Past Retreats and Events

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Sayadaw U Indaka is the abbot of the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centres (CMMC) in Yangon and Pyin Oo Lwin. On his first retreat at BMIMC Sayadaw will conduct a 10-day intensive metta (lovingkindness) retreat with the support of his translator Mimmi. Mimmi (May Myint Oo) has practiced vipassana and metta meditation for many years. Since 2004 she is Sayadaw’s translator whenever he travels and teaches abroad.

This is an eight-precept retreat – no food to be taken after midday.

This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

Online Registration

Anchored in the Theravadan Buddhist Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw since 1974, Steven Smith was trained and sanctioned as a teacher by the late revered monk and meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita. Steven teaches Vipassana and the Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) in meditation retreats in Asia, Hawai’i, North America and Australia.

Online Registration

Patrick teaches satipaṭṭhāna, the way of mindfulness, in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw. He emphasises the cultivation of a felt continuity of awareness by tracking the elemental flow of experience that lies beneath our habitual concepts and reactions. As we become intimate with what is already present we discover the radical simplicity of the practice, and we learn to “live independently, not clinging to anything in the world” (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta MN 10).

Online Registration

The focus of this retreat is on realistic and practical understanding of Buddhism and Buddhist meditation with an emphasis on personalising the practice and using it in everyday life.

Michael Dash has been a Buddhist practitioner for over twenty years, studying in Australia, Thailand and Burma, where he trained in satipatthāna vipassanā meditation in the Mahāsī tradition. He also has led the Centre’s regular group sits in Sydney and is a professional counselor.

Online Registration

Lesley Lebkowicz has practised with Western teachers and Burmese meditation masters in the Mahasi lineage of Insight Meditation in Burma, Nepal, the United States and Australia since 1983. Her main teachers have been Michele McDonald, Sayadaw U Pandita, John Hale and Sayadaw U Vivekananda. Lesley’s teaching focusses on developing a loving gentleness towards our own minds and on the importance of exercising autonomy and responsibility for our own development. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Online Registration

Ariya B. Baumann (formerly Ven. Ariya Nani) was a Buddhist nun for 21 years, ordained in Burma by Sayadaw U Janaka. For many years she had been guiding foreign meditators at the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Center. She now lives in Switzerland and teaches mettā and vipassanā retreats worldwide. For further detail see Ariya’s blog.

This is an eight precept retreat – no meals taken after midday

This course will undertake an in-depth study of mindfulness meditation based on a comparative study of the three extant versions of the Satipatthāna-sutta, where besides the well-known version in the Pali Canon, two parallels have been preserved in Chinese.

Over the course of six classes, this course explores what the Buddha was pointing to when he stated that all experience is impermanent (anicca), unsatisfactory (dukkha), and not-self (anatta). Focusing particularly on the aspect of anatta, we will approach this key teaching in a variety of ways, to help understand how it leads to greater ease, happiness, and freedom in our lives.

Sayādaw U Vivekananda has trained under the Ven. Sayādaw U Panditabhivamsa of Myanmar since 1988. He is the resident teacher and abbot at Panditarama Lumbini International Vipassana Meditation Center, Lumbini, Nepal. He has been teaching in the tradition of the Ven. Mahasi Sayādaw since 1998. Ven. Vivekananda guides meditators in a precise and encouraging manner though daily yogi interviews.

This is an eight-precept retreat – no food to be taken after midday.

Online Registration

Tara encourages a relaxed and spacious approach to meditation to support the development of confidence and independence in practice.  The weekend comprises instruction and formal practice sessions in both metta (lovingkindness) and mindfulness meditation, as well as an engaged attention to everday activities. These will be presented within the context of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path.

Online Registration

Anchored in the Theravadan Buddhist Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw since 1974, Steven Smith was trained and sanctioned as a teacher by the late revered monk and meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita. Steven teaches Vipassana and the Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) in meditation retreats in Asia, Hawai’i, North America and Australia. He co-founded Vipassana Hawai’i in 1984 and in 1995 founded the MettaDana Project for educational and medical projects in Burma. Also in 1995 Steven helped establish the Kyaswa Valley Retreat Center in Burma, headed by the late Sayadaw U Lakkhana, Abbot of Kyaswa Monastery.

Patrick teaches satipaṭṭhāna, the way of mindfulness, in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw. He emphasises the cultivation of a felt continuity of awareness by tracking the elemental flow of experience that lies beneath our habitual concepts and reactions. As we become intimate with what is already present we discover the radical simplicity of the practice, and we learn to “live independently, not clinging to anything in the world” (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta MN 10).

