Events

Moral Intelligence: Insights from Zen and Neurobiology

with Geoff Dawson

The Noble Eightfold Path in Buddhism consists of three pillars: spiritual insight, meditation, and ethical conduct. This seminar will focus on the often under-appreciated but equally vital component of the Buddha’s teachings—the practice of morality.

Psychologist, Geofff Dawson will delve into the innovative work of American psychologist Dr. Darcia Narvaez, whose book ‘Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality’ presents a compelling, emotion-based understanding of ethics. Her insights align profoundly with Buddhist philosophy and practice, offering a fresh perspective on moral development.

Drawing from his latest book, ‘The Ten Zen Precepts: Guidelines for Cultivating Moral Intelligence’, Dawson will also discuss how the Buddhist precepts, can be integrated into modern developmental psychology and psychotherapy, providing practical guidance for living an ethical life.

Geoff Dawson (B.A. M.A.Ps.S) is a psychologist in private practice in North Sydney providing counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. He also provides clinical supervision to other mental health professionals. He is a founding member of AABCAP and continues to teach on the Professional Training Course. Geoff is also a Zen Buddhist teacher in the lineage of the late Charlotte Joko Beck and is the teacher of the Ordinary Mind Zen School, Sydney and Melbourne.

Date / Time: Saturday 23 November, 2:00 - 4:00pm AEDT

Venue: This is a hybrid event where registrants can attend in person at The Buddhist Library,  90-92 Church St, Camperdown NSW 2050 or online (link sent to registrants before event)

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CWCWD

2022-2024 AABCAP Professional Training Course in Buddhism & Psychotherapy

Thank you for your interest, applications are now CLOSED for the 2022-2024 Buddhism & Psychotherapy Professional Training Course intake.

We anticipate Course 7 to commence in late 2024 or early 2025. Details will be uploaded to our website closer to commencement. Hoping you can join us.

For any queries please use the Contact Us page.

Embracing ‘Impermanence’: Treating Trauma and Dissociation

Embracing 'Impermanence': Treating Trauma and Dissociation

Clinical Psychologist, Faye Phu presents a clinical case study of working long-term with a Catholic female client with borderline personality and dissociative features, who, through their therapeutic relationship, came to understand her suffering through the Buddhist concept of anicca (impermanence).

The client struggled for most of her life with insecurities and a persistent sense of abandonment. Her suffering felt so pervasive that she believed it to be permanent, leaving her unmotivated to work or pursue long-term relationships.

Through mindfulness and equanimity within the therapy space, the client learned to observe and embrace impermanence and find stillness amid chaos using the mantra 'this too will pass.' This work has deepened both Faye's and the client's practice on impermanence, transforming suffering into peace within themselves and the therapeutic space.

Faye Phu, an early-career clinical psychologist, works in private practice and as a School Psychologist. Specialising in supportive CBT and mindfulness-based therapies like ACT and DBT, she recently graduated from AABCAP's 2-year applied Buddhist psychotherapies course. Faye is particularly passionate about helping mid-life women with developmental trauma and dissociation. She comes from the Vietnamese Buddhist tradition of Plum Village with teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.

Date / Time: Wednesday 16th October, 7:00pm-8:30pm AEDT

Location: Online via Zoom

Bookings: This event is for current and full AABCAP members only. Please email admin@aabcap.org if you have not already received an invitation via direct email.

The “no-self” in Therapeutic Dyad

Examining and Developing the “no-self” in the Therapeutic Dyad

In this case presentation, psychologist Margaret Chua shares with you her work with a neurodivergent adult with ADHD (they/them), who, through several years of therapy, started to accept themself as they are. After a lifetime of struggles to find acceptance in mainstream society, an introduction to the notion of “no-self” in the Buddhist context helped the client to free themself from the fixed idea of who they thought they should be and from attachment to limiting career choices. Using mindfulness and walking meditation during counselling sessions, Margaret’s client learned to regulate their mind from competing attention and to be in the present moment. The opportunity to work with a client with neurodivergence also helped increase Margaret’s acceptance of others as who they are.

