IT could have been bad news for people who meditate when Venerable Yangchen decided to retire from teaching in June this year.
Venerable Yangchen, a Buddhist nun, has been running Meditation in the Shire for nine years and many seekers of peace have come to depend on her.
But the good news is that she has been replaced by "a very energetic, enthusiastic and professional leader" named Stephen Proctor.
"Meditation in the Shire is very blessed to have found him," Venerable Yangchen said. "I think Buddha had a hand in this. Meditation classes are not only continuing in the same way but will be extending."
For Stephen Proctor, getting the job with Meditation in the Shire seemed like an important piece of a jigsaw puzzle falling into place.
After his mother's death in December, Mr Proctor, 47, decided to give up has day job to devote his life to doing what he loved: practising and teaching meditation, tai chi and chi gung.
He was already spending some of his spare time teaching at the Australian College of Tai Chi and Chi Gung at Caringbah so starting his own business was the next step.
While his new business, Tai Chi Health for Life, was building up, Mr Proctor looked around for a part-time job to supplement his income and came across Venerable Yangchen's ad in the Leader.
As a Buddhist, Mr Proctor will be able to continue Venerable Yangchen's spiritual teachings along with meditation practice.
He said there was growing interest in meditation to achieve and maintain mental health.
"Meditation brings attention to the present moment; thinking stops and negative emotions disappear. There is immense peace in that," he said.
Venerable Yangchen is still the face of Meditation in the Shire and its spiritual director. Stephen Proctor: 0466531023 or taichihealth@optusnet.com.au
