Retreat Description: The Buddha taught a path that leads to full human flourishing, which he called “enlightenment.” While his path eventually became a religion, the Buddha himself was more interested in how we live rather than in what we believe. The practice of mindfulness is central to this path. Mindfulness refers to awareness, but awareness unbroken.

Normally our awareness is scattered, easily lost, pushed aside by our deep habits, desires and traumas. In practising mindfulness, we learn to extend awareness throughout our day. As awareness becomes continuous, it becomes powerfully transformative. In this retreat we will learn practical methods to cultivate mindfulness itself, along with the wisdom and emotional balance that mindfulness brings.

This retreat will include:

Stillness and movement meditation

Meditation instruction

Gentle stretching

Dharma talks

Periods of mindfulness work and rest

Regular private interviews with the retreat teachers

ABOUT THE RETREAT TEACHERS

Patrick Kearney has practised mindfulness meditation (satipaṭṭhāna vipassanā) since 1977. He is a senior Dharma teacher and has taught mindfulness meditation full-time for over 20 years, both in Australia and abroad. Most of Patrick’s practise has been in the insight meditation lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw of Burma, which included several years as a Buddhist monk. His main teachers were Sayādaw U Paṇḍita and John Hale. He has also trained in the Diamond Sangha lineage of Zen Buddhism. He has studied early Buddhism at post-graduate levels and has a particular interest in the original teachings of the Buddha, before the invention of “Buddhism.” This allows him to bring the radical insights of the Buddha to our contemporary situation.

Carmen Teo, EdD, E-RYT 500, has practiced yoga since 2004 and discovered mindfulness meditation in 2007 as a graduate student in the US. She found her life transformed in bittersweet ways through self-inquiry and exploring the wisdom traditions of Yoga and Buddhism. Carmen’s root practice is in the Theravada Thai Forest tradition of Ajahn Chah and the Mahasi method, with Patrick Kearney as her primary Dharma teacher. A dedicated meditator, she has attended nearly 20 silent retreats. Carmen has been a teacher, teachers’ mentor and researcher of contemporary mindfulness (MBSR, MSC) and yoga for the last twelve years, including serving as a MBSR Teacher Mentor with UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness and completing her doctoral dissertation on mindfulness and its teaching practice.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

This silent retreat is open to individuals who would like to further develop their mindfulness meditation practice. Some experience with mindfulness meditation is expected.

In addition, this retreat is also for those already teaching or interested in teaching mindfulness-based programs (MBP) such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Relapse Prevention Therapy and Mindful Self-Compassion. It fulfils the silent retreat prerequisite for all Mindfulness-Based Interventions.

An important aspect of teaching MBP is the requirement to have a personal mindfulness practice, our intention for this retreat is to support your personal practice. This 5-night silent retreat will consist of sustained periods of silence, alternating sitting and walking meditation, with periods of Mindful Movement. There will be meditation instructions exploring the cultivation of mindfulness with additional practice guidance to foster and strengthen kindness and compassion throughout the day, and evening talks.

The container of Silence includes refraining from speaking (except with the teachers as scheduled and as needed) reading, writing, and technology, with the exception of emergencies of course. It is a rare opportunity to slow down and give our hearts and minds some space to access our inner wisdom and compassion.

The Retreat meets the requirements for teacher training and certification at the Mindfulness-Based Professional Training Institute, University of California at San Diego.

Join us to nourish and sustain your practice, in a safe and beautiful environment, with wonderful healthy food and supported by experienced teachers.

Full details on registering for the retreat is available at: https://www.transformheartminds.org/events/silent-mindfulness-meditation-retreat-bali-jan2025