Tasting the Dhamma - Weekend Retreat with Grahame White

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to cancel this retreat. All bookings will be fully refunded. We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. We hope to reschedule this event for 2024.

About This Event

Dates: Friday 1 to Sunday 3 December 2023, arrive from 4pm Friday for a 6:30pm start; depart 2:30pm Sunday

Cost: $250 – $300 depending on the type of accommodation.

Please join us for a weekend of mindfulness training at the beautiful Vejjasala Retreat Centre. The Buddha advised that if we want to really experience a happy mind and taste the Dhamma, we need to train the mind.

A weekend retreat is an ideal way to do just that. The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, nightly Dhamma talks, interviews with the teacher and Q&A sessions. This retreat is suitable for beginners and those already on the path.

About the Teacher

Grahame White has been involved in Buddhist meditation practice for over 40 years. He began his study in England in 1969 before being ordained as a Buddhist monk for one year in BodhGaya, India, in 1971. He took a primary role in the establishment of Vipassana 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 Sydney and Wollongong, and also regularly teaches longer intensive retreats in the United States. Grahame has also helped pioneer a workshop format of teaching that enhances the transfer of mindfulness from the formal sitting practice into daily life. He teaches a classical tradition of insight meditation with a relaxed, accessible style.

For more information about Grahame, click here.

Venue and Costs

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 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 – $300 depending on the type of accommodation.

There are different prices for different rooms. All shared rooms will be allocated to people of the same gender (please indicate on the form if you are booking a shared room and this is not suitable for you). 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.

Please click on Buy Tickets (see right), complete the form and pay the full cost to reserve your place.

Regarding payment for the teacher: traditionally the teachings of the Buddha have been offered and supported by the practice of Dana. Dana means generosity, the extending of one’s goodwill. Participants are invited to make a donation (Dana) to the teacher after the retreat. This is not compulsory. (Please note that the fee for the retreat only covers food, accommodation and running costs of the centre.) The retreat and teachings are possible because of the generosity of the teacher and volunteers offering their time and expertise.

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 materials 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 or for the teacher, please contact office@engagedbuddhists.org.au