Tasting the Dharma: Weekend Retreat with Grahame White

Tasting the Dharma: Exploring the fundamentals of Insight (Vipassana) Meditation

About this event

“The happiness of meditation is the highest happiness” – The Buddha

Join meditation teacher Grahame White for a weekend retreat exploring the fundamentals of Insight (Vipassana) Meditation. This weekend retreat will be offered in the green heart of NSW’s Southern Highlands at the Vejjasala Retreat Centre, Wingello.

Practising Vipassana meditation is perhaps the greatest gift we can give to ourselves and others. Vipassana is concerned primarily with the cultivation of awareness and understanding. Awareness so that we can see our minds more clearly and understanding so that we can know what is useful and what is not useful for experiencing a deep harmonious relationship with ourselves and the world.

This retreat is suitable for beginners and practitioners of all levels.

About the Teacher

Grahame White has been involved in Buddhist meditation practice for over 40 years. He took a primary role in the establishment of Vipassana (insight) meditation in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw in Australia and co-founded the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre. He currently leads introductory and day-long courses in Australia and also regularly teaches retreats in the United States and various countries in Asia. Grahame has also helped pioneer the workshop format of teaching meditation that enhances the transfer of mindfulness from the formal sitting practice into daily life.

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.

Tickets are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis via Eventrbite.

This retreat is catered with three vegetarian meals per day. Please indicate if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. We may not be able to accommodate all requests.

The cost for the retreat is $250. Members and Friends of the Association of Engaged Buddhists should use the Promo code AEBMEMFRI to receive the member price of $220. This cost covers food and accommodation. If the cost is prohibitive, please talk to the organisers, as there are scholarship positions available.

Payment to the teacher is traditionally made by donation (dāna) after the retreat.

The annual membership fee for AEB is $60.00. To join AEB, visit our membership page.

Full details about Vejjasala, accommodation options, directions, and information about what to bring can be found on the website: https://engagedbuddhists.org.au/vejjasala-retreat-centre/

There is a train station in Wingello, however trains do not frequently stop there. We will attempt to organise carpooling. 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.

COVID

• We are requiring that all attendees conduct a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours of attending the retreat. Take a photo of your result and email to office@engagedbuddhists.org.au in order to be able to attend the retreat.
• All attendees must be fully vaccinated and send a screenshot of vaccination status along with RAT test results per the above. This is to ensure the safety of all members attending the retreat.

Adequate social distancing, hand-washing and other sensible measure should be followed by all attendees.

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 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, please do not attend the retreat and notify the organisers at office@engagedbuddhists.org.au.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact us on office@engagedbuddhists.org.au