied with many eminent teachers such as HH 16th Karmapa, Ven. Kalu Rinpoche and Ven. Sayadaw U Thila Wunta. He is no longer a monk but works in a secular context.

His central teacher was Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, a very early western Rinpoche and a Thera (elder).

Chimé has a wealth of experience in working with people from all walks of life. He combines both the spiritual and the worldly. Chimé has been involved in community based projects in New Zealand, Australia and other countries, and has worked in the mental health system. He has three grown sons and a partner and has an extended family life. Originally from Canada, he now resides in Western Australia and teaches mostly in Australia with some teaching tours abroad.

As time goes on, a number of friends involved with the centre have become teachers in their own right.

Mindfulness practice is taught at Origins Centre and the Centre for Movement Studies/Yoga Moves studio in it's traditional form and this is often the basis of those who teach.

Bookings: Chime teaches at the studio approximately once every 2 months

For details of his programme see programme above and/ or contact Gaby at mindmed@tpg.com.au

Cost: By dana. Yoga Moves class cards are not applicable for these classes. Dana is often taken to simply mean donation or gift. Dana is a Buddhist teaching about generosity of spirit or the sharing of blessings, the aspiration to generate health and goodwill in all the cycles of giving and receiving; the transactions of daily life. In reflecting on the practice of dana one begins to understand the interdependence of life. Dana is a gift that supports the livelihood of the teacher and his family. In turn the teachings offered are to support you in meeting with life with wisdom and compassion. Each participant arrives at the amount of dana voluntarily. Teachers of the Dharma are supported by considerate donation. Following Buddhist tradition, Chimé charges no fee for teaching. It is customary to offer dana at the beginning of the class (there is usually a bowl at near the entrance). Giving prior to the teaching supports the experience of openness and generosity.

Origins Retreat Centre, Balingup is a respite, retreat and activity centre governed by Origins Centre in Western Australia, a charitable not-for-profit NGO founded in 1983.

Situated on 10 acres, the Centre is surrounded by beautiful gardens, trees and native bush and is on the Bibbulmun Track and Balingup Brook. Next door on the west side is Coorain on 7 acres. Both Origins and Coorain are managed by the same committee of management.

We welcome all for respite, retreat and personal or group activity: yoga groups, health groups, meditation, carers and caring organisations, bush walkers, activists, environmental groups, school and youth groups, art groups and individuals. There is a resident volunteer Manager and Caretaker.

We try to maintain an ethos that's friendly, helpful and cooperative.

Our amenities, accommodation and facilities are available on a donation basis.

Origins Centre also governs Coorain, a special interest Buddhist residence located on the adjoining property.Coorain provides the long-term continuity in both management and teaching.Coorain practitioners instruct the mindfulness sessions, weekends and retreats as well as offering access to the dharma teachings.

Origins Centre is a drug and alcohol free zone.

Origins Centre, Balingup

Origins Centre (OC) is governed and run by a local management group with the indispensable help of many friends. We are dedicated, like so many others, to furthering the common good.The costs and needs of Origins Centre have always been met by freely given support (dana), whether as labour, work-in-kind, financial donations or fundraisers.We have also received the occasional grant to help fund a major project like the building of an office or the staff cottage.

Accomodation and all facilities at Origins are used on a donation basis.Please note that donations are not individually monitored and envelopes supplied give each donor the privacy they may require.

In 1983 the Origins property was generously donated to a WA group interested in Buddhist ideas and practices. Although retreats and Buddhist study groups have always been held here, it has now evolved into a universal, inclusive and practical place open to the community. Many different groups and individuals seek to contribute to the common good, and all are welcome. Dharma practices and teachings are still, however, a continuing feature of the offerings at Origins.

We are established on 17 acres of beautiful rural bush parkland. Maintaining and developing the natural environment is a continuous project. There is so much to learn about bush regeneration. It is a real interest to those involved and requires real labour! The diversity and accessibility of our parkland is always improving.

Activities and training, retreats, respite and special events are the general themes at OC. A diverse mixture of individuals, families and groups come to The Origins Centre seeking time out and participation in non-intensive personal retreats. People often combine their personal interest with mindfulness practice or yoga.

Environmental, art and bush regen groups; mental health and carers groups, youth groups and children's play-groups have all been welcomed at the Origins Centre.

Over the years, since the founding of OC in 1983, kids have been very much a part of our cultural fabric. Many, many kids and parents have taken a break at Origins. Children are fine attending mindfulness training and we have Family Kindy (pregnant to 4 yr olds with parent/carer) on Wednesdays. (And for the older kids we have the highest swing in the region!)

Origins is quiet and beautiful. Artists come to write, rehearse, paint or simply soak up the atmosphere and find inspiration. Students can come and study away from distraction and OC would welcome groups of students studying something together.

Musical recitals, rehearsals and recordings; field days & walkers from the Bibbulmun track, mindfulness, yoga and meditation...are just some of the various things that go on.

Travellers always bring some joy and a story and are most welcome. Many nationalities have enriched and contributed to Origins. There is usually some casual orchard work in the region at Donnybrook, Kirup and Mullalyup. Situated right on the Bibbulmun track, lots of walkers stop for a rest here

Origins respects mental health and the effort it can take to maintain and protect it. We are a non-clinical service and long-standing supporters of mental health. One of our main purposes is to provide a friendly, safe, restful environment where people can enjoy good company and good food! Mindfulness practice itself is for the protection, maintenance and development of mental health.

There are opportunities to volunteer. Many a working traveller has been involved and contributed to Origins.

If you are interested, call Chim (08) 9764 1275 or email Origins.

Our amenities are built using the timbers from the old Bunbury wharf. Our meeting 'rotunda' was originally at Graylands Hospital in Perth. The beautiful World Peace Pagoda here was built with friends from the WA Myanmar (Burmese) community. The W.A. Burmese community sometimes comes to practice near the Peace Pagoda. We are now building a Buddha's Alcove near the Pagoda which will help further a Buddhist precinct on the property. It will provide a quiet place of solitude.

In 2006, Origins was fortunate to gain a Lotterywest grant which, combined with the great effort and generosity of many friends and well-wishers, resulted in much-needed improvements, including a manager's residence, separate office, composting toilets, upgrading our water collection capabilities and renovating the caretaker's room.

For more than 29 years the Origins Centre has been settling and growing - with a bit of luck we should be around for a good long while. We reckon it takes 50 years to establish a viable model.

Origins Centre

Address: 153-157 Jayes Road, Balingup
website: http://origins.mysouthwest.com.au
email: origins@iinet.net.au
phone: (08) 9764 1275
blog: http://originscentre.wordpress.com
facebook origins centre and coorain, balingup

What is a wongkur? and for example what is a Medicine Buddha wongkur?: What is wongkur and what is a Medicine Buddha wongkur