15 - 19 May 2025: 3 Day, 4-Night Silent Meditation & Yoga Retreat (Blue Mountains, NSW)
This is an intensive, profound, yet deeply restful silent retreat involving three full days of guided meditation, gentle yoga practices, spiritual teachings, and self-inquiry, all against a backdrop of stillness.
Before booking, please read more about our silent retreats here.
No previous meditation or yoga experience is necessary. No previous experience in anything in particular is necessary.
This retreat is located at a dedicated meditation centre, set amidst the beauty and seclusion of the Australian Bush in the Blue Mountains.
START DATE: 4pm Thursday, 15 May 2025
END DATE: 10am Monday, 19 May 2025
LOCATION: Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls, NSW (50 Railway Parade).
To read about these retreats from past participants, visit the Testimonials page.
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THE EXPERIENCE INVOLVES:
Multiple guided and partly guided meditation sessions.
2 gentle yoga sessions each day.
Yoga nidra (yoga of sleep) sessions.
Daily breathwork sessions.
Walking meditation.
Spiritual discourses/short talks.
3 nourishing vegetarian meals per day, plus dinner on check-in day and breakfast on check-out day (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners).
The full schedule can be found here.
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PRICES: (for 4 nights accommodation + all meals)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices listed below cover the hard costs for running the retreat only, including accommodation for four nights, any additional costs to secure the whole venue for our silent container, 11 (delicious!) meals, and unlimited tea and fresh fruit throughout the weekend.
The retreat program itself is by conscious donation. This means there is no built-in fee to contribute to the administrative and other preparatory aspects in the lead-up to the retreat, nor for our time and energy in facilitating the experience. We do this because we want to ensure the retreat is accessible for as many of you as possible, and we understand that each individual's circumstances and perception of value vary. So, after the retreat, you will get to choose an amount you would like to contribute, that aligns with both your financial capacity and the value you place on the program itself.
WOMEN’S TRIPLE SHARE ROOM: $500 per person + Program fee by donation.
WOMEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
MEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
PRIVATE ROOM (Double bed): $1,050 per person + Program fee by donation.
DELUXE PRIVATE ROOM (King bed): $1,175 per person + Program fee by donation.
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PAYMENT & REGISTRATION POLICIES:
To secure your spot, a non-refundable $100 deposit is required. Please familiarise yourself with the Cancellation Policy before making a booking.
Final payments are due one month before the retreat. You will receive an invoice to complete your payment. If payment is not received by the due date and we haven’t heard from you, your spot may be offered to another participant.
Your Conscious Donation for the program will be payable at the end of the retreat, preferably in cash, or via bank transfer. As a guide, the suggested minimum donation for students or lower-income participants is $150.
This retreat is addressed to those in a stable emotional and psychological state. If you have any mental health conditions, please read our Mental Health Disclaimerto help determine if this retreat is right for you, or write to Rose at hello@rosecousens.com if you have an questions or concerns.
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ABOUT THE FACILITATORS: Rose Cousens & Alistair Johnston
Rose has spent four out of the last seven years studying at the headquarters of Hridaya Yoga, a beautiful school of meditation and yoga (in its holistic sense) in a small fisherman's village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
This has been a washing machine of intensive training, extended periods of silence and solitude (including over 250 days of silent meditation retreats), while navigating the challenges of living and working in community.
When COVID-19 brought her home to Australia, she began offering silent meditation retreats in Far North Queensland and guiding yoga classes in Mission Beach. She integrates core principles from classical Yoga and Meditation with insights from Buddhist Psychology to craft a holistic approach to embracing life with authenticity, self-reflection, sincerity, and contentment.
Prior to Mexico, she juggled yoga and daily life as a busy Sydney-sider before (accidentally) dropping it all and deciding to live life in pursuit of service, and answering the impossible question: "Who am I?"
Alistair started his spiritual journey in 2014 at a Buddhist monastery in the North of Thailand. In the years since, he has practised meditation with various teachers, learned several styles of yoga, and sat many retreats. In 2018, he went to Mexico for a yoga course and met Rose as he arrived at the front gate. He has been a support and sounding-board for these retreats since they began in 2019 and started co-facilitating them this year. Alistair is also a writer, and you can find some of his short stories at alistair-johnston.com.
For more information about Rose, including a full list of accreditations and experience, visit the About Rose page.
This is an intensive, profound, yet deeply restful silent retreat involving three full days of guided meditation, gentle yoga practices, spiritual teachings, and self-inquiry, all against a backdrop of stillness.
Before booking, please read more about our silent retreats here.
No previous meditation or yoga experience is necessary. No previous experience in anything in particular is necessary.
This retreat is located at a dedicated meditation centre, set amidst the beauty and seclusion of the Australian Bush in the Blue Mountains.
