Waking Up with Insight, Serenity and the Boundless Heart

This dana based online retreat will focus on exploration, guidance and the opportunity to cultivate serenity, insight and the heart according to the teachings of the Buddha. It will include the meditation practices of serenity, the four establishments of mindfulness as well as the four divine abodes:  warm benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity.  

This retreat will be led by Malcolm Huxter and 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 20th November, 2026 and ending Thursday 26th November 10:00am, 2026.

The schedule will include: 

6:15 – 7.45am    Embodied Heart Yoga & 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 Sunday, Monday and Tuesday   of the retreat – Individual and or group Dharma meetings

12.30 - 2.30pm   Screen off or log off for lunch and rest 

2.30 - 4.00pm     Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually  

4:30 - 5.00pm Break

5.00-6.00pm Dharma Talk and Discussion

6.00 - 7.00pm Dinner

7.00 - 7.30pm. Meditation

7.30 - 8.30pm     Discussion and Chanting

8.30pm Rest

General aims of the retreat:

• To provide the opportunity to explore and experience first hand the cultivation of insight and serenity with mindfulness can concentration 

• 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.

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. 

PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO INSURANCE LIMITATIONS RESIDENTS OF THE US AND CANADA WILL NEED TO CONTACT THE FACILITATORS DIRECTLY (see below for contact details) AND SIGN A WAIVER BEFORE REGISTRATION.

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 35 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 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)