If you find yourself pining for some time to yourself and feel a need to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, then a meditation retreat might be the right fit for your next holiday. Catering to a variety of participants who want to achieve goals such as clearing the head, learning relaxation techniques or simply switching off for a while, the array of retreats found in the beautiful Blue Mountains provide a spiritual getaway that’s hard to beat. If you’re ready to cleanse your soul and rest the mind then book a hotel in the Blue Mountains and prepare to relax. Read on for five professional meditation retreats you can visit on your next trip to the area.
Brahma Kumaris
Set in the picturesque suburb of Leura, the Brahma Kumaris Centre for Spiritual Learning is nestled on a 53-hectare piece of land and helps guests to clear their minds and slow down. The centre provides visitors with a place to get away from the “noise” so present in everyday life and to rest and relax in a beautiful bushland setting. Participants join meditation and yoga classes in a heritage stone cottage that’s set among bushwalking tracks and peaceful creeks and is particularly conducive to relaxation and calming of the mind. During breaks, guests can sit in meditative silence and enjoy the magnificent valley view while dining on wholesome food.
Vipassana Meditation
The Vipassana Meditation centre is located near the town of Blackheath, within walking distance of the suburb’s railway station, on more than 40 acres of spectacular land that features a eucalyptus forest set on the edge of an escarpment. The word vipassana means “to see things as they really are” and at the retreat participants are encouraged to find the peace and harmony within themselves. This type of meditation is one of the most ancient styles from India and was taught there more than 2,500 years ago as a way of life and a remedy for all ills. The centre is set up to cater to people with all budgets, as courses are run solely on a donation basis. All costs are covered by donations from previous students who wish to help others benefit from the teachings, meaning participants are not required to pay excessive fees in order to find enlightenment! The Vipassana Meditation centre is the oldest of its kind in Australia (it opened in 1983) and only the second to be started outside of India. The grounds feature extensive gardens and ponds as well as breathtaking views of the valley below and the imposing cliffs opposite. Guests at the retreat can enjoy spotting a variety of native animals including ducks, wallabies and birds.
Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre
Situated in the suburb of Medlow Bath, the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre has been providing a tranquil setting for guests to learn and practice Buddhist meditationsince 1989. The Centre allows visitors to be guided by a group of visiting monks, nuns and lay teachers who travel from Burma and other countries around the world to spread the benefits of satipatthanavipassana, otherwise known as insight meditation. A non-profit organisation that was founded in 1981, the Centre is owned and managed by the Buddha Sasana Association of Australia Inc.
KunsangYeshe Retreat Centre
Another retreat located in Medlow Bath, the KunsangYeshe Retreat Centre provides a range of diverse and low-cost classes and workshops to suit all ages and backgrounds. The centre is a non-profit incorporated association and welcomes both people who are practicing Buddhists, or those who just want to learn some basic meditation and relaxation techniques. The day retreat is set in a peaceful surrounding of native bushland and provides a range of classes in meditation, art and healthy living.
Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre
The Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre is locatedjust outside the village of Mount Wilson in a tranquil setting on 25 acres that feature magnificent rainforests and striking native bush. Set between Wollemi National Park and the Blue Mountains National Park, the Centre holds a variety of courses throughout the year including silent retreats at Easter, Christmas and over the New Year period.
About the Author: Fiona Hudson is a blogger, travel writer and nature lover with a passion for yoga, meditation and the great outdoors.
