Autumn 2 Day Silent Residential Retreat 2025

Reflective Meditation Silent Retreat; 8-Fold Pathing (part 1)

Exploring and integrating some of the useful qualities the Buddha considered important for human flourishing. We offer this weekend retreat as a time for honing and re-collecting skills appropriate for you in these times.

This silent retreat will emphasize a gentle receptive approach to meditation that supports an exploration of your inner world. You will learn how to allow your unique experience to unfold naturally, seeing even what you may usually view as unacceptable or mundane in a new way. Through an experience-based practice, you will journal and have the opportunity to report on your sittings as a way of cultivating greater awareness. You will learn from hearing each other’s experiences as well as from gentle inquiry by the teachers.

There will be an opportunity for private interviews with the teachers and short talks on the dharma each morning and afternoon.

Nutritious vegetarian meals will be served throughout the retreat. Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements as necessary. 

The retreat is open to beginners as well as experienced meditators.

Reflective Meditation:

The approach we offer is that of Reflective Meditation. In this approach we meditate, allowing whatever to transpire. We then take some time to reflect upon our experience, finding words or images to journal. Then we have opportunities to speak about our experience to a teacher, either in small groups or one-on-one. Each of these phases are held in care, curiosity and  permission. Held in this way, the approach itself can enhance greater understanding and care in how we relate to ourselves, each other and to our world.

Accommodation:

Glenbarr is a heritage listed homestead set amongst acres of well kept farming land. Many of the original buildings are used by the retreatants. There is dormitory style accommodation (sleeping up to 3 people in each dorm), or camping/caravan options with shared bathroom facilities.

Teachers:

Anna Markey was introduced to Buddhist practice in India in 1983. She is interested in the early teachings of the Buddha and in using a gentle, receptive approach to meditation to see into our experience in order to bring about wisdom and kindness in our daily lives. For more information http://coastandcitysangha.weeb...

Tina Gibson is a skilled Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher and is currently the only Certified MSC Teacher Trainer and Mentor in Australia. She has been practicing Reflective Meditation for many years and brings warmth, ease and gentleness to the way she lives her life and teaches meditation retreats.

Cost: earlybird up to March 7th:

Standard fee: $400, caravan/tent $350, day attendance fee with all meals $270

Concession: $320, caravan/tent $280, day attendance fee with all meals $215

After March 7th all fees will incur a $50 increase:

Standard fee: $450, caravan/tent $400, day attendance with all meals $320

Concession: $370, caravan/tent $330, day attendance with all meals $265

A limited number of scholarships are available for anyone experiencing financial hardship.  Please contact:  Denise Martin on 0402 211 580 or denise.martin@outlook.com

To lend a hand to help others with the cost of retreat attendance please donate through the Coast and City Sangha website http://coastandcitysangha.weeb...

Booking fee: We choose to use Humanitix as our booking platform because the whole of the booking fee goes to charity. 

Dana:

Please note that the above retreat fees cover the cost of accommodation and meals. The teachers offer their teachings freely.

Dana is the Pali word (the language of the Buddha) that translates to generosity. Offering dana is a 2500 year old practice that dates back to the time of the Buddha. 

At the closing of the retreat please consider what amount of generosity you are able to offer as gratitude of the teachers time, preparation, planning, delivery and support / connection during the retreat.