Weekends of Practice for AEB Members

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. 

The AEB committee is offering weekends of practice for members throughout 2023. These will be held at Vejjasala for Association members only. Each weekend of practice will commence on Friday evening and run until Sunday lunchtime.

Upcoming dates:

• 24–26 February 
• 26–28 May 
• 23–25 June

Please note that only current financial members of the Association can attend these weekends. There is a limit of 10 people per weekend and places will be allocated on a first in first served basis. 
Please email Megan Thorpe at waterlilylady58@bigpond.com if you would like to attend or have any questions.

COVID

Due to COVID restrictions, total numbers will be limited to 1 occupant per room/kuti, unless the participants are already close contacts and wish to share.

It should be noted that participants attend these weekends 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 their attendance.

If you have any cold or flu symptoms in the days before the weekend, please contact Megan and also take a COVID test. Do not attend without a negative test result.

Schedule and Expectations

Food: The weekends will not be catered for beyond a few basic provisions (tea, coffee). Participants are asked to provide their own meals for their consumption. 

Cost: Participants are encouraged to offer dana (make a donation) to cover the costs of running the retreat centre for the weekend. 

Purpose: Other than sharing mealtimes, these weekends are designed for self-reflection and meditation. There will be some scheduled times for meditations, but these are optional. As such, the weekends are not really designed for those seeking instruction on beginning meditation.

Mindfulness and tasks: 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. More information will be available over the weekend.

While we won’t be conducting these weekends strictly in noble silence, we would encourage a sense of mindfulness in speech and, outside of shared meals, ask participants not to disturb or speak to others or hold conversations unless necessary. In this way people can better stay with their own experience, moment by moment.

More details and information about what to bring and how to get to Vejjasala can be found in the guest guide. Further details will be provided after you have registered your interest. Please email Megan Thorpe at waterlilylady58@bigpond.com