Meditation Retreats
Time to pause, reflect and rejuvenate.March Weekend Retreat
"Escape the Winter" Retreat
November Retreat
On retreat, expect:
- Time to pause and reflect
- Nutritious vegetarian food
- Time to rest and read
- Fresh country air
- Gentle yoga or
qi gong - Relaxing walks
- Meditation instruction
- Teacher support
- Option to camp
- Peace and quiet
While many people think that retreats are for advanced practitioners, I think that a few retreats early in one’s practice can really jump start things, allowing one to then make much better use of meditation time off retreat. — Dan Ingram.
“Escape the Winter” Retreat
Enjoy seven days of tranquillity and rest at Sanctuary Retreat, nestled amongst the lush tropical rainforest and secluded beaches adjacent to Mission Beach and the Great Barrier Reef. You’ll stay in delightful rainforest canopy cabins or huts, be treated to delicious vegetarian fare (as you look out over the Coral Sea) and enjoy a program of user-friendly meditation, yoga and rainforest walks.
2018 Dates
Venue
If you’ve never been on a meditation retreat before, this is a great place to start — and if you are new to meditation and mindfulness you’ll be gently eased into the practice with simple, user-friendly techniques and expert instruction. The atmosphere will be friendly and light-hearted and the schedule allows plenty of time for rest, reading and nana-naps!
For more experienced practitioners there will be talks and discussions on a variety of topics
You will also have the opportunity to join us on rainforest walks and in a variety of practices designed to stretch, loosen and nourish the body.
With secluded beaches meeting the Great Barrier Reef, unique accommodation, a dedicated meditation and yoga space, massage and delicious cuisine, Sanctuary Retreat is an
Teachers & Approach
Accommodation
| Room Type | Single | Twin / Double |
|---|---|---|
| Rainforest hut with shared bathroom. | $1475 | $1275 |
| Rainforest hut with alfresco en-suite. | $1575 | $1350 |
| Deluxe canopy cabin. | $1950 | $1575 |
All prices are per person and include food, accommodation, and fees for tuition. (Flights not included).
Meals
What to Expect
What’s included:
- 6 nights’ accommodation.
- Fully catered retreat with three healthy and hearty vegetarian meals per day.
- Tea and coffee station and a selection of snacks like fruit and biscuits available all day.
- Dinner on the first day and breakfast on the last day.
- Daily meditation (sitting and moving meditation).
- Daily yoga (Vinyasa flow and yin yoga).
- Integrative Qigong.
- Meditation and mindfulness instruction for all levels.
- Optional 1-1 consultations or interviews.
- Tools and tricks on how to incorporate meditation and mindfulness into your daily life.
- Walks and hikes in the beautiful rainforest.
- Private beautiful space to practise meditation and yoga.
- Yoga mat and props. You can bring your own yoga mat if you prefer.
- Access to a private beach and swimming pool.
- Charter bus to and from Cairns airport.
What’s not included:
- Flights to Cairns airport.
Note: If you wish to spend some days before or after the retreat in Sanctuary Retreat, just let us know and we will organise it for you.
Getting There
72 Holt Rd, Garners Beach, Mission Beach.
You will need to arrange flights to and from Cairns. A shuttle bus to and from Cairns airport has been arranged.
November Retreat
2018 Dates
Our November retreat is held each year over the 5 days leading up to the Melbourne Cup.
In 2018 the retreat starts at
Venue
The retreat is held at Casa Pallotti, just a few minutes out of Millgrove, a small town near Warburton, in the Yarra Valley.
It takes a little over 90 minutes to travel by car from the Melbourne CBD.
Join us for three full days of rest and relaxation, delicious vegetarian food and
The retreat is suitable for both beginning and advanced meditators.
Rather than teaching you specific meditation techniques, we invite you to meditate in your own way. We’ll offer support and ideas on how to explore and refine your meditation practice and how to work more skillfully with thoughts and emotions.
You’ll also have plenty of time to walk, rest, read and relax. You won’t have to sit cross-legged or get up before dawn (unless you really want to) and you’ll be able to choose to participate in a range of activities.
Teachers & Approach
The retreat is led by Matthew Young and Liu Ponamarew and focuses on an approach to meditation developed by Jason Siff, and known as Recollective Awareness. It could be described as a form of mindfulness that encourages you to recall and journal about your experiences during meditation as a means of developing greater awareness and insight.
The approach is unique and innovative, and although Jason describes it as a Buddhist approach to meditation, it could equally be characterised by its modern, non-religious flavour. More information on the approach can be found by reading either of Jason’s books: Unlearning Meditation, or Thoughts Are Not The Enemy.
What To Expect
On retreat, there will be periods of sitting meditation, talks and group discussion. New perspectives are further explored in small group and individual interviews facilitated by the teachers.
There will also be time to walk, read and take time off, along with daily relaxation sessions and gentle movement/yoga practices.
Please note that outside of talks, group discussions and group interviews the retreat is conducted in silence. This doesn’t mean that you can’t talk; but it does mean that you are encouraged to respect the wishes of other participants for quiet (especially in and around the dorm rooms, within the meditation hall and in the dining area and kitchen).
Meals
All meals are provided, including a variety of teas, coffee and snacks. We cater for any special dietary needs, including vegan, gluten free etc.
Accommodation
Accommodation at Casa Pallotti is in a variety of dormitory-style rooms. There are between four and nine beds in each room, but we generally have no more than four people in any one room.
A limited number of the smaller rooms are available for single occupancy (for those who prefer a room to themselves). You may also to elect to share a room with a friend, friends, or partner. Otherwise, the shared rooms are either all male or all female.
Single occupancy and shared rooms are offered on a first come basis and payment in full is required at the time of booking in order to reserve a single occupancy room.
You may also camp in the field adjacent to the retreat centre (BYO tent).
There are shared toilet and shower facilities. The venue is smoke and alcohol free. Pets are not permitted.
Private Room*
Shared Room
Onsite Camping
Note: All prices are per person. Shared rooms have the capacity to accommodate up to nine people, but we rarely put more than three or four people in any one room.
The prices above cover accommodation and all meals, but do not include any payment to the teachers. If you wish to make a donation to the teachers you will be able to do so at the end of the retreat (by cash), or after the retreat (having had time to reflect on its value to you).
* In order to guarantee the availability of a private (single occupancy) room you must pay in full at the time of registration.
Please call or email if you wish to check the last-minute availability of private rooms.
March Weekend Retreat
2019 Dates
Start: 6:30pm, Friday 15
End: Approximately 2:00pm, Sunday 17, March.
Venue
The retreat provides you with a chance to get away for a weekend and to relax, recharge and meditate.
If you’ve never been on a meditation retreat before, this is an ideal place to start. There will be meditation instruction for both beginners and advanced practitioners, hearty vegetarian meals, plenty of free time and opportunities to walk through the surrounding forest and to appreciate the beautiful scenery.
Teachers & Approach
Accommodation
Meals
What to Expect
Getting There
Other Retreats
If the timing of our retreat doesn’t suit, or you’d like to do other retreats, here are a few options you might consider. The Adelaide based Lifeflow Meditation Centre offers meditation retreats ranging from 3 to 7 days throughout the year.
The Australian Insight Meditation Network also runs a range of retreats in most states. These generally have a non-religious Buddhist flavour. That is, the meditation techniques may be derived from Buddhist practices, but the teaching itself is largely free of a religious dimension.