Insight and Awakening

Insight Meditation Retreat with Will James and Ali Barlow

Thursday-Tuesday, 13-18 Feb, 2025 at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Corindi, NSW (just north of Coffs Harbour)

Insight meditation allows us to see clearly the reactions and distortions that arise in our daily life. It cultivates an awareness of the freedom and clarity that is available in each precious moment.

Will James is the guiding teacher at the Tallowwood Sangha in Bellingen. He regularly leads retreats in Australia and Bali, has taught at the Dharma Gatherings in Australia and India, and is a Senior Mentor for the Insight Meditation Institute.

Ali Barlow has been a supporting teacher at Tallowwood Sangha since 2017.  She is an experienced retreat manager, leads regular yatras and also helps to facilitate a weekly sitting group in Bellingen.  Ali has recently emerged as an Insight Dharma Teacher after completing the inaugural Insight Meditation Institute’s 4 year Dharma Teacher programme

Detailed Retreat Information

Arrival/Departure: Please arrive between 3:00pm and 5:00 pm on Thursday, 13 Feb. The retreat will finish after lunch on Tuesday, 18 Feb.

Schedule: The full days have an early optional exercise period e.g. yoga, walking or individual exercise. The retreat program consists of sitting, standing, walking & guided meditation, meditation instruction, group and individual meetings, inquiry sessions, and evening Dharma talks.  There will also be an option to participate in a daily silent yatra walk through pristine coastal habitat to the beach.

The retreat is conducted in silence apart from meetings with teachers and essential communication.  Meetings with the teachers are an essential aspect of the retreat and will be in a small group format.  Also there will be opportunity for individual interviews with teachers during the week.

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 vegetarian meals per day will be prepared by a wonderful renowned, local cook called Bob. 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:

1. Cultivating kindness and restraining from harmful actions.
2. Cultivating appreciation and generosity with possessions and restraining from taking what is not freely offered.
3. Cultivating inner joy and contentment and restraining from sexual expression.
4. Cultivating truthful and appropriate communication and restraining from speech that distorts or is damaging.
5. 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.

We acknowledge that this retreat takes place on Gumbaynggirr Country and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.