RETREAT: Compassionate Listening & Joyful Presence on the Sacred Mountain (Hybrid In-person/Online)
21 September, 2024 @ 5:00 pm - 28 September, 2024 @ 7:30 am UTC+2
This week-long Spring retreat is held in ennobling silence at the foot of the beautiful Mvuleni Bamboo Mountain in the Southern Drakensberg.
Inspired by the wisdom teachings of the Dharma and of Buddhist and western psychology, we will cultivate mindfulness and compassion practices which calm the nervous system and help integrate body, heart and mind. As we learn to listen and connect more compassionately with ourselves, drawing silent support from the sangha (like-minded practitioners finding solace in the shared silence), we will discover that the containment of ennobling silence allows us to find the courage to honour and embody our authentic, heartfelt presence with greater confidence, clarity and joy.
As we embrace the joys and the sorrows of life with a greater understanding of impermanence, we move beyond fear, shame and crippling self-doubt. This frees us from our habitual reactivity and from the curse of perfectionism. After establishing some stillness and calm in the mind and the heart, we will explore the Brahma viharas (the four divine abodes/ immeasurables) to cultivate greater kindness and compassion for ourselves and others. These compassion practices bring more appreciative joy, equanimity and wisdom into our lives, strengthening our capacity for more open-heartedness and healthier boundaries in our relationships.
This silent retreat includes teachings, guided meditations, daily qigong, time to walk, rest and replenish, as well as short, 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 (the cost of which to be confirmed), to support our embodied experience.
A 30-40 minute pre-retreat individual session via Zoom/Whatsapp is recommended 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 30-40 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 psychologists and other HPCSA (or equivalent) registered professionals is confirmed, with an annual admin fee of R375 for 2024.
Bookings: admin@stillmindretreats.com
For details of the online version please see below.
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:
R8000 booked as a single
1 x Twin room with shared bathroom:
R7475 booked as a single; R7125 per person shared
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Mvuleni Farm: (Adjoining farm 3-5 mins walk - "almost on-site!")
1 x Cottage Double bed with en-suite bathroom:
R8000 booked as a single; R7500 per person shared
1 x Double bed en-suite (bath & shower):
R8000 booked as a single
1 x Twin with shared bathroom (bath & shower):
R7475 booked as a single; R7125 per person shared
1 x Double bed with shared bathroom (bath & shower)
R7500 booked as a single
1 x Dorm en-suite 2-3 bedded sharing:
R7475 booked as a single; R7125 per person shared
Teacher’s Fee:
R8000/R7500/R7000/R6500/R6000/R5500/R5000
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 R2500 - R4000 (R2500 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 15 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/
Full body Massage or 1 hr head and reflexology combo :
R700 for 1 or 2 massages; R650 for 3 or more
30 min Back Massage: R450
Shuttle costs: King Shaka Airport, Durban to Dharmagiri
1 pax R2050 each way
2 pax R1100 pp each way
3 pax R900 pp each way
Please note, flights to King Shaka must arrive before 11am on 21 Sept and depart after 12pm on 28 Sept 2024.
Account Name: Stillmind Retreats
Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 63069443760
Branch Code: 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 based on the full retreat fee.
4 – 6 weeks prior to retreat:
If your place is filled, there will be a refund less R1000 admin fee
If it is not filled there will be a refund less 30%.
2 - 4 weeks prior to retreat:
If your place is filled, there will be a refund less R1500 admin, 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, and the retreat is fully booked, there will be a refund less R2500 (non-refundable deposit).
If your place is filled, and the retreat is not fully booked, then the accommodation and food only will be refunded, but individual circumstances will be taken into account.
If your place is not filled, then no refund is possible, but individual circumstances will be taken into account.
Online Compassionate Listening and Joyful Presence Retreat
Early morning, late morning and evening sessions will be live streamed every day and recorded for your convenience. The exact times of the online sessions will be shared soon. For now we can share that the early morning session will be at 6:30am SA time and the evening session will be at 7:15pm SA time - these times are subject to change. All times will be confirmed before the retreat.
BOOKINGS
Please complete this form to register.
Please see details below for dana contributions. If you have any questions don't hesitate to reach out to office@dharmagiri.org.
Please note that your booking is only confirmed once you have made full payment to Dharmagiri using the reference name_online
PAYMENTS
This online retreat is on a sliding scale payment to make it fully accessible.
Suggested Sliding Scale contribution for Dharmagiri:
- Full Retreat: R1000 - R3500 / $50 - $200
- Daily Rate R250 - R800 / $14 to $45 per day
EFT Payment
Standard Bank
Account name: Dharmagiri
Account number: 052117391
Branch Code: 05752500 (Pietermaritzburg)
Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ
Account type: Current
Card Payment
For payments via card (best for international payments): https://www.payfast.co.za/donate/go/dharmagiri
Please note: Payments are made in South African Rands
Payment reference: Name_online
*Please send a payment confirmation to office@dharmagiri.org and let us know what your contribution is for.
Details
- Start:
- 21 September, 2024 @ 5:00 pm UTC+2
- End:
- 28 September, 2024 @ 7:30 am UTC+2
- Event Category:
- Residential Retreats
Venue
- Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat
- near Underberg, Southern Drakensberg KwaZulu-Natal South Africa
- View Venue Website