Saturday 20th September 11am
THE BLEDDFA ANNUAL LECTURE 2008
Black Eve and the Roots of our Humanity
Professor Trefor Jenkins  Pictures here
The renowned human geneticist Professor Trefor Jenkins will deliver the Bleddfa Annual Lecture for 2008 and will speak on the origin of the human race drawing on evidence that we are all descended from African ancestors who lived 100,000 years or so ago. He will also explore what makes a human being human, arguing that the more we understand our common heritage and our need for each other the greater our chances of survival as a species. Professor Jenkins was born and educated in South Wales and studied medicine at King’s College and Westminster Hospital in London, before moving to Southern Africa where he became Professor and Head of the Department of Human Genetics in the School of Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, a post he held for 22 years. During his career Professor Jenkins wrote and/or co-wrote many scientific publications in the areas of human genetics, medical ethics and health and epidemiology. He has been at the forefront of the debate on racial issues and was one of six doctors who challenged the medical establishment and the former South African government over the death in custody of black activist Steve Biko in September 1977.
Venue: The Church of St Mary Magdalene, Bleddfa

Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th September
Ordinary Magic and Birth of the Warrior
Two days of meditation with Jim O’Neill and Peter Conradi
9.30am to 5pm both days (Registration at 9.30am Saturday)
Peter Conradi and Jim O’Neill will facilitate another weekend of meditation. Unlike Western traditions, Buddhism  and Shambhala Training alike do not see us as condemned to Original Sin: we have the possibility, moment-by-moment, of tapping into our own wakefulness and brilliance, of perceiving the ordinary magic of the world and uncovering our own innate gentleness and fearlessness, not being afraid of who we are. It is accordingly possible to read Tibetan stories about a legendary and model kingdom - Shambhala (peaceful, prosperous, governed wisely and compassionately) - as referring to a ground or root of sanity and wakefulness that exists as a potential in every moment. This combined Shambhala training levels 1 and 2 comprises the first two steps in a series of five contemplative workshops open to both beginning and also experienced meditators, in which we examine the ground of our experience. We will study and practice shamatha, the ancient meditation technique of ‘calm abiding’. The two-day programme consists of a mixture of short group and individual meditation instruction, gentle physical exercise, discussion and talks. It is thought very helpful to follow the weekends more than once:  so if you have completed these levels before and wish to re-do them, a 40% discount will be offered. Peter Conradi is a writer (Iris Murdoch: A Life, Going Buddhist) and Jim O’Neill a psychotherapist; they have been teaching in Europe and meditating in this tradition for 20 years.
Cost: £50 for weekend, £30 if completed both levels before. (Concession available – see additional information). Please bring warm, loose clothes and a packed lunch. Soup, tea and coffee will be provided.
Venue: The Hall Barn