Awakening the Flame of Being
A Transformative 3-Day Meditation Retreat in Stroud
Discover Stillness, Presence, and Connection
Step into a sacred space designed to awaken your inner flame. Over three transformative days, you’ll journey through a blend of meditation, movement, self-inquiry, and expressive practices. Whether you’re seeking clarity, connection, or a deeper understanding of yourself, this retreat offers a powerful opportunity for growth, balance, and renewal
A Personal Invitation
This retreat is an invitation to release the mental noise and busyness that obscure our true nature and to reconnect with the profound peace that is always reverberating within us. If you are seeking rest, reflection, and an opportunity to reconnect with your inner stillness, I warmly invite you to join us for this special retreat.
Location: The Old Monastery 47 St Clairs Rd, Stroud NSW 2425
Dates: December, 20, 21, 22 (Friday - Sunday)
Full Retreat Cost:$300
Partial Retreat Cost:$150
Single Day Cost: $75
The Setting: The Old Monastery
Nestled in the lush bushland of Stroud, New South Wales, the Franciscan Mudbrick Monastery offers the perfect environment for a retreat. With its cool interiors, peaceful chapel, and tranquil surroundings, this space invites reflection, rest, and renewal.
A Space for Transformation
Solitude, Connection, and Renewal
This retreat offers a unique balance between quiet solitude and meaningful connection, creating the perfect environment for transformation. Whether you’re seeking time alone to reflect, meditate, or simply be, or you’re longing for heartfelt discussions and shared experiences with others, you’ll find the space to honor both.
The serene surroundings of the monastery, combined with intentional practices, invite you to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with yourself. At the same time, the supportive community fosters connection, authenticity, and shared moments of inspiration. Together, these elements create a sanctuary for renewal—of your body, mind, and spirit.
Take a Tour of the Monastery
Step Into the Tranquility of the Mudbrick Monastery
Experience the serene beauty of the Franciscan Mudbrick Monastery in Stroud, the home of Awakening the Flame of Being. Nestled in lush bushland, this peaceful retreat center offers a perfect sanctuary for reflection, connection, and renewal.
Pathways to Presence:
The Inner Work at The Heart of the Retreat
Through gentle yet profound practices, we’ll journey inward to deepen awareness, awaken vitality, and open the heart. These transformative processes invite you to connect with yourself, others, and the flow of life, cultivating a balance of mind, body, and spirit.
Igniting the Inner Flame:
Contrasting Opposites and the Principle of Vimarsha
This retreat is designed to awaken the inner energy through the dynamic interplay of contrasting opposites, inspired by Spiral Dynamics and the principle of Vimarsha—self-reflection or self-awareness.
Like a bellows feeding a flame, the alternation between yin (introspective, receptive) and yang (active, expressive) practices stirs the senses, mind, heart, and emotions.
This intentional perturbation activates a deep contact with the senses, creating a pathway for the inner energy to awaken.
Each shift—between silence and voice, stillness and movement—invites participants to explore their inner essence, igniting transformation and self-realization.
Self-Inquiry
Exploring the Source of "I Am"
Self-inquiry, or atma vichara, invites you to turn your attention inward and directly examine the source of the "I" thought—the sense of "I am." Inspired by the teachings of Ramana Maharshi and the simplicity of Zen Buddhism, this practice is a journey into the heart of awareness itself.
Rather than analyzing thoughts or identifying with labels, self-inquiry encourages you to quietly ask, "Who am I?" or "What is the source of this sense of I?" As you sit with these questions, the mind softens, and deeper layers of presence and clarity emerge. This is not about finding an answer but resting in the stillness and truth that lies beyond thought.
Accessible to beginners and profound for seasoned practitioners, self-inquiry is a doorway to the essence of who we truly are.
Sacred Meditation
A Practice of Deep Presence and Connection
Sacred Meditation is a gentle yet profound practice that invites you to connect with the living mystery of another person. In this process, participants gather around someone who is resting in complete relaxation, extending their attention and presence toward them—contemplating their uinique essence as a profound and sacred mystery.
Sacred Meditation is accessible for those new to meditation and equally profound for seasoned practitioners. It’s a practice of pure presence that often leads to deep insights, an awakening of energy, and a greater intimacy with life itself.