START DATE: 4pm Thursday, 15 May 2025
END DATE: 10am Monday, 19 May 2025
LOCATION: Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls, NSW (50 Railway Parade).
To read about these retreats from past participants, visit the Testimonials page.
————
THE EXPERIENCE INVOLVES:
Multiple guided and partly guided meditation sessions.
2 gentle yoga sessions each day.
Yoga nidra (yoga of sleep) sessions.
Daily breathwork sessions.
Walking meditation.
Spiritual discourses/short talks.
3 nourishing vegetarian meals per day, plus dinner on check-in day and breakfast on check-out day (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners).
The full schedule can be found here.
————
PRICES: (for 4 nights accommodation + all meals)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices listed below cover the hard costs for running the retreat only, including accommodation for four nights, any additional costs to secure the whole venue for our silent container, 11 (delicious!) meals, and unlimited tea and fresh fruit throughout the weekend.
The retreat program itself is by conscious donation. This means there is no built-in fee to contribute to the administrative and other preparatory aspects in the lead-up to the retreat, nor for our time and energy in facilitating the experience. We do this because we want to ensure the retreat is accessible for as many of you as possible, and we understand that each individual's circumstances and perception of value vary. So, after the retreat, you will get to choose an amount you would like to contribute, that aligns with both your financial capacity and the value you place on the program itself.
WOMEN’S TRIPLE SHARE ROOM: $500 per person + Program fee by donation.
WOMEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
MEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
PRIVATE ROOM (Double bed): $1,050 per person + Program fee by donation.
DELUXE PRIVATE ROOM (King bed): $1,175 per person + Program fee by donation.
————
PAYMENT & REGISTRATION POLICIES:
To secure your spot, a non-refundable $100 deposit is required. Please familiarise yourself with the Cancellation Policy before making a booking.
Final payments are due one month before the retreat. You will receive an invoice to complete your payment. If payment is not received by the due date and we haven’t heard from you, your spot may be offered to another participant.
Your Conscious Donation for the program will be payable at the end of the retreat, preferably in cash, or via bank transfer. As a guide, the suggested minimum donation for students or lower-income participants is $150.
This retreat is addressed to those in a stable emotional and psychological state. If you have any mental health conditions, please read our Mental Health Disclaimerto help determine if this retreat is right for you, or write to Rose at hello@rosecousens.com if you have an questions or concerns.
————
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS: Rose Cousens & Alistair Johnston
Rose has spent four out of the last seven years studying at the headquarters of Hridaya Yoga, a beautiful school of meditation and yoga (in its holistic sense) in a small fisherman's village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
This has been a washing machine of intensive training, extended periods of silence and solitude (including over 250 days of silent meditation retreats), while navigating the challenges of living and working in community.
When COVID-19 brought her home to Australia, she began offering silent meditation retreats in Far North Queensland and guiding yoga classes in Mission Beach. She integrates core principles from classical Yoga and Meditation with insights from Buddhist Psychology to craft a holistic approach to embracing life with authenticity, self-reflection, sincerity, and contentment.
Prior to Mexico, she juggled yoga and daily life as a busy Sydney-sider before (accidentally) dropping it all and deciding to live life in pursuit of service, and answering the impossible question: "Who am I?"
Alistair started his spiritual journey in 2014 at a Buddhist monastery in the North of Thailand. In the years since, he has practised meditation with various teachers, learned several styles of yoga, and sat many retreats. In 2018, he went to Mexico for a yoga course and met Rose as he arrived at the front gate. He has been a support and sounding-board for these retreats since they began in 2019 and started co-facilitating them this year. Alistair is also a writer, and you can find some of his short stories at alistair-johnston.com.
For more information about Rose, including a full list of accreditations and experience, visit the About Rose page.
This is an intensive, profound, yet deeply restful silent retreat involving three full days of guided meditation, gentle yoga practices, spiritual teachings, and self-inquiry, all against a backdrop of stillness.
Before booking, please read more about our silent retreats here.
No previous meditation or yoga experience is necessary. No previous experience in anything in particular is necessary.
This retreat is located at a dedicated meditation centre, set amidst the beauty and seclusion of the Australian Bush in the Blue Mountains.
START DATE: 4pm Thursday, 15 May 2025
END DATE: 10am Monday, 19 May 2025
LOCATION: Happy Buddha Retreats, Wentworth Falls, NSW (50 Railway Parade).
To read about these retreats from past participants, visit the Testimonials page.
————
THE EXPERIENCE INVOLVES:
Multiple guided and partly guided meditation sessions.
2 gentle yoga sessions each day.
Yoga nidra (yoga of sleep) sessions.
Daily breathwork sessions.
Walking meditation.
Spiritual discourses/short talks.
3 nourishing vegetarian meals per day, plus dinner on check-in day and breakfast on check-out day (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners).
