Cultivation of Mindfulness for Joy, Compassion and Wisdom
This retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice in the serene surroundings of Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat.
Insight Dialogue (Relational Mindfulness) combines the traditional individual meditation with relational mindfulness, the wisdom of the teachings of the Buddha, and friendship on the path to reveal the true nature, source, and release of human suffering.
By practising in relationship with others, guided by simple contemplative pauses and structured turns of speaking and listening from silence, we uncover profound truths about ourselves, our patterns, and the nature of connection. Old habits of reactivity, self protection, and distraction begin to soften, revealing what lies beneath them: a natural capacity for presence, honesty, and care.
This transformative practice integrates silent practice and interpersonal mindfulness, weaving solitary sitting with dialogue in pairs and small groups. It offers a pathway to greater wisdom, compassion, and freedom, not apart from others but through them.
This retreat is suitable for all with or without prior Insight Dialogue experience.
Prior meditation experience is advised.
Retreat Highlights
Silent Meditation: periods of quiet meditation to balance the relational work
Iyenger Yoga: to balance mind and body
Community Connection: a small, supportive group of practitioners
Time in Nature: meditative walks
Three vegetarian meals a day
Your Teachers
Nolitha Tsengiwe is a meditation teacher trained by the Insight Meditation Society, a teacher for online Cloud Sangha, and a guiding teacher at Dharmagiri meditation centre. She has practised for more than twenty five years under Kittisaro and Thanissara, disciples of Ajahn Chah. Nolitha is a psychologist and executive coach, bringing a trauma sensitive lens to supporting clients in search of truth as a doorway to healing, wellbeing, and freedom.
Viveka Bhikkhu is a Buddhist monk who teaches mindfulness practice and compassionate living. He began exploring meditation in the early nineties, attended his first retreat in 2002, and was ordained with Sayadaw U Tejaniya in 2013. Over a twenty year period, he trained with well respected lay teachers in the West and Buddhist masters in Asia. Five years ago he began offering meditation retreats, weekly sessions, and facilitating Insight Dialogue events internationally. He currently lives in Eastern Canada.
Chandre Gould is an Iyengar yoga practitioner and teacher. She is also a researcher in the field of violence prevention. She believes that yoga and meditation practice are good preventive medicine and hopes to offer yoga practice in support of meditation practice.
Costs
R 8450pp - Single ensuite
R 7850pp - Single room with shared bathroom
R 6950pp sharing - Shared room with shared bathroom
Teaching on this retreat is offered freely in the spirit of dana. We welcome contributions in exchange to support the teachers on this retreat. Suggested teacher dana: R600 – R2000
*Partial Scholarships are available. Please email office@dharmagiri.org for further information.