Margaret Chua has worked as a psychologist for 36 years in the public sector and in private practice. She completed a Masters in Applied Buddhist Studies at Nan Tien Buddhist Institute (2017) and the AABCAP professional training course (2019). Margaret finds that Buddhist teachings provide her with increased therapeutic opportunities for her clients whilst supporting her enduring long career as a therapist. Margaret focuses on helping her clients gain insights whilst examining and developing “no-self” in the therapeutic dyad.

Wednesday 14th August, 7:00pm-8:30pm

Please note: This event is for current AABCAP members only. Please email admin@aabcap.org if you have not already received an invitation via direct email.

The Deliberate Practitioner

The Deliberate Practitioner: Approaching Clinical Practice with Mindful Discernment

Buddhist practice encourages us to take a proactive and deliberate approach to how we live.  The principle of being deliberate is important in our cultivation of generosity, establishment of ethical living and development of wholesome mental qualities.
This seminar will discuss the importance of being deliberate in our Buddhist practice and how the same principle can also be helpful in our work as clinicians.

Dr Chien Hoong Gooi is a Clinical Psychologist and an Education Focused Senior Lecturer in the University of New South Wales School of Psychology.

He is the current Director of the Master of Psychology (Clinical) program and formerly held the positions of the UNSW Psychology Clinic Director and Clinical Program Placement Coordinator. Dr Gooi's areas of interest include deliberate practice,  competencies of a clinician and Buddhist wisdom. He has extensive experience supervising psychologists in various stages of their career.

He challenges supervises to think deeply about evidenced-based practice through a good understanding of the client experience, comprehensive case formulation and effective delivery of client-centred care.

FROM 7PM - 8:30PM

Healing Beyond the Skin – Integrating Buddhist Wisdom in Dermatological Practice

Date: Wednesday 29 Nov
Time: 7-8:30pm AEST
Register here: https://www.trybooking.com/CMZCV

This AABCAP educational event is for fellow Buddhism informed therapists who are eager to explore the intersection of spirituality and healthcare.

The widespread application and demonstrated success of modern “mindfulness” in health care in the west goes back more than nearly 45 years to the pioneering work of physician Jon Kabat Zinn. His approach, “Full Catastrophe Living” cleverly digested many Buddhist principles, without direct reference to either Buddhism or the Dharma, applied Buddhism’s life enhancing and healing power to help people living with a wide range of seriously debilitating medical conditions.

AABCAP is very pleased to host Dr. Claire Noonan, Dermatological GP (a Buddhist informed psychotherapist) as she invites you to go deeper to explore this profound connection between Buddhist philosophy and promoting the healing of the largest organs of the body, the skin!  Join us as she delves into the integration of Buddhist concepts, such as equanimity and loving kindness, into her medical practice, offering a unique perspective on healing the unseen psychological impacts of skin conditions. Dr Claire Noonan will share how she uses these approaches to complement traditional medicine, and help heal patients on another level. Discover specific approaches that have been of value in real life cases, as well as the impact of these principles on patients.

Dr Claire Noonan is a GP and psychotherapist who also practices alongside a dermatologist at their clinic in Orange NSW. Her explorations into Buddhism began alone in her room as a teenager growing up in a small rural town. Guided by the writings of Tibetan monks her knowledge and love of Buddhist principles proved valuable during her own life challenges and in patient care. Her psychotherapy practice is strongly aligned with Buddhist principles and the use of DBT skills. She has found that the same principles allow her to assist her skin clinic patients with the psychological impacts of their dermatological conditions. Claire is a mother, a writer and a motorbike enthusiast who still has hopes one day to read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Clinical Intervention and Reflective Believing: a Process Model

**Please note this event has been moved from September 23 to November 18**

AABCAP online workshop- Clinical Intervention and Reflective Believing:
a Process Model.

Date: Saturday 18 November
Time: 9-30am-12:30pm AEST

BOOK NOW: www.trybooking.com/CLADW

Thầy’s presentation, coming in two parts over three hours, is based in a Process Model of reflecting on clinical encounters from the point of view of Buddhist teaching.

The model can be used in reflecting on clinical situations either in a group setting or in working one to one with a supervisor and has three purposes: 1. To consider the context, process and outcome of a clinical encounter, 2. To engage in a spiritual / Dharma reflection on the encounter and 3. To remain open to personal learning / transformation based in the Dharma reflection.

