course: 'The Art of Positive Thinking'
-learn to transform the mind and gain true joy & happiness
with Buddhist monk Kelsang Phuntsog
on Sunday 29th August,
9.30am – 12.45pm
at La Lucia Library
Our normal ways of thinking often don’t lead to the happiness and joy that we long for. Stress, irritation, and depression come easily, whereas love, contentment, peace and happiness are so much more difficult to find and to maintain. Everyone has the inner potential to transform their life to the positive.
Buddhist monk Kelsang Phuntsog will explain special ways of training the mind that directly help us become a happy and joyful person.
Books and CDs on Meditation and Buddhism will be on sale.
Everybody is Welcome!
Cost: R100 incl. refreshments
for easy online booking: click here
For more info: Tel: 031 464 0984 or email us
course on Wisdom: Simply Looking Beyond
meditation course on developing our Wisdom:
on Sunday 22nd August, 9.30am - 12.45pm
at: Mahasiddha Buddhist Centre, 2 Hollings Rd, Malvernthe Wisdom realizing Emptiness - Buddha's ultimate view of reality
Teachings and Meditations - learn to see beyond the ordinary
with Gen Sangdak
- what is just appearance, and what actually is reality?
Through learning and gaining deeper understanding of the nature of things we can improve our wisdom and thereby free ourself and others from the bondage of suffering. Wisdom gives us deep inner peace and joy.
Everyone is welcome!
Cost: R100 incl. refreshments
for easy online booking: click here
or call us on Tel: 031 464 0984 or email us
course in East London: Understanding Karma
½ day morning course in East London on…..
Sunday 15th August, 9.30am – 12.45pm
at: East London Museum, Activity HallWhy me? Why now? Learn to Understanding your Karma
This course helps us to understand the law of cause and effect, giving us insight into our past, present, and future experiences. Gen Sangdak will explain clearly the Whys and Hows of our daily experiences, and how we can create a better future for ourselves and our family.
Everyone is very welcome!
Cost: R100 Books and Audiobooks will also be on sale
for bookings & info: call Lorna 084 5264192 or email: lorna@isivivane.co.za
Meditation and Retreats
Meditation is at the heart of the Buddhist way of life. It is basically a method for understanding and working on our own mind. 
We first learn to identify our different negative mental states known as 'delusions' and learn how to develop peaceful and positive mental states or virtuous minds. Then in meditation we overcome our delusions by becoming familiar with virtuous minds.
Out of meditation we try to maintain the virtuous minds we have developed and use our wisdom to solve the problems of daily life. As our mind becomes more positive our actions become more constructive, and our experience of life becomes more satisfying and beneficial to others.
Anyone can learn basic meditation techniques and experience great benefits, but to progress beyond basic meditation requires faith in the Three Jewels : Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
Usually people find this develops naturally as they experience the benefits of their meditation practice. To meditate is to familiarize our minds constantly and thoroughly with a virtuous object. Meditation has many functions:
The purpose of meditation is to make the mind calm and peaceful. When the turbulence of distracting thoughts subsides and the mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment arises within.
Beginners and experienced meditators, Buddhists and non-Buddhists are all equally welcome to join these sessions. For further teaching classes on Buddhist theory and practice see General Programme
- it overcomes inner problems such as those created by anger, jealousy, attachment, and ignorance;
- it controls our mind and brings inner peace;
- it enables us to cultivate virtuous intentions that lead us to perform good actions; and
- it eliminates non-virtuous intentions that lead us to perform harmful actions.
By meditating we gain experience of the many levels of spiritual realization which permits us to attain higher and higher levels of spiritual attainment until we accomplish the highest of all: the state of Buddhahood.