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Will James attended his first Insight Meditation retreat in the late 1970's with Christopher Titmuss, a pioneer insight meditation teacher in the west, this meeting kindled a deep interest in meditation and Dharma practice.Will has studied widely over the years in various Buddhist traditions, Dzogchen, Zen and Insight (Vipassana) and has a deep love of the Buddha’s teachings and practices. At the heart of Will’s teaching is inquiry and insight into the truth of our experience.This insight reveals the freedom that is possible in each moment and the wisdom and compassion that can emerge through our daily life experience.
Insight meditation not only brings clarity and understanding to the Human condition but also softens and opens the heart bringing a deeper sensitivity in our relationship to life.
This sensitivity then expresses itself as care and concern for each-other and for all life in this time of social and environmental emergency.
Will is a guiding teacher at the Tallowwood Sangha in Bellingen and regularly leads retreats on the east coast of Australia. Will has been leading retreats for many years at Sangsurya in Byron Bay as well as annual retreats in Bali and has taught at the Dharma Gatherings in Australia and India. He facilitates Dharma Study Programmes in his local area, and is a Teacher Mentor for the Insight Meditation Institute’s teacher training programs.
Will’s retreats follow the ‘Insight’ format of Noble Silence: which enables one to reflect and deepen into the still silence, allowing us to see the habits and patterns that create ongoing suffering in our lives.
Sitting and walking meditation are an important part of the retreat experience. Meditation opens and expands the consciousness bringing a direct felt sense of the immensity of life. This experience confirms our interconnection and interdependence with each other and our environment.
Will’s insight retreats also include Dharma talks, these are a sharing of Will’s insights into the Buddha’s teachings and practices.
Dharma inquiry sessions, where retreatants are invited to ask and explore any questions or issues that they would like to inquire into with the intention of bringing greater freedom and clarity.
There is also the opportunity for group meetings and individual interviews with Will.
The retreat environment creates the ideal opportunity for deep spiritual practice along with support and guidance that can be a liberating and transforming experience.
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