In the first session: Thầy’ will present an encounter using the Process Model. All participants will receive a copy of the encounter. At the conclusion he will push back from the group who will then share their own thoughts and feelings on the presentation of the encounter. Thầy’will take notes on the participants’ responses. When all responses have been made, Thầy’will return to the group with his responses to the group’s conversation.

In the second session: One volunteer participant will present a Process Based reflection on one of their own clinical encounters within a small group. This presentation will follow the same process used Thầy’s presentation.

Thích Trúc Thông Pháp or Thầy was fully ordained in September, 2005. He ractices in the Trúc Lâm or Bamboo Forest lineage of Vietnamese Zen and his teacher is Zen master, the Most Venerable Thích Thanh Từ. (more…)

The Primacy of Right Hemisphere Functioning in Buddhism and Psychotherapy

with Geoff Dawson

This seminar draws mainly on the ground-breaking research of Dr. Iain McGilchrist, psychiatrist, and Allan Schore, neuropsychologist, that demonstrates the primary role the right hemisphere of the brain has in understanding spiritual experience and emotional development. Together, they provide an evidence base for the practice of Buddhist-influenced psychotherapy that cultivates a healthy balance between the hemispheres.

It will also explore views put forward by McGilchrist that challenge the dominant left hemisphere mechanistic paradigms of western science and put forward alternative views that are more organic and right hemisphere orientated, and resonate with the Buddhist teachings of interdependent co-arising and the impermanent nature of life.

This will include a discussion of “the hard question” what is the nature of consciousness?

Finally, it will discuss how the three fundamentals of Buddhist practice, the cultivation of spiritual insight, serenity, and ethical conduct, can be understood in the light of the different functions of the right and left hemispheres.

Geoff Dawson (B.A. M.A.Ps.S) is a psychologist in private practice in North Sydney providing counselling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families.  He also provides clinical supervision to other mental health professionals.  He is a founding member of AABCAP and continues to teach on the Professional Training Course. Geoff is also a Zen Buddhist teacher in the lineage of the late Charlotte Joko Beck and is the teacher of the Ordinary Mind Zen School, Sydney and Melbourne. His most recent publication is Zen and the Mindfulness Industry published in the American Psychological Association journal, The Humanistic Psychologist (2021), edited by Dr. Belinda Khong.

Date / Time: Thursday 13 July 6:30-8:30pm AEST

Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/CIWMM

Venue: This is a hybrid event where registrants can attend in person at The Buddhist Library,  90-92 Church St, Camperdown NSW 2050 or online (Link available on registration)

Application of Mindfulness through a Therapeutic Lens: Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy & Hakomi

Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for crisis intervention, chronic conditions and relapse prevention.

Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiCBT) is an evidence-based integration of mindfulness training (in the Burmese Vipassana tradition of Ledi Sayadaw, U Ba Khin, and S.N. Goenka) with well-established principles of cognitive-behaviour therapy. MiCBT consists of a four-stage transdiagnostic treatment approach that addresses complex comorbidity in a wide range of clinical conditions and ages. This talk will discuss how MiCBT addresses crisis and helps prevent relapse in a wide range of psychological disorders. It will describe how the theoretical framework of MiCBT rests on the Buddhist teachings of the five aggregates of mind and body. Dr Cayoun will also explain how the four stages of MiCBT are constructed from the principles of the Eightfold Noble Path and promote the development of insight.

Bruno A. Cayoun, DPsych - MiCBT Institute, Hobart Australia
Dr Bruno Cayoun is a clinical psychologist and the principal developer of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiCBT). He keeps a private practice in Hobart and is Director of the MiCBT Institute, which trains, accredits, and supports mental health professionals worldwide. He has practised mindfulness (Vipassana) meditation and has undergone intensive training in France, Nepal, India, and Australia for over 34 years. Dr Cayoun is continually involved in mindfulness research at the MiCBT Institute and with several universities in Australia and abroad. He co-developed and published the Mindfulness-based Self Efficacy Scale and the Equanimity Scale 16, and is the author of several books published by Wiley-Blackwell, including Mindfulness-integrated CBT: Principles and Practice, Mindfulness-integrated CBT for Well-being and personal growth, and The Clinical Handbook of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.

