Mindfulness of Breathing and the Four Boundless Divine Abodes

This dana based online retreat will focus on exploration, guidance and the opportunity to practice meditation as described in the Buddha’s mindfulness of breathing discourse. This retreat will also include guidance in and the opportunity to develop one or more of the four divine abodes:  warm benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity.  

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

Please be aware that this retreat will commence and finish in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), beginning 5pm Friday 28th February 2025 and ending 12:30pm Thursday 6th March, 2025. 

The schedule will include: 

6:15 – 7.15am Morning yoga and yoga nidra with Lisa 
9.00 -10.30am    Morning instruction and guidance /workshop session *                                       
11.00 – 12.30am  Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

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

12.30 - 2.30pm    Screen off or log off for lunch and rest 
2.30 - 6.00pm      Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

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

7.00 - 8.00pm      Dharma talks and discussion with both Mal and Lisa
8.15 – 9.00pm      Silent or guided meditation/possible chanting

*   Mostly with Malcolm

** Includes tea break

General aims of the retreat:

• To provide the opportunity to explore and experience first hand the cultivation of insight and serenity with mindfulness of breath. 
• To provide the opportunity to experience the development of the four 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.

This retreat  will focus on the instructions provided in the Buddha’s discourse on mindfulness of breathing or the Anapanasati sutta. This sutta describes 16 steps (four tetrads each with four steps) that lead to the knowledge and insight of awakening. The instructions in the four tetrads of mindfulness of breathing use both the tranquillity as well as the insight aspects of meditation. This means that there is cultivation of tranquillity (relaxed body and calm mind), along with the nourishment of joy, happiness, stillness and inner peace. The 16 steps of mindfulness of breathing include the development of the seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquillity, concentration and equipoise or equanimity. Mindfulness of breathing was the preferred meditation practice of the Buddha and it is a profound and comprehensive practice. 

For a  an overview of the sutta view and listen to this 24 minute talk which was given at the Kuan Yin Centre in November, 2021: talk on mindfulness of breathing discourse     Follow this link to listen to a guided meditation covering the first 8 steps of mindfulness of breathing: guided meditation on first 8 steps of mindfulness of breathing      

Who is this retreat for?
This silent online 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. 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. The registration fee of $100-350 covers administration costs and contributes to providing support for scholarships.

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: 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 a student in the Insight Meditation Dharma Teacher Training Programme in Australia 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 malhuxter@gmail.com or phone 0431768299 (Australia)  
or Lisa Brown on lisa@mindful-wellbeing.com  or 0400491477  (Australia)