Immersion in the Immeasurables
Friday 29 April 2022 – Friday 6 May 2022 at Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights
"Metta is blissful, ecstatic, a naturally expansive desire to brighten the whole world, the whole universe, and universes beyond that"
Living with Kindness – Sangharakshita
Starting with a foundation of metta or loving kindness, the Four Immeasurable’s or Brahmavihārā's, are the Buddha’s path to love without limit or measure.
We are delighted to be welcoming special guest Aryajaya to lead this retreat. Originally from Australia, Aryajaya now lives and works at Adhisthana in the UK as Triratna's International Order Convenor.
Aryajaya
22 years ago I left Sydney to immerse myself in the Triratna community. That brought me to the UK, where I have lived in community and worked in Team Based Right Livelihood since that time. I am currently the International Order convenor and live at Adhisthana. My role means that, outside pandemic conditions, I travel to meet Order members in all parts of the world.Ordained in 2006 my name means ‘noble victory’. This name has been a source of practice and inspiration for me. It’s a name of transformation and courage. It takes me deeper into the essence of ethical practice, is a reminder of the need for consistent application in practice and the freedom and joy that arises from engaging in whatever life brings - the beauty and the difficulty.
Returning to Sydney is always a home coming, as is being at Vijayaloka, where I did my first retreats. I often long for the bush there, so this retreat will be a real gift to me and I look forward to meeting with those of you who come along to explore these sublime qualities taught by the Buddha for a world suffused with love, not hatred.
I’m delighted to be supported by Nagasuri and Ratnadaka.
Suitable for those familiar with the Mettā Bhāvanā practice
We want everyone to have the opportunity to come on retreat. If you cannot afford the cost even with concessions, we may be able to help. Please contact us to discuss.
Already Paid a Deposit? Pay Balance NowTypical Daily Programme
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7am | Meditation |
| 9am | Breakfast |
| 10:30am | Meditation |
| 1pm | Lunch |
| 3:30pm | Meditation |
| 6pm | Dinner |
| 8pm | Meditation & Pūjā |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I need to have been practising?
The retreat will be best suited for those who have an established meditation practice, and who can sit quietly for 45 minutes without guidance.
Do I need to be a Buddhist?
Although our inspiration and practices come from Buddhist teachings, you do not need to be a Buddhist to attend or benefit from the retreat.
What does the cost include?
The retreat cost covers the full cost of the retreat, including all food.
When does the retreat start and end?
The retreat will begin with dinner on the Friday evening at 6:30pm. You are welcome to arrive any time from 5pm. It is normally not advisable to plan to arrive later than this. If you think you might need to, please contact us before booking.
We will finish on the Friday afternoon, around 3pm.
What will the accommodation be like?
Vijayaloka provides simple, but comfortable accommodation. Living communally is an important and enjoyable part of the retreat. We will be in shared single-sex rooms with 2-4 people in each, and will eat together communally.
Living communally means caring for each other. The team leading the retreat are volunteers who are on retreat as well and we will ask you to help out with simple chores. Working together is a good way of getting to know each other, and it also helps us keep the cost of the retreat to a minimum.
Can I have a single room?
Vijayaloka has two single rooms that can be allocated to people with special requirements. If you require a single room to be able to attend, please contact us before booking to ensure availability.
What will the food be like?
Many Buddhists eat a vegan diet as an expression of non-violence. As such, all food will be vegan.
If you have any allergies that aren't listed on the booking form, please contact us before booking to ensure we can cater for you.
What do I need to bring?
Unless you are coming a long distance we ask that you bring your own sheets and blankets or a sleeping bag (we have plenty of pillows).
It can be surprisingly cold in the early mornings and evenings, and quite hot in the middle of the day, so bring clothes suitable for all weather: we suggest you bring layers as well as a warm jumper or jacket. You'll also need a good sun hat and suitable shoes, especially if you want to bushwalk. There is a river that you can swim in, so you may also want to bring swimwear.
In addition you'll need to bring any toiletries you need including a towel, insect repellent, and sun block. It is also a good idea to bring a torch if you have one and you may also want to bring a notebook and pen.
The Team
Where to Find Us
The retreat is at Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights.
Driving
Vijayaloka's address for use in sat-navs is 36 Howard Road, Minto Heights NSW 2566. Travel time from central Sydney is about one hour.
There is a blue sign at Vijayaloka's entrance. Enter there and then park the car park immediately on your right.
If you are able to offer a lift to others travelling from Sydney, please let us know.
Train
Vijayaloka is very easy to access by train. The closest train station is Minto which is on the T8 Airport Line towards MacArthur and Campbelltown. Travel time is about 50 minutes from Central.
We can normally arrange for those travelling by train to be picked up from the train station. Please indicate when booking if you need to be picked up and aim to be at Minto around 5:30-6pm. We will contact you shortly before the start of the retreat to confirm. Alternatively you can take a taxi from the bottle shop across the road from the station, or an Uber.
If you are travelling from outside Sydney and don't have an Opal card, you can use any contactless credit/debit card to travel on Sydney Trains.