At its core, Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapy supports the client in accessing and transforming deeply held and unintegrated processes that are limiting the client from living an expansive and whole life. For this gentle, yet powerful process to unfold, the Hakomi therapist sits in loving presence and embodies mindfulness, unity, organicity, body-mind wholeism and non-violence – the underlying principles of the method. In this webinar, you will get an understanding of the complexities of the Hakomi method and how it’s applied in a clinical setting.

Pernilla Siebenfreund - Certified Hakomi Therapist & Trainer / Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Pernilla is a Certified Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychotherapist and a Certified Trainer with the Hakomi Institute Pacifica Team. She leads Hakomi workshops and teaches on Hakomi Professional Trainings in Sydney. She has a private practice in Brisbane, offering psychotherapy to couples and individuals as well as supervision in the Hakomi method. She has been a meditation practitioner for over 25 years and is particularly interested in embodying spiritual teachings and practices into everyday life.

The session is interactive, and attendees are invited to participate in a Q & A with the panelists.

Date: Saturday 29 April 2023
Time: 9:30-12pm AEST

AABCAP members $45 / Non-members $65
Full time students $30 / Monastics and VIP: Free

Music, Meditation & Imagery: Ancient Traditions and Modern Therapies

Many cultures have used music in altered states of consciousness for healing, and research into the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music (BMGIM) has shown that this music psychotherapy modality can assist with issues such as grief and loss, trauma, addictions and chronic health issues, as well as enhancing wellbeing and supporting spiritual practice.

There has also been research into the benefits of integrating mindfulness with music therapy, and many spiritual traditions use music together with meditation and prayer for spiritual development.

The workshop will provide an overview of the use of music in altered states of consciousness, and offer an introduction to BMGIM. Participants will be guided through a music and imagery experience as well as mindful movement (Qigong) and several music meditations. There will be opportunities for questions and discussion, and resources and practical tips will also be provided. There will be a morning and afternoon tea break and a 45 minute lunch break.

Saturday November 5^th, 2022 / 9am - 4:30pm AEST
@ The Buddhist Library 90-92 Church St. Camperdown 2050 NSW
AABCAP Members $70 / Non-Members $100 / Student / Concession $50

Presenter Biography:
Anja Tanhane MMus (Therapy), RMT, RGIMT, is a registered music therapist with a Masters of Music Therapy, as well as post-graduate training in Guided Imagery and Music, family therapy, and the Professional Training in Buddhism and Psychotherapy (AABCAP). Her Masters thesis researched the use of mindfulness in music therapy, and she is also a qualified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher, senior Zen student, Tai Chi instructor, and an Associate Trainer in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music. A meditation and Tai Chi practitioner for over thirty years, she regularly teaches mindfulness courses, workshops, and nature mindfulness retreats. She has provided workplace training in mindfulness to a wide range of community health organisations, hospitals and the corporate sector, and regularly works with carer groups to support their self-care. Anja uses a strength-based approach in her work, supporting people to draw on their inner resources and strengths for growth and healing. She has given workshops in mindfulness and music therapy both nationally and internationally, and has presented her work at many conferences and seminars as well as lecturing at the University of Melbourne. More information and her popular monthly mindfulness reflections can be found at www.mindfulnessmeditation.net.au.

BEYOND DISTRACTION with Shaila Catherine

Beyond Distraction:
Five Practical Ways to Focus the Mind
with author and meditation teacher, Shaila Catherine

In this workshop we will explore a series of traditional Buddhist strategies that are used to  overcome distraction in meditation practice and develop clarity in relationships, work, and daily life.

In her latest book, Beyond Distraction, Shaila Catherine offers an accessible approach for training the mind that is guided by the Buddha’s pragmatic instructions on removing distracting thoughts. Following the Buddha’s approach, she will guide us through five steps for overcoming distraction and focusing the mind: replacing, examining, ignoring, investigating, and resolving.

