Silent Retreat
Listen to Silence. It has so much to say. ~ Rumi
Our Blue Mountains Silent retreat is suitable for:
Those new to spending time in silence and contemplation who’d benefit from more than just sitting meditatively
Seekers and learners who are after an alternative to group work and talking therapy
Those who have done standard silent retreats and are looking for something unique and different
People wanting to dig deep and let go of emotional pain, resentment, grief or stuckness
Those seeking a sanctuary for rest and rejuvenation, enhanced through a digital detox
People wanting to reconnect with themselves, reflect on their life, make wise decisions and undergo personal transformation
Those who enjoy an experiential approach to wellbeing and wish to experience a holistic approach to self-understanding
Silent Retreat Sydney
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The Surrounds
Work inside or take time outside in the elements to soak in birdsong and nature
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The Space
A tranquil, restful space with bushland views and access to starry skies
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Local Walks
Chase waterfalls after dark on a local spectacular floodlit night walk in Katoomba
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Local Waterfalls
Our retreat centre is within walking distance of healing Mini Ha Ha waterfall
Silent Retreat NSW
Testimonials
This was my first retreat experience and I didn’t know much what expect. And it really was far beyond my expectations! After the retreat I feel more energised and with a sense of direction in my life. I feel loveable and in peace. Some learnings we get in life are priceless... And also, the space was so cute, so comfy, had amazing view, birds singing, so inspiring… Everything so perfect!
- Denise Cariêlo
The space is lovely and calming, and the information and guidance provided is tailored to you. It was just what I needed after feeling burnt out and exhausted. I now feel so much better. I'd highly recommend this retreat.
- Vicki Norton
What a wonderful little place to recenter! I was warmly welcomed and was shown to my cute little cabin that was warm, cute and cosy. Over the course of two days I gained so much clarity around my circumstances. It really confirmed how important it is to stay in alignment with who you are. If you need a break or help with the direction your life is going this is the place for you.
- Christina H
This retreat was exactly what I needed as someone at the start of their spiritual journey. My hosts were both so calming and knowledgeable. The round dwelling house is filled with heart warming art, books, cards and yoga/meditation items. I decided to switch off from the outside world to explore various teachings on my consciousness journey. The fresh wholesome food provided was delicious. I was given plenty of time to myself to soak everything in my own time. I will definitely be back for many of the other events and retreats available here.
- Sage McDonald
Silent Retreat Blue Mountains
Program Outline
Day One
This retreat is designed for those wanting to deeply work with on issue of cultivating silence, mindfulness and greater presence.
Whereas a meditation retreat empties the mind, our focus is on bringing about greater presence.
While silence in and of itself is of inestimable value, it can be equally useful to differentiate the absence of sound from that of cultivating presence and tuning into your deeper self.
Different to a typical silent retreat, our depth work focus encourages you to explore what causes you to be distracted and evade your core values and authentic self. It gives equal focus to what is active in you and calling you to emerge.
Standard silent retreats serve to recharge a person. Our program endeavours to bring about a more transformative experience where you reevaluate your relationship with noise, technology, overstimulation and other impediments to inner work.
Morning Session 9:30am - 12:30pm
While basking in the quietness of the space you’ll go at your own pace sitting with contemplation questions and short readings. For those who wish to employment movement you can incorporate self-guided yoga or play musical instruments. You also have the option of having a facilitator teach your some meditation techniques or simply enjoy some guided meditations. Meditative colouring, drawing or painting can be done also.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:00pm - 4:00pm
You can continue with the activities listed in the morning session or choose to have a debrief with a facilitator.
Breathwork is a valuable tool that helps to bypass the rational mind and work through blockages and outworn beliefs or trauma stored in the body. For those who have not explored this modality before you can receive guidance through the process in a gentle and supportive manner.
Alternatively, you can explore your soul blueprint through either an astrology reading or a numerology reading.
Waterfall Walk (Optional) 4:00 - 6:00pm
Should the weather and your energy levels be accomodating, you can use this time to take in a nearby bushwalk to our local waterfall.
Alternatively, you might indulge in some art activities or enjoy one of the more physical activities we host (mountain biking / stand up paddleboarding).
Dinner 6:30 - 7:30pm
Enjoy a home cooked, organic meal or travel out to try one of Katoomba’s local dining facilities.
Evening (Optional) 7:30pm onwards
There are a range of optional evening activities for you to enjoy, such as listening to or reading poetry, life stories, or enjoying a thought-provoking film or inspiring documentary. Other options include self-guided meditation and yoga.
Day Two
Breakfast 8:30am
Enjoy a homemade breakfast, tea or coffee on the verandah whilst the kookaburras and other local birds sing.
