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‘The Middle Way’ Meditation Retreat Course

Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC)

Halfway House, 11-15 March 2012

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Program Itinerary

Sunday 11^th

16.00-17.00   Check-in at JMC
18.30-19.00   Light Dinner
19.00-20.00   First Orientation

Monday 12^th

05.30   Up
06.00   Loving-kindness Meditation (I)
07.30   Breakfast
09.30   Session 1: Understanding Nature of Body, Mind & Emotions
11.30   Lunch
14.00   Session 2: Appreciating the Nature, Feeling the Body Centre
15.30   Afternoon Yoga Stretching Exercise
16.00   Refreshment Break
18.30   Session 3: Blending with Nature & Transparency
19.30   Soft drink

Tuesday 13^th

05.30   Up
06.00   Loving-kindness Meditation (II)
07.30   Breakfast
09.30   Session 4: Exploring One’s Horizon
11.30   Lunch
14.00   Session 5: Translucency
15.30   Afternoon Yoga Stretching Exercise
16.00   Refreshment Break
18.30   Session 6: Being the Centre
19.30   Soft drink

Wednesday 14^th  

05.30   Up
06.00   Loving-kindness Meditation (III)
07.30   Breakfast
09.30   Session 7: Being One with One’s Centre (I)
11.15   Lunch
14.00   Session 8: Being One with One’s Centre (II)
15.30   Afternoon Yoga Stretching Exercise
16.00   Refreshment Break
18.30   Session 9: Sharing Your Radiance
19.30   Soft drink

Thursday 15^th  

05.30   Up
06.00   Loving-kindness Meditation (IV)
07.30   Breakfast
09.30   Session 10: Perfect Neutrality
.            Last Orientation: Take Peace Home
11.00   Release

— End —

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Thai – South African Newsletter Volume 46
December 2011

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Highlights of Volume 46

* Thailand’s flood relief via the Royal Thai Embassy
* The opening of “People’s Libray” at the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC)
* Sawasdee Pee Mai Night, organized by the Association for Thais in South Africa (ATSA) on December 31, 2011
* The launch of 2nd Thai food and fruit carving (crafting) at JMC in January
* e-Toll to start charging vehicles on N1 in February
* 11.11.11 event of Global Afrika uBuntu Indaba at Helderfontein Estate, Fourways
* Local Thai businesses adverts in South Africa
* Gossips, and much more…

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::  Download an electronic issue  ::

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The Global Afrika uBuntu Indaba Gala Event
At Africa Conference Hall, Helderfontein Estate, Fourways
On 11 – 11 -11 (11 November 2011)

Endorsed by the City of Joburg
Organized by the Oneness Group Africa

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Main speeches by His Holiness Dali Lama and Desmond Tutu

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Performance on the Spirit of uBuntu

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Over 300 attendants

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There were many distinguised speakers from many culture groups and beliefs. However, every speech was directed to the Oneness of humanity. As the Spirit of uBuntu says, “I am because We are,” we were delighted by better understanding of our past, present and towards a united future of humanity.

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Venerable Somsak from JMC was invited to give a short and humble speech on Oneness in accordance to the Philosophy and the Spirit of uBuntu

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Before the close, the organizer invited all attendants to meditate for 11 minutes at 11.11 p.m. to create inner peace and to share to all fellow humanity.

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On 11.11.11 at 11:11 p.m. for 11 minutes

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Thai – South African Newsletter Volume 45
November 2011

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Highlights of Volume 45

* Thailand’s flood photo report and the Royal Thai Embassy’s campaing to relieve flood victims
* Photo gallery of Kathina Robe Offering at the Johannesburg Meditation Centre, Halfway House.
* Photo gallery of Kathina Robe Offering at the Cape Town Meditation Centre
* The election of the Association for Thais in South Africa (ATSA)
* Photo gallery of the 1st Thai fruit & vegetalbe carving (crafting) — full of attendants
* Lots more….

::  Download an electronic issue  ::

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The Theosophical Society at The Pretoria Lodge, Sunnyside, Pretoria

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On 9th October 2011, the Theosophical Society of Southern Africa located at Sunnyside, Pretoria, invited Venerable Somsak to give a meditation guidance and a talk on inner peace.

