On Saturday, 12 November 2022, South Australia, including the whole Adelaide region, experienced an uncharacteristic extended storm of unusual intensity. Several storm fronts, arriving from the NW over St Vincent's Gulf, hit Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula. The storm has been described as "one of the strongest thunderstorms in recent memory",* causing flash flooding, wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h that tore down huge gum trees (many of which crushed houses, cars, and electricity lines), as well as flattening giant electricity pylons, leaving around a hundred thousand people without power. 

This recording, made in the Adelaide Hills (near Norton Summit), captures a sample of the first and mildest storm wavefront that day. (The recording begins at 10:30 in the morning. This abridged version selects two excerpts from the longer recording, chosen because of the poignant presence of bird calls audible between the peals of thunder. The highlighted parts of the spectrogram in the track image indicate the passages from the longer recording that were selected for this abridged version.) The microphones sheltered from the fairly light rain underneath a 'sweet pittosporum' or 'native daphne' tree (Pittosporum undulatum), native to southeastern Australia, but a 'declared plant' in South Australia ('a woody weed invading native local vegetation', due to widespread ornamental planting).

Travelling farther south immediately after this recording, I was able to intercept the next two storm wavefronts, which were far more intense. Although the storm was utterly awesome and spectacular (lightning bolts plunging into fields, exploding thunder tearing the atmosphere apart), it was impossible to find any spot from which to record the storm, because it brought with it an abundant lashing downpour of rain and wild tree-tossing winds. All the shelters in the state forests had iron rooves: the rain battering the rooves was deafening, drowning out even the peals of thunder.

In the end, I could only just sit and experience it. Which, after all, is the very best thing to do, with Nature. (Most of the time, at least. Not recommended when it gets this violent. Although I have to say that this was truly a very beautiful and awe-inspiring experience; and, personally, I'm very glad to have been out there to witness it. I'm also contemplating possible recording solutions, in case this ever happens again... Enraptured by thunderstorms as a spatial music of nature. All that I have said, here, is the simple truth.)
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*https://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/why-the-adelaide-storm-was-so-intense/925471
https://www.sapowernetworks.com.au/data/313806/12-november-storm-update-from-sa-power-networks/
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/18/australias-indigenous-people-call-for-seat-at-table-at-cop27
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Recorded with respect upon the land of the Kaurna people.

@Bandcamp

2022.11.12 Storm above the Hills. Late Spring. (Excerpt)

No More Roses arrives as a single on 07/04/23 ahead of the full release of Soundflowers on 21/04/23.

Music by James Murray
Photography by Grant Gard
Mastered by Ian Hawgood
Design by Slowcraft

Soundflowers

No More Roses

James Murray - No More Roses

In this recorded retreat, Pema Chödrön shares teachings inspired by the book Smile at Fear, which was written by her teacher Chogyam Trungpa. We all have fears, but when we look closely at them, we discover that behind each fear resides a basic fear of ourselves. We're afraid to look at our habitual styles of thinking and behaving because we might not always like what we see. Ironically it is this fear of honest self-reflection that keeps us trapped in patterns of stress and discontentment. Here is a vision for moving beyond this most basic fear to discover the innate bravery, trust, and joy that reside at the core of our being. The full program can be downloaded at BetterListen.com www.betterlisten.com/products/smile…h-pema-chodron

shambhalabuddhismcompassionmindfulnesskindnessPema ChodronChogyam Trungpa


Smile At Fear with Pema Chodron Part 3 (Preview)

Joseph offers a timeless discussion of the conditioning nature of fear, and possible methods for transforming that constricting energy into genuine freedom. Our fears are often revealed as we progress along the path, stepping out of our personal comfort zones in an effort to expand our spiritual boundaries. In recognizing that these experiences are an inevitable part of life, and are therefore a response to an ultimate truth, we come to understand the value in opening to every aspect of our unfolding lives. 

Joseph Goldstein - Insight Hour - Ep. 14 - Working With Fear

Practicing Tonglen is a powerful way to connect with yourself and all of humanity. We all experience sadness and other "negative" emotions at different times, yet when we do, we often feel very alone in it. This practice reminds us that we're not alone when we are in pain. If we have the courage to break the habitual pattern of pushing away the pain, we can experience deep compassion for ourselves and all beings.

Befriending difficult emotions - Tonglen with yourself

Uncertain times are “the perfect place to deepen the practice of awakening,” says Spirit Rock founder Jack Kornfield. In this interview with Michael Krasny on KQED's "Forum," Jack offers advice on finding freedom from worry, anxiety and want and shares what he’s learned as a longtime practitioner of Buddhism and mindfulness.

Jack Kornfield - Learning to Let Go of Anxiety

Lama Choedak Rinpoche leads a traditional form of loving-kindness meditation, one of the key meditations found in all Buddhist traditions.

(Recorded live at 'Buddhism and Life Matters', a course held at Sakya Losal Choe Dzong Buddhist centre, Canberra, Australia, March 2012)

Loving-Kindness Guided Meditation - Lama Choedak Rinpoche

2018-10-13 at Spirit Rock Meditation Center

Compassion arises from the willingness to be with suffering. It is a state of great strength and resilience rather than one of weakness or pain. There are many doors to compassion. Explore different ways to access compassion for oneself in this guided meditation.

