Welcome to Winter 2025
Dear Friends in Meditation,
Whilst only a week into the calendar reconning of Winter, we certainly find that the days are cooler and the nights are colder.
Winter has its own special charm and its own particular challenges; there are those amongst us that do love and desire the coming of Winter and there are those that loath it and find it very disagreeable!
Yet to be sure, Winter is here for a while and we might as well enjoy the respite and reprieve from the heat of Summer and settle into all that Winter can offer.
Psychologically, Winter can offer a quiet time for slowing down, spending time in Mindful Reflection, Contemplation and Meditation.
As we may be less outward and externally focussed, Winter can inspire us to be more in-dwelling, both physically, mentally and spiritually.
Winter might move us to take time for reading, or focussing on creativity as we access more of the feeling domain of our being.
Winter can be a wonderful time for retreat, which is certainly what nature and the natural environment is doing through these months. Here for us a retreat may take the form of a Meditation Retreat for a day, a week, a month or even the months of the Vassa Retreat period.
The Vassa Retreat Period is the traditional Retreat time for monastics in the East, from the Full Moon of July to the Full Moon of October, which is the Monsoon or Rainy Season.
Whilst I will be sending out information about our annual Vassa Retreat period of four monthly Sunday Retreat Days starting Sunday 13th July 2025, we do have the opportunity for a special Sunday Retreat Day coming up in 2 weeks’ time!
Venerable Ajahn Tiradhammo, originally from Canada, and now a Buddhist Monk for over 40 years, was scheduled to be with us earlier in the year however we needed to cancel his visit due to the arrival of Ex-Cyclone Alfred.
Ajahn Tiradhammo has found a space in his schedule to come up to Ratanagiri – Farrants Hill and share some teachings for the Thursday Night Meditation Group on 19th June and then will stay to offer a Sunday Meditation Retreat Day on 22nd June.
This Sunday Retreat will be the same theme that he was going to share with us in February. We also have his books on this topic to give away at the Retreat Day.
Whilst this is only a couple of weeks’ notice – I hope that you are able to find the time to join us for this special occasion – sharing time with Ajahn Tiradhammo, a significant Meditation Teacher and Buddhist Monk.
Please email us to register your place for the Sunday Retreat on 22nd June which also will include a shared lunch, so please bring a plate of food to share.
Email us at: info@wellawareness.com.au
See further information below.
I would like to share a poem below of one of my favourite poets Rainer Maria Rilke who references wintering through the Winter!
Kind Regards
John B
Be ahead of all partings, as though it already were behind you,
Like the winter that has just gone by.
For among these winters, there is one so endlessly winter
That only by wintering through it will your heart survive.
Be forever dead in Eurydice – more gladly arise
Into the seamless life proclaimed in your song.
Here, in the realm of decline, among momentary days,
Be the crystal cup that shattered even as it rang.
Be – and yet know the great void where all things begin,
The infinite source of your own most intense vibration, so that,
This once, you may give it your perfect assent.
To all that is used up and to all the muffled and dumb creatures
In the world’s full reserve, the unsayable sums,
Joyfully add yourself and cancel the count.
Rainer Maria Rilke
RATANAGIRI MEDITATION RETREAT DAY
Theme: Meditations & Reflections on “The Process of Self-Making”
Date : Sunday 22nd June 2025
Time : NSW time – Arrive at 9.15am for a 9.30am start – 2.00pm finish.
Venue : Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484
Led By : Venerable Ajahn Tiradhammo
Practice : Samadhi- Mindfulness of Breathing For Calm and Clarity
Cost : Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance.
In keeping with the Buddhist tradition and practice of generosity, teachings are freely given to support the WELLbeing of those interested in spiritual practice. In the spirit of generosity those that have received teachings are free to offer financial support for the continuation of such opportunity.
As a guide suggestion of $50 – $100 for teachings and guidance for the Day Retreat.
Please bring cash for your Dana contribution for the day and a Donations Box will be provided on registration.
If attending online and you wish to contribute Dana, bank details are below –
Account Name: WELL-AWARE-NESS Pty Limited
BSB: 082 738
Account No: 484 342 890
Bring : A plate of food to share for lunch, Notepad and pen, water bottle, warm/rain clothes, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation Cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).
Parking: (see photos below) Please park in the Parking Area below the house – off Double View Road on the left hand side – entrance between the Orange Witches Hats, just before the yellow Private Road sign.
Return to the road and walk up to the House (Ratanagiri sign by the Stainless Steel Letter Box) – enter on the Left where the Rock Wall is.
ZOOM LINK – it will be possible for people to connect that cannot make it in person. This will stay the same so we can use it for every retreat day.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1#success
Registration: Please email us to register your interest in attending this retreat.
Contact Christie at WELL-AWARE-NESS –info@wellawareness.com.au.
