New Year's Mindfulness Retreat - A Joyful Heart

A Joyful Heart: Practices of Renewal, Forgiveness and Healing

Join us for a New Year's Mindfulness Retreat in Bringelly with Plum Village Monastics from Mountain Spring Monastery, NSW, Australia. This event is family-friendly and open to all ages.

A Retreat with Plum Village Monastics from Mountain Spring Monastery, NSW, Australia

    When - starts at 4pm Saturday 28 December 2024 and finishes at 2pm Wednesday 1 January 2025

    Location - St Joseph Conference Centre, 30 Tyson Road, Bringelly, NSW 2556

Registration Closes: Sunday 22nd December 2024 or until sold out

    The very heart of the practice of mindfulness is the practice of coming home with every breath, with every step, of establishing ourselves deeply in the present moment, deeply connected to our body, to our feelings, and looking deeply into what is arising. This special retreat is also an opportunity for us all to come home to the many-fold sangha and practice together in person as a community. What a joyful moment!

    The Plum Village tradition of practice is designed to help us weave mindfulness into all of our daily activities. In this way we can practise meditation throughout the day while eating, walking, working, sitting in meditation, or even enjoying a cup of tea together in silence and attentiveness. In addition to formal practices of mindfulness such as sitting and walking meditation, sutra recitation, Dharma Talks and discussions, tea meditation and Be Ins, each of us will have the opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and joy whilst helping in communal activities such as arranging the meditation hall, preparing meals, washing dishes and so forth as part of our retreat. As this is a retreat for all ages, children are welcome to participate. There will be a special program for children (ages 5+) with joyful and engaging activities to suit their interests.

This retreat has a limited number of places which are available on a first come first served basis, so please fill out the online registration form and make your payment ASAP to secure your place. This is a fully inclusive event for people of any age, ability, religion, cultural background, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

What to bring: comfortable clothing, warm jacket, bath towel, toiletries, insect repellent, sunscreen, hat, umbrella or raincoat, walking shoes, and water bottles.

Regarding dormitory bedding: To help you have a comfortable sleep, please bring your sleeping bag or blanket as it may get a bit cold at night in Bringelly. Pillow, pillowcase and bed sheet are provided by the venue.

Regarding tent camping: Please bring your own tent*, sleeping bag, mat, pillow, and torch.

*Limited amount of tents available for use provided by venue, please indicate in Accommodation Grouping section

Registration fee covers: 4 nights accommodation, sitting mats and cushions, linen bundle for dormitory room (Pillow, pillowcase and bed sheet), tent if requested for camping, vegan meals, mindfulness activities, spoken language translations to English or Vietnamese, and time to flow as a river with the Sangha.

Special notes about the retreat:

·  Children's program available for (ages 5+) with joyful and engaging activities to suit their interests.

During your time with us we ask that you help to nurture the peaceful and solid energy of this place by:

·  Observing the five mindfulness trainings of protecting life, not taking what does not belong to you, refraining from sexual activity, mindful and compassionate speech, and refraining from intoxicants (alcohol, drugs for example) whilst on the property.

·  The daily schedule is posted on the whiteboard in the public areas. We ask that you do your best to be on time for and participate in all activities in the while you are with us. If you are feeling ill, or are tired, please let the organising team know.

·  The chance to be on retreat is very precious. In order to fully be here and benefit from the mindful energy here we ask that you minimise your use of electronic devices as much as possible, and not engage in unnecessary conversations about topics that may be uncomfortable or distressing for some (such as politics) etc.

·  For everyone’s comfort, the dress code at is smart casual. You will find it helpful to bring clothes that are loose fitting and cover your knees and elbows so that you can easefully sit in meditation. The weather is quite changeable and you will find it helpful to bring a few layers.

·  Food is served at mealtimes and we ask that you refrain from taking food outside of those times. Tea, coffee, fruit etc are available for you if you feel hungry outside of those times. All meals and food are vegan/vegetarian and we ask that you only bring or consume vegetarian food whilst spending time with us.

·  There is a period of noble silence that begins after the evening practice activity and continues until after breakfast the next morning. We ask that everyone do their best to avoid unnecessary conversations during that period, so that a deep atmosphere of rest can be enjoyed by all.

Sliding-Scale Contribution

Adult Dormitory Suggested - $480 / Adult Camping Suggested - $380

Our suggested registration fee is at cost to make retreat attendance more accessible.

Adult Dormitory Additional Giving - $500, $520, or $540 / Adult Camping - $400, $420, or $440

If you are able to contribute additional funds to your registration costs, it will help us offer financial assistance to others and to help us realise the vision of creating a peaceful oasis where all can come and practice.

Adult Dormitory Financial Assistance - $460, $440, $420 / Adult Camping - $360, $340, $320

If your financial situation means you would have difficulty paying for the suggested retreat fee but would really benefit from attending you may select a reduced retreat fee during registration or use the contact us form to discuss your circumstances.

Payment/Cancellation Policy

-Full payment refunds (minus Stripe's original service fee) for cancellations made before 14 December 2024.

-50% payment refunds for cancellations made between 15 - 21 December 2024.

-20% payment refunds for cancellations made between 22-28 December 2024.

Privacy Policy

Your personal information is kept confidential and is strictly used for the purpose of this retreat only by the Retreat Organisers. We do not share information with third-parties.

*Donations are warmly welcomed to support basic operational and monastic living costs and to support this monastery for future generations here in Australia.

For further inquiries and concerns please use the contact us form