Preliminary Practice Retreats
Creating the Conditions for Meditation
Preliminary practice retreats are held throughout the year and are designed to help us create the conditions that we need to have a peaceful mind and to progress along the path to pure happiness. In each retreat we focus on a particular spiritual practice so that we gain deep experience of it.
If you would like to attend a retreat you can either come along for the sessions on a casual basis or come for the whole retreat. If you would like to stay over for the retreat we have some accommodation available but please check with us first.
Unless otherwise specified session times are:
7 - 8.30am; 10 - 11.30am; 4 - 5.30pm; 7.30 - 9pm
These retreats are scheduled for 2010.
Refuge Retreat
25 Mar - 31 Mar
Going for refuge means finding protection from our problems by developing special Dharma understandings with the help of Buddha's blessings and encouragement from our Sangha friends. On this retreat we have a perfect opportunity to deepen our experience of refuge. The practice of refuge is the gateway through which we enter the Buddhist path to liberation and enlightenment.
Guru Yoga Mandala Offering Retreat
17 May - 23 May and 9 Sep - 15 Sep
A special practice which combines the practice of Guru Yoga, a method for relying on our Spiritual Guide, and Mandala offerings, that enables us to strengthen and deepen our connection with our Spiritual Guide.
Vajrasattva Retreat
8 Jul - 14 Jul
Vajrasattva is the Buddha of purification. During this retreat we have the opportunity to purify our negative karma by engaging in the purification practices of Buddha Vajrasattva. Through this practice we can remove both the causes of our future suffering and obstacles to our spiritual practice.
Through purifying our negativity our mind will gradually become happier and happier, our good qualities will increase, and all our mental and physical problems will gradually disappear.
2011 Retreats
Lamrim Retreat (First Week Guided)
2 Jan - 22 Jan 2011
The Lamrim is a series of twenty-one meditations that lead us through all the stages of the path to permanent happiness. The retreat is based on the meditations in the book New Meditation Handbook by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso. By engaging in this retreat we can increase our familiarity with these essential meditations for daily practice. On this retreat Gen Nampur will guide the first week. The second and third weeks will be unguided. For more information about Lamrim retreat click here.
Retreat Costs
- Unguided retreat sessions: by donation;
- Guided retreat sessions $5 each (no charge for FP/TTP students);
- Guided retreat days (inc lunch and dinner) $25 per day;
- Unguided retreat day, three meals and accommodation (dorm or similar) $30 per day;
- Guided retreat day, three meals and accommodation (dorm or similar) $45 per day;
- lunch or dinner $5 each.