A Refuge for Independence and Dependence

“Consider that we, as humans, have needs: needs for nourishment, for inspiration, for solitude, for the company of others… how we understand and relate to dependence and our need for independence is an integral part of meditation and reflection practice.” – Linda Modaro

With Linda Modaro and Bavara
Friday Nov 8 – Wed Nov 13
Byron Bay, NSW Australia – Gondwana Sanctuary

During this residential retreat, we will explore an open awareness meditation practice that is followed by reflection. The roots of this practice are to be found in the Buddha’s early teachings and are based on learning to trust the ways of knowing that develop in meditation. This enables you to be more trusting, responsive, and present in your life.

 

FOR WHOM?

We welcome long-term meditators, as well as newer meditators. Anyone who has practiced Recollective Awareness or is new to our orientation towards meditation practice and retreats. Meditation teachers are also welcome.

WHY MEDITATE AND REFLECT?

We believe that you can learn beneficial ways of meditating by seeing how your mind operates within meditation. This kind of “seeing” can be naturally developed through recollection and reflection, whether done in a journal or expressed verbally to an experienced teacher or peers.

Most likely you will have a goal in mind when you come to meditation practice. What is in your mind and heart matters deeply and does not need to be separated out from your meditation practice. Much of the learning comes from your own recognition and insight, rather than from an authority, a tradition, or any dogmatic and rigid way of thinking about meditation. More on this is here: https://satisangha.org/meditation

Feel free to reach out and contact us to better acquaint yourself with our reflective meditation retreat philosophy:

Linda Modaro: linda@satisangha.org   |   Bavara: abavara@yahoo.com

We offer a daily schedule that includes several meditation sittings per day, optional group movement/stretching sessions, dharma talks, small group reflection, individual sessions if desired, and free time for exercise and your normal routine. The retreats are held in silence apart from Q& A, feedback and small groups. You may bring materials for reading, journaling. Three vegetarian meals per day with a lighter meal at dinner. We can handle constraints around food allergies, and handle some food preference requests.

Bavara and Gerd are offering this retreat from their home, their guest rooms and the communal meditation Hall in the Gondwana Sanctuary. This will be a small, intimate retreat and we can accommodate eight meditators onsite in shared rooms and bath, although two single rooms with shared bath are available ‘first come, first serve’. We have five spaces open for local meditators to join us, staying offsite.

Rates:
$425 residential, shared room and bath
$525 residential, single room and shared bath
$325 local participant, meals included, staying offsite

DANA

Linda and Bavara have a desire to lead a generous, respectful life and to share it with others. This retreat is offered on a dana basis; your giving and generosity for the teachings will be received with gratitude.

Linda Modaro

I started “seeking” in my early twenties. Unsure what I was looking for, I experimented with many eastern practices and landed in traditional Chinese medicine studying and teaching Qi Gong, Tai Ji and Acupuncture for over fifteen years. Taoist philosophy led to Buddhist philosophy and psychology after a near death experience in 1998 and changed the course of my spiritual practice, teaching, and work with others. I trained and worked closely with the teachers in the Skillful Meditation Project and Recollective Awareness Meditation, put together by Jason Siff. Eventually, I had to leave the SMP home, and founded Sati Sangha so that I could continue teaching Buddhadharma and Reflective Meditation. Thirty years of listening, observing, teaching and being taught by patients and students; traveling to China, Nepal, Iran, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada integrating aspects of their cultures. I try to hold this all lightly, yet I cannot deny the sense of having ‘a calling’ rather than a job.

 Bavara

I am Dutch and moved to Scotland in the late 80’s. I have been on a spiritual inner journey since 1982. Many times I have traveled to India and my inspiration for meditation has come mainly from Osho and my fellow travelers. I have been a Holistic Massage Therapist and teacher for over 20 years in Scotland. And I was co.leading retreats for 10 years. Since 2010 I have lived in Gondwana Sanctuary with my partner Gerd. We offer retreats sometimes in the mudbrick meditation hall. Since 2015 I have an interest in Reflective Meditation, have been to retreats with Jason Siff and with Linda. Over many years I shied away from Buddhism but since I came across Reflective Meditation, I am embracing it and integrating it in my own meditation.

Testimonials

“Thanks to this gentle and spacious orientation to meditation, I had time to really pause, feel my vulnerability, as well as take in the good. It takes guts to be gentle!”

Another added: “I loved the talks and conversations! They were excellent, insightful and not overly complicated but enabled deep contemplation.”

Online Retreat Testimonials

“This set up allows people all over the world to participate.”

“(I benefited from) creating a space to set aside to deepen the practice; having a set schedule to follow.  During the last half hour of the retreat, both my phones were ringing and leaving messages that needed tending. Afterwards I found myself attending to them in such a different frame of mind – as part of my practice. Having that mind-set is very helpful.”

“Meditators are concerned with the carbon footprint and climate justice. I don’t have to travel so less carbon footprint.”

“All the benefits of a traditional retreat without the multiple expenses of travel, lodging, pet-sitter, time off work, etc.  I was able to participate in this retreat because I could do so online.  I am grateful for the opportunity, and I am pleased that an online retreat, such as this one, is more accessible to people of limited financial means, or who are not able to travel.”

From our recent online retreat: “Journaling and sharing my thoughts has been a challenge for me in the past. On this retreat, though, I found it surprisingly easy to share with the group. Not quite sure why, though…perhaps feeling safe and secure in my home, and thus more willing to be open…? For whatever reason, this online format really worked well for me.”