Mindfulness, Breathing and the Heart - 5 Night Silent Meditation Retreat

This dana based 5 night 4 full day retreat will focus on mindfulness as it is understood and practiced in the Buddha’s four establishments of mindfulness and 16 steps of mindfulness of breathing. It will also include the four divine abodes to support and balance the practice with connectedness and access to boundless states. These four heart qualities are heart qualities: warm benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity.  During instruction time of each day of the 4 full days of practice, practitioners will be invited to follow the sequence of the four divine abodes and the four tetrads of mindfulness of breathing as they relate to the 4 establishments of mindfulness, body, feelings, heart-mind and phenomena (dharmas).  

The retreat is informed by a synthesis of Buddhist meditation, 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: 

6.00 – 7.30am     Morning Yoga and Yoga Nidra with Lisa 

7.30 - 8.15am     Breakfast

8.15 - 9.15am     Karma Yoga

9.30 -11.00am    Morning instruction and guidance /workshop session

11.30– 12.30am Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

On the  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the retreat – Individual and or group Dharma meetings with Mal

12.30 - 2.30pm    Lunch and rest 

2.30 - 5.30pm      Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday  of the retreat – Individual and or group Dharma meetings with Lisa     

5.30 - 7.00pm      Dinner                 

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

8.15 – 9.00pm      Silent or guided meditation/possible chanting

** Includes tea break

General aims of the retreat:

• To provide the opportunity to develop mindfulness as it relates to the four establishments of mindfulness and the 16 steps of mindfulness of breathing.  
• 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 30th June, 2024. 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 teaching 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, 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 is currently an emerging Insight Meditation Dharma Teacher  and 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)