Buddha Touched the Earth: an exploration of EcoDharma with Will James and Lisa Siegel

Thursday-Sunday 12-15 June, 2025 at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Corindi, NSW (just north of Coffs Harbour)

This retreat offers the opportunity to explore Engaged Buddhism through meditation, Dharma inquiry, nature connection, and facilitated Deep Ecology group processes. There are three levels of intention for “Buddha Touched the Earth”. On a personal level: for each individual to explore how the Dharma and deep connection to the planet can be tools for personal sustainability. On a community level: to build connections amongst people who are interested in the study of Engaged Buddhism and in working together towards the healing of the Planet. On a global level: to investigate how the Dharma and Deep Ecology work can help create the radical shift in consciousness needed in these times of planetary threat.

We acknowledge that this retreat takes place on Gumbaynggirr Country and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to the land itself which nourishes us physically and spiritually.

Program:

This 3-day residential workshop includes both Insight meditation practice and Deep Ecology processes (also known as the Work that Reconnects or Active Hope). The daily program includes talks and discussions, meditation instruction, walking and sitting meditation sessions, nature connection opportunities, and experiential group exercises based on the work of Joanna Macy and John Seed. Mornings will be mostly in silence, with more active discussion activities taking place in the afternoons and evenings.

Facilitators/Teachers:

Will James will give Dharma talks and meditation guidance throughout the workshop. He will be sharing the story of “When Buddha Touched the Earth” and discussing the idea of using the tools of “insight and compassion” in our work as social change agents. Will is the guiding teacher for Tallowwood Sangha and has been studying the Dharma for more than 30 years. He has taught at retreats and gatherings in Australia, Bali, and India and is a lead teacher at the Insight Meditation Institute, Australia.

Lisa Siegel will be facilitating the nature connection and Deep Ecology group work throughout the workshop. She will be sharing the story of “The Great Turning” and how the spiral model of the Work that Reconnects can help us in creating new stories for these challenging times. Lisa is an environmental educator, community organiser and founding member of the Centre for Ecological Learning, as well as a Tallowwood Sangha assistant teacher. She has trained in Deep Ecology work with Joanna Macy and John Seed.

Detailed Retreat Information

Arrival/Departure: Please arrive between 3:00pm and 5:00 pm on Thursday, 12 June. The retreat will finish after lunch on Sunday, 15 June.

Accommodation: The Centre has 16 dormitory rooms available in two wings of the main building, for either individuals or couples/friends. There are also 14 camping spots close by the main building, for either tents or vans. There are two sets of toilets and showers, one in each dormitory wing. These are shared by rooms and campers.

Meals: Three healthy and delicious vegetarian meals per day will be offered. Vegan/gluten free/dairy free dietary requirements can be catered for.

Dana: Insight Meditation teachers give generously of their time and energy during retreats. They receive no payment for this and are supported by donations from those attending retreats.

A Dana (donation) box will be placed inside the meditation hall for donations to support the teachers.

What to Bring:

Meditation cushions and mat
Clothing plus meditation shawl or wrap
Slip on shoes (no shoes allowed in the meditation hall)
Water bottle
Swimmers/beach towel if desired as the centre is near the beach
Rain/sun protection
Other useful items: Mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Yoga mat if you wish to participate in yoga. Personal toiletries.
Camping gear if camping.

Things to note: All bedding and linen including towels, sheets, blankets and pillows are provided in rooms.

Etiquette on Retreat:

The retreat will be run under the protection of the five precepts to create a safe and supportive environment. All participants are invited and encouraged to take up the five retreat precepts.

The teachers are also committed to this practice. If any student suspects that an insight teacher is slipping in ethical conduct, they are asked to discuss this with the manager.

The Five Precepts for the retreat are to take up the practices of:

Cultivating kindness and restraining from harmful actions.
Cultivating appreciation and generosity with possessions and restraining from taking what is not freely offered.
Cultivating inner joy and contentment and restraining from sexual expression.
Cultivating truthful and appropriate communication and restraining from speech that distorts or is damaging.
Cultivating clarity and restraining from habits that create dullness or heedlessness.

Cancellation Policy: If you’re unable to attend, please notify us as early as possible. Cancellations made more than three weeks before the retreat will incur a $50 administration fee. For cancellations within three weeks of the retreat, a 50% refund will be provided. Cancellations made less than one week before the retreat will receive a 30% refund. Please note that this policy has changed from previous retreats.