Beyond Distraction will help participants unlock the incredible capacities of the mind to think clearly, reflect deeply, discern what is real, and pay attention to what is actually happening in life. By working with this training, you can develop skills to recognise the nature of your own mind, free yourself from habitual thought patterns, and support others as they overcome obstructive habits.

Whether you’re a beginner who struggles to tame a restless mind, an advanced meditator who strives to deepen concentration and insight, or a clinician seeking methods that will help clients skilfully direct their attention, these techniques to remove distracting thoughts will increase concentration, stability, and clarity in meditation and daily activities.

Shaila Catherine is the founder of Bodhi Courses, an online Dhamma classroom, and Insight Meditation South Bay, a Buddhist meditation centre in California, USA. She began practicing meditation in 1980, spent more than nine years in silent retreat, taught meditation internationally since 1996, and authored three books on mindfulness, concentration, and insight.

Her first book, Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity, introduces the deep concentration practices of jhāna. Her second book, Wisdom Wide and Deep: A Practical Handbook for Mastering Jhāna and Vipassanā, makes the systematic practices taught by Pa-Auk Sayadaw accessible to western practitioners. Her third book, Beyond Distraction: Five Practical Ways to Focus the Mind, teaches skills to overcome restless thinking, rumination, and obstructive habitual patterns. Shaila’s teachings emphasize deep samadhi, jhāna, and the path of liberating insight.

Date: Saturday October 22nd
Time: 9am - 12 midday AEST
AABCAP Members $40
Non-Members $60
Student / Concession $30
Sangha / Friends of AABCAP $0

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Mindfulness and Music For Self-Care

ONLINE SELF-CARE WORKSHOP with Anja Tanhane

Relax the body and calm the mind.
This 90 min workshop will guide participants through a gentle Qigong movement session to music, followed by a guided music and mindfulness meditation. Tips and resources will also be provided on using music for self-care, and there will be an opportunity for Q&A.

August 3rd, 2022 / 7:00 - 8:30pm AEST

AABCAP MEMBERS $25
NON MEMBERS $40
STUDENTS & CONCESSION $20

Anja Tanhane MMus (Therapy), RMT, RGIMT, is a registered music therapist with a Masters of Music Therapy, as well as post-graduate training in Guided Imagery and Music, family therapy, and the Professional Training in Buddhism and Psychotherapy (AABCAP).

Her Masters thesis researched the use of mindfulness in music therapy, and she is also a qualified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction teacher, senior Zen student, Tai Chi instructor, and an Associate Trainer in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music.

A meditation and Tai Chi practitioner for over thirty years, she regularly teaches mindfulness courses, workshops, and nature mindfulness retreats. She has provided workplace training in mindfulness to a wide range of community health organisations, hospitals and the corporate sector, and regularly works with carer groups to support their self-care.

Anja uses a strength-based approach in her work, supporting people to draw on their inner resources and strengths for growth and healing. She has given workshops in mindfulness and music therapy both nationally and internationally, and has presented her work at many conferences and seminars as well as lecturing at the University of Melbourne.

UP CLOSE and PERSONAL

A dialogue between Founder President Dr. Eng-Kong Tan and internationally acclaimed Buddhist Psychotherapist and author, Dr. Mark Epstein from New York.

The focus will be on how Dr. Epstein has integrated his Buddhist teachings and practices in his early adult life with his subsequent medical, psychiatric and current psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapist distinguished career.

References will be made to his first book “Thoughts without a Thinker” and his subsequent seven, in particular his just published “Zen of Therapy” which has clinical cases presented.

There is plenty of time for participants to join in the dialogue with Dr. Epstein, with questions and comments arising from the way we have integrated Buddhism and psychotherapy in our clinical work.

Mark Epstein MD is a psychiatrist in private practice in New York City and the author of a number of books about the interface of Buddhism and psychoanalysis including Thoughts without a Thinker, Going to Pieces without Falling Apart, The Trauma of Everyday Life, Advice Not Given: A Guide to Getting Over Yourself, and, most recently, The Zen of Therapy: Uncovering a Hidden Kindness in Life. He received his medical training at Harvard Medical School.

