"Freedom is not given to us by anyone; we have to cultivate it ourselves. It is a daily practice. No one can prevent you from being aware of each step you can take or each breath in and out"

- Thich Nhat Hanh

Western culture places great emphasis on doing. Performing and producing are highly valued.

Somewhere along the line, we get the message that success means perfection, and strength means to soldier on. We all feel pressured to keep moving, doing, proving, and people pleasing our way to our goals or dreams.

These behaviours take us away from the present moment, leaving us feeling exhausted, alone, disconnected, and lost.

To manifest and enjoy the miracle of being alive we occasionally need to stop and do ‘nothing’.

Why?

To stop and observe rather than "do" is a radical act of humility, self-care, and love that can potentially transform and heal our lives.

Kind, gentle and nonjudgmental present moment awareness is a skill that can be learned by anyone.

Research has shown that the practice of mindfulness greatly enhances emotional well-being and resilience.

What does the day retreat cover?

This one-day retreat is an invitation to familiarise ourselves with the practice of mindfulness and transform the way in which we relate and take care of ourselves.

We will learn to embrace and befriend the present moment (and ourselves) as it is. All that is required is a shift in the direction of our attention — recognising that this moment (and ourselves) is always worthy of receiving our kind, gentle and nonjudgemental attention.

In this day retreat, we will explore how to use the primary methods of mindfulness meditation to balance energy and calmness while we develop more ease and well-being.

These including mindfulness-based mind training techniques, personal exploration, and group-sharing, all of which have been shown to develop mindfulness.

You will learn and/or practice:

When / how often does the course run?

We will meet in a small group on Sunday, 29 September from 9 am to 4 pm. It will be a safe, supportive, positive and wholesome environment.

Why do a one-day retreat?

Several meditation sessions in one day can lead to renewed vigor and interest in our meditation. It can also help us reach new and different depths of understanding of ourselves and the world. As we practice with a group of like-minded others, we find additional inspiration for our practice. Sitting, walking, and relational mindfulness will offer opportunities to deepen our practice.