Additional Sydney sessions on Sat 10 Feb; Sun 13 May; Sat 23 Jun

This overall process is for people interested in the foundations of Buddhism and its relationship to meditation. It consists of four connected events, starting with a weekend at BMIMC, and half and full day follow-ups in Sydney. Meditation will be significant in our time together, but explored and practiced in its Buddhist context as a foundation for living. The extended format will allow us to experiment with integrating meditation into our everyday lives. This process is for people new to Buddhism but is also open to anyone drawn to this topic.

As the New Year rolls in, this four-day residential retreat will provide a rare opportunity to slow down, take stock, release what’s no longer needed, and re-connect with our deepest aspirations.

Anchored in the Theravadan Buddhist Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw since 1974, Steven Smith was trained and sanctioned as a teacher by the late revered monk and meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita. Steven teaches Vipassana and the Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) in meditation retreats in Asia, Hawai’i, North America and Australia.

Patrick teaches satipaṭṭhāna, the way of mindfulness, in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw. He emphasises the cultivation of a felt continuity of awareness by tracking the elemental flow of experience that lies beneath our habitual concepts and reactions. As we become intimate with what is already present we discover the radical simplicity of the practice, and we learn to “live independently, not clinging to anything in the world” (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta MN 10).

Michael Dash has been a Buddhist practitioner for over twenty years, studying in Australia, Thailand and Burma, where he trained in satipatthāna vipassanā meditation in the Mahāsī tradition. He also has led the Centre’s regular group sits in Sydney and is a professional counsellor. The focus of the retreat is on realistic and practical understanding of Buddhism and Buddhist meditation with an emphasis on personalising the practice and using it in everyday life. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

This silent retreat will draw primarily on teachings from the Theravada Buddhist tradition, emphasising continuity of present moment awareness as the foundation for clear seeing and the arising of wisdom. The format will include instruction in both Insight and Loving-kindness meditation, an optional daily period of mindful movement, and meetings with the teachers. The retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced students of meditation.

Lesley Lebkowicz has practised with Western teachers and Burmese meditation masters in the Mahasi lineage of Insight Meditation in Burma, Nepal, the United States and Australia since 1983. Her main teachers have been Michele McDonald, Sayadaw U Pandita, John Hale and Sayadaw U Vivekananda. Lesley’s teaching focusses on developing a loving gentleness towards our own minds and on the importance of exercising autonomy and responsibility for our own development. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Tara encourages a relaxed and spacious approach to meditation to support the development of confidence and independence in practice. The weekend comprises instruction and formal practice sessions in both metta (lovingkindness) and mindfulness meditation, as well as an engaged attention to everday activities. These will be presented within the context of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

This weekend is for people who want to understand the foundations of Buddhism and its relationship to meditation.Meditation will be part of this weekend but explored and practiced in its Buddhist context as a foundation for living. The Buddha’s vision is hopeful and inspired. This spirit will inform our weekend. The retreat is particularly for people new to Buddhism but is also open to anyone drawn to this topic.

Venerable Sayalay Daw Badha Manika is a resident teacher at the Panditarama International Meditation Centre in Lumbini, Nepal. This is the first retreat she has conducted at BMIMC. Sayalay speaks excellent English. The generous support of the Burmese community enables us to offer retreat places at a significantly reduced daily rate.

Lesley Lebkowicz has practised with Western teachers and Burmese meditation masters in the Mahasi lineage of Insight Meditation in Burma, Nepal, the United States and Australia since 1983. Her main teachers have been Michele McDonald, Sayadaw U Pandita, John Hale and Sayadaw U Vivekananda. Lesley’s teaching focusses on developing a loving gentleness towards our own minds and on the importance of exercising autonomy and responsibility for our own development.This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Anchored in the Theravadan Buddhist Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw since 1974, Steven Smith was trained and sanctioned as a teacher by revered monk and meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita. Steven teaches Vipassana and the Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) in meditation retreats around the world. This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced meditators.

Patrick teaches satipaṭṭhāna, the way of mindfulness, in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw. He emphasises the cultivation of a felt continuity of awareness by tracking the elemental flow of experience that lies beneath our habitual concepts and reactions. As we become intimate with what is already present we discover the radical simplicity of the practice, and we learn to “live independently, not clinging to anything in the world” (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta MN 10).

This seven-day residential retreat will explore insight meditation and the brahma vihara practices of kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity in the context of the Noble Eightfold Path, the heart of the Buddha’s teaching. Most of each day will be spent practising silent sitting and walking meditation, with some guided meditation instructions, dyad (pairs) meditation, and opportunities for individual and group meetings with the teachers. This retreat is best suited to those with some previous meditation experience, and/or those who completed the six-week study course on the Noble Eightfold Path.

