Sacred Ecology retreat – New England N.P – Oct 10-13th 2024

Dear Friends,

We warmly invite you to join us on stunning Gumbaynggirr and Thungutti country near Point Lookout on the New England Plateau. We will camp nestled in Gondwanan forest on the slopes of the ancient Ebor Volcano, and enjoy hikes in moss-hung Antarctic Beech forests, Snowgum woodland and montane heath. In this retreat we will explore the Buddha Dharma at the heart of Deep Ecology – cultivating “stopping” and “looking deeply” (śamatha and vipassana) based on the Anapanasati and Satipathana suttas, as a way to deepen our insight into interbeing. We will also explore the cultivation of metta or loving kindness as a support to engaged practice in these times of change. Inspired by the teachings of the late Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, and practices from both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, we will also interweave themes from Deep Ecology. Activities will include yoga or qi-gong, sitting meditation, silent bushwalking, dharma talks, discussions, delicious vegetarian food, and the joy of community connection.

• Host: www.gaiaforest.org
• Facilitator: Br. Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson)
• When: 10th-13th October 2024
• Where: Thungutti Campground, New England National Park: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AgauPNioEYhHgkMx5
• Cost:
  • Base fee:
    • Concession: $410
    • Non-concession: $485
    • Solidarity: $575
  • Teachings: By donation
• To apply for a place: see link to application form at the bottom of this information page.
• Questions? – Contact us

Important Information:

Location:

Thungutti Campground is located in New England National Park, off Point Lookout Road, accessed from Waterfall Way (B78). Point Lookout Road is unsealed in sections, but two-wheel drive accessible.

Physical practice:

This retreat includes a substantial day-walk which can vary from moderate to challenging, involving uphill and downhill hiking, sometimes steep and rocky terrain or poorly-formed trails. We can anticipate warm days but it is not uncommon to have cold nights and rain at this time of year. Participants should feel confident they have the fitness and equipment required to walk comfortably up to about 15 km over variable terrain and in changeable weather conditions. The yoga and movement exercises are suitable for all levels and are designed to support our physical condition and deepen our embodied mindfulness practice.

Ethical container:

Our retreat is supported by the observation of the five Buddhist precepts or mindfulness trainings: Reverence for life, Generosity, Truthful and loving speech, True love, and Mindful consumption. Our practice also rests on a foundation of simplicity: on retreat we forgo some of our habits of consumption, enjoying periods of noble silence, reduced use of electronic devices and simple, hearty vegetarian meals. Accommodation is in personal tents, and we circle up around a fire, under a sturdy tarp.

Logistics:

The retreat begins with arrival at Thungutti Campground by 3pm on Thursday 10th October. Our program will begin at 4:30 pm with a welcome and orientation circle. Dinner will be served at 6:30 pm, followed by a dharma talk and meditation. Departure is from the same location by 3pm on Sunday 13th October. Participants need to be able to arrange their own transportation to and from Thungutti Campground. Trains may be available from your location to Armidale or Urunga. We encourage everyone to help us to minimise the carbon footprint of this event by making use of the rideshare sheet to arrange carpooling with someone nearby or enroute.

Retreat costs:

As a not-for-profit, we strive to keep all www.gaiaforest.org events as accessible as possible. Here the non-concession base fee of $485 helps cover the running costs of the retreat including camping fees, catering, fuel, equipment and administration. We also offer a concession option at $410 for those experiencing financial hardship. A solidarity option of $575 is also available for those with the means to contribute towards another’s retreat. In contrast all Dharma teachings are offered on a donation basis (see below).

Dana:

Since the time of the Buddha the Dharma has been considered too precious to put a price on. To keep this tradition alive, our facilitators and organisers do not charge a fixed fee for their offering. At the end of the retreat participants have the opportunity to instead offer “dana”; a monetary gift. Your generosity supports the sharing of the Dharma and the right livelihoods of organisers and facilitators.

Karma Yoga:

Our retreats are supported by a team of volunteers who offer their time to provide the organisation, catering and logistics. This helps us to keep events affordable, and is made possible by participants engaging with karma yoga as a practice of mindfulness in daily life e.g. through helping with food preparation and clean-up, camp set up and pack down.

Packing list:

• Tent (3+ season, incl. rain fly, groundsheet if you have it). Strictly non-popup.
• Sleeping bag, inner sheet, pillow
• Sleeping mat (plus repair kit if inflatable)
• Meditation cushion/stool and blanket or shawl
• Rain coat, (consider rain pants also)
• Appropriate clothing for all weather conditions (include base layers, mid and outer options, beanie)
• Swimwear and towel
• Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes (well worn in, not causing you blisters)
• Sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, long-sleeve collared shirt
• Bowl, cup, cutlery, tea towel
• Lunch box for carrying picnic on walks
• Water bottle(s) (minimum total capacity 2 litres, recommend 3l)
• Loose, comfortable clothing for movement and sitting practice
• Comfortable day pack (sufficient to carry your food, water and clothing for day walks)
• Insect repellent
• Torch and spare batteries
• Toiletries, including blister prevention
• Any personal medication or supplements you need
• Light comfortable shoes/ thongs for around camp

Optional extras: 

• Yoga mat
• Compact folding chair (for meditation if preferred)
• Dry bag to protect sensitive gear in day pack
• Journal or notebook, pen
• Musical instruments
• Insect head net

About the teacher:

Br. Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson) began with an ecologist’s understanding of interdependence, but the rainforest soon led him to Buddhist meditation.  Ordained as a monk in the Sakya Tibetan tradition, he has studied at Plum Village in France. Ordained in Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing, he has also studied at Pa Auk Tawya in the Burmese Forest tradition.  His approach is informed by Zen practices of mindfulness in daily life, Theravada and Vajrayana methods of meditation, as well as Hatha Yoga, Deep Ecology, and his deep love of wild places.  Visit his bio page for more information.

How to apply:

Step 1:

Please carefully read and understand all the above information. You can also download it as a pdf for your records here:

Step 2:

If this retreat is for you, please fill out the application form via the link below: Once submitted we will contact you within 7 days to advise of the next steps.