Mindfulness is an orientation to life through feeling-awareness of our natural state, moment by moment. It is developed through simple meditation practices that involve stilling the restless mind, relaxing the body, and softening into the feeling of being. Mindfulness invites us to deepen self-awareness and liberate our attention to be more fully and joyfully in the present moment. The process of mindful awareness makes use of the inherent ability of our mind and body to re-balance and sustain well-being and discover positive new insights and responses to the challenges of life.
This silent retreat will consist of group sessions along with free time for retreatants to move with their own rhythm. Daily sessions include instruction in the practice of mindfulness, sitting and walking mindfulness meditations and an enquiry period. This retreat is suitable for people who are new to the practice as well as those with previous experience of mindfulness
Lassara Hall will be available at Te Moata for 1:1 Shiatsu sessions throughout the retreat. See below for more info about Lassara.
Start and Finish Times: Saturday 5th September (6pm) – Saturday 12th September (1pm)
Fee: $600 (plus donation/dana to the teacher) The registration fee covers food and accommodation for the retreat. The facilitator’s fee is not set and consists entirely of your Dana. As there is no Eftpos at Te Moata, Dana payments at the end of retreats need to be by cheque or cash, or made online. Account details will be given at the end of the retreat.
Registration is refundable/transferable (less $20 admin fee) up to 2 weeks before the retreat.
Dana (meaning generosity) is an integral part of Buddhist practice inviting each individual to develop their own capacity to be generous according to their means. We invite you to also contribute Dana for Te Moata’s ongoing costs. Dana contributions can be given at the end of the retreat.
Accommodation – Rooms are mainly curtained cubicles with shared bathrooms. A limited number of single rooms/cabins/cottages are available at a $10 a day surcharge. To secure a single room you need to request one early when you register and pay the full fee. Bedding can be hired for $15.00.
Meals – The kitchen team, led by Te Moata’s French chef will provide delicious and nutritious vegetarian meals. Please indicate on the registration form if you have any food allergies or special dietary needs. There is a $10 per day surcharge to cater for special diets.
*Please note: Single Accommodation, Bedding and Special Diet Surcharges are payable directly to Te Moata so please bring cash for this. For further information please contact Lorraine retreat@temoata.org
Comments from Retreatants on Stephen’s 2020 Summer Meditation retreat
I’d like to reiterate my previous sentiments that the retreat was SUCH a delight to attend. It felt like a harmonious union of beautiful teachings, healing nature and mutual respect and honour from the group and service team. I’m extremely grateful. B. P
Stephen’s teaching was delivered with compassion, humour and humility. He created an environment to explore the depths of my being. I am very grateful to have been supported to settle more deeply into myself with clarity and peacefulness. A.C
Stephen’s very skilled at creating a safe environment on his retreats so that everyone if they’re willing and able to go there can have some incredible insights/experiences and relationship moments with self. I know I had plenty. It’s a remarkable skill that he can achieve this with such a large, diverse group of people in such a short period of time. He’s an inspiring, generous and thoughtful teacher and one that I hope I’ll always have the opportunity to learn from. K.O.
About the facilitator:
Stephen Archer is a mindfulness educator, presenter, principle of Mindfulness Training and lead trainer and supervisor for Mindfulness Works the largest network of Mindfulness Facilitators in Australia and New Zealand. He is passionate about helping people to learn mindfulness and discover its benefit. Stephen is an engaging speaker and trainer providing practical and original perspectives on practicing mindfulness in the digital age.
He has been involved with mindfulness for over 35 years and began practicing while he was finishing a degree in Eastern studies in the UK. At the age of 23 Stephen was formally trained in mindfulness as an ordained Buddhist monk in the Thai forest tradition. His training included working closely with different teachers and completing a number of long solitary retreats to strengthen his practice. Thirteen years later he emerged from the monk-hood with the intention to offer his skills and learnings to the general public.
During the last 20 years, Stephen has run workplace mindfulness trainings for organisations including Westpac, Kiwibank and Air New Zealand, delivered courses in healthcare and prisons, and assisted the Mental Health Foundation of NZ to develop their approach to mindfulness. He has worked at the Leadership Development Centre in Wellington running year-long mindful leadership programmes, and is also a trustee of Te Moata where he has led over forty public 7-day residential mindfulness intensives since 1996.
Lassara Hall
Shiatsu is a traditional Japanese healing art. Lasssara is a fully qualified member of the Shiatsu Practitioners Assoc. of Aotearoa and has studied in UK, Australia and NZ since 1989. She is based in Thames. Her Shiatsu practice is combined with her training as a Zen student, and her focus is to provide a massage therapy that promotes embodied awareness. Touch supports expansion beyond limiting beliefs, defensive emotions and physical tensions.
Bookings
This event is fully booked.