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The Writer in Full Presence: A 21 day retreat


The Writer in Full Presence

A 21 day retreat

24 July to 13 August 2021

(Welcome to attend for 1, 2 or 3 weeks)

All places on this retreat are now full.

the desk and hands.jpg

This is an exciting new opportunity to retreat at Dharma Gaia with the purpose of being supported to write in peace, concentration, and companionship.

Whether you need time and space to complete a  book, poetry, short stories, memoir, or if you are simply needing the right conditions to journal more deeply, complete research, a thesis, a manual, or an essay.  Or maybe you have important correspondence that has been waiting for this opportunity to be written.

The depth of Dharma Gaia’s twenty years as a living Mindfulness Community will support your capacity for commitment, confidence and full presence to your writing - although how much you do is entirely your call. The general ambiance of this retreat will be restful in order to offer the most conducive conditions to listen within and for your creative energy to be nourished. 

Everything on the schedule will be optional.

We will provide a gentle practice schedule of periods of sitting (quiet contemplation), and walking meditation, silent nourishing meals, deep relaxation sessions, and some evening sessions on the Art of Mindful Writing.  There will also be time and space created for group sharings and support. Your schedule will be designed by you - devote the whole of the retreat to your project or join the Dharma Gaia community in practices that will nourish and support your work. 

Mealtimes will be set as a consistent for the retreat. And all participants will naturally take part in some aspect of mindful work to support the retreat. This will probably be a daily period of around 90 minutes. Participants will roster themselves for this at the beginning of each week. You will also be welcome to join in the garden work if that would nourish you and there are many wonderful bush walks, views and secret places to walk, to rest and to be energised

Where possible we will provide single accommodation for each participant. If that is not possible we will discuss options with you before accepting your registration.

PLEASE NOTE: To support the concentrated energy of the centre,  arrival and departure dates are only on the first day of each week ( Saturdays July 24th, 31st and August 7.th Final departure date 13th August)

Please plan your journey to Dharma Gaia with an awareness of time and allowing spaciousness. We invite you to practice traveling and arriving in mindfulness, knowing that this will support an easeful retreat for yourself and others. We suggest you arrive between 3-5 pm and on arrival enjoy three mindful breaths. If it is your first time at the Centre, please make your way to the foyer where you will be greeted by one of our residents, who will give you a short tour of the Centre and your accommodation.

RETREAT COST:          For food, accommodation and practice schedule

Full 21 Day Retreat           $900 -  $750  (Sliding scale please contribute according to your means)

For  two weeks                 $650  -  $550

For  one  week                  $480  -  $380   

Partial scholarship and work exchange options are available. 

Accommodation will be limited, please register your interest to join this retreat by email peace@dharmagaia.org   In the subject line: The Writer in Full Presence.


Please see link for further information about the practise of offering Dana

Later Event: August 17
7 Day Rains Retreat