Dr Eng-Kong-Tan is Founder President of AABCAP and its first Director of Training of AABCAP’s two year Professional Training Course in Buddhist Psychotherapy. He is a medical doctor, consultant psychiatrist and analytic psychotherapist. He is a former Chairman of Training of the PPAA, member of the Faculty of Training of ANZAP, Training Advisory Board of NSWIPP and Chair of the Section of Psychotherapy of the RANZCP. 

He is a Lecturer, Academic Board Member and Adjunct Professor at Nan Tien Institute, Wollongong, which is Australia’s first Buddhist tertiary education institute. Dr. Tan works with individuals, couples and groups in his practice, Metta Clinic in Pymble, Sydney.  He runs Meditation and Analytic Groups. He supervises helping professionals in mindfulness practices and in dynamic/analytic psychotherapies. In the last forty-five years he has presented keynote addresses, workshops and seminars on Mindfulness, Meditation, Spirituality, Buddhism and Psychotherapy in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region.

More Harm than Good: Spiritual Bypassing & the Implications of Denial

When: Sunday 21 November 2021
Time: 2:00pm-5:00pm
Where: Zoom (Online)
Cost: Members $25.00 Non-Members $30.00 Students / Concession $20.00
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BUPPP

Join Bhante Akāliko and Deborah Chisholm for this interactive online workshop exploring the shadow side of the spiritual path.
The term Spiritual Bypassing was coined by Buddhist psychologist John Welwood in the 1980’s and further developed by Rob Masters. It describes what happens when we misunderstand spiritual teachings in a way that becomes harmful and prevents real spiritual growth.
This workshop examines how our shadow selves affect the quality of our personal lives, relationships and health outcomes. We also explore the role bypassing plays in systems, policy making and social moral responsibility.

WORKSHOP TALKS

Bhante Akaliko
Darkening the Shadows: The Power of Delusion
The Buddha described the spiritual path as a journey from darkness to light, moving away from delusion towards knowledge. Spiritual bypassing is what happens when our journey takes a wrong turn without us knowing it. Sometimes, the thoughts and practices that we thought were helping actually cause us to become more lost, taking us further into the darkness. What can we do to avoid this?

Deborah Chisholm
Hiding in the Shadows: The Known and the Unknown.
Working within a trauma informed model of psychotherapy, Deborah has witnessed first hand the extreme pain and distress in families, children and adults when repression and denial overwhelms personal capacities to function and thrive. This session examines the tricks our shadow selves play, both in the bypassing of truths and ultimately in our physical and mental wellbeing. 

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS...

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Application of Mindfulness for People with Intellectual Disabilities

SYNOPSIS
Mindfulness based interventions and their application to a range of presentations has  grown exponentially over the last few decades. We will explore the current evidence base regarding its application to people with intellectual disabilities, their families and carers. We will discuss clinical considerations when working with this population and practical strategies when integrating mindfulness in your support for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

PRESENTER BIOGRAPHY
Dr Joyce Man is the current President of AABCAP. She is a clinical psychologist with ORS Group, where she works as the Learning and Development Manager. Joyce provides training and supervision to provisional and registered psychologists who work with people with disabilities. She has served on a number of committees in Buddhist organisations including Mitra Youth Buddhist Network, MacBuddhi-Macquarie University Buddhist Society and the International Buddhist Cham Shan Temple of Australia.

During her masters degree, she completed her thesis on the efficacy of Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction as a treatment for stress, depression and anxiety. Her PhD thesis completed at Macquarie University, examined psychology best practices in mental health and intellectual disabilities as well as carer service experiences. Joyce recently completed her role as research associate with Autism Research Centre at Cambridge University where she co-facilitated a group of autism representatives across Europe to promote participatory research. Joyce also conducted research around autism service pathways and best practice with the autism community across the EU. Preliminary findings have been used to inform the EU parliament with a view to improving service accessibility and standards for autism-specific and mainstream services for autistic people.

