Mindfulness Retreat: Cultivating a Boundless Heart *

Registration Must Close Thursday 19/09/2024 at 12:00pm

Cultivating a Boundless Heart:

A special Mindfulness retreat held at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, Grose Wold

    When - starts at 4pm Thursday 3 October and finishes at 2pm Sunday 6 October

    Location - Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, 347 Grose Wold Rd, Grose Wold NSW 2753, Australia

Registration Closes: 12pm Thursday 19th September 2024 or until sold out

We warmly invite you to join us as we explore the ancient heart opening practices of the Four Immeasurables- loving kindness, compassion, joy, and inclusiveness.

During this special retreat, guided by monastics from Mountain Spring Monastery, we will be immersing ourselves in cultivating these awarenesses in the tranquil and healing environment of Benedict XVI retreat centre in beautiful Grose Vale. We will walk, sit, breathe and cultivate as a manyfold joyfilled community, enjoying periods of deep, reflective silence, as well as periods of inquiry and discussion. We hope that you will be able to join us!

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.

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

Registration fee covers: 3 nights accommodation, sitting mats and cushions, linen bundle (pillow+case, mattress protector, doona+cover, bath+hand towel), Ensuite (all rooms), 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:

·  Ages 18 and over.

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.

·  Benedict XVI Retreat Centre is a completely non-smoking environment and no camping allowed.

·  For everyone’s comfort, the dress code at Benedict XVI Retreat Centre 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 vegetarian food whilst spending time with us.

·  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.

About Benedict XVI Retreat Centre

By car, BXVI is approximately 70 minutes from Sydney’s CBD, 50 Minutes from Parramatta’s CBD and 1.5 hours from Wollongong’s CBD.

Carpooling form link will be sent with confirmation and 1 week reminder emails after registration.

Welcome to the Benedict XVI Retreat Centre, a wonderful initiative of the Archdiocese of Sydney and Sydney Catholic Schools. The Centre is a place of incredible beauty and tranquillity, a magnificent rural escape. It is a spiritual sanctuary, to which visitors will want to return, again and again.  The facilities will support the needs of all who come here and wish each group well as they enjoy all that the Centre has to offer.  The BXVI Centre is open to all and the facilities will have broad appeal to a wide variety of groups looking for a peaceful venue for a weekend, a few days or longer.

- Accommodation details & images

- Bushland setting images

- Directions according to BXVI website

Sliding-Scale Contribution

Suggested - $420

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

Additional Giving - $443, $466, or $489

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 - $397

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.

TIP: If desired ticket(s) are currently unavailable or sold out - please check again later or use the contact us form with your email, mobile and the type of ticket you'd like for the Oct Retreat.

Cancellation Policy  (strict due to venue policy)

-Full payment refunds (minus original service fee) are available for cancellations made before 7 September 2024.

-50% payment refunds (minus original service fee) are available for cancellations made between 7-19 September 2024.

-20% payment refunds (minus original service fee) are available for cancellations made between 20-26 September 2024.

-Registration is non-transferable.

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