- This event has passed.
RETREAT: Open the Heart & Still the Mind: Embracing Grief & Gratitude with a Compassionate Heart (Fully booked)

Fully booked: please ask Emoyeni to add you to the waiting list or consider another retreat
This 3 night Open the Heart & Still the Mind Compassion Retreat is held in nurturing Noble Silence and is suitable for beginners as well as experienced practitioners.
Inspired by the wisdom teachings of the Dharma and an integration of Buddhist and western psychology, we will explore ways to navigate the fundamental truth of impermanence, which touches all our lives. These teachings and transformative practices help us to face our experience of change and loss in all its forms, as we learn to embrace "the duet of wonder and grief" (Mark Nepo in his poem, Adrift) with courage, kindness (metta) and gratitude.
As we infuse our mindfulness with self-compassion and wisdom, we discover ways to connect more deeply with ourselves and the vulnerability of our human condition within the containment of replenishing, shared silence. We will cultivate a safe and nourishing home within, which strengthens our resilience and deepens our trust in our capacity to bear the unbearable and to savour the moments of beauty and joy (dukkha and sukha).
In addition to the silent and guided meditations in all postures, poetry and inspiring teachings, there will be daily qigong, gentle walks in nature, time for journaling and deeply restorative rest. Sue will also offer short, individual sessions throughout the retreat for additional insight and emotional support.
A 40 - 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 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 of 16 General CEUs for health and mental-health professionals will be offered, with an additional, once - off annual admin fee of R375.
Bookings: retreat@emoyeni.org.za and admin@stillmindretreats.com (please use both addresses when booking)
Total Cost: Accommodation & Food (paid to Emoyeni) plus Teacher Dana (paid to Sue):
Accommodation and Food: please email retreat@emoyeni.org.za for details which can be found here and to book.
Generous Rate: R4610 Shared ablutions | R5420 En -suite
Standard rate: R3770 Shared ablutions | R4460 En-suite
Generous Rate – This includes the above plus a dana contribution to Emoyeni for upkeep and improvements to the centre and other eventualities.
Standard Rate – This includes accommodation, food and basic running costs for the centre plus a surcharge to cover travel for the teacher.
Teacher's Dana:
Sliding Scale:
Generous Rate: R4500/R4000/R3500
Standard Rate: R3000/2500/R2000
Reduced Rate: R1500 with further reductions on request
Please offer what you can from the suggested sliding scale and pay this directly to Sue, with a POP and your name as reference to admin@stillmindretreats.com, so that we can allocate the payment correctly. Further reductions are available on request and a payment plan is offered if needed. While the full & generous rate is always very greatly appreciated, the reduced rates allow you to choose an amount that you can manage.
Account Name: Stillmind Retreats
Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 63069443760
Branch Code: 250655 or 210835
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: Your name & Emoyeni
Please email proof of payment as well as confirmation of your booking including your contact number to admin@stillmindretreats.com.
Please visit www.emoyeni.org.za/faq
Details
- Start: 7 August, 2025 @ 5:30 pm UTC+2
- End: 10 August, 2025 @ 1:30 pm UTC+2
- Event Category: Residential Retreats
Venue
- Emoyeni Retreat Centre
- Magaliesberg Mountains, North West Province, South Africa
- View Venue Website