Background

Finding balance is an attempt to approach some important life questions from different perspectives. Questions such as:

  • If the pursuit for happiness is based on physical-material wealth, why are those living in rich and developed countries still having so many life problems and in some cases worse off than those who are living in poor countries (for example Australia has the highest youth suicide rate in the world)?
  • Why is it that the more progressive and clever we are, the more stressful we become?
  • With the advancement of health science and medicine how come there is still people that die from disease or cancer?
  • The advancement in science and technology that is supposed to help us to have a better life is becoming the main cause of our loneliness and even our living environment problems?
  • And finally, although everyone can teach us how to be successful, no one can teach us how to be happy, and although everyone can teach us how to be clever, no one can teach us how to be wise?

Objective

We believe the questions above perhaps can never be fully answered.  However the questions themselves could still be better understood if we work collectively.  This may lead us closer to the answers as perhaps we need to have a greater understanding of ourselves, for we are part of what is in the questions.  One of the avenues is through using traditional arts and ancient Asian teachings.  For the simple reason that both of these methods although originating hundreds or even thousand of years ago are still being practiced till this day. Surely this means that there must be something right about them.

We will attempt to do this through a series or seminars and inter-active workshops in collaboration with teachers of traditional or ancient arts that represents finding balance by identifying:

  1. Movements in stillness:  yoga, breathing techniques and meditations.
  2. Stillness in movements: martial arts and traditional dances.

 

SERIES OF WORKSHOP ON THE RELEVANCE OF ANCIENT ASIAN TEACHINGS FOR OUR MODERN DAY

Our workshop is personal development/spiritual workshop focuses on the subject of the importance of traditional Asian teachings and traditional art & ritual and their application to our modern day life -style.  It will be presented in 2 parts (talk and interactive exercises)

  1. Asian Circular Thinking: Traditional arts and rituals as the path of balance and harmony.
  2. The natural elements which make up the human being.
  3. The understanding of 5 senses as the mechanism of the mind.
  4. The traditional teachings on life force energy and its manifestation.
  5. Meditation in motion (traditional martial art)

PRESENTER

Ronnie_FB“Finding Balance” programs created by Ron Takdare – Teacher of ancient knowledge and arts who is dedicated to bringing people of various races, cultures and religious background together in Australia through education (www.dharmanusantara.org). He spent many years travelling between Australia and South East Asia but primarily in Indonesia. During this time he researched and collected oral traditional teachings especially in the subjects of traditional arts including martial art and traditional belief systems.

In 1996, after being requested by the Indonesian embassy through their consulate in Melbourne, he set up Dharma Nusantara-Australia as an independent cultural group to help with the implementation of the “People to people relationship agreement” (focuses on education, cultural, and tourism between Indonesia and Australia). Through Dharma Nusantara-Australia he also worked as a consultant for Indonesian-Asian studies for Australian schools and educational institutions.

He designed and implemented cultural education workshop programs especially “The Introduction of Asian Circular Thinking in comparison to the Western Linear Thinking based” in co-operation with Victorian and Northern Territory schools, and educational institutions which took example from the teachings of the traditional art of Pencak Silat.

He also created and implemented numerous training programs specifically designed to help troubled youths with difficulties in Australia since 1997.

Recently he moved to Singapore to finished his project of writing a book regarding the relevant of ancient Asian teaching to our modern lifestyle (Finding Balance) covering the subjects of:

  • Western Linear Thinking and Asian Circular Thinking
  • Traditional Asian teachings (arts and rituals) as science of the mind or science without technology
  • Macro-micro cosmos relationship
  • Traditional teachings of the elements and life force energy, etc.

TESTIMONIES

“As a teacher Mr Ron Takdare uses his truly unique style of instruction to reveal what is there all along and unlock and develop the hidden potential in his students.”        (Marco Tallarida)

“Mr Ron Takdare is a warm and insightful mentor to have. He makes a personal effort to know his pupils and find the best method to approach the communication of knowledge to that pupil.”       (Bobby Haiqalsyah)

“Mr Ron Takdare style of teaching can be seen as unorthodox but it has transformed me from a lost boy, to a man who knows where he is going.”  (Damien DaSilva)

“Mr Ron Takdare teaching style and method is a very unique. With his ability to make the most difficult concepts easy to grasp, this natural communicator engages in a very fulfilling learning experience.”          (Edward Jones)

“Mr Ron Takdare is an inspirational teacher with abilities to communicate on so many different levels, giving the student opportunity to understanding and embrace the teaching with a clear and concise teaching method. As a student I find the teachings very easy to adopt into my own way of life.”  (Donald McCulloch)

“Mr Ron Takdare has a rare gift of being able to explain things clearly and in a form that is relevant to the lives of his students so that they are clear on his message and then able to apply the message to their everyday lives.”        (Ben Hodges)

“Dharma Nusantara demonstrated an advanced level of professionalism and competence in their interactive presentations and teaching style. They showed enthusiasm, high levels of energy and commitment for their teaching and were extremely meticulous to ensure that what they did was of impressive standard in meeting the needs of students.”                             (Jennifer Ure – NT Dept Employment, Education & Training)