Nourishing Mindfulness Weekend Retreat 2025

Nourishing Mindfulness Weekend Retreat 

With Dr Sharn Rocco

At the Old Monastery Stroud 

“Brilliant! A very special place to spend time in retreat learning practical steps to strengthen my practice and lean deeper into myself. I’m so glad I came. I’m leaving feeling much more at ease, centred and grounded.” – Tania Powick, Financial Planner, Kempsy

Nestled in the magnificent foothills of the Barrington Tops, an hours drive north of Newcastle or just three from Sydney, The Old Monastery Stroud is the perfect place to leave your worries behind and … 

Learn to Love the Life You Live

"Staying in The Old Monastery Stroud is healing. The food and silent meals were superb. Sharn’s teaching is grounding, open, authentic and playful.” – Jodie Kennedy, Yoga Teacher and Massage Therapist, Port McQuarie

PLACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED – The monastery has only 16 rooms. Each with a single bed and a view of the garden, the lotus pond and the rolling hills and forest beyond.

You will leave feeling clear, calm, confident and connected.

“ Very grounding and enjoyable – Again! I arrived mentally exhausted, stressed and anxious from work and the demands of needing to move my dad into residential care and clear out his house. Sharn’s beautiful presence, voice and advice has brought me a calmness of mind and peace, encouraging me to practice mindfulness and meditation at home. It is worth every minute. An investment in yourself.” – Fiona McMilllan, Community Health Nurse, Tamworth

Throughout this special two days Sharn will invite and support you to nourish your natural capacity for mindful living and share the insights and understandings she has gleaned from her decades of teaching, study and practice. 

The supportive, mostly silent program includes guided meditation, mindful movement, walking, speaking, listening, observing and delicious, nourishing mindful meals. 

“This retreat is always so warm and welcoming, emotionally safe and deeply respectful. It leaves me feeling deeply grateful. This in my fourth time and it is an excellent way to stop, get in touch with yourself, learn so much with a great teacher and in great company.” – Julie Lyford, Chair, Women’s Environmental Leadership Association, Gloucester

Give yourself the gift of time to let go of worrying and rediscover what really matters. 

You will open to what is calling for your attention and notice what resonates and inspires. 

“Say yes to your soul self and carve out time to be here. A deepening experience of mindful breathing, frees me from pain, discomfort grief, clinging. Opens me to ‘all that is’ in each moment. I’m leaving with love and the intention to bring mindful presence to all elements of my life – work, family, self, and all the tasks. Connecting with women in silence, sharing space, sitting in the lounge by the fire reading and drinking tea.” – Maura Luxford, TAFE Services Manager, Author, Storyteller/Speaker, Kempsy.

Learn strategies for transforming what no longer serves you well. 

Whether you are a complete beginner or you are wanting to deepen or renew your meditation and mindfulness practice, this retreat will give you the gift of time - time to simply be, to nourish your body, mind and spirit with stillness, spaciousness and silence. This is a precious opportunity to reconnect with simple pleasures and live life with a lighter heart.

“Peace! I loved it. It’s a wonderful warm and supportive environment, in a beautiful setting, a warm and supportive feeling within the group and delicious, inspiring food. I came to take some time away from the hectic pace of my life, to reconnect with myself and to rest! Achieved! Sharn’s teaching is clear, gentle and nurturing. I’ve learned personally relevant meditation skills that I can put into practice at home. I wish I’d signed up for the extra day or so.” – Alison Small, Scientist, Armidale

Enjoy exquisite vegetarian meals, thoughtfully prepared from locally sourced produce. 

The retreat menu is designed to inspire and sustain you throughout the retreat and beyond. For anyone interested in creating fabulous healthy meals for whoever is lucky enough to have a seat at your table, this alone makes the retreat great value.

" … everything was done with an attitude of nourishment and care." – Maryann Murdoch, Nurse Educator, Tamworth

About the facilitator

Teaching from the depth and heart of her personal practice and experience as an educator, Sharn Rocco PhD, has led mindfulness retreats, workshops and short courses in Australia and internationally.  Twice scholar-in-residence at the Garrison Institute New York she has received teachings and attended retreats with some of the great meditation masters of our time, including Thich Nhat Hanh, HH Dalai Lama, Mingyur Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima, Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Lama Choedak. As founder and facilitator of Mindful Works Sharn empowers leaders and their teams to become more focussed, less reactive and more connected.

People return to this annual retreat again and again.

“I have attended several retreats previously. Sharn teaching feels like constant, wise friend. The simple routine gave me space and predictability to settle and be aware of the skills and qualities I bring to the retreat for myself and maybe others. I have given myself space and time to sit, walk, breathe and be more mindful. It is such a lovely space beneath the trees. I have rested and noticed that rest gives me energy. “ – Annette Gleeson, Teacher of the Deaf, Wingham

Book NOW!

Places are strictly limited.

The Monastery has only 16 guest rooms.  

"It's like returning home." – Maura Luxford

$795 all inclusive | Payment Plan – $250 Deposit 

$725 Early-bird Registration - Closes 2 November

Inclusions:

• More than 18 hours of inspiring, supportive instruction and guidance 
• 2 Nights Accommodation. A room of your own with a view of the garden.
• All six meals - Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. 
• Recipes for nourishing, mindful vegetarian meals
• Guided practice recordings
• Weekly prompts to bring mindfulness to life
• Discounts on all subsequent Mindful Works courses and retreats

"Amazing how much better one feels after two days… wonderfully peaceful and relaxed. …We learned some excellent tools to cope with this busy life." – Gisela Duber, Building Designer, Taree

Click on the 'GET TICKETS' link above to secure your place. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sit on the floor? NO. There will be a chair there for everyone.

Do I need to know how to meditate? NO. The meditation and mindfulness practices – including mindful, sitting, moving, walking and eating, will benefit complete beginners, experienced meditators and everyone in between. 

Will my special dietary requirements be catered for? YES. Once you purchase your ticket, you'll be sent an email inviting you to answer a few questions - including your dietary requirements.

Can I pay by instalments? YES. Pay $250 up and pay the remainder before 1st May. Simply select 'Payment Plan' as your ticket type. Sharn will be in touch to personalise your payment plan.

Is the venue suitable for people with limited mobility? YES and NO. Accommodation at the monastery and the path between the accommodation and the hall are sloping and uneven. However, the hall has ramp access. If you have limited mobility contact Sharn to find out more about whether this can work for you.

What do I need to bring? Once you purchase your ticket, you'll be sent an email with more information including what to bring and how to find the monastery.

If you have other questions, simply email info@mindfulworks.com.au or give Sharn a call: 0458 111 373

Satisfaction Guaranteed

If after participating in the event you feel that it was a waste of your time and money, simply write to us within 48 hours explaining why and receive a full refund. No questions asked.