Cultivating the Heart and Waking Up - 6 Night Silent Insight Meditation Retreat

This dana based hybrid retreat (in person and online) will explore the Buddhist Path of Awakening. The themes of presence, understanding, benevolence, compassion, joy, resilience and peace will be explored through the cultivation of insight and serenity. Grounded in Buddha Dharma this retreat offers a mindful, contemplative, silent retreat space. The development of mindfulness, meditative concentration, wisdom and four heart qualities (benevolence, compassion, joy and peace) provide the requirements to heal, balance  and awaken the heart-mind for oneself and the interconnected world we are part of.

The retreat is informed by a synthesis of Theravāda, Mahāyāna, Yoga practices and contemporary psychology. In addition to Dharma talks, meditation instructions, and gentle, somatically-based Dharma yoga sessions, there will be individual and small group meetings with the teachers.

This retreat will be led by Malcolm Huxter and Lisa Brown (see below for details). 

The schedule will include: 

6.15 – 7.45am     Morning Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Lisa 

7.45 - 9.15am     Breakfast & Karma Yoga 

9.30 -11am         Morning instruction and guidance /workshop session                                        

11.00 – 12.30am Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

12.30 - 2.30pm    Lunch and rest 

2.30 - 6.00pm      Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually                    

7.00 - 8.00pm      Dharma talks and discussion with both Mal and Lisa

8.15 – 9.00pm      Silent or guided meditation/possible chanting

* Included in the retreat are individual meetings with Mal and Lisa

General aims of the retreat:

• To provide the opportunity to explore and experience first hand the cultivation of insight and serenity. 
• To provide the opportunity to experience the development of the four boundless divine abodes (benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity).
• To free oneself and others from psychological suffering.
• To enhance the skills and understanding of anyone wishing to develop meditation as well as provide new ideas for therapists, programme leaders and other professionals who already use mindfulness, compassion, loving kindness and related skills as part of their therapeutic and coaching repertoire.

Who is this retreat for?
This silent retreat is for anyone who has had some prior experience with meditation and wishes to enhance and practise her, his or their skills. The retreat is suited to the general public as well as health care practitioners, therapists, educators, programme leaders and it may partially fulfil CPD requirements for some professions and meditation teacher training programs. 

The fees. The cost of the retreat covers accommodation at beautiful Sangsurya Retreat Centre in Byron Bay, nutritious vegetarian meals and administration. There will be a $100 discount for Early Bird registration prior to 31st January, 2025. In accordance with Buddhist traditions, there is no fee for the teachings and guidance on this retreat as it is dana based. Dana refers to the economy of generosity where the teachings are given freely and those who receive the teachings have the opportunity to reciprocate with a financial gift that they feel is suitable, after the retreat has finished. 

BEFORE YOU REGISTER PLEASE READ THESE MEDITATION RETREAT HEALTH WARNINGS: Link to meditation retreat health warnings

BEFORE YOU REGISTER PLEASE READ THESE CONDITIONS OF ATTENDING ONLINE RETREATS OF OVER 4 DAYS DURATION-which also apply to in person retreats: Link to conditions of attending online meditation retreats of over 4 days

Malcolm Huxter (MAPS, AABCAP) is a clinical psychologist in private practice. He is the author of “Healing the Heart and Mind with Mindfulness.” Routledge 2016. http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Heart-Mind-Mindfulness-Ancient/dp/1138851353

A practicing psychologist for 30 years, he has been teaching mindfulness and the four heart qualities to the general public, a range of cultures, clinical populations, therapists and other professionals since 1991. He is a certified mindful self- compassion (MSC) teacher as well as Cultivating Emotional Balance (CEB) teacher.  He began training in Buddhist meditation practices in 1975, living in Thailand as a Buddhist monk for two years in the late 1970’s. As well as Theravada, he has trained in other Buddhist and spiritual traditions. For more details about Mal go to https://www.malhuxter.com/

Lisa Brown (AAPi, IYTA, AABCAP) is a Registered Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, Insight Dharma Teacher, certified Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Teacher (Brown University, USA) and trained Mindful Self-Compassion Facilitator. As an Adjunct Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Lisa taught mindfulness and retreats for post-graduate students and has a deep interest in the conjunction  of western science, Buddhadharma and earth-based wisdom traditions in health, healing and trauma recovery. Lisa works in private practice, facilitating groups and workshops on Gumbaynggirr Country, Coffs Harbour. Website:  Lisa's website 

For more detailed information about the retreat, email Lisa Brown on lisa@mindful-wellbeing.com  or 0400491477  (Australia) or email malhuxter@gmail.com or phone 0431768299 (Australia)