Giles Gaskell - Central Javanese Gamelan Music Meditation

Giles is a documentation expert in IT, and throughout his time in this industry, he’s been heavily involved in his hobby, playing and performing with Indonesian gamelan orchestras for the last 30-odd years.

Giles has performed with both Central Javanese and Balinese gamelan orchestras over this time, although in recent years, he’s focused on the more meditative style of Central Javanese gamelan music, and is a long-standing member of the Sydney-based Langen Suka Gamelan Music association.

The word ‘gamelan’ is the Indonesian word for ‘orchestra’ and as in English, can refer to both the performers of the instruments, as well as the instruments themselves.

This meditation session focuses on one of the calmest sounding Central Javanese gamelan instruments - the ‘gender’, pronounced with a hard ‘g’ (as in ‘golf’), and with emphasis on the 2nd syllable. While this instrument forms a key part of the orchestra, the gender can often be played on its own.

During the meditation, a couple of pieces in different modes will be played. As you relax in your chair, or lie on the floor, feel free to immerse yourself in the sounds of the gender.

After each piece, we’ll hold a short session where you can volunteer how the piece made you feel, based on their modes. Modes do affect your mood! And the meditation session will wrap up with a slight twist!

Afterwards, you're welcome to join us for dinner, drinks and a chat at the East Village Hotel.

Location
Darlinghurst Community Space, Rear of 277 Bourke Street (entrance via Berwick Lane), Darlinghurst.

About us
We are a queer inclusive meditation group offering different meditations every Monday evening followed by dinner at the Lord Roberts Hotel. Everyone is welcome!

We gather from 6:15pm onwards, and start at 6:30pm, and conclude at approximately 7:30pm.

We usually attract around 25 to 40 people every session (through Facebook, Meetup, eMail and word of mouth).

Please RSVP, so we can look out for you, or just turn up on the night if you prefer.

After the meditation, you are invited to join us at the nearby East Village Hotel for dinner or drinks. If you just want to come for a chat and mingle with everyone you are welcome to do so!

Donation
This group is run 100% by volunteers and none of our guest speakers are paid to lead our meditations. As such we are always looking for more volunteers to serve our community and continue the amazing work of sustaining this wonderfully unique group. Please reach out to us digitally or on the night if you are interested.

This not for profit organisation has only been able to continue with your kind donations. We have overheads including cost of venue hire and insurance as well as advertising.

We accept cash. EFTPOS or PayID donations on the night at a suggestion of 5-10 dollars per person each week.

If you would like to lead a meditation or know someone who would be interested please kindly let us know by sending us a message on meetup.