A 10-day retreat with instruction and support to open into spacious awareness, held in a stunning retreat centre in the beautiful Southern Highlands.
About this event
Dates: Friday 24 October to Sunday 2 November 2025, arrive between 3 and 6pm Friday, depart 2pm Sunday.
Cost: $945 – $1710 depending on the type of accommodation. This price includes three meals each day. Early bird pricing ends Monday 8 September.
Capacity is limited to a maximum of 15 participants. Registrations close Tuesday 21 October.
Description
What is your sense of awakening? Have you wondered if your practice is allowing awakening to unfold?
This retreat will provide instruction and support to unfold a more spacious sense of being.
Awakening is the stated direction of Buddhist Meditation Practice. While there are many ways to describe and conceive of awakening, we could say that it is the realisation — in a way that is deeply embodied and felt — that you are not just a separate self; instead you are an integrated part of all existence, an expression of the whole.
We are awakening to our deepest nature that we are inherently whole and complete. There was never any fundamental deficiency or problem to begin with. We each share the same Buddha Nature as all things.
This realisation radically reduces suffering and opens up new possibilities for happiness and meaning. From this place we operate in the world with a sense of security and resource. We can be ourselves and express our unique identity while knowing the individual sense of self isn’t the whole story.
While all beings share this nature, the felt realisation is sometimes elusive. It requires practice, dedication, and learning. This is the path of both effort and grace. It is simultaneously true that there is nothing to do as you are already this wholeness and there is a path of practice in order to deeply realise this. By accepting what is present without needing to change it, the possibility of change opens up. Effort and grace can then be integrated as a dynamic interplay that leads to unfolding.
This retreat will explore the renowned and cherished 3-fold practice of śamatha (calm abiding), vipassana (insight), and open awareness (non-dual awareness practices). Śamatha stabilises attention and settles the nervous system. Vipassana works to see through obstacles to recognise that sensations, thoughts, and the sense of self are vividly appearing but that they are not solid and fixed. Open Awareness is practised by relaxing into spacious awareness, prior to the construction of a self, a “meditator”, or any sense of separation. This is a time-tested, systematic method drawn from Theravada and Tibetan Buddhist traditions that creates a map of the practice that is both direct and flexible, enabling progression to reveal inner impediments to the practice. It is a