This six week course, two hours per week, will explore the Noble Eightfold Path as a comprehensive training to integrate dharma understanding into our daily lives. This integration then supports the deepening of insight and wisdom, which in turn, refines our capacity to live skilfully in the world, with greater ease and freedom. Suitable for beginners. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/noble-eightfold-path-six-week-study-course-blue-mountains-registration-27300014077

This six week course, two hours per week, will explore the Noble Eightfold Path as a comprehensive training to integrate dharma understanding into our daily lives. This integration then supports the deepening of insight and wisdom, which in turn, refines our capacity to live skilfully in the world, with greater ease and freedom. Suitable for beginners. Please register at:
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/noble-eightfold-path-six-week-study-course-sydney-registration-27299348085

This four-day residential retreat is an opportunity to establish, maintain and deepen the practice of insight meditation through exploring a range of different techniques found in the Satipatthana Sutta’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Most of each day will be spent practising silent sitting and walking meditation, with some guided meditation instructions, dyad (pairs) meditation, and opportunities for individual and group meetings with the teachers. This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those with some previous meditation experience.

In this four-day residential retreat we will deepen the practice of insight meditation through an experiential exploration of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness in the Satipatthana Sutta, supported by the brahma vihara practices of kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. Most of each day will be spent practising silent sitting and walking meditation, with some guided meditation instructions and opportunities for individual and group meetings with the teacher.
Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

During this two-day workshop, we will explore many different facets of equanimity, using both traditional and relational insight meditation practices to cultivate the deepest freedom of heart and mind. We will learn how to to support the development of equanimity in all areas of our lives using the principles of Insight Dialogue. This workshop is best suited to people who have some experience of insight meditation or mindfulness meditation (vipassana). Book through Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/exploring-equanimity-insight-meditation-two-day-workshop-sydney-registration-27251280313

Michael’s workshop introduces the fundamentals of Buddhism and meditation. The focus of the retreat is on realistic and practical understanding with an emphasis on personalising the practice and using it in everyday life. Michael has been a Buddhist practitioner for over twenty years, studying in Australia, Thailand and Burma, where he trained in satipatthāna vipassanā meditation in the Mahāsī tradition. The weekend is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Anchored in the Theravadan Buddhist Burmese lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw since 1974, Steven Smith was trained and sanctioned as a teacher by revered monk and meditation master Sayadaw U Pandita. Steven teaches Vipassana and the Divine Abodes (loving-kindness, compassion, joy, equanimity) in meditation retreats around the world.

Lesley Lebkowicz has practised with Western teachers and Burmese meditation masters in the Mahasi lineage of Insight Meditation in Burma, Nepal, the United States and Australia since 1983. Her main teachers have been Michele McDonald, Sayadaw U Pandita, John Hale and Sayadaw U Vivekananda. Lesley’s teaching focusses on developing a loving gentleness towards our own minds and on the importance of exercising autonomy and responsibility for our own development. She leads the Canberra Insight Meditation Group.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

This retreat is suitable for people who have done at least one insight meditation weekend retreat before.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

This two day workshop is suitable for people who would like to deepen their understanding of insight meditation practice through an exploration of the four foundations of mindfulness.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

This retreat is suitable for people who have done at least one insight meditation weekend retreat before.

(Initially scheduled for 15 – 17 January)

This retreat will be run with an open schedule, with optional attendance at peer group discussions and teacher interviews.

(Previously advertised as being led by Tara Frances)

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

One-day Insight Meditation workshop led by Jill Shepherd

One-day Insight meditation workshop led by Jill Shepherd

This is a one-month retreat suitable for experienced practitioners only.

Wise Effort and the Middle Way

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

The Nature of Anatta (not self)

Suitable for people who have done at least one insight meditation weekend retreat before.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for experienced meditators only.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Insight Dialogue is an interpersonal meditation practice. Based in vipassanā meditation, it brings the mindfulness and tranquility of traditional silent meditation practice into our interactions with others through dialogue.

(This retreat was previously advertised as being led by Graham Wheeler)

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

The Centre will be open for experienced meditators wishing to undertake self retreat.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Danny Taylor has been a student of Eastern traditions since the early 1970s, and a practitioner of Buddhist meditation in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition since 1986.

Patrick Kearney is an independent dharma teacher in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw of Burma, his principal teachers being Paṇḍitarama Sayādaw and John Hale.

Venerable Ariya Ñani is a Swiss-born Buddhist nun who lives and works in Burma at the Chanmyay Myaing Meditation Centre in Yangon

Steven Smith is a founder of Vipassanā Hawaii, the Kyaswa Valley Retreat Center in Burma and the MettaDana health and education project in Burma.

Graham Wheeler has been practising vipassanā meditation for over thirty years, studying in Australia, Burma, Thailand and Sri Lanka.