These talks are offered freely. To donate to support Oren’s work, please visit www.OrenJaySofer.com/support

Oren Jay Sofer

Bringing Ease To Pain, Day 1 Pt 4: Self-Compassion Guided Meditation

April 20, 2019. The recording begins at 7.37 in the morning. I really like diversity of birds in Matsalu but recording is somewhat difficult because there are no natural obstacles (thick forest or mountains) to preventing noise from the roads. It's not technically pure clean recording. It's a sketch, the groundwork, note in my audio notebook.

A walk through the landscape of Matsalu National Park, Estonia.

“O Nobly Born” the Buddhist texts begin, remember your Buddha Nature. Remember your innate capacity for dignity, understanding and vast compassion. These gifts were born into you. Discover how the beautiful qualities of Buddha Nature can become alive for you, in your heart and the way you live.

This series of inspiring talks discuss the awakening of the qualities of Buddha Nature, traditionally described as inner perfections. Through these teachings and practices, you are invited to bring alive and embody the virtues of the heart, lovingkindness and steadiness, compassion and wisdom. You are invited to awaken the best in yourself.

Given in 2017, these teachings are some of my favorites.

Energy to Awaken - Jack Kornfield

Courage & the Steady Heart - Jack Kornfield

Lama Choedak Yuthok is the founder of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong, Rongton Buddhist Training College and heads many of the Sakya centres in Australia as well as New Zealand. Rinpoche is based in Canberra and gives Buddhist teachings on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as regularly leading retreats and conducting workshops in Canberra as well as many other centres across Australia. For more information about his teaching schedule see www.sakya.com.au.

Rinpoche's profound explanation of meditation and it's everyday relevance is renowned for it's lucidity, authenticity and humour. His teachings are offered from the heart, spiced with the richness of his experience, dedication and realisation.

Born in Tibet, Rinpoche escaped with his parents in the early 1960s to Nepal where he completed his secondary education, being the first of the many Tibetan refugees to complete the Nepalese secondary schooling certificate.

He undertook 12 years rigorous training as a Sakya Tibetan Buddhist monk, several of those under the guidance of His Eminence Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, one of the finest Tibetan teachers of this time (b 1920 - d 2007).

In 1980, sponsored by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Rinpoche completed a tradtional three-and-a-half year solitary Lamdre meditation retreat.

He has translated for some of the most important teachers of all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism including the late tutors of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Rinpoche is one of the few Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Masters living in Australia. He has been teaching meditation in the West for more than 25 years and has an excellent understanding of the western mind. His teachings are spiced with the richness of his experience and realisation. Offered from the heart, they are lucid, authentic, humorous and profound.

Most weekends Rinpoche travels interstate or to New Zealand teaching at one of the many centres that he heads, giving public talks, running weekend workshops and conducting residential retreats. Rinpoche is increasingly being sought after worldwide in recognition of his teachings acheivement including teaching alongside Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche during the ten-day retreat at IBA, Kathmandhu in June 2009.

Lama Choedak Rinpoche has dedicated much effort and committed his focus over many years on the fundamental authentic Buddhist practices that are most effective and relevant to the eager westerners that he teaches. The practice of Calm Abiding meditation has been one of the most popular meditation techniques and Rinpoche has taught this technique to thousands of people. Another practice that is strongly promoted by Rinpoche is the Ngondro preliminaries of Tibetan Buddhism. Drawing on the traditional scriptural teachings Rinpoche has sculptured courses and retreat programmes that are unique in their depth and lucidity. Newcomers to meditation find the instruction clear and meaningful while experienced practitioners discover tools for engaging with their meditation that they did not have before. 

Rinpoche has published a number of books under the title Lama Choedak Yuthok including, at the request of His Holiness Sakya Trizin, "Triple Tantra", a translation of the Panchen Choedak's Lamdre Tsogshe commentary. "Healing Relationships" is written for a general audience based on a number of public talks by Rinpoche. 

Rinpoche has a particular interest in the works of Rongton Sheja Kunrig. Founder of Nalendra Monastery in Phenpo, Tibet, Rongton was known for the vast breadth and quality of his commentarial literature covering Mahyanasturalankara, Perfection of Wisdom and Kamalashila's Stages of Meditation to mention a few. Lama Choedak has translated all three of these texts and they represent important publishing projects for the society. 

In recognition of his propogation of the Buddhadharma in the west, and in particular the promotion of the Tsarpa tradition of the Sakya Lineage, His Eminence Chogye Trichen, in 2001, honoured Lama Choedak with the title Tsarpa Lochen Lama Choedak Rinpoche.

Rinpoche is the Spiritual Director of Sakya Losal Choe Dzong (SLCD), the largest and most established Tibetan Buddhist centre in Canberra, ACT Australia. The centre promotes peace, harmony, understanding and human value through the teachings of the Buddha as they are taught and practised for 2500 years. It offers educational courses and retreats on Buddhist meditation, philosophy and practices, courses on Tibetan language and also publishes Buddhist books, CDs, and DVDs. In addition, SLCD often hosts the visits of recognised great teachers of Sakya Order of Tibetan Buddhism and also other Buddhist teachers. The centre has two residential retreat venues as well as one teaching facility in Evatt, ACT for weekly classes and sessions. There are many sisters centres across Australia and New Zealand. There are number of annual retreats that are conducted and attract people from all over Australia and overseas. Ocassionally pilgrimage groups are organised to travel to the Buddhist sites in India, Nepal and Tibet.

Loving-Kindness Guided Meditation - Lama Choedak Rinpoche

Lama Choedak Rinpoche

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