In 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre hosted extremely exciting weekend workshops with Zen Master KwanShi (Lawrence) from the USA, a renowned teacher of The Enneagram and of the Zen Buddhist/ Taoist View of Human Nature. We are pleased to welcome him back in 2009.

There will be two workshops held this year:

THE ENNEAGRAM

When: Sat 4 & Sun 5 July
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Kenmore, QLD
Cost: $200

WISDOM & COMPASSION

When: Sat 11 & Sun 12 July
Time: 10am - 5pm
Location: Kenmore, QLD
Cost: $125 per day
$200 for the weekend

THE ENNEAGRAM

On Saturday we will look at the detailed description of nine ego-fixations or personality types, commonly known as the ‘Enneagram of Personality’. This ancient Sufi teaching system examines how these patterns or fixations create and sustain behaviours, reactions and limited perspectives that often create dissatisfaction or suffering for ourselves in our everyday lives. On a deeper level, they blind us to who we really are. As a spiritual tool, it shows us where we get stuck, and also how we can free ourselves from these habitual patterns.

On the Sunday we will look at the ‘antidotes’ or ‘medicines’ which can counteract the tendency to continue to follow the ego-habits. Knowing how they operate can be extremely useful, and can assist us in many ways, such as: increasing the flow, understanding and love in all of our relationships; learning how to extricate ourselves from conditioned reactions; seeing the source of our own suffering; realizing for ourselves how we can return to the natural state of inner peace, and also how we can make this our daily, ongoing life experience.

Wisdom & Compassion

Wisdom

The word ‘wisdom’ is sometimes used to refer to someone who has collected a lot of information or understanding. The actual state of wisdom, inherent in all human beings, comes forth from an empty, open mind. It is a clear intuition or direct-knowing, coming from emptiness itself.

During this day, we will focus on spiritual practices (from various traditions) that are designed to create an open, expanded mind, as well as the ability to experience pure awareness. There will also be exercises to bring forth experiences of the intuitive aspects of mind.

Compassion

So often our lives revolve around the ‘small-I’ and its needs, when the true source of happiness involves finding our ‘right livelihood’, our own form of ‘service to others’, or as the Native Americans call it, our ‘medicine’. Areas of difficulty and darkness that we encounter and find our way through can often become a gift to others. In addition, we all have inner gifts that sometimes do not fully manifest, or are not allowed to flourish, for different reasons. These inherent aspects, all forms of love, will be encouraged to come forth on this day.

The practices and exercises will be designed to open the heart centre, to connect with what it feels like to be a true human being, able to experience full happiness and sadness.

About Zen Master KwanShi (Lawrence)

Zen Master KwanShi (Lawrence) has over 35 years experience with Zen and Tibetan Buddhist, shamanic, Sufi, and other spiritual traditions, and became a Dharma Teacher in the Kwan Um Zen School in 1983. Lawrence has worked with and received blessings to teach from many teachers of many different traditions, and is an adopted spiritual-son of a Cheyenne (Native American) healer.