Easter Weekend Mindfulness Retreat 2025

Easter Weekend 2025 Mindfulness Retreat

Join us for an Easter Weekend Mindfulness Retreat in Bringelly with Plum Village Monastics from Mountain Spring Monastery, NSW, Australia. This event is family-friendly and open to all ages.

A Retreat with Plum Village Monastics from Mountain Spring Monastery, NSW, Australia

    When - starts at 4pm Friday 18 April 2025 and finishes at 2pm Monday 21 April 2025

    Location - St Joseph Conference Centre, 30 Tyson Road, Bringelly, NSW 2556

Registration Closes: Sunday 13th April 2025 or until sold out (75 people capacity)

    The very heart of the practice of mindfulness is the practice of coming home with every breath, with every step, of establishing ourselves deeply in the present moment, deeply connected to our body, to our feelings, and looking deeply into what is arising. This special retreat is also an opportunity for us all to come home to the many-fold sangha and practice together in person as a community. What a joyful moment!

    The Plum Village tradition of practice is designed to help us weave mindfulness into all of our daily activities. In this way we can practise meditation throughout the day while eating, walking, working, sitting in meditation, or even enjoying a cup of tea together in silence and attentiveness. In addition to formal practices of mindfulness such as sitting and walking meditation, sutra recitation, Dharma Talks and discussions, tea meditation and Be Ins, each of us will have the opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and joy whilst helping in communal activities such as arranging the meditation hall, preparing meals, washing dishes and so forth as part of our retreat. As this is a retreat for all ages, children are welcome to participate. There will be a special program for children (ages 5+) with joyful and engaging activities to suit their interests.

This retreat has a limited number of places which are available on a first come first served basis, so please fill out the online registration form and make your payment ASAP to secure your place. This is a fully inclusive event for people of any age, ability, religion, cultural background, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

What to bring: comfortable clothing, warm jacket, bath towel, toiletries, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, umbrella or raincoat, walking shoes, and water bottles.

Regarding dormitory bedding: To help you have a comfortable sleep, please bring your sleeping bag or blanket as it may get a bit cold at night in Bringelly. Pillow, pillowcase and bed sheet are provided by the venue.

Regarding tent camping: Please bring your own tent*, sleeping bag, mat, pillow, and torch.

*Limited amount of tents available for use provided by venue, please indicate in Accommodation Grouping section

Registration fee covers: 3 nights accommodation, sitting mats and cushions, linen bundle for dormitory room (Pillow, pillowcase and bed sheet), tent if requested for camping, vegan meals, mindfulness activities, spoken language translations to English or Vietnamese, and time to flow as a river with the Sangha.

Special notes about the retreat:

·  Children's program available for (ages 5+) with joyful and engaging activities to suit their interests.

During your time with us we ask that you help to nurture the peaceful and solid energy of this place by:

·  Observing the five mindfulness trainings of protecting life, not taking what does not belong to you, refraining from sexual activity, mindful and compassionate speech, and refraining from intoxicants (alcohol, drugs for example) whilst on the property.

·  The daily schedule is posted on the whiteboard in the public areas. We ask that you do your best to be on time for and participate in all activities in the while you are with us. If you are feeling ill, or are tired, please let the organising team know.

·  The chance to be on retreat is very precious. In order to fully be here and benefit from the mindful energy here we ask that you minimise your use of electronic devices as much as possible, and not engage in unnecessary conversations about topics that may be uncomfortable or distressing for some (such as politics) etc.

·  For everyone’s comfort, the dress code at is smart casual. You will find it helpful to bring clothes that are loose fitting and cover your knees and elbows so that you can easefully sit in meditation. The weather is quite changeable and you will find it helpful to bring a few layers.

·  Food is served at mealtimes and we ask that you refrain from taking food outside of those times. Tea, coffee, fruit etc are available for you if you feel hungry outside of those times. All meals and food are vegan/vegetarian and we ask that you only bring or consume plant-based food whilst spending time with us (no meat, no fish, etc.).

·  There is a period of noble silence that begins after the evening practice activity and continues until after breakfast the next morning. We ask that everyone do their best to avoid unnecessary conversations during that period, so that a deep atmosphere of rest can be enjoyed by all.

·  Carpooling - A link to a self-organised Carpooling form will be included in both the registration confirmation email and in the 1-week event reminder email.

Sliding-Scale Contribution

Adult Dormitory Suggested - $360 / Adult Camping Suggested - $290

Our suggested registration fee is at cost to make retreat attendance more accessible.

Additional Giving: Adult Dormitory - $380, $400, or $420 / Adult Camping - $310, $330, or $350

If you are able to contribute additional funds to your registration costs, it will help us offer financial assistance to others and to help us realise the vision of creating a peaceful oasis where all can come and practice.

Financial Assistance: Adult Dormitory - $340, $320, $300 / Adult Camping - $270, $250, $230

If your financial situation means you would have difficulty paying for the suggested retreat fee but would really benefit from attending you may select a reduced retreat fee during registration or use the contact us form to discuss your circumstances.

Payment/Cancellation Policy

-Full payment refunds (minus Stripe's original service fee) for cancellations made before 4 April 2025.

-50% payment refunds for cancellations made between 5 - 11 April 2025.

-20% payment refunds for cancellations made between 12-18 April 2025.

Privacy Policy

Your personal information is kept confidential and is strictly used for the purpose of this retreat only by the Retreat Organisers. We do not share information with third-parties.

*Donations are warmly welcomed to support basic operational and monastic living costs and to support this monastery for future generations here in Australia.

For further inquiries and concerns please use the contact us form

About St. Joseph Conference Centre Welcome to the St. Joseph's Conference Centre, an ideal setting for retreats. The Centre is set in 10 hectares of beautifully landscaped and natural bushland and is located about 22km south west of Liverpool city. Only 35 minutes drive from Sydney. The easiest way to get here is by driving. There is ample parking spaces for cars. The Centre features a large main hall which can be used for meditation and dharma talks. Now featuring air conditioning in the main hall and dining hall. The Centre has 35 rooms available and plenty of tent camping space. All rooms are fully-carpeted, with central shower and toilet blocks. In each room, the double deck bunks come furnished with mattresses, linen, pillows and pillow cases. Guests must bring their own blankets and towels. Use of blankets and towels can be arranged at an extra charge.