This dana based online retreat will focus on exploration, guidance and the opportunity to practice meditation as described in the Buddha’s mindfulness of breathing discourse. This retreat will also include guidance in and the opportunity to develop one or more of the four divine abodes: warm benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity.

This retreat will be led by Malcolm Huxter and co-led by Lisa Brown (see below for details).

The schedule will include:

6:15 – 7.15am Optional morning yoga and yoga nidra with Lisa
9.00 -10.30am Morning instruction and guidance /workshop session *
11.00 – 12.30am Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually

On the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the retreat – Individual and or group Dharma meetings with Mal

12.30 – 2.30pm Screen off or log off for lunch and rest
2.30 – 6.00pm Periods of silent meditation in a group or individually

On the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the retreat – Individual and or group Dharma meetings with Lisa

7.00 – 8.00pm Dharma talks and discussion with both Mal and Lisa
8.15 – 9.00pm Silent or guided meditation/possible chanting

* Mostly with Malcolm

** Includes tea break

General aims of the retreat:

To provide the opportunity to explore and experience first hand the cultivation of insight and serenity with mindfulness of breath.
To provide the opportunity to experience the development of the four divine abodes (benevolence, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity).
To free oneself and others from psychological suffering.
To enhance the skills and understanding of anyone wishing to develop meditation as well as provide new ideas for therapists, programme leaders and other professionals who already use mindfulness, compassion, loving kindness and related skills as part of their therapeutic and coaching repertoire.
This retreat will focus on the instructions provided in the Buddha’s discourse on mindfulness of breathing or the Anapanasati sutta. This sutta describes 16 steps (four tetrads each with four steps) that lead to the knowledge and insight of awakening. The instructions in the four tetrads of mindfulness of breathing use both the tranquillity as well as the insight aspects of meditation. This means that there is cultivation of tranquillity (relaxed body and calm mind), along with the nourishment of joy, happiness, stillness and inner peace. The 16 steps of mindfulness of breathing include the development of the seven factors of awakening: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquillity, concentration and equipoise or equanimity. Mindfulness of breathing was the preferred meditation practice of the Buddha and it is a profound and comprehensive practice.

For a an overview of the sutta view and listen to this 24 minute talk which was given at the Kuan Yin Centre in November, 2021: talk on mindfulness of breathing discourse Follow this link to listen to a guided meditation covering the first 8 steps of mindfulness of breathing: guided meditation on first 8 steps of mindfulness of breathing