Venerable Somsak gives a talk on inner peace after guiding a peaceful meditation session

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 Mr. T. G. Davis and Mrs. L. B. Wade have been running the Theosophical Society at the Pretoria Lodge and offering a spiritual wisdom by a variety of speakers from all schools of thought and religion.

Venerable Somsak gave Tom a poket book, “The Middle Way Once More”
The life-changing stories in Africa through the practice of meditation

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Ven. Somsak is scheduled to give another talk in March 2012.

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On Sunday 16th October 2011, the Johannesburg Meditation Centre (JMC) at Halfway House gatherd some 350 local South Africans, Sri Lankans and Thai people altogether to conduct its annual Saffron Robe Ceremony.

See some pictures of the events below:

Meditation in the Meditation Hall

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Chanting before offering the robe

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Saffron Robe Procession

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Robe presented by a representative

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Photographed with the delegates from the High Commission of Sri Lanka

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Thai – South African Newsletter

Volume 44:  October 2011

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Highlights of Volume 44

* Annual Kathina Saffron Robe Offering to Buddhist monks at JMC, Halfway House — an ongoing 2,600-year noble tradition, on Sunday 16th October.
* Thai Pavillion at Taste of Joburg — incorporating THAI Airways, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai cooking and Thai products.
* The opening of  “Padbok” — a  5-star contemporary Thai restaurant in Brooklyn, Pretoria.
* A popular Computer Class at JMC on Sundays.
* Thai Food Crafting Lesson at JMC on 9th October, 2011.
* THAI Airways promotional fares to Bangkok and provinces.
* Meditation Retreat Course in Cape Town.
* JMC activities especially the “Sunday Meditation” at Halfway House starting 09.30 a.m.
* Gossips!!!

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::  Download an electronic issue  ::

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กฐินสามัคคี พ.ศ. 2554

The Annual Kathina Saffron Robe Offering

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Each year after the rains retreat, it is time for Buddhists to gather at their nearby monasteries and offer new set of saffron robes to the Buddhist monks.

This year, the rains retreat ends on 12th October, and the following Sunday 16th October at the Johannesburg Meditation Centre, Halfway House, Thai and local Buddhists and their fellowship of peace-seekers alike will conduct this noble tradition of robe offering.

Participants and visitors will experience this ongoing 2,600-year-long tradition.  By supporting the monastery is by all means supporting the tradition of peace-making since the Buddhist community operates on the concept of absolute non-violence.

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Programme of the Day of Kathina

11h00    Alms-Giving to Thai Buddhist monks
11h30    Lunch of Thai food supported by local Thai community
13h00    Kathina Robe Offering Ceremony
14h00    Receiving Special Holy Amulet for Blessings.  Ends.

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Download full poster here:
P O S T E R

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Thai – South African Newsletter Volume 43: September 2011

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Highlights of this 43rd issue:

* Royal Thai Embassy supports the Johannesburg Meditation Centre in promoting skills training of the Thai community.
* Thai Cooking Class at JMC by chefs from “Thai Cafe” Thai restaurant in Paulshof.
* Computer Class at JMC on Sundays.
* THAI Airways promotional fares to Bangkok and provinces
* JMC activities especially the “Sunday Meditation” at Halfway House starting 09.30 a.m.
* Gossips!!!

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::  Download an electronic issue  ::

Thai – South African Newsletter Volume 42: August 2011

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Highlights of this issue:

• Openning of JMC at Halfway House on 16 July 2011, presided by H.E. The Royal Thai Ambassador. Full Gallery!
• Thailand Trade Show during 30 June and 2 July 2011 at Sandton Convention Centre. Full Gallery!
• THAI Airways Hot Promotion on her 51st Anniversary
• Thai Cooking Class at JMC
• Free Thai Food Recipes & Article on Thai Herbs
• Basic Healthcare and First Aids at JMC – End of August 2011
• Security Tips on the Road for Thai Women at JMC – September 2011
• Basic South African Law for Thais at JMC – October 2011
• Computer Class for Thais at JMC – Commencing on 21st August 2011
• Meditation Retreat Course in September in Cape Town
• Gossips!!!

Download your electronic copy by clicking at below link:
http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/fxrmsh