simply silence teacher profiles

Simply Silence groups invite teachers of differing meditation traditions to come along and share their passion for and knowledge of meditation. We aim to present something a little different each time - so that you can experience a variety of meditation techniques and so that each visit to Simply Silence will be unique.

Since it's inception in 2005 we've had meditations led by a diverse range of teachers — from Swami's to psychologists — and on various themes; from the breath and body, to sounds, music, movement and laughter.

Each Simply Silence location also has it's own flavour and pool of teachers. If you're interested in leading a Simply Silence session please feel free to email info@simplysilence.org

We're adding teacher profiles below, so that you can get a sense of what to expect and a little insight into the sessions we've had so far.

Matthew Young, Melbourne Meditation Centre

A persuasive little Indian man convinced me to take up Yoga while I was backpacking around India in '97. For some strange reason, I did - and that's where I was first introduced to meditation. My initial experiences, sitting in an open air 'studio' as monkeys bounded around on the tin roof were surprisingly profound, prompting me to begin an exploration of meditation that continues today.

Essentially, those initial experiences intrigued me mightily, providing the impetus for a quest to discover what this strange, silent practice was all about (and why it often felt so good just sitting quietly without any of the stimulants usually associated with feeling great).

Over the years I explored just about every form of meditation I came across. I listened to the gurus, attended the silent retreats and bought and read book after book after book. All this actually led to more confusion than clarity and much of what I learnt had to be unlearnt later.

Thankfully, I eventually stumbled upon a couple of good (very good in fact) teachers, including Eric Harrison and Lorin Roche. These guys helped to sort the gold from the dross - and my approach to meditation owes much to them.

Today I'm fortunate enough to earn a living teaching meditation. My basic aims are to demystify the whole process. I've found that people benefit from meditation much more when they have a clear understanding of what it is, how it works, and what you're 'meant' to be doing when you meditate. Meditation should and can be easy, even fun, and that's how I endeavour to present it.

p. 9531 1607
m. 0410 562 843
e. matt@melbournemeditationcentre.com.au
w. http://www.melbournemeditationcentre.com.au

Paul Majewski, Meditation Solutions

Paul Majewski, director of Meditation Solutions, trained for seven years with Eric Harrison at the Perth Meditation Centre and has taught meditation in a wide variety of settings, including the legal, medical and rehabilitation areas, in Melbourne, Canberra and Perth, since 1994.

m. 0409 312 634
e. paul@meditationsolutions.com.au
w. http://www.meditationsolutions.com.au

Rita Cattivera, Mind & Body Focus

Rita Cattivera has been involved in the fitness industry for over 20 years, in particular working with The ChiBall Method, which encouraged her to discover the power of Mind and Body. The study of Raja Yoga has provided her with the tools of Meditation. Rita gave up her 'day job', in which she rose to State Sales Manager after completing her Diploma of Business, to pursue her dream of running her own business, Mind & Body Focus, sharing the intangible feeling of 'peace of mind'. Passion, commitment and living the complete wellness lifestyle is what sets her apart. Her devotion to the mind as well as the body will give you satisfaction, greater results and a sense of purpose to further your mind/body connection whilst having fun.

Rita teaches Meditation classes, as well as Mind & Body classes, which are a fusion of TaiChi/Self healing with Qi Gong, Rhythmic/Chakra/Bollywood Dance, Pilates, Yoga, Feldenkrais and Relaxation. She teaches at various corporate/private businesses, schools and health care centres and teaches workshops in positive thinking.

m. 0410 515 199
e. rcattive@bigpond.net.au
w. http://www.mindandbodyfocus.com.au

Jenny Petridis, Create Your Day!

Jenny is a Bowen Therapist, the creator of Bowvis® and a Creative Visualisation Meditation Facilitator. She began her journey towards the power of visualisation during her years in the healing arts as a Massage & Bowen Therapist. Years of self-enquiry and her quest to search deeper into the powers of the mind, body & spirit gradually awakened her own need to meditate. It was her personal journey to find inner peace together with empowerment, via accessing the powers of imagination & positive thought that inspired Jenny to develop her own unique method of creative visualisation meditations: ‘Create Your Day’.

m. 0423 646 724
e. jenny.createyourday@gmail.com
w. http://www.createyourday.com.au

Sarah Fletcher, Quiet Mind Meditation

Corporate world by day, part time meditation teacher whenever possible. I first experienced deep relaxation and meditated as a student in high school and that experience was amazing. I have been meditating (on and off) for more than 20yrs now, and have sought out, read and practiced a variety of meditation techniques .. attended retreats and found teachers. Life is better when I meditate. I believe whole-heartedly that meditation is a life skill that the world needs right now. Join me .. stop and be still .. find the silence within.

m. 0417 403 714
e. quietmind@dodo.com.au
w. http://quietmindmeditation.blogspot.com

David Hall, Trainer & Facilitator / Escape the City

David Hall has been Physiotherapy and wellness trainer for over a decade. He is now also involved in group faciliation, environmental campaigning, writing and organising wellness events including weekend cycle retreats - www.escapethcitymelbourne.com.au

Yes he's a busy lad, as his main website www.davidhall.net.au will testify. You'll find David participating and helping to run the Northcote Simply Silence evenings. About three times a year he also facilitates the evenings with a few of his favourite meditation and relaxation techniques.

m. 0405 819 770
e. dave@davidhall.net.au
w. http://davidhall.net.au

Yvonne Anderson, Safe Space Coaching

Safe Space Coaching was created by Yvonne Anderson to provide a safe space for people to explore their inner potential.

As a fully accredited workplace and business coach with over 8 years experience caring for people as a health care worker, Yvonne’s vision for her coaching practice is as a space for her clients to open up, expand and explore in a fun and nurturing environment.

With her gentle nature and kind approach, Yvonne provides a truly safe space on the journey toward personal mastery.

Yvonne believes in the human holistic potential of all individuals. Knowing more of yourself through gentle meditation practice can have dramatic effects, not just within, but on the world around you.

Yvonne writes a blog at: http://www.safespacecoaching.blogspot.com/

m. 0400 428 178
e. yvonne@safespacecoaching.com.au
w. http://www.safespacecoaching.com.au

Adam Nicoll, LifeInsight Natural Therapies

While a student at a Catholic High school in his hometown of Melbourne, Adam was introduced to Zen Buddhism. He took such a shine to this practice that during his twenties he left everything and went to live and study for two years within various Buddhist monasteries and meditation centres in the forests of Southern Thailand and in England. He then returned home and completed 4 years full time study in order to qualified as a Homeopath and Counsellor in 1996. Adam then moved on to practice at one of Europe's most renowned integrated natural medicine clinics, The Hale Clinic in London's Regents Park for a few years then returned to Melbourne in 2003 and established LifeInsight Natural Therapies.

Inspired by the great teachings of both the Eastern meditative and Western contemplative traditions Adam regularly offers solo meditation at Princess Street Health Care in Kew and at his home clinic in St Kilda. Group sessions are also offered at Simply Silence in Elwood, Group of One in St Kilda and Brunswick as well as at the ‘I am Space' at Confest.

Adam recently released a Meditation CD that offers a twenty minute guided mediation. By way of careful attention to bodily sensations, all sounds heard and the silence beyond all sounds, the mind falls deeply still. With a deep peaceful awareness of ‘Beingness' a subtle enquiry is initiated to allow direct comprehension of ones true nature - that of our universal and eternal self residing within the heart of all beings.

p. 9534 4747
e. adam@lifeinsight.org
w. http://www.lifeinsight.org