Workshops & Events

Our meditation courses and retreats are an ideal way to get experience of meditation and inner peace. These courses examine a particular topic in greater depth than would be possible in a Drop-in class.

Our courses and retreats are open to everyone and are suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners. For more information about specific courses or retreats, select a course from the list below.

Introduction to Tantra with Gen Kelsang Dornying

Half Day Workshop | 12 June | In person and Online

Buddha’s most profound revelation is that our world is a mere appearance to our mind, like a dream world. Because our world, our self, our enjoyments and our activities are the nature of our mind, when our mind is impure they are impure, and when our mind becomes pure through purification practice they become pure.

Tantra accomplishes this complete purity. It combines the wisdom understanding our dream-like reality with creative imagination that transforms our self into a deity abiding in an enlightened world. It is often called ‘the quick path to enlightenment’.

On this course, Gen Dornying will explain the essential meaning of tantric practice and how it brings great meaning, direction and happiness to our lives. We will learn how to transform worldly pleasures into the spiritual path, so instead of developing attachment which is the root of all problems, our enjoyment will increase our inner peace and spiritual realisations.

Please Note: Due to severe weather conditions and power outage at KMC Australia this workshop has been postponed. More information coming soon. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Acceptance Weekend Course with Gen Kelsang Dornying

Meditation Weekend Course | 19-20 June | In person and Online

Rarely do we examine the world around us in ways that increase our wisdom and peace. For instance, when things go wrong in our life and in our world, we simply regard the situation itself as the problem, and respond with fear, anxiety and even anger. Buddha revealed something very important, he explained that the essence of all human problems is part of the mind that experiences painful feelings. He explained how to stabilize and ultimately dissolve away these feelings, leaving only inner peace and happiness.

On this course, learn these techniques for yourself and be guided in meditation to increasing levels of inner peace and happiness. The ability to experience peace in the face of adversity is the very art of acceptance and ultimately liberates us from all suffering.

How to Stop Overthinking with Gen Kelsang Dornying

Meditation Workshop | 26 June | In person and Online

It happens to all of us: we think about something too much, and it creates worry or stress. But some of us can’t let go of these concerns. We worry about the future or brood over the past, we fret over what others might think of us or agonise over a tough decision.

The good news is that overthinking is a mental habit, and like all habits, it can be broken. There are patterns to our thinking; and just as they’ve been learned, they can be unlearned.

If you’re a chronic overthinker or sometimes just can’t sleep because your mind won’t switch off – this is a course for you. Using Buddhist teachings on the mind, you’ll learn how to remain balanced, calm and clear, even in our busy world with all its stress and stimulation.

Silent Retreat with Gen Kelsang Dornying

Meditation Retreat | Wed 30 June – Fri 2 July | In person

When our distracting thoughts subside and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within. With this inner peace we free ourself from stress, anxiety, mental pain and even tiredness.

Immerse yourself in silent guided meditation in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Our short silent retreats are the perfect escape from busy daily life and the best way to rest and rejuvenate.

Your retreat guide is senior Buddhist Monk, Gen Kelsang Dornying, who will take you though simple instructions and meditations for enjoying real happiness. There’s also plenty of opportunity to simply enjoy the silence.

How to Transform Your Life Retreat with Christielli

Meditation Retreat | 10 July | In person and Online

Are you lacking direction in life? Do you ever wonder where you fit in the world? Do you worry about your purpose?

For many, the well worn path of seeking lasting happiness in experiences, possessions, relationships and forth simply isn’t working. Instead of finding direction, we can find ourself emotionally dependent on these things and anxiously fearing their loss.

If you feel you’ve tried everything, why not try the path less travelled, the spiritual path. This inner journey of meditation and spiritual insight can transform daily life into a dynamic and uplifting path to happiness.

Start the journey on this one-day retreat where you’ll learn how to:

Develop and maintain inner peace
Manage sadness, anxiety and depression
Bring about the positive changes that lead to lasting happiness

Based on the book How to Transform Your Life by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, this short retreat will emphasize meditation and how to practically apply this to daily life.

Open to practitioners of all levels.

Learn to Meditate with Daisy

Half-Day Meditation Workshop | 17 July | In person and Online

Establishing a regular meditation practice can seem overwhelming at first. Do I need any special equipment? How long should I meditate for? What’s the goal exactly? Is it just sitting quietly? What about those apps – are they any good? I need someone to guide me!

Get the answers to all these questions and more at our lLearn to Meditate workshop. You’ll learn proven strategies for calming the mind, reducing stress, and finding peace wherever you are.

This beginner-friendly course is also a helpful refresher for more experienced students.

Limitless with Gen Kelsang Dornying

Half-Day Meditation Workshop | 25 July | In person and Online

Does your mind feel like an endless clear sky? Or does it feel obscured by mental fogginess and constant distracting thoughts? Don’t worry you’re not alone and there is a way to disperse this inner turbulence.

On this course, Buddhist Monk Gen Kelsang Dornying will guide us in meditation on the vast clarity of our mind. This way of meditating overcomes our mental business and negative thoughts and connects us to our limitless essential nature.

How to Set up a Shrine with Christielli

Half Day Workshop | 28 August | In person and Online

Please Note: This workshop was previously scheduled for 5 June.

If we wish for success in our meditation practice we need to make correct preparations. The inner realizations that arise from meditation depend upon certain inner conditions that we create by engaging in the preliminary practices. Just as a farmer needs to prepare the ground before he plants his crop, so we need to prepare our minds before we can hope to harvest a crop of spiritual realizations.

In this workshop Buddhist teacher Christielli Portela will explain how to engage in the preliminary practices of Kadampa Buddhism including setting up a qualified shrine, making water offerings, sitting in the correct meditation posture, making prostrations and offering mandalas. Through receiving these instructions we will develop the confidence needed to practise daily meditation.