 My birth name is Scott. I grew up in Melbourne and moved to Mandurah with my wife in 2010. THree years later our daughter arrived and although it appeared we were ‘living the dream,’ I would often become frustrated over the littlest of things and affect the people around me. This led to my first meditation class at the Mandurah Meditation and Dharma Centre. I became a regular and experienced a change almost instantly. I then developed an interest in the Dharma as a way to ring this change to the forefront of my everyday life. The Dharmadatu secular western approach to communicating the Buddha’s teachings is something I can relate to. Through testing, trying and constantly questioning the Dharma I recently decided to formally commit myself to the Dharma journey within the context of the Dharmadatu Buddhist Order and Sangha.
My birth name is Candice. I was born in Perth and raised in the wheat-belt country town Nungarin. As a young girl I enjoyed the fresh air, peace and tranquility the country provided, but this was often overshadowed by a tense, stressful home life. Consequently I grew up to be an easy going person but a true worrier, with hidden anxieties and low self worth. I moved to beautiful Mandurah with my family when I was 11 years old and have since lived here most of the time. When I finished school I really felt like I was lost and was unsure what to do with my life. I knew deep within my self that I wanted to help others. Eventually I decided to study teaching. I am now a full time school teacher and mother to two gorgeous young boys who have endless energy and enthusiasm. I found the Dharmadatu Buddhist Order and Sangha thanks to my husband Troy, in 2015. I attend meditation classes and discussion evenings as often as my busy schedule permits, and always leave with a sense of peace and feeling of expansiveness.
I have been meditating at home every day for over a year now and my direct experience is that meditation has truly helped me become less critical of myself. My response to stress has completely changed and instead of reacting negatively, I am learning to practice awareness and try to just be in the moment. This has really helped me to live my life with less drama and angst. I have come to realize that conditioning has been the cause of so many of my worries and the big aha’ moment for me was to learn that it does not serve me to blame external conditions, but rather just let go. I am committed to learning more of the Dharma and have decided to join the Sangha to share, learn and grow with other like-minded people. This is my commitment to myself. |