RETREAT: Self-care through Replenishing Silence

This Autumn "Open the Heart and Still the Mind" silent overnight retreat is suitable for beginners as well as experienced meditators, and is held in the very nurturing and beautiful environment of Mont Fleur, nestled in the mountains near Stellenbosch.

Through meditation practices which cultivate calm and tranquility, we will establish an inner refuge, a safe home within, which rests on a foundation of kindness and compassion towards ourselves.  Held by the containment of nourishing and restorative silence, we will focus on practices which help to ground, integrate and replenish the depleted body, heart and mind. This creates the conditions to heal the fragmentation that comes from living with fear, perfectionism and shame. The process will be supported by the teachings and beauty of nature, which reminds us that everything is impermanent and therefore subject to change. In the midst of uncertainty, we will discover how to find stability and joy.

This retreat includes teachings from the wisdom of Buddhist psychology, guided meditations in all postures and a short, individual session with Sue during the weekend. The ancient practice of qigong movement meditation and optional yoga/embodied movement and aromatherapy massages, will enhance our embodied experience.

Helen Altman will be offering our two yoga/embodied movement classes on Friday 5:15pm and Saturday 7:10am. Helen has a very long- standing meditation practice and ran the Stillness Sanctuary in McGregor for many years before returning to Cape Town. She offers gentle, flowing movement embodiment classes, drawing on her decades of expertise in the areas of therapeutic and mindful yoga, qigong, dance and breathwork. No prior experience is required and her classes are a wonderful support and deepening of our sitting meditation practice. Helen, who also offers private Ayurvedic consultations, can be found on Facebook here.

A pre-retreat individual session via Zoom/Whatsapp is recommended for newcomers or if you have not attended one of Sue’s residential retreats before. The fee for this is R975 for 50 mins, fully covered by medical aid and R850 for 30 mins and can be reduced if necessary. Please contact Sue on sue.stillmind@gmail.com to arrange a time.

Please Note: At present, in-person retreat attendance requires a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to the retreat.

Bookings: admin@stillmindretreats.com