June Long Weekend – Informal Retreat
June 6 @ 6:00 pm – June 9 @ 2:00 pm
GENERAL
Vejjasala, located just outside the village of Wingello in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is the retreat centre of the Association of Engaged Buddhists. The name, Vejjasala, means a place for healing.
This informal retreat will be held at Vejjasala for Association Members only. Please note that only current financial members of the Association are able to attend these retreats. Membership costs $60/year – details available here.
The informal retreat will be held from Friday afternoon/evening through to Monday lunchtime over the June long weekend.
SCHEDULE AND EXPECTATIONS
As this retreat will not be formally catered or coordinated beyond a few basics, a set charge will not be required, with participants encouraged to donate to the Association according to their means. Details for how to donate will be provided upon registration. Attendees will be asked to choose a group meal to contribute to, either by bringing ingredients and cooking on-site or pre-prepared meals. Meals will be coordinated in cooperation with attendees by the Retreat Coordinator.
Other than shared meals, these retreats are designed for self-reflection and meditation, with only few formal timings for practice or other activities aside from meals and perhaps a dhamma-talk on the Saturday evening after dinner. As such they are not really designed for those seeking instruction on beginning meditation.
Attendees will be asked to contribute to the ongoing maintenance of Vejjasala by spending some time on one or more of the various maintenance tasks that are necessary at the time. A list of current/ongoing jobs will be distributed with registration and participants are welcome to contribute to these activities either during the retreat or upon its completion (i.e. after lunch on Monday). The Retreat Coordinator will be able to provide guidance on these tasks at the retreat.
Please note: While we won’t be conducting these retreats strictly in noble silence, we’d encourage a sense of mindfulness in speech and, outside of shared meals and not to disturb/speak to other participants or hold conversations unless necessary. In this way retreatants can better stay with their own experience, moment by moment.
ENQUIRIES
If you have any questions regarding the retreat program, please email the Retreat Coordinator, Chris Burgess