Relating Dyads
Know Yourself More Deeply
This practice creates a safe and supportive space for self-reflection and honest expression. It deepens your capacity to know yourself, strengthens your ability to express yourself authentically. As well as deepening your capacity to listen to others deeply and non judgementally. Whether you’re new to this kind of exploration or have years of experience, Relating Dyads offer a gentle and profound way to discover the true depth and essence of your own inner being and the shared essence of life.
Chakra Chanting and Spontaneous Voice
Awakening Energy and Expression Through Sound
During the retreat, we’ll explore the transformative power of sound through chakra chanting and spontaneous voice work. Chakra chanting uses vocal tones and vibrations to awaken and balance the energy centers in your body, promoting a sense of harmony and flow.
Spontaneous voice work invites you to let go and allow your voice to express itself freely, whether through soft sounds, playful tones, or full, uninhibited expression. It’s a practice of tuning into the unique rhythm and resonance of your being, unlocking creativity, and connecting deeply with your inner self.
These sound practices are both grounding and liberating, helping to awaken energy, release tension, and discover the joy of expressing your authentic voice.
The Dance of Stillness
Meditation in Motion, Guided by Life’s Rhythm
Spontaneous Movement is an invitation to be moved by the current of life energy flowing within and around you. It’s a practice of allowing motion to arise naturally, without effort or control—movement that emerges from presence and the stillness at your core.
In this meditation in motion, you’ll explore dancing in stillness, moving with grace, and finding harmony with the rhythm of life itself. Sometimes gentle and flowing, sometimes dynamic and unpredictable, this practice awakens the body, quiets the mind, and connects you to the essence of life’s vibrant energy.
Through Spontaneous Movement, we discover the joy of being fully present, expressing ourselves authentically, and aligning with the natural rhythm of existence. It’s a transformative journey into freedom, flow, and the aliveness of the moment.
Resonance Circle
Connecting to Presence and Flow
The Resonance Circle is a powerful practice that helps deepen your connection with yourself, others, and the shared energy that unites us. Sitting together in a circle, participants close their eyes and tune into their own body and the subtle sensations around them. After sharing reflections, the group joins hands, allowing the physical connection to deepen the sense of presence and unity.
This simple yet profound practice invites relaxation, heightened awareness, and a deeper sense of connection. Returning to the Resonance Circle throughout the retreat offers a grounding way to attune to your energy, emotions, and the shared field of life’s flow.
Quietness and Silent Meditation
Returning to the Stillness Within
Quietness and silent meditation are essential parts of the retreat, offering you a chance to reconnect with your truest self. In the calm of the monastery, you’ll be invited to step away from the noise of daily life and rest in the peaceful presence of the moment.
You are free to retreat to your room, find a quiet corner, lie down, or simply sit and "just be." There’s no goal, no motive—only an invitation to surrender to the living reality of the present moment. Here, being is enough.
Silent meditation deepens this stillness, allowing insights and peace to arise naturally. Whether you’re new to meditation or experienced, this space welcomes everyone to reflect, recharge, and discover the profound simplicity of being.
Nourishing Meals, Shared Community
Cooking, Eating, and Connecting Together
At this retreat, meals are not just about nourishment—they’re a part of the experience. We’ll prepare and enjoy simple, wholesome vegetarian meals together as a community. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be crafted with care, creating a space for connection and mindfulness.
Everyone is invited to contribute, whether it’s chopping vegetables, setting the table, or washing dishes. Sharing these responsibilities brings a sense of camaraderie and belonging while easing the workload for all. You’re also welcome to bring vegetarian ingredients or a prepared dish to share, though it’s entirely optional.
Cooking and eating together becomes a meditation in itself—a chance to be present, to connect with others, and to nourish both body and spirit. It’s a joyful, grounding part of the retreat that brings us closer to ourselves and each other.
Take the First Step
Are you ready to deepen your connection with yourself and the flow of Life?
Details:
Location: The Old Monastery, 47 St Clairs Rd, Stroud NSW 2425
Dates: December 20, 21, 22 (Friday - Sunday)
Investment:
Full Retreat: $300
Partial Retreat: $150
Single Day: $75
Spaces are limited—secure your place today and step into a journey of self-discovery, connection, and renewal.
Click below to reserve your place in this transformative retreat.
Get in Touch
Have Questions or Ready to Join Us?
We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about the retreat, need more details, or are ready to reserve your place, feel free to reach out. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
This retreat is about creating a meaningful and transformative experience, and we’re here to help make it accessible for you. Let us know how we can assist!