CREATIVITY IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE
We are powering up the ARTIST the MEDITATOR and the PEACEFUL WARRIOR within
If you are between 18 and 38 and you want to be empowered to BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD … come join the Wake Up Retreat with like-minded..
We all have within us the capacity for authentic, joyous and fulfilling creative expression. While it is our birthright to deeply embody our creative nature, many of us experience varying degrees of internal 'blockage' to this natural flow of life energy. In this retreat, we will provide a safe, supportive and nourishing environment to explore our creativity together, investigate its source, and discover how to liberate the pure light of self-expression in our day-to-day lives.
This retreat will include:
Daily mindfulness/meditation practice
'Open creative sessions' - held in an open space to include music, visual art, movement and allow all these forms of expression to unfold together and influence each other. Each session will have a particular focus within the context of the retreat.
Deep connection with the land, the mountain the streams, the bush the gardens. expanding into the stunning scenic views
'Heart sharing' circles
'Deep relaxation' - similar to yoga Nidra
Tai Chi/Qi Gong
'Service meditation' - living and working together in community
COME WITH AN OPEN MIND, AND A WILLINGNESS TO DISCOVER AND CELEBRATE YOUR UNIQUE AND INNATELY CREATIVE SELF!
The Wake Up Retreats at Dharma Gaia are facilitated by the core Wake Up Residents and dear friends who are part of the extended family. We are passionate creatives and musicians, and we are just as passionate about our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being and freedom. We use the art of mindful living and zen practice within the dynamic practice of community living which we are committed to extending and sharing with other like-minded people.
At Dharma Gaia we commit to live within the Five Basic Principles (see below) and to live with care, respect and kindness. We practice stopping and to arriving at home in ourselves with the help of daily practices such as sitting meditation, mindful eating and working meditation. Music and deep sharings together are also a part of daily life at Dharma Gaia, We love the exploration and insights that come through the connections between music art and spiritual practice.
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, practice generosity and refrain from taking that which is not given.
3. To respond to oneself and others physically and emotionally in a way that reflects dignity for the physical emotional and sexual boundaries of each other.
4. To use mindful speech and not 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 peace 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
Retreat Cost:
$390 - $300 sliding scale - LOWER END FOR LOWER INCOME EARNERS (please pay according to your financial capacity) + DANA offering TO PAY IT FORWARD TO THE WAKE UP SCHOLARSHIP FUND - (see below)
WAKE UP 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 Wake Up Scholarship fund, If you can, please offer some dana to help other young people to come to Dharma Gaia by offering any amount you can 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:
We suggest you arrive between 11 am and 1pm. If this is your first time at the Centre, please arrive early enough to be settled in your accommodation and ready for our orientation session at 2pm. On arrival please make your way to the foyer where you will be greeted by one of our residents.
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.
