Meditation Retreat

Retreat

2½ days of meditation, massage, yoga, great food, natural beauty and more.....

Drive one hour south of Adelaide and you will discover the beautiful and historic grounds of Adare castle. Unpack your bags and your mind and learn how to find the bliss that lies within all of us. Listen to simple yet profound instructions on how to start your meditation practice from scratch. No previous experience needed..Book online here.

Highlights

• Simple yet profound teachings on different styles
  
• Historic and tranquil setting at Adare castle
• Accommodation in share or twin rooms
• All meals provided Saturday and Sunday
• Free yoga and welcome massage
  

Retreats are held over a weekend from Friday 4pm to Sunday 4pm.

Hundreds of people from Adelaide and beyond have already experienced the peace and tranquillity that comes from partaking in our weekend retreats and are writing thier comments on our facebook page.

Why go on a retreat?

A meditation retreat allows you to focus on the technique of meditation in a conducive environment, in the company of like-minded people and with a qualified teacher. In this atmosphere, it is common for people to progress much faster than through weekly lessons or on their own. This is because the constant supportive environment (away from normal distractions) allows our mind to settle over a longer period of time. It's like ripples settling on a pond. By giving yourself permission to take a break and attend a retreat like this one, the peace you cultivate gives you an insight into what it might be like to live without stress and worry.

For those just learning meditation, this retreat provides a wonderful opportunity to master the basics so that you can start off with a solid understanding of what meditation is, how it works and how it can benefit your mind. For experienced practitioners, this is a chance to refresh your learning and deepen your practice.

Agenda

Retreat agenda

Friday:

4pm       Arrival (explore, relax, or have a welcome massage)
7pm       Greeting / Introduction
8pm       Break
8.15      Teaching & Practice (mindfulness of body)
9pm       Discussion
9.30       Sleeping yoga

Saturday:

6am        Meditation Practice (Silent)
7am        Yoga
8am        Breakfast
9.30        Teaching & Practice (mindfulness of feeling)
10.30      Morning tea / Discussion group
11am      Walking meditation
12noon   Lunch
2.00        Teaching and Practice (compassion)
2.30         Yoga
3.00         Teaching & Practice (Refining the practice)
4.00         Afternoon tea
4.15         Discussion group
5.00         Alignment process6pm         Dinner
7.30         Gentle meditation
8pm         End of teachings

Sunday:

6am        Meditation Practice (silent)
7am        Yoga
8am        Breakfast
9.30        Teaching & Practice (Intro to wisdom aspect)
10.30      Morning tea / Discussion group
11am       Walking meditation
12noon    Lunch (check out)
1.30        Teaching (stages of meditation)
2.30        Yoga
3.00        Compassion meditation
3.30        Afternoon tea /Discussion
3.45        Dedication
4pm        Close

What's on offer

Learn the art of mental stillness	Indulge in a massage (click to book)
Early morning yoga	Have a life coaching session
Meet new people	Relax in the Historic castle rooms
Walk to the pristine beach (5 minutes walk)	Walk along the Hindmarsh river (2 minutes to start of walk)

What to bring

What to bring

• Walking Shoes (and a change of shoes)
• Comfortable Clothing (including a jumper)
• Extra Blanket (one provided)
• Meditation cushion (chairs provided)
• Yoga mat or beach towel or camping mat for yoga
• Sleeping bag or sheets and pillow case (or bedding provided for extra $13)
• Toiletries (Towel, Soap, Toothbrush etc.)
• Due to different arrival times there is no set meal on Friday evening, but there are plenty of options nearby, or you may bring your own

The retreat includes accomodation, teachings, yoga, and lots of yummy food. Massages are booked separately and can be done so on the day.

Accomodation

Accomodation options

Share Accomodation

Stay in the atmospheric Adare castle with your fellow meditators in shared rooms sleeping between 6 to 10 people and shared bathrooms. This option is included within the retreat price. All bedrooms are on the upper floor. See below for layout of rooms.

Twin Accomodation
For more privacy, twin rooms are avaliabe in a side wing to Adare castle. These rooms have private bathrooms with double and twin options available. An additional $70 per person is applicable for this option. They are located adjacent to the Adare castle in the Bethany wing (near the meditation hall).click here.

Luxury Option
Just a 2 minute walk away we also have a more luxurious option. Twin and four share apartments are avaliable at a specially discounted rate. Create your own little slice of paradise in the beautiful Victor Appartments with ornate furnishings together with castle and ocean views.  (more details)

Linen
All beds (excluding luxury option) require your own linen. You can bring your own sleeping bag or linen or you can hire the linen from us at $13.

For more information on how to pay for room upgrades or linen click here.

Adare house layout

Bethany wing layout (2 people per room)

Testimonials

Testimonials

It's always good to know that other people have enjoyed an event before you book, so here are some testimonials from previous attendees of Skillful Mind retreats. I would also like to thank those people who have taken the time to write to me as many of the testimonials below were given to me without even being asked - and for that I am honoured.

I took a meditation retreat with you a few months ago and it was just as such an amazing experience. I learnt a lot and I loved the way that you taught us about many different techniques in meditation. The weekend gave me so much more than I was expecting and the value for money was excellent, as were the facilities and accommodation. The attention paid to us from you and your friendly team was wonderful. Also I want to take this space to say thank you for the great care to have gluten free food available in the retreat. Since I took the retreat with you I have been devoting some time each week to practice my meditation and definitely feel more relaxed and peaceful as I go about my busy life. Thank you so much :)

Zaira - Adelaide

Hi Peter,

Thanks again i feel very at peace and have continued to practise being aware and mindful since I left yesterday.
I feel like a different person and am just so excited to wake up everyday, instead of dreading it. I have found my place on earth and as a result know my purpose and how to start doing what I want, using the tools you gave me.
I learnt so much Peter and I just wanted to thank you so much, you have helped me to believe in myself again from a deep down core level, which I believe is hard to tap into by myself without the awareness and mindfulness tools you have reinforced.

Lauren - Onkaparinga Council

It was fantastic to have a mixture of different types of meditation as this ensured i was able to gain confidence in the style that suited me

Jane - Flinders Medical Centre

As a busy single mum, I needed the 'me' time and tranquility of the winter retreat. Lessons were easily followed, the castle is gorgeous and catering was great. Highly recommended. Will be taking time for me again soon :)

Danen Dee

 Hi Peter, Your skillfull mind retreat was fantastic. Thanks for presenting so many different styles of meditation in just 2 days. Rose and I meditated 15mins this morning and will extend it to 20mins next week. Your teaching has provided us with a very clear and practical approach to meditation and has made it very "do-able". I have gone on other retreats and allowed my practice to drop however, this time I beleive I will be able to continue with daily practice because of the practical tools you have provided. Can't wait for the next retreat. Thanks Rex

Rex Guthrie

Great weekend! Learnt so much would highly recommend to all beginners or long time mediators. looking forward to The January retreat to help take me to a better understanding. Loved the yoga.....

Julie Stewart

I found the retreat in July to be a great experience, I learnt new skills that are useful in daily life and enjoyed great food and met some interesting people. Thx Peter you made it meaningful and kept the group interested and challenged us with your teachings.

 Lisa - Adelaide

Peter, I really enjoyed the retreat. It was well balanced with activities, teachings and free time. I'm sure that as time passes and I integrate the teachings, much more will become clear to me. Thanks again.

Peter Harvey

 Thankyou Peter for a wonderfully practical and Informative weekend. I now have the tools as well as some of the 'theory' behind it to really ground me in my new meditation journey!
I can now see that what I thought was meditation was actually 'dullness'!!!

Rose Pride

More testimonials.

 Or see the chatter on facebook.

Booking

To book your place on the retreat - click here

To book a massage or coaching session - Click here

To pay for a twin room or supplied linen - Click here

How to get there

Directions to the retreat centre

To get to the retreat centre, follow the signs to Victor Harbor from Adelaide. Once at the main Port Elliot / Victor Harbor round about, continue down the hill toward Victor Harbor on Hindmarsh Road. Wattle Drive is the 9th street on your right and the last street before you cross over the Hindmarsh river (at the bottom of the hill). Continue along Wattle Drive and look for the Adare Caravan Park on your right. Turn into the Caravan Park and proceed up to the main castle carpark. Check in will be done in the Bethany hall (not the main admin offfice). If you have any problems give us a call on 0434 462 252.