Proponents of one of the oldest self-help techniques are using some of the newest technology thanks to a Google AdWords grant and training from Australian not-for-profit technology enabler Connecting Up.

The Google AdWords grant, facilitated by Connecting Up – which also provides online training - means the Lifeflow Meditation Centre is helping more Australians manage everything from anxiety to autism.

Director of Teaching at Lifeflow, John Burston, says his not-for-profit organisation has seen a 25 per cent increase in web traffic, and a surge in inquiries from interstate since advertising through Google.

“The AdWords grant has made it possible to reach a wider audience, and we even had several interstate attendees on our recent weeklong meditation retreat,” he says.

“We simply would not have been able to undertake these kinds of advertising campaigns without the Connecting Up training and the Google grants.

“We’ve seen a significant increase in visits to our website, with people spending more time when they arrive, and looking at more pages. This is allowing us to reach more people than ever.”

Mr Burston says Lifeflow Meditation’s highly skilled teachers are helping a wide range of people to use practical meditation and mindfulness techniques for dealing with stress, sleeping issues and general emotional wellbeing.

“Our founder, Dr Graham Williams, came to a realization more than forty years ago that even highly successful people were often dissatisfied with their life, and many were still looking for meaning and ways to relate better with others,” he says.

“He wanted to help people to be able to enjoy those successes while also becoming self-aware and having a much better quality of life.

“The bulk of people we work with are in the 35-60-year-old age bracket, but we help every demographic, from six-year-olds through to teenagers, to 70 and 80-year-olds.

“These are people from all walks of life, ranging from highly successful executives, to people with physical or mental health issues and everyone in between – people who want alternative or supporting strategies for mental and emotional well-being.”

Mr Burston, an Adjunct Associate Lecturer in the School of Medicine at Flinders University in Adelaide, says his organization has made a measurable difference to the lives of many Australians.

“One example is a high school student who was getting ready for university when he was diagnosed with a mental health issue,” he says.

“The only option given to him was treatment via medication. He had heard of our work and wanted to try an alternative approach. Now, thanks to mindfulness and meditation training, 15 years later he has a highly successful career and manages his mental health without medication.

“We also had a boy on the autism spectrum who couldn’t sit still for more than 30 seconds, and who was having real problems connecting with other people.

“We started with one-to-one training, and by the end of his sessions, his concentration was vastly improved and he was joining in group classes, where he was connecting really well.

“He was literally running into his sessions to hug the teacher. The transformation was amazing to watch, and touched everyone’s heart.”

Mr Burston says his experience with Google AdWords and Connecting Up has had a range of other positive impacts, and that his organization is excited about future technology and training opportunities.

“Another big advantage is that I was able to ask far more informed questions when working with a search engine optimization expert, and we’re looking at using more technology for flexible course delivery, including apps.

“Even though there are many well established players in the online arena, we are now confident that we will be able to better harness technologies that will complement our face-to-face courses.”

About the Lifeflow Meditation Centre

Lifeflow Meditation was founded in 1981 by Dr Graham Williams and offers introductory through to advanced meditation and mindfulness classes and retreats. Dr Williams trained in the Tibetan and Burmese Buddhist traditions, building up more than 35 years of teaching experience.

The aim of the Centre has been to preserve the depth and integrity of the classical teachings, while incorporating knowledge derived from Western disciplines, including psychology and neuroscience. Students can attend anything from a single session through to a five-year program of study.

Dr Williams, concert pianist and scholar, first encountered meditation while studying in Paris. A colleague introduced him to senior teachers from one of the Tibetan traditions, and this was followed by over a decade of study and practice under leading teachers from that lineage. On returning to Australia, he then set up the Lifeflow Meditation Centre.

About Connecting Up

Connecting Up is a not-for-profit organisation that connects other not-for-profit organisations with critical software, digital technology, advice and training that many would otherwise not be able to access.

Our services are available in Australia and New Zealand. We also help to develop relationships with business, community and government sectors for the development of the not-for-profit sector.

Find out more about our donations program here.

Find out more about our discounts program here.