Silent Easter Yoga & Meditation Retreat - 2012 NOW FULL
Contact Sine Cera & Retreat Manager for waiting list only
Meditation and Yoga - Uniting mind and body
At the end of this Easter residential retreat you will feel tranquil, clear in mind and energised in body. This will be achieved through daily yoga, pranayama (breathing) practices, meditation and the practice of silence. (5 - 9 April, 2012).The variety of classes and instructions offered will suit beginners and experienced students of yoga and meditation. For experienced meditators unled meditation sits will be offered while beginners are participating in technique classes.
Group based and individual interviews will allow deeper exploration of your personal practice. The days will be held in noble silence.
The meditation practice and teachings will be lead by one of Australia most qualified Insight meditation teacher Geoff Simpson. Geoff is a member of the Insight Teachers Circle Australia and for many years has worked as a doctor in mental health. He is extremely qualified to support new students into meditation with safe practices.
Tam James is a senior physiotherapist (MAPA) and senior yoga teacher with Yoga Australia. She has in excess of 15 yrs experience sharing yoga as a therapy and stronger practices to more experienced students. Beginner's yoga classes will also be offered with Kate Fallick from Earth Awakening, who has completed extensive teacher trainings with Kate Pell and at yogaphysio.
Tam will support Geoff in leading some meditation and contribute the multi-level yoga practices each day. If required assistance may may be solicited by other teachers at yogaphysio. You can feel sure that your needs will be met - you are in good and safe hands - mind and body.
Vipassana means ‘insight’ in Pali (the ancient Indian language used to transmit the Buddha’s teachings). Insight refers to the direct seeing into our truths – those abiding revelations that help us change our life to live engaged with our deeper values. Insight, or Vipassana meditation is not simply a system or a technique. It is also the direct opening into the deeper truths of life. Support for this opening may be cultivated in meditation through training the mind in calmness, mindfulness and inquiry.
The style of meditation practice during this retreat is in the lay Insight Meditation tradition - drawing on the practicality of teachings in a contemporary life. These teachings are noted for an emphasis on direct experience in the spirit of the Buddha’s original teachings. People of all faiths including Christian, Atheist and Rationalist have benefited from this style of meditation and the teachings of the Buddha on compassion and wisdom. Formal meditation can be practiced in any of the four traditional postures of sitting (including in a chair), standing, walking or lying. To facilitate an easeful practice and support going deeper, periods of sitting or lying meditation will alternate with walking meditation or yoga.
Yoga is an ancient spiritual practice. The yoga postures or asana are a skillful means of awakening the body and mind. Two yoga sessions will be offered in each full day. There will be an optional gentle multi-level practice each morning and students can decide to attend a beginner level class with Kate or a stronger experienced level class with Tam.
Noble silence and Etiquette on the retreat
Taking a refreshing break from chatter can support the cultivation of calming and participants will be encouraged and supported to keep talking to just what is necessary. Most people find that after a short adjustment period it is remarkably easy and natural to engage in this practice during the retreat. Silent retreats are not always suitable for those in an acute crisis situation or those living with fragile mental health. Feel free to discuss this with the teachers prior to submitting your registration.
The retreat will be conducted under the shelter of the Five Ethical Precepts, which create a safe, caring and conscious environment for spiritual practice. On retreat the precepts invite us to restrain from harmful speech and actions, sexual expression and intoxicants. It is not expected that tea, coffee or nicotine habits need to be given up during the retreat but minimising there use is supported.
Our beautiful venue is Sine Cera Rainforest Retreat in Cougal, near the Border Ranges. The retreat cost is $375 in dormitory accomodation (up to 8 beds in a room or camping. There are a limited number of single and twin rooms which shared bathroom facilities. These are available at additional cost - $75 single supplement or $45 twin supplement for the 4 days). If you wish to hire bed linen, it's an additional $12, otherwise BYO. The retreat fee covers meals and accommodation only. You are invited to give teachers a donation for their contribution.
Donation for teachings
The set retreat fee covers accommodation/ camping, facility use, all meals, snacks and drinks and some organisational costs. The retreat fee does not cover the teachers’ time and energy contribution to the retreat. Meditation teachings are priceless and are offered without a set or up-front fee. In a spirit of trust and generosity you are requestedto provide ‘dana’ (donation) to the teachers’ in appreciation of the teachings. You are invited to reflect upon your means and value of the retreat in so doing.
Additionally, if you have financial resources that would help others less fortunate to attend the retreat, please post in your support with a note stating how much you are giving to the fee sponsorship fund.
Registration (pdf) can be posted or scanned & emailed back Accomodation booking (pdf)
Registration (.doc) can be emailed back Accomodation booking (.doc)
