Long Weekend Meditation Retreat with Megan Thorpe

A 3-day meditation retreat in the beautiful Southern Highlands

About this event

Dates: Saturday 30th September, 10 am – Monday 2nd October, 12 pm

Cost: Cost is $250-$300 including vegetarian meals and accommodation.

Are you a “Would-Be” Meditator?

• Would meditate if you had more time?
• Would meditate if you didn’t have such a busy mind?
• Would meditate if you only knew how?

Come along to this three-day retreat over the October long weekend at Vejjasala Retreat Centre in the beautiful Southern Highlands of NSW, only 2 hours drive from Sydney.

The retreat will commence at 10am on Saturday and finish at 12pm noon on Monday. Please arrive by 9:30am on Saturday, to settle in to your accommodation before the retreat starts promptly at 10 am.

This retreat will be led by Megan Thorpe, who will provide meditation instruction for those who are new or inexperienced, and guidance to take your meditation practice deeper for those who already have some experience. Sometimes, going back to basics can help reinvigorate an existing practice.

A variety of sitting and walking meditation will be explored, along with some personal reflective exercises, and an exploration of what might be preventing you moving from a Would-Be Meditator to an I Am a Meditator.

There will be time for being in nature, perhaps a walk to the nearby waterfall, an opportunity to develop more mindfulness of yourself and your surroundings, and an opportunity to reap the benefits of being with a group of others who are on a similar journey, and having a shared intention.

About the Teacher

Megan Thorpe has been meditating for over 30 years. She has experience in most Buddhist traditions and since 2003 has practised in the Thai Forest tradition. Her primary teachers are Bhante Tejadhammo and Bhante Sujato. She has led many retreats and workshops in Australia and in the UK.

Currently Megan is the President of the Association of Engaged Buddhists.

She was previously the President and Director of Training of the Australian Association of Buddhist Counsellors and Psychotherapists (AABCAP) and helped to develop and teach the professional training course which is still running many years later. She continues to be involved in the course as a student supervisor.

She is also the Manager of the Bereavement Counselling Service at Calvary Hospital Kogarah and has worked in palliative and end of life care and bereavement counselling for over 20 years. She is a psychospiritual psychotherapist, having trained in Core Process Psychotherapy, a Buddhist based psychotherapy, at the Karuna Institute in Devon, England.

Megan is warm and approachable with a deep understanding of dhamma and a quirky sense of humour.

Venue and Cost

Vejjasala, located just outside the village of Wingello in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is the retreat centre of the Association of Engaged Buddhists (AEB). The name, Vejjasala, means a place for healing. This beautiful retreat centre features recently renovated, comfortable accommodation, expanses of bushland, and lots of amazing wildlife. The address is 219 Forest Road Wingello, NSW 2579.

The event cost includes accommodation and vegetarian meals plus refreshments throughout the day. Please indicate if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. We may not be able to accommodate all requests.

Costs range from $250.00 – $300.00 depending on the type of accommodation.

There are different prices for different rooms. You can read more about the accommodation options. Full details about Vejjasala, , accommodation options, directions, map and information about what to bring can be found on the website.

Registration is at the bottom of the page via Ticket Tailor. Please complete the form and pay the full cost to reserve your place.

These retreats and teachings are possible because of the generosity of teachers and volunteers donating their time and expertise. The fee for the retreat covers food, accommodation and running costs of the centre. Participants are invited to make a donation to the teacher after the retreat, if they wish. This is not compulsory. In the Buddhist tradition this donation is called dāna, meaning generosity. This continues the ancient Buddhist tradition whereby the teachings are offered freely.

There is a train station in Wingello, however trains do not frequently stop there. We will attempt to organise carpooling with other participants if possible. Please indicate on the signup form if you require a lift or are able to offer lifts to others.

Vejjasala is a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people.

Risks and Responsibility

While meditation retreats are generally beneficial, intensive meditation practice can lead to distress or adverse effects. The teacher and volunteers will do their best to support you but they are not qualified to provide mental health support. Please consider your own situation and discuss with the organisers and teacher if you have any concerns. The teacher may ask to arrange a phone call prior to the retreat to make sure they understand your situation and how they can best support your meditation practice.

It should be noted that participants attend these retreats entirely at their own discretion and should consider their own risks and responsibilities in regard to their own health needs and COVID. While reasonable efforts will be taken in regard to providing a safe environment, the Association takes no responsibility for individuals’ behaviour or health consequences arising from attending a retreat.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID please take a RAT or PCR test and notify the organisers at office@engagedbuddhists.org.au. If you test positive for COVID you will not be able to attend the retreat and we will arrange a refund. If you have a negative result you may still be able to attend, depending on the severity of your symptoms and in discussion with the organisers.

Refund Policy

PLEASE NOTE: Bookings may be cancelled at no charge 14 days prior to the event with a full refund (minus booking fees). As catering ingredients need to be purchased in advance by the Association, bookings cancelled less than 14 days prior to the event will incur a 50% fee, unless the space is able to be filled by another retreatant, in which case a full refund (minus booking fees) will be issued.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact Megan on megan.thorpe@rocketmail.com