This dana based retreat 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*, Lisa Brown and Ali Barlow.

The schedule will include:

6.15 – 7.45am Morning Gentle Embodied Mindful 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 Ali, Lisa and Mal

8.15 – 9.00pm Silent or guided meditation/possible chanting

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

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 these 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 RETREATS OF OVER 4 DAYS DURATION-which also apply to both in person and online 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, Yoga Aust, AABCAP) is an Insight Dharma Teacher, Registered Psychologist, Yoga 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 has a dedicated meditation and yoga practice of more than 25 years and currently works in private practice, facilitating groups and workshops on Gumbaynggirr Country, Coffs Harbour. Website: Lisa's website

Ali Barlow - Ali began a meditative life in 1997 whist staying in an Ashram in South India, and attended her first Insight Meditation Retreat in 2008 where her love for the Buddha Dharma opened like a flower. This love led quite naturally into a life of service in support of her teacher Will James, Tallowwood Sangha and retreat life for one and all. Ali has been mentored in the supporting teacher role by Will since 2017, and is an experienced retreat manager as well as leading yatras and a weekly sitting group in Bellingen. She is a member of the Tallowwood Sangha Management Committee and Insight Meditation Institute Management Committee. Ali has emerged as an Insight Dharma Teacher after completing the inaugural Insight Meditation Institute’s four year Dharma Teacher programme.

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)

* Malcolm may be unavailable on Saturday and Sunday of the retreat.