Keynote Presenters
Timothea Goddard BA, Dip. Psychotherapy (ANZAP), Mem..A.A.S.P., A.N.Z.A.P., PACFA: Acc. MBSR teacher, CFM, UMassTimothea has been in private practice for the past 20 years, offering psychotherapy and workplace training drawing on body-oriented contemporary psychodynamic and mindfulness based approaches. She has practised over many years in Eastern disciplines including meditation, aikido and yoga. Keynote Address: Emotions in Meditation and in Life. |
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Dr Craig HassedGP and senior lecturer at the Monash University Department of General Practice, Craig's teaching, research and clinical interests involve mindfulness-based stress management, mind-body medicine, meditation and holistic healthcare. Craig is regularly invited to speak in Australia and overseas on these issues and also teaches in the cancer support programs at the Gawler Foundation. His work is regularly published in medical journals and he has written several books, among them, Know Thyself, about mindfulness-based stress management. Keynote Address: Meditation's Contribution to Modern Psychotherapy. |
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Kevin HumeInternational journalist, broadcaster, conference speaker and ministerial advisor, Kevin has a particular interest in the science of meditation and in the cultures and traditions from which such techniques are drawn. As Director of Sydney Meditation Centre he now specialises in teaching meditation. Meditation in Six Spiritual Traditions and Science and the Buddha, researched, written and narrated by Kevin were recently broadcast by ABC radio. Kevin Hume will be our conference MC again this year. |
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Petrea King N.D., D.B.M., D.R.M., Dip. C. Hyp., I.Y.T.A.Petrea is the Founding Director of the Quest for Life Foundation. Her publications include the books Your Life Matters and Sometimes Hearts Have to Break and a dozen meditation CDs. Since her recovery from leukaemia in 1984, Petrea has inspired people facing life’s greatest challenges to make meaning of their circumstances. Her work has enabled health professionals to re-establish a deep commitment to their personal and professional development. Petrea’s approaches have proved helpful to thousands and she is nationally recognized as a leader in the field of health and wellbeing. Petrea is a regular guest on ABC national and local radio and has been featured on TV. She has received the Advance Australia Award, the Centenary Medal and Citizen of the Year and has been nominated for Australian of the Year each year since 2004. Keynote Address: The Point of Stillness in a Changing World |
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Janet LowndesA psychologist and yoga teacher Janet's particular interest is in embodied meditation. Her yoga and meditation classes explore the intersection of ancient yogic practices and modern psychology. Having worked in the mental health field for 10 years, Janet undertook Yoga Teacher Training at the Swami Vivekananda Yoga ashram in India. She also spent time teaching English to Buddhist monks in northern India, where she was inspired by their approach to meditation as a whole of life practice. Janet undertook further yoga teacher training with the Australian Institute of Yoga and the Centre for Adult Education in Melbourne, where she now trains others to become yoga teachers. Keynote Address: This Body, This Breath, This Moment — Integrating the Mind and Body in Meditation |
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Philip Stevens (Swami Samnyasananda) BSc (Psych, Physiol); (BSc (Hons) (Physiol); MWSCY; FWSCY.A neurophysiologist in private practice Philip has completed research trials exploring the effects of yoga, meditation and relaxation practices on the heart, brain and autonomic nervous system. He conducts seminars and retreats around Australia and overseas on various aspects of health and wellbeing. A yoga teacher with more than 30 years of experience, he teaches at Monash Medical School and is completing research exploring the neurophysiological and neurohormonal effects of meditation techniques, pranayama and yogic breathing techniques for stress reduction and better sleep. Keynote Address: Meditation and Human Circadian Rhythms |
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Dr Chris Walsh MBBS, DPM, FAChAMA psychiatrist since 1985, Chris has worked in hospitals, jails, community settings, and drug and alcohol institutions. Chris's mindfulness practice began at the same time as he began working in psychiatry. As a result, mindfulness has been integrated into his psychiatric practice from the very start. Chris has a special interest in applying mindfulness meditation practices to psychotherapy. He is formally trained in Self Psychology, but his psychotherapy integrates diverse theoretical frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Gestalt. Keynote Address: Meditation and Psychotherapy - The Historical Dance |
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Andrew WellsAn International Dru Yoga and Dru Meditation teacher-trainer Andrew, has taught thousands of people in more than 30 countries. An entertaining and highly engaging presenter, he is an author and video presenter and travels the nation teaching the premise that yoga and meditation can be learned by anyone of any age or physical ability. Andrew has pioneered yoga and meditation for healing trauma in war zones in Europe and Africa. Keynote Address: Be a Designer of your Mind and Emotions
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Paul WilsonKnown throughout the world as "the guru of calm", Paul's syndicated columns on meditation and peacefulness reach an audience of several million and his books (18 so far, including the one that started the global "little book" phenomenon, The Little Book of Calm) reach an even wider audience. With sales in excess of 10 million copies, his books have appeared in 24 languages. These days, between surfing and teaching commitments he is concentrating on more spiritually-oriented topics. Keynote Address: God, Awakening, The Universe and Coca-Cola |
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Guest Presenters
Pauline McKinnonPauline McKinnon is the founder and director of the Pauline McKinnon Stillness Meditation Centre and lectures on meditation teaching at the Australian Catholic University. She is the author of several meditation books, including In Stillness Conquer Fear. Pauline's address will be about the nascent Australian Teachers of Meditation Association. The association's aims include the fostering of high levels of professionalism, ethics and quality in meditation teaching and acting as a forum for networking and as an umbrella body for those teaching meditation regularly in therapeutic, personal development or religious settings. Pauline has made a vital contribution to the evolution of ATMA and remains a key contributor to its continued development as a member of the association's steering committee. |
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Stephen PenmanPresident of the Yoga Teachers Association of Australia (YTAA) and CEO of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM), Stephen is also on the steering committee of the Australian Teachers of Meditation Association. Address: The World Yoga and Meditation Survey - a Wider Union in Yoga |
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John Thomas (Sannyasi Dharmadeva)John Thomas (Sannyasi Dharmadeva) is a Clinical Psychologist, living at Satyananda Yoga Academy, Mangrove Creek, NSW, where he teaches Yoga Psychology. He is currently completing a PhD project at RMIT University on the nature of the meditation state. |
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Performers
Ambient World with Garth StoneAmbient World are a unique trio comprising of harmonic overtone singer Dean Frenkel, Linda Laasi, a vocal improviser of ethereal soundscapes and Arrayah providing pure harmonic resonance from crystal singing bowls. Ambient World will be joined by Garth Stone playing didgeridoos, crystal bowls, tubular bells and chimes. United, they will take you on a journey though meditation that will soothe your soul and uplift your spirit, demonstrating the empowering effects of harmonic awareness. |
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Michael JohnsonHarpist Michael Johnson has performed with artists including James Morrison, Kate Ceberano, Kavisha Mazella, David Hirschfelder and The Victorian State Opera. His compositions are regularly aired on national radio and television and Michael also works at the Gawler Foundation and in hospitals throughout Melbourne, where his tranquil music is used to aid with healing and meditation. Michael is currently Musician-In-Residence at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne. |
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Lobsang TendarTendar was born in the Kham district in Eastern Tibet. He became a monk at the age of twelve and studied at Gyuto Ramoche Monastery for seven years, learning the ancient art of Tibetan tantric chanting, prayer and meditation. Tendar later attended the Tenzin Gang Gyuto monastery and studied at the Gyuto Tantric University for a further 14 years. |
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