Education when searching for meaning

Karuna is a Brisbane-based charity established to help people live a meaningful and happy life while embracing uncertainty and change.

Life is our most precious possession, its loss our most difficult yet inescapable experience. Karuna believes that having the skills and support to face the challenges and uncertainty can make the journey easier.

As a result, we have developed models of care and education which help people understand, prepare for and face the end of life with calm and acceptance.

Since 1992 Karuna has used its expertise and compassion to help thousands of individuals and families cope with illness and loss. We take the time to understand your needs and provide a holistic approach to delivering the best possible support.

In serving the community Karuna strives to follow the inspirational ideals and examples set by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Karuna’s Spiritual Patron, whose own lifelong mission is to serve others with universal compassion and kindness. These are Karuna’s underlying values.

Karuna has an experienced team of educators, cousellors, ordained Buddhists and trained spiritual care volunteers who work towards preventing suffering and helping people find meaning and fulfilment in life.

These individuals help Karuna provide the community with a comprehensive range of professional development and Mind Life Wellbeing programs.

Kindness, compassion and courage when life is in transition

The Karuna Hospice Service LtdABN 28 055 211 473

PO Box 2020 Windsor Queensland 403027 Cartwright Street Windsor Queensland 4030

Phone: 1300 KARUNA (1300 527 862)Fax: (07) 3857 8040

Email: education@karuna.org.auWeb: www.karuna.org.au/education

‘ Whether one believes in religion or not, the very purpose of our life is happiness, the very motion of our life is toward happiness.’

His Holiness the Dalia Lama

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Professional development

Volunteer training

Volunteers are an integral part of Karuna. They help fill essential roles and are the face of Karuna’s philosophy of kindness. They provide companionship, practical assistance and respite for families and support our office and fundraising teams.

Karuna offers specialised volunteer training and orientation programs throughout the year for people interested in being part of Karuna’s volunteer program. For those interested, this can include supporting people in the community who are faced with a life limiting illness or loss.

Training for health professionals

Karuna provides workplace training to health professionals on how to emotionally support people and their families who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness, are approaching the end of life or have experienced the loss of a loved one. We also provide training for health professionals on how to support each other when caring for people who are terminally ill.

In addition, Karuna also provides training to individuals who may occasionally or regularly be in contact with grief and loss situations and need support in this area.

Mind Life Wellbeing Program

Personal development

The Mind Life Wellbeing Program comprises a series of courses that are designed to assist in everyday life and help find meaning and happiness in all circumstances. The courses can help you to:

• explore paths to fulfilment and peace

• create deeper connections with yourself and others

• transform your mind to transform your life

• develop ways to restore a sense of meaning and joy in life

• make your everyday life more positive and meaningful

• experience the healing power of calmness and silence.

Meditation coaching

We live in a fast paced world that values activity, achievements and results. It is no wonder that many people are turning to meditation for silence, inner peace and reflection. Meditation can help us relax, improve concentration and gain mind body balance. Meditation can also help us recognise our mental patterns, transform our way of seeing the world and become the person we want to be.

End of life courses

Courses and information are available that can help you understand and come to terms with the cycle of life and death and how to view loss and grief in a new way. They are suitable for people who are approaching the end of life or facing loss as well as those wishing to explore death and dying from a Tibetan Buddhist viewpoint.

Health and healing

A range of interesting and practical courses are scheduled throughout the year for people who want to improve their health. A broad range of subjects are covered and often guest speakers who have a wealth of experience on a particular subject are used.

Buddhism studies

Have you every wondered why the Dalai Lama always appears to be happy? Buddhism offers a pathway to happiness and freedom from suffering. Karuna offers a range of courses ranging from introduction to Buddhism, how to use Buddhist principles and practices in daily life and how to obtain a graduated path to enlightenment.

For information on any of our courses or programs please telephone1300 KARUNA (1300 527 862) or visit www.karuna.org.au/educationA certain kind

of calm

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