Embracing Spring & New Beginnings with Metta, Compassion & Appreciative Joy
This 7 night Spring Compassion Retreat at Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat Centre is held in deeply nourishing and containing Noble silence at the foot of the beautiful Mvuleni Bamboo Mountain in the Southern Drakensberg, and is of particular interest to those suffering from burnout and compassion fatigue.
Inspired by the wisdom teachings of the Dharma and integrating Buddhist and western psychology, we will cultivate mindfulness and compassion practices which calm the nervous system and help integrate body, heart and mind. Learning the art of listening inwardly with courage, kindness and self-compassion, we will find solace in silence with a like-minded sangha (community), discovering the unique, silent retreat experience of being "alone together."
To deepen the process of embracing the season of new beginnings and blossoming we will explore the Brahma Viharas: the four divine abodes of loving-kindness/metta, compassion/karuna, appreciative joy/mudita and equanimity/upekkha. These immeasurable qualities of heart and mind strengthen our connection to our embodied, heartfelt presence, deepening our trust and inner wisdom. This allows us to express our authentic selves with greater confidence, clarity, healthier boundaries and more appreciative joy.
This retreat includes teachings, silent and guided meditations, daily qigong, inspiring poetry, time to walk on the mountain, rest and replenish, as well as individual sessions with Sue to deepen our insight and sense of well-being. There will be relaxing massages and mindful movement offered as optional extras, to support our embodied experience.
A 30-50 minute pre-retreat individual session via Zoom/Whatsapp is required for newcomers or if you have not attended one of Sue’s residential retreats before. This provides greater containment and enhances and deepens the silent retreat experience for yourself and for the group. The fee for this will be the 30-50 minute medical aid rate and will be reduced if you are not on medical aid. Please contact Sue on sue.stillmind@gmail.com to arrange a time.
CPD accreditation for Health, Mental Health and Allied professionals is confirmed with an annual admin fee of R475.
38 General and 3 Ethics CEUs are offered.
Bookings: admin@stillmindretreats.com
TOTAL COST: Venue cost (Food and Accommodation) plus Teacher’s Fee on a sliding scale.
VENUE COSTS: Accommodation & Food:
On-Site:
6 x Single Monastic style en-suite rooms with mountain views:
R9500 booked as a single
1 x Twin room with shared bathroom:
R8800 booked as a single; R7750 per person shared
---
Mvuleni Farm: (Adjoining farm 3-5 mins walk - "almost on-site!")
1 x Cottage Double bed with en-suite bathroom (shower):
R9500 booked as a single; R7750 per person shared
1 x Double bed en-suite (bath & shower):
R9500 booked as a single; R7750 per person shared
1 x Double bed with shared bathroom (bath & shower)
R8975 booked as a single
1 x Twin with shared bathroom (bath & shower):
R8800 booked as a single; R7750 per person shared
1 x 2 Bedded en-suite:
R9500 booked as a single; R7750 per person shared
---
Teacher’s Fee: R8500/R8000/R7500/R7000/R6500/R6000 with reductions and payment plans on request
This retreat is offered on a donation-based sliding scale. Whilst the full and higher fees are greatly appreciated, the reductions and a payment plan allows this event to be more accessible.
A deposit of R3500 - R5000 (R3500 of which is non-refundable) confirms your place, but please email your booking to admin@stillmindretreats.com too, otherwise we cannot allocate this payment!. Payment is suggested in installments with full balance paid by 1 September, unless you have a pre-arranged payment plan with Sue.
In the spirit of dana, which is a practice of generosity, we will offer a donation with appreciation to the resident staff and the centre.
Optional Extras:
Massages by Nolwazi Bandezi: https://www.nenoskincare.co.za/
60 min full body massage or reflexology and head combo: R750
Half hour Back massage: R475
Shuttle costs: King Shaka Airport, Durban to Dharmagiri
TBC
Flight Arrival at King Shaka airport must be before 11am on 1st day and departure after 12:30pm on last day please.
Account Name: Stillmind Retreats
Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 63069443760
Branch Code: 250655 or 210835
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: Your name & DG
Please email proof of payment as well as confirmation of your booking including your contact number to admin@stillmindretreats.com.
Although individual circumstances will be taken into account the following applies to all bookings.
Please note that the refunded amount/percentage is calculated on the full retreat fee.
4 – 6 weeks prior to retreat:
If your place is filled, there will be a refund less the non-refundable deposit, but in the event, your place is not filled there will be a refund less 50%.
2 - 4 weeks prior to retreat:
If your place is filled, there will be a refund less the non-refundable deposit, but in the event, your place is not filled, a refund less 75%.
2 weeks or less prior to the retreat:
If your place is filled, there will be a refund less the non-refundable deposit.
If your place is not filled, then no refund is possible, but individual circumstances will be taken into account.
Details
- Start: 19 September, 2026
- End: 26 September, 2026
- Event Category: Residential Retreats
Venue
- Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat
- near Underberg, Southern Drakensberg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
- View Venue Website