Rosemary and Steve have been practising meditation in the Theravada tradition for over 30 years, and were the resident teachers at Wat Kow Tahm International Meditation Centre

During this period the Centre will be open to experienced meditators to undertake self guided practice. No teaching or instruction will be available during this time but the retreat will be fully catered and supported by resident staff.

Jill began practising meditation in Thailand in 1999, and has been invited into the current teacher training programme offered by the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock in the United States.

Waiting List only

Suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Cost: $815 (cost includes airfare supplement)
Code: SS1-13

See teacher bio

6 week course led by Jill Shepherd, assisted by Beth Faria

Cost: TBA
Code:JS4-13
Venue: Upper Blue Mountains – venue TBA

Patrick Kearney is an independent dharma teacher in the lineage of Mahāsī Sayādaw of Burma, his principal teachers being Panditarama Sayadaw and John Hale.

Michael has been a Buddhist practitioner for over twenty years, studying in Australia, Thailand and Burma, where he trained in satipatthàna vipassanà meditation in the Mahasi tradition.

This Sunday is devoted to bushcare and gardening as well as other work that is needed around the Centre. Please join us for a sociable and worthwhile day of work in the grounds and gardens.

Jill Shepherd began practicing insight meditation in Thailand in 1999. A former manager of BMIMC, she recently spent seven years on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where she participated in many long retreats and also offered weekly meditation classes at a nearby prison. She has been invited into the current teacher training program jointly offered by Spirit Rock and IMS in the US.

This is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice over one day with periods of silent sitting and walking meditation with guidance from Jill.

The day is suitable for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

Arrive for a 9.30 a.m. start. and finish at 3.30 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Code: JS2-13
Cost: $60

Greg Scharf is a visiting teacher at the Insight Meditation Society in the US. He has been meditating since 1992 and teaching since 2007. He has studied with Asian and Western teachers and trained as a monk in Burma. His teaching emphasizes the confluence of love and wisdom on the path to liberation.

This retreat is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced meditators.

Arrive on Friday 6 September from 5.30 p.m. onwards for a 7.30 p.m. start.
Finish on Thursday 19 September after lunch.

Code: GS1-13
Cost: $800
(cost includes airfare supplement)

Tara Francis has practised vipassana meditation for 30 years in Burma, Nepal and Australia, with Sayadaw U Pandiita, the senior disciple of Mahasi Sayadaw, and other senior teachers.

Arrive on Friday 30 August from 5.30 p.m. onwards for a 7.30 p.m. start.
Finish with lunch on Sunday 1 September at 1.00 p.m.

Code: TF1-13
Cost: $180

Jill Shepherd began practicing insight meditation in Thailand in 1999. A former manager of BMIMC, she recently spent seven years on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, where she participated in many long retreats and also offered weekly meditation classes at a nearby prison. She has been invited into the current teacher training program jointly offered by Spirit Rock and IMS in the US.

This weekend retreat will explore different approaches to the practice of metta (loving-kindness) and how these support vipassana practice. It is suitable for people who already have some familiarity with vipassana practice and have sat at least one weekend retreat before.

Arrive on Friday 16 August from 5.30 p.m. onwards for a 7.30 p.m. start.
Finish with lunch on Sunday 18 August at 1.00 p.m.

Code: JS1-13
Cost: $180

Jill began practising meditation in Thailand in 1999, and has been invited into the current teacher training programme offered by the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock in the United States. She has attended several Insight Dialogue retreats and a facilitator training offered by Greg Kramer.

Elizabeth Faria has been a Buddhist practitioner since 1996, studying in India, USA, Thailand and Australia. A Buddhist psychotherapist, psychologist, and mother, she has also attended several Insight Dialogue retreats and a facilitator training offered by Greg Kramer.

This is an opportunity to engage with the interpersonal meditation practice of Insight Dialogue, as developed by Greg Kramer. For more information about Insight Dialogue, please refer to Greg’s website http://metta.org/insight-dialogue-3/

This retreat is suitable for people who have sat at least one seven-day insight meditation retreat.
Arrive for a 9:00 a.m. start, and finish at 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Code:JS3-13
Cost: $60

Lesley Lebkowicz has practised vipassana meditation since 1983 and has spent several years in silent retreat in Australia, the USA and Burma. She has worked as a teacher, counsellor and writer and currently divides her time between formal spiritual practice and writing. She leads the Canberra Insight Meditation Group.

This retreat is suitable for both beginners and more experienced meditators.

Arrive on Friday 26 July from 5.30 pm onwards for a 7.30 pm start.
Finish on Sunday 28 July at lunch.

Code: LL1-13
Cost: $180