Meet MA member Sabina Rabold
In 2009, I began to teach meditation formally. At that time, I concurrently completed teacher training in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Meditation Teacher Training with Ian Gawler. Since then, I have taught mindfulness and meditation in many settings including the Gawler Foundation’s Cancer, Healing and Wellbeing Programs, the Mindfulness and Compassion Teacher Training offered by the Insight Meditation Institute Australia, in therapeutic groups, in retreats and workshops. It’s a joy and a privilege to be a meditation teacher.
Having been a teacher for so many years now (and a practitioner for many more), I have learnt that each person learns and practices meditation in individual ways and as a teacher, I attune as best I can to offer the most meaningful guidance to the student. With each student, we build a sound and satisfying practice together from the ground up. I encourage students to become really interested in and build on their inner experiences while providing a map for practice. When obstacles arise, as they do, we navigate them together in a compassionate and supportive way.
What’s the story behind your first meditation experience?
It seems that I was born with a contemplative nature, for I can’t remember a time when I didn’t turn inward for stillness, guidance, clarity and insight. Over the years, like rings around the core of a tree, layers have been added, nourished by reading, study and practice in various spiritual paths of which Buddhism has become the most important.
What or who inspires you?
There are so many precious teachers and I have deep gratitude for them all. At the risk of sounding a bit cheesy, I am most inspired by students of meditation, who keep showing up to meditation with commitment and curiosity, with diligence and gentleness, with humility and patience. It is the practice that teaches us these qualities so that we can take them into all areas of our lives.
Cushion time: How long did you meditate for today?
My sitting practice is on a meditation bench, though I sometimes swap to cushions as well. I have a handy and comfortable blow-up meditation cushion that I take when I travel. I also do a lot of walking practice in nature and informal practice throughout the day. I sit for about 30 minutes are day, plus minus.
Meditation Apps, yes or no?
Yes, one, especially when I want to cultivate a particular practice or need support to meditate when my mind refuses to calm down.
You’re the voice: Do you sing in the shower?
I sing in the shower and in most other places. The sound in the shower is good.😊
The getting of wisdom: What’s the best, or most important thing, you’ve learned as a meditation teacher?
Trust in the practice.
What makes your heart sing and what have you come to value most?
My heart sings when I am in wild places, with kind people and/or having a good laugh.
The best thing today: What’s the most inspiring or loveliest thing you’ve seen or experienced today?
My childhood friend texted me the recipe for the pasta sauce she had made for us for dinner at her house last night.