The full schedule can be found here.
————
PRICES: (for 4 nights accommodation + all meals)
IMPORTANT NOTE: The prices listed below cover the hard costs for running the retreat only, including accommodation for four nights, any additional costs to secure the whole venue for our silent container, 11 (delicious!) meals, and unlimited tea and fresh fruit throughout the weekend.
The retreat program itself is by conscious donation. This means there is no built-in fee to contribute to the administrative and other preparatory aspects in the lead-up to the retreat, nor for our time and energy in facilitating the experience. We do this because we want to ensure the retreat is accessible for as many of you as possible, and we understand that each individual's circumstances and perception of value vary. So, after the retreat, you will get to choose an amount you would like to contribute, that aligns with both your financial capacity and the value you place on the program itself.
WOMEN’S TRIPLE SHARE ROOM: $500 per person + Program fee by donation.
WOMEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
MEN’S TWIN SHARE ROOM: $650 per person + Program fee by donation.
PRIVATE ROOM (Double bed): $1,050 per person + Program fee by donation.
DELUXE PRIVATE ROOM (King bed): $1,175 per person + Program fee by donation.
————
PAYMENT & REGISTRATION POLICIES:
To secure your spot, a non-refundable $100 deposit is required. Please familiarise yourself with the Cancellation Policy before making a booking.
Final payments are due one month before the retreat. You will receive an invoice to complete your payment. If payment is not received by the due date and we haven’t heard from you, your spot may be offered to another participant.
Your Conscious Donation for the program will be payable at the end of the retreat, preferably in cash, or via bank transfer. As a guide, the suggested minimum donation for students or lower-income participants is $150.
This retreat is addressed to those in a stable emotional and psychological state. If you have any mental health conditions, please read our Mental Health Disclaimerto help determine if this retreat is right for you, or write to Rose at hello@rosecousens.com if you have an questions or concerns.
————
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS: Rose Cousens & Alistair Johnston
Rose has spent four out of the last seven years studying at the headquarters of Hridaya Yoga, a beautiful school of meditation and yoga (in its holistic sense) in a small fisherman's village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
This has been a washing machine of intensive training, extended periods of silence and solitude (including over 250 days of silent meditation retreats), while navigating the challenges of living and working in community.
When COVID-19 brought her home to Australia, she began offering silent meditation retreats in Far North Queensland and guiding yoga classes in Mission Beach. She integrates core principles from classical Yoga and Meditation with insights from Buddhist Psychology to craft a holistic approach to embracing life with authenticity, self-reflection, sincerity, and contentment.
Prior to Mexico, she juggled yoga and daily life as a busy Sydney-sider before (accidentally) dropping it all and deciding to live life in pursuit of service, and answering the impossible question: "Who am I?"
Alistair started his spiritual journey in 2014 at a Buddhist monastery in the North of Thailand. In the years since, he has practised meditation with various teachers, learned several styles of yoga, and sat many retreats. In 2018, he went to Mexico for a yoga course and met Rose as he arrived at the front gate. He has been a support and sounding-board for these retreats since they began in 2019 and started co-facilitating them this year. Alistair is also a writer, and you can find some of his short stories at alistair-johnston.com.
For more information about Rose, including a full list of accreditations and experience, visit the About Rose page.
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In order to maintain a silent, sacred container together and support each other on the journey, we follow strict guidelines. Please review these carefully before signing up to the retreat.
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Cancellation Policy
Please note: As these retreats operate on a donation basis, we do not have a financial buffer to absorb cancellations if we are unable to fill your place. We kindly ask that you carefully consider your decision to register and take note of the following refund timelines:
Deposit: The $100 deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another person or a future retreat.
Full Payment: Full payment is due one month prior to the retreat. If payment is not made by this time and no alternative arrangement has been agreed upon, your place may be offered to someone else.
Cancellations 30-15 Days Before Retreat: A 50% refund will be provided (based on the full retreat fee), unless a replacement participant is found.
Cancellations Within 14 Days of Retreat: No refund will be provided.
We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover your retreat fees in case of emergencies, illness, or unforeseen circumstances.
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These retreats are offered by “conscious donation.” This means only the cost of food and accommodation is fixed - the price of which is based on the venue hire and the cost of the meals.
The programmatic component - the program itself, including training, preparation, administrative, marketing, and teaching aspects during the retreat - is up to you. This requires some personal reflection and a level of integrity, weighing up what feels harmonious for you to afford at this moment in time, as well as the perceived value of the retreat (excluding food and accommodation).
To support with budgeting, in general, the minimum donation for a 3-day retreat by full-time students and low-income participants is $150. However, we encourage you to reflect on what feels right for you, and you won’t need to decide until after the retreat. :)
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The full retreat schedule can be found here.
Please note, this is subject to change.