Writers, Readers and Artists in Full Presence

A 7 day retreat

2-9 September 2022

This is an exciting opportunity to retreat at Dharma Gaia with the purpose of being supported to write, read or create in peace, concentration, and companionship.

Whether you need time and space to complete a book, poetry, short stories, memoir, or if you are simply needing the right conditions to journal more deeply, complete research, a thesis, a manual, or an essay, or space to make art. Some even retreat to have the space to complete important correspondence that has been waiting for the ‘write’ conditions to be expressed.

The depth of Dharma Gaia’s twenty years as a living Mindfulness Community will support your capacity for commitment, confidence and full presence in your writing - although how much you do is entirely your call. The general ambiance of this retreat will be restful in order to offer the most conducive conditions to listen within and for your creative energy to be nourished. 

We will provide a gentle practice schedule of periods of sitting (quiet contemplation), and walking meditation, silent nourishing meals, deep relaxation, The Artist Within sessions, and sessions on the Art of Mindfulness and Creativity. There will also be time and space created for group sharing and support. Your schedule will be designed by you - devote the whole of the retreat to your project or join the Dharma Gaia community in practices that will nourish and support your work. 

However, everything on the schedule will be optional.

Mealtimes will be set as a consistent for the retreat. And all participants will naturally take part in some aspect of mindful work to support the retreat. This will probably be a daily period of around 90 minutes. Participants will roster themselves for this at the beginning of each week. You will also be welcome to join in the garden work if that would nourish you and there are many wonderful bush walks, views and secret places to walk, to rest and to be energised

Where possible we will provide single accommodation for each participant. If that is not possible we will discuss options with you before accepting your registration.

It is possible to arrive for this retreat either on Friday before 5pm or if you wish to arrive more leisurely on the Saturday you are also welcome to do that.

Retreat costs;

$550 -$450 sliding scale for one week

TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING please make payment into: 03-0458-0013241-000

Please confirm your payment with an email to peace@dharmagaia.org and indicate in the email if this is your first retreat with us.

Dana for the Teacher's and Teachings. In line with the Buddhist tradition that inspired our teachers to train and practice for the sake of all beings, our Teaching is all offered on the basis of Dana - generosity and mutual support.

Please offer your Dana for the teachings into this DANA ACCOUNT 03 0458 0238459 000 (or offered into the Dana bowl at the time of the retreat)  Dana - donation payments are tax-deductible so must be referenced as Dana or Donation. You can find more information here.

When making a Dana payment via internet banking, Please include ‘Teacher’s Dana’ in the reference field.

How to register: Accommodation will be limited, please register your interest first before making payment by email dharmagaia.org@gmail.com   In the subject line: Writers, Readers and Artists in Full Presence. Confirmation of a place on the retreat will be subject to acceptance, followed by full payment of retreat fee

If cancelation is required due to COVID 19 restrictions, your retreat booking will be fully refunded.

GENERAL CANCELLATION POLICY

When we prepare for a retreat each one of you counts and is counted in the number of beds that are made and the amount of food that is cooked. As we are often booked out quite quickly, a cancellation can prevent someone else from joining us.

In the event of a cancellation up to 10 days prior to the starting date of the retreat, we can offer a 75% refund or the funds can be carried over to your next retreat.  

However, a cancellation within 10 days of the retreat starting date is non-refundable.

We write this in light of goodwill and in the understanding that life being life, things may change at the very last minute. Please, contact us to share/explain your circumstances.