Morning Sessions 9:30am - 12:30pm
Choose to either carry on with the silent activities and contemplation or incorporate one of the facilitated activities listed in yesterdays program, or something extra such as receiving an intuitive tarot reading or energy healing session.
Lunch 12:30pm
Afternoon Sessions 1:30pm - 4:00pm
As above.
Cost: $590 for 2 day silent retreats. $50 off for a weekday program. Our 3 day Silent Retreat is $850
Inclusions: Our retreats include accommodation, meals, workbooks, counselling and activities.
Optional session of bibliotherapy. Learn more about our bibliotherapy service.
Location: Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW.
Your Facilitators
Click on the + sign below to learn more about the backgrounds of the counsellors you’ll be working with
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Ginny’s training in guiding and supporting others began with her hairdressing career where she informally coached, listened and offered support to the thousands of clients she came to know both in Australia and abroad.
After navigating a crisis period where she had to take control of her life and steer it in a healthier direction she found her calling to work with people who were also ready to reclaim their life.
In addition to following Buddhist practices and doing extensive studies in self-development, she complemented her self-education with formal studies in Youth Work, Community Services and a Bachelor of Social Work.
Finding Breathwork to be a transformative form of healing she has done much training in it and continues to deepen her practice. Ginny is also trained in Theta healing.
Taking an intuitive approach, Ginny found a gift for interpreting the messages offered by tarot cards, working as a spiritual healer and being a clear vessel for the collective unconscious to work through.
Ginny has spent many years developing her meditation practice and is able to guide you in developing yours.After you undertake our meditation retreat, Ginny is available to offer ongoing counselling if you’d like to build upon the work completed during your time here.
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Marcus studied social work and education at university, grounding that knowledge by working in a diverse range of roles as an adult educator and caseworker.
Through his time at Rudolf Steiner College, he realised the importance of holistic education and the need to focus on the whole person in contrast to the compartmentalised approach of institutions.
Deepening his knowledge by studying humanistic psychologists such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Jung and spending time in the Jungian community, he gained further insights into the value of depth psychology.
After running a variety of workshops in Australia and overseas he launched his initiative known as Writes of Passage Retreats, in the belief that contemplation, nature, carefully curated ideas and guidance is the ideal means for people to look at life with greater possibility and unearth their own dormant potentiality.
Through his retreat programs and individual counselling work, he has worked with a large number of individuals to help them find greater purpose, healing and enthusiasm for their future.
Drop Out
Tune In
The novelist Arthur Miller once said, "It is rare for people to be asked the question which puts them squarely in front of themselves.” In a nutshell, this is the essence behind our silent retreat. It is not designed to be a temporary respite from busyness and noise but an opportunity to recalibrate and align with who you really are on the deepest level.
During the 1850s, Henry David Thoreau became the pioneer of western silence retreats publishing the account of his experience in his memoir, Walden.
As the pressures of modern life and the reach of technology grows, many of us feel overwhelmed by the bombardment of calls, texts, emails and social media. Constant connection and noise have led to the rise of what is known as a Digital Detox Retreat, where we crave to unplug and get away. When noise equates to stress, silence is peace. Shutting down communications can go a long way in helping restore equanimity.
Purposeful silence has become a burgeoning travel trend as people yearn to be in silent meditation.
Some of us find freedom in not talking to hearing anyone talk. Others pine for quiet with hotels designing noise-free zones, triple-paned glass and soundproof walls. Then there are those of us that want to be soothed by the sounds and images of nature, be it forest bathing or indulging in blue mind — the therapeutic benefits of spending time in or near water.
In 1986, Carlo Petrini protested the opening of a McDonald's restaurant in Rome that sparked the creation of the slow food movement. This cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace has created offshoots such as minimalism. Silent retreats are a way of countering time poverty. Silence lets us focus on inner calm rather than the outward trappings of daily life.
What is a Silent Retreat?
Imagine the opposite of a schoolie’s summer vacation on the Gold Coast.
A quiet retreat is an opportunity to experience the deep silence removed from outside noise, other people, screens and the chatter of our conscious mind.
They range in length depending on your time constraints and your readiness from longer periods of inner stillness.
Some people graduate from a weekend meditation retreat to tackle a Vipassana retreat, which is a 10 day silent retreat program offered around the world. Vipassana means "to see things as they really are.” Vipassana meditation offers self-transformation through self-observation. For those with little or no exposure to days of stillness and silence, this might be something to work towards to gain the most benefit.
Some silent retreats focus on 10 hours or more of dedicated meditation. Many incorporate yoga or walking meditation as a way of integrating the mind and body.
Blue Mountains Retreats
“Great things are done when people and mountains meet;
this is not done by jostling in the street.”
- William Blake
Take in a local stargazing tour at night
Rejuvenate in the Blue Mountains natural wonders
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