The Purpose of Meditation Retreats

In meditation retreats, you let go of the complex world outside in order to reach a powerful peace within. Meditation is the path to a pure and empowered mind, the experience of which, released from the world, can be incredibly blissful and spiritually rewarding.

Depending on your level of practice, as well as your life conditions, there may be some hard work, especially in the beginning. You’ll learn that effort alone is not sufficient. Effort needs to be skillful. In particular, patience and kindness towards oneself is required, and this can only be achieved through regular practice over time.

Retreats: What to expect

Jhana Grove retreats are designed to build on your personal, regular meditation practice. To learn the basics, you can attend one of our Dhammaloka beginner courses. Alternatively, audio of hundreds of  guided meditations, as well as written instructions are available free on our Dhammaloka website. The books, 'Basic Method of Meditation' and 'Happiness Through Meditation' by Ajahn Brahm describes the method taught at Jhana Grove. These are available on the Dhammaloka site as well as being for sale online and at the Dhammaloka library bookshop.

When going on a Jhana Grove retreat, you’ll typically develop additional practical techniques and uncover deeper insights, building on your existing practice. Our 3-day weekend retreats can function as an introduction to meditation; however, prior practice is still highly recommended. On all retreats, whether weekend or 9-day, you can expect a strong focus on sitting and walking meditation for many hours a day, over the entire retreat, only interrupted by 3-4 hours of daily teaching, personal interviews and meals. The bulk of your retreat time will be spent in solitude and silence, focussing on your inner states. We do not permit meditation methods that involve audible sounds and/or vigorous body movement as they disturb others.

All participants must keep the meditation conditions advised by the Buddha:

• Noble Silence - No verbal or non-verbal communication, including mobile phones and internet - More Info
  

• The 8 Precepts - More info
  

Schedules

Daily schedules are effective, time-proven suggestions for retreatants, but they do not necessarily have to be followed rigidly. Jhana Grove daily schedules are somewhat flexible, grounded in kindness and ease. View a sample daily schedule

Meals (vegetarian):

Considerations: Body and Mind

Jhana Grove is a custom-built meditation facility designed to bring about spiritual and physical well being, as well as to make meditation stress-free and easy for most people. Cottages have at least one wheelchair-friendly room with 2 rooms catering fully for the disabled (and their carer).

Body

If you have any physical ailments or conditions that may be aggravated due to long periods of sitting or walking (arthritis, deep vein thrombosis etc.) please consult your medical doctor before booking a retreat. Note that meditation cannot replace prescribed medications; please follow your doctor’s orders. If in any doubt or to obtain further information please telephone Bodhinyana Monastery on +61 (0)8 9525 2420. Please do this before you make a booking.

It is advisable to have done a Weekend Retreat before attending a 9 day Retreat.

Mind

Meditation retreats cannot replace psychotherapy or psychotropic medication. Retreats should also not be seen as drug withdrawal programs with a spiritual aspect. If you have a history of psychosis, personality disorder, schizophrenia, severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, have ever attempted to take your life or have a recent history of substance abuse/addiction you must consult your therapist/doctor before booking. If in any doubt or to obtain further information please telephone Bodhinyana Monastery on +61 (0)8 9525 2420. Please do this before you make a booking.

Dietary

Some retreat food is provided through donations, and other meals are prepared by participants as a team effort, under the leadership of our retreat cook Bianca.  Retreatants have found meals to be exceptionally delicious and satisfying! Everyone is encouraged to receive food gratefully ‘as provided’.

1. Previous meditation experience, if any
2. Medical conditions and medication
3. Emergency contact details

Assistance

Particpants are asked to assist with the smooth running of our retreats by helping with various jobs both during and at the end of the retreat. This includes cleaning of cottages and common areas. A duty roster will be posted on the noticeboard.

Ajahn Interview Roster

During the retreat, each participant is allocated one or more scheduled 'personal interviews' with the retreat teacher. You are encouraged to attend to discuss your spiritual progress.

Self Retreats

Jhana Grove provides an ideal facility for established meditators who wish to investigate at a deeper level by doing a self retreat. A self retreat should not be seen as a "bush holiday". For self retreats:

• Applicants must have attended at least two formal BSWA-led Nine Day Retreats at Jhana Grove
• Minimum stay for self retreats is seven days, maximum stay is one month
• Noble Silence and 8-precepts apply

These are solitary retreats: extra guests, room sharing (unless disabled) or visitors are not permitted at any time without prior written approval from the abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery. The daily meal is taken at the monastery. As no teacher is provided onsite for self retreatants, we require attendees to check in at the nearby monastery for personal welfare observation from time to time whilst on self retreat.

It costs around $25 per retreatant per day to cover Jhana Grove operating costs. Please factor this in when making a booking.

All applications will be assessed by the Abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery on +61 (0)8 9525 2420 before a booking can be confirmed. Applicants must ensure they comply with the requirements and rules for self retreats.

How to Book?

Notice of dates of retreats is given on our website here, our Dhammaloka notice board and during announcements on Friday nights. The preferred and easiest way to book is online at jhanagrove.org.au. A credit card and valid email address is required.

If you'd like to see what the time is in your time zone, why not try Time and Date?

9-Day Retreats
Online bookings open Friday nights at 8pm WA Time - AWST (GMT+8)
Full BSWA Members * - 12 weeks beforehand
All other Participants - 11 weeks beforehand

A $225 room bond is payable for these retreats. The bond is refundable for those who attend the retreat. Although there is currently no set fee for any BSWA retreat at Jhana Grove, retreatants are encouraged to contribute towards running costs.

*Equivalent status is given to members of Buddhist Fellowship Singapore, Buddhist Gem Fellowship Kuala Lumpur, Mahindarama Pali School Penang, Terengganu Buddhist Association, Ehipassiko Foundation.

Weekend Retreats
Online bookings open Friday Nights 8pm WA Time - AWST (GMT+0800)
All Participants - 6 weeks beforehand

A $100 room bond is payable for retreats. The bond is refundable for those who attend the retreat. Although there is currently no set fee for any BSWA retreat at Jhana Grove, retreatants are encouraged to contribute towards running costs.

Group Bookings
For all group bookings by other Buddhist groups or the general public, please contact our co-coordinator by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

What to Bring?

All retreatants should bring:

• Comfortable, practical and modest clothing; shorts above the knee are not suitable
  
• Slip-on shoes, slippers or thongs; walking shoes if you wish to do any bush-walking
• Cash or cheque if you wish to purchase books, CDs or T-shirts (when available). You can transfer funds online at Jhana Grove to make purchases. Sorry, we don't have credit card facilities
  

International & Interstate Visitors

• Torch
  
• Alarm clock
  
• Towel
  
• Toiletries
  
• Tissues
  
• Hat
  
• Umbrella
  
• Meditation wrap or shawl
  
• Travel insurance

Local WA Visitors

• Torch
  
• Alarm clock
  
• Towel
  
• Toiletries
  
• Hat
  
• Meditation wrap or shawl
  
• 2 bed sheets
  
• Pillow case or slip
  
• Bathroom mat
• Meditation cushion or stool
  
• Doona is optional

General Enquiries

For any general enquiries about Jhana Grove, please contact the co-ordinator, Ber Sun: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Disclaimer

The Buddhist Society of WA and the Jhana Grove organisers, whilst taking all reasonable care, shall not be liable for any damage, direct or indirect, to any retreatants, who accept that their participation is at their own risk.