Order Retreat: Spiritual Death and The Emergent Ḍākinī
Friday 13 February 2026 – Sunday 22 February 2026 at Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights
This retreat is open only to Order members.
At the heart of the five grounds of meditation practice in the Order is surely: Spiritual Death.
“Death” in this context is a metaphor for the transformation of Ignorance into Spiritual Freedom; into wisdom, liberation and spiritual energy. Spiritual death practices are the cremation ground, in which arises the Ḍākinī, the very embodiment of those qualities.
On the retreat we will explore the conditioned nature of self and mind through practices that will include the Contemplation of the Nidānas, Contemplation of the 6 Elements, and the reflections on Emptiness. Through the Boundless meditations and Bodhicitta we may open the heart to the emergent Ḍākinī.
The ḍākinī who we will meet on the retreat is Kurukulle, a ḍākinī form of Red Tārā,who has the power of magnetization; enchanting beings through her love. Kurukulle’s flower arrows go out to all beings, causing them to fall in love with the Dharma! We’ll meet Kurukulle through puja, ritual and visualization.
The guidance in the practices will be supported by theory and practice notes, and short talks.
Within the mandala of the five grounds of the Triratna system, you are invited to falling in love all over again, with the emergent Ḍākinī…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the food at Vijayaloka like?
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.
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 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. However, because we will be meditating in an enclosed space together, please do not bring perfume or anything that has a strong smell which some people may be sensitive to.
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.
When does the retreat start and end?
The retreat will begin after the NOG ends on the Monday afternoon. You are welcome to arrive any time. We will finish on the Sunday afternoon, around 3pm.
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.