7 – 16 June 2013: Way of Serenity & Insight – a satipaṭṭhāna retreat at Kallara Conference Centre, Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria

This is a nine day retreat suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. The first weekend is the Queen’s Birthday weekend. Kallara Conference Centre is deep in the countryside.

This retreat is organised by the Melbourne Insight Meditation Group (MIMG). Check their website at www.melbourneinsightmeditation.org; and see their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/melbourne.insight.meditation.

Cost: 3 day long weekend 7-10 June - $240 (+ dāna); 5 day short retreat 7-12 June - $420 (+ dāna); 9 day full retreat 7-16 June - $580 (+ dāna).

Information and bookings: MIMG.


27 July – 4 August 2013: Nurturing Mindfulness & Developing Insight – A satipaṭṭhāna retreat at Bodhi Zendo, near Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, India

The retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. It will be held at Bodhi Zendo, in the South Indian hills. This may be the best venue I teach at, with excellent food and well designed facilities. if you think that practising in India means physical hardship, cast aside your hippie prejudices and think again. For more information about Bodhi Zendo, visit their website at www.bodhizendo.org.

Cost: At the time of writing, the cost has not been finalised. However, last year it was 600 rupees per day.

Bookings & further information: Amalan Stanley.


11 – 20 October 2013: Nurturing Mindfulness & Developing Insight - A satipaṭṭhāna retreat at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre, Medlow Bath, NSW

This is a nine day retreat suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners. The Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre (BMIMC) is a small and comfortable centre in the upper Blue Mountains. It allows an intimate and supportive atmosphere for intensive meditation practice.

For more information on BMIMC, have a look at their website at http://www.meditation.asn.au.

Cost: $540.

Bookings & further information: BMIMC, or phone (02) 4788 1024. To register for retreats, use the Retreat Application found on the website, email or post it. The Centre’s postal address is: 25 Rutland Road, Medlow Bath NSW 2780.



1 – 15 December 2013: Satipaṭṭhāna retreat at Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary, Taiping, Malaysia

This is a two week retreat satipaṭṭhāna retreat suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS) is a monastery and meditation centre located in an old plantation in the hills above Taiping, on the west coast of the Malay peninsula. The venue is beautiful, and the community is extremely supportive. This retreat provides a taste of meditation practice when it is firmly embedded within its tradition.

For more information about SBS, visit their website at http://www.sasanarakkha.org.

Cost: As SBS is a Buddhist monastery, the retreat is held on a dāna basis. Practitioners give the monastery a gift of money, in return for the gift of the facilities.

Bookings & further information: SBS Programmes Head, Bro. Liew Chit Sien.