Wake Up Retreat - The Music of Mindfulness
5 - 10 July 2022
We warmly welcome all young people (18-35) of any level of musical ability and mindfulness/meditation practice to our very first Wake-Up Music Retreat. Come with an open mind and a willingness to enjoy community, music sessions and meditation practices in a nourishing environment.
At Dharma Gaia we commit to live within the Five Basic Principles ( see below) and to live with care, respect and kindness. We practice to stop and to come back home to ourselves with the help of daily practices such as sitting meditation, mindful eating and working meditation. Music has also become a part of daily life at Dharma Gaia, and we have been exploring the deep connections between music and spiritual practice.
Whether your background is folk, psych rock, singer-songwriter, jazz, classical or pop, this retreat invites you to contemplate questions such as:
How does living in mindfulness influence the practice of music and nurture listening, technique, and creativity?
What insights are available when we are deeply curious and present, while we play together and individually?
How might the practices of sitting meditation, tai chi, qi gong, walking meditation, deep relaxation act upon our music practice, and vice versa?
With great excitement, we welcome you to join us as we bring together a diverse array of musical backgrounds, instruments and life experiences for this five day immersive experience of music and developing self awareness in a mindful community.
Bring your instruments, your willingness and your beautiful authentic self to our community for this five-day immersion.
Retreat Guidelines - While at Dharma Gaia
All guests agree to live within these five commitments
1. To respect life and to respond to living beings with kindness and consideration.
2. To respect property, to practice generosity and to refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. To respond to oneself and others physically and emotionally in a way which reflects dignity for the physical emotional and sexual boundaries of each other.
4. To use mindful speech and not to engage in gossip or slander. To be mindful before speaking especially when there are strong emotions in us. We commit to supporting the general ambiance of stillness and inner reflection while here.
5. To practice mindful consumption. Dharma Gaia is a drug, alcohol and smoke free environment. We are also vegetarian and ask visitors not to bring non-vegetarian food to the centre.
Here is a link to our Music Tribute to Thich Nhat Hanh's powerful book 'LOVE LETTER TO THE EARTH`.
Love Letter to the Earth - YouTube
No drugs - we are committed to living in a way that supports the development of a clear mind and a stable heart.
About us:
Jack
I have been playing music my whole life, professionally and for fun. I enjoy living in a place where authentic spiritual practice and music can coexist, and am inspired to create original music collaboratively and as a solo artist. I also enjoy Tai Chi and outdoor pursuits.
Seonaid
With an early background in classical music training (violin and voice), in recent years I’ve turned my hand to songwriting and folk collaborations. Taking inspiration from my love of running in the forest and working in the garden, I love to explore different forms of creative practice and their intersections, such as poetry, painting and music. I find great meaning in living in a creative and conscious community finding kinship in music and spiritual practice.
Alex
I grew up listening to a lot of blues and rock and have been a multi instrumentalist enjoying playing diverse kinds of music, from folk to metal. I really appreciate jamming and I am putting more focus on recording and mixing music also. I also love to experience community living, and the practices of Qi Gong/Tai Chi and mycology.
Retreat Cost:
$400 - $300 sliding scale work or student (please pay according to your financial capacity) + DANA offering for the Teachers -( see below)
SCHOLARSHIP FUND: Due to the generosity of other friends of Dharma Gaia, there is a scholarship fund to offer some support to those who may not be able to afford the full payment of this retreat. If the lower cost of $300 is still beyond your means please write an email to the’ scholarship fund team at the email address below to outline your situation and request.
TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING please make payment into: 03-0458-0013241-000
Please confirm your payment with an email to peace@dharmagaia.org and indicate in the email if this is your first retreat with us.
Dana for the Teacher's and Teachings. In line with the Buddhist tradition that inspired our teachers to train and practice for the sake of all beings, our Teaching is all offered on the basis of Dana - generosity and mutual support. Please offer your Dana for the teachings into this DANA ACCOUNT -
03 0458 0238459 000 (or offer into the Dana bowl at the time of the retreat) Dana - donation payments are tax-deductible so must be referenced as Dana or Donation. You can find more information here.
When making a Dana payment via internet banking, Please include ‘Teacher’s Dana’ in the reference field.
How to register:
Places on this retreat are limited and often fill quickly. We welcome your early registration by emailing us your details to peace@dharmagaia.org - subject line WAKE UP RETREAT. Confirmation of a place on the retreat will be subject to acceptance, followed by full payment of retreat fee.
How to arrive:
Please plan your journey to Dharma Gaia with an awareness of time and allowing spaciousness. We invite you to practice travelling and arriving in mindfulness, knowing that this will support an easeful retreat for yourself and others. We suggest you arrive between 3-5pm and on arrival enjoy three mindful breaths. If it is your first time to the Centre, please arrive early enough to be settled in your accommodation and ready for your orientation session at 4pm. On arrival please make your way to the foyer where you will be greeted by one of our residents.
If cancelation is required due to COVID 19 restrictions, your retreat booking will be fully refunded.
GENERAL CANCELLATION POLICY
When we prepare for a retreat each one of you counts and is counted in the number of beds that are made and the amount of food that is cooked. As we are often booked out quite quickly, a cancellation can prevent someone else from joining us.
In the event of a cancellation up to 10 days prior to the starting date of the retreat, we can offer a 75% refund or the funds can be carried over to your next retreat.
However, a cancellation within 10 days of the retreat starting date is non-refundable.
We write this in light of goodwill and in the understanding that life being life, things may change at the very last minute. Please, contact us to share/explain your circumstances.