Transforming Self and World NOV 2020 - CANCELLED
Friday 6 November 2020 – Sunday 8 November 2020 at Vijayaloka Retreat Centre in Minto Heights
Our world us under threat. Do you feel that others don’t seem to get it? Are you feeling as if you are struggling against a weight of community inertia?
The Buddha's teachings are relevant in these times. They offer practical advice about how best to address the ecological dilemmas we are in. They offer tools with which to build resilient communities. Very importantly, the Dharma includes the beauty and mythic depth we each need to sustain our inspiration and energy.
Your personal approach to taking action can be revolutionised by realising that skilful mind states can transform the anger, fear and hatred at the current state of the world. This retreat will teach you practices based on care for others, essential to living in an interconnected world.
Although we try to keep the charge very low, if these costs are a barrier to your attendance, please talk to us.
Typical Programme
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| Friday | |
| 7pm | Dinner |
| 8pm | Welcome and dedication activity |
| Saturday | |
| 7am | Meditation |
| 9am | Breakfast |
| 10:30am | Workshop |
| 1:15pm | Lunch |
| 4pm | Workshop |
| 6:30pm | Dinner |
| 8pm | Discussion & Question Time |
| 8:30pm | Shrine Room Activity |
| Sunday | |
| 7am | Meditation |
| 9am | Breakfast |
| 10:30am | Workshop |
| 1:15pm | Lunch |
| 2:15pm | Clear up |
| 3:15pm | Closing activity & Depart |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a Buddhist or have any meditation experience?
No, the retreat is suitable for those who are new to meditation and experienced practitioners.
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 Sunday 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?
In order to allow us to accommodate as many people as want to come, we are not normally able to provide single rooms. If you have a very special circumstance which requires a single room for you to be able to attend, please contact us before booking to discuss. Due to COVID restrictions, the maximum number of people sharing a room will be two people.
What will the food be like?
Many Buddhists practice veganism 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 walk in the bush. There is a river you can swim in so you may also want to 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.