WISDOM PANEL – Wisdom for a Modern World

Saturday, September 4th 2021
AEST 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Online Zoom Event 
Non-Members $30 / AABCAP Members $25 / Student-Concession $20
BOOK HERE: https://www.trybooking.com/BTKYE

Susan Moylan-Coombs:
Susan Moylan-Coombs, Gurindji Woolwonga woman, living on Gai-mariagal country will speak about the ancient “wisdom” of this land, from the perspective of the oldest living culture on the planet and discuss the ability to incorporate these philosophies in contemporary society. When we understand the “TriSacred”, the balance of the three worlds, we will all be able to live more sustainable lives.   We need to create a new story of connection for all Australians to create social change by bringing people and communities together to find the unity in CommUNITY.

Bhante Sujato:
Bhante Sujato will share the wisdom as expounded by the Buddhist sutras and discuss their continued relevance in our modern times.  He will refer to our personal and collective responsibility and our practical contributions to issues of climate change and various forms of discriminations.

Venerable Jue Wei:
The global impact of Covid-19 has been profound.  This interruption has offered humanity an opportunity to reflect on what we have been invited to learn.  Reviewing the wisdom inthe Perfection of Wisdom (prajñāpāramitā) literature and the accomplishments of Venerable Master Hsing Yun in the past few decades, Venerable hopes to demonstrate how Buddhist wisdom may contribute towards dismantling the constructed and improving our understanding of the true nature of our experiences.  She will then discuss our intrinsic ability to leverage the power of communities in the face of vulnerabilities.

Please read on for full presenter biographies...

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Saturday Seminars and Webinars Presented by Dr Nick Bendit

Everything You Wanted to Know About Treating Borderline Personality Disorder with Psychotherapy: Highlighting the Theory and Practice of the Conversational Model in the Development of Mindfulness and Reflective Capacity.

When: 15th August 2020
Time: 9:00am - 12:30pm
Where: Livestream (join from the comfort of your own home).
Cost: Early Bird- $50 Members- $60 Non-Members- $75
Event contact: info@aabcap.org
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BKATU

Speaker Dr Nick Bendit: Nick is a staff specialist in psychiatry at the Centre for Psychotherapy, Hunter New England Health. Nick is also the Director of Training at ANZAP. He specialises in the treatment of chronically suicidal patients. His work has been featured on 60 minutes. Preview here:
https://www.facebook.com/60Minutes9/videos/1049889685080346/

Event Description: In this Seminar Nick will contrast the Conversational Model with other Evidence Based Models and PTSD Treatments with special consideration of the emergences of mindfulness and reflective capacity. Nick has been the co-designer and researcher of the second largest RCT comparing treatments for people experiencing complex trauma or BPD. 

Book below by the 15th July 2020 for the early bird discount.

Wednesday Conversations Webinar Event: Awareness with Adrian van den Bok

When: 22 July 2020
Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm
Where: Zoom Webinar
Cost: Members $15.00 Non-Members $25.00
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BKAXI

Speaker Adrian van den Bok: Adrian is a trained psychoanalytic psychotherapist (The Psychotherapy Centre, London) and individual and relationship counsellor with a Masters Degree in Cultural Psychology (University of Western Sydney). Adrian is a sought after lecturer and supervisor having worked at the Jansen Newman Institute, The Australian College of Applied Psychology and The University of Notre Dame. Adrian is a clinical member of PACFA.

Brief Description of Event: Awareness, the phenomena of 'knowing' is what brings life to life. It is the most intimate, essential and enduring aspect of who we are - indeed, in many spiritual traditions it is not considered something we have, it is that which we are, our Self. Mostly, we are so preoccupied with the content of awareness that awareness itself is ignored: this evening is a step towards redressing that. Through contemplative enquiry and experiential practice intend to come ever closer to abiding in and as that Awareness.

Buddhist Psychotherapists’ Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Date: Sunday 31st May 2020
Time: 4:00pm until 5:30pm (AEST)
Delivery Method: Zoom Webinar
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/BJQOL
Cost: $15

Presented by Dr Eng-Kong Tan

Conversation Facing Death-Finding Life

Our Presenters

Barbara Jones is Founding Director of Executive Mandala and is widely acknowledged  as a specialist in the field of human change. Barbara is a psychotherapist in private practice and a Member of the Board of Disability Services Australia

Michael Dash is the Director of Bereavement Services at the Sydney Local Health District. Michael is also an experienced mindfulness practitioner who teaches at the Insight Meditation Institute.