Jhana Grove

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 pure 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, which 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 100’s of  guided meditations (as well as written instructions and a support discussion forum) are available free on our website. The books 'Basic Method of Meditation' and 'Mindfulness, Bliss and Beyond' by Ajahn Brahm describe the method taught at Jhana Grove. These are available on 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 you can expect a strong focus on sitting and  walking meditation for many hours a day, over the entire retreat, interrupted daily only by 3-4 hours of teaching / personal interviews and meals. The bulk of  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, Includes mobile phone 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)

* Light Breakfast 7.00 am
* Lunch 11.00 am
* Tea/evening drink 5.00 pm. Note there is no evening meal.

Considerations: Body and Mind

Jhana Grove is a  custom-built meditation facility designed to bring about spiritual and physical well being and 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).  Our retreat leaders, however, aren't trained in caring for meditators with serious mental or physical disorders and we do not provide  medical, mental health or nutritional services onsite.  Attendance is not recommended if you have any health issues such as those detailed below or if your health may be compromised by a lack of access to your regular health care support services. If you have any doubts about your suitability to attend the retreat we require you to present this Information Sheet to your health care professional(s) and obtain clearance before attending. This is your responsibility.

Body

If you have any physical ailments or conditions  that may be aggravated due to long periods of sitting/walking (e.g. 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.

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

Retreat food is provided through donations and 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’,  however if you have special dietary requirements such as suffering from a life-threatening food allergy, lactose or gluten intolerance, or if you need an evening meal for health reasons, please contact Bianca by phoning +61 (0)8 9472 7634 , well before the retreat so you can work out which extra food of your own you may need to bring. (Best time to phone is 6.30 am - 7.30 am. If phoning at other times please leave a message with your landline number.)

Self Retreats

Jhana Grove provides ideal facilities 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 "holiday".  Self retreat applicants must

• Have attended at least two formal Nine Day Retreats at Jhana Grove (or equivalent)

• Minimun stay for self retreats is seven days, maximun stay is one month

These are soilitary retreats, extra guests 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 obsservation from time to time whilst on self retreat.

What to Bring?

International & Interstate Visitors
Please bring: torch, alarm clock, towel, toiletries, tissues, a hat and an umbrella.

Local WA Visitors
Please bring: torch, alarm clock towel, toiletries, tissues, a hat, an umbrella, bedding i.e. single doona, cover, sheet and pillow. Please also bring your own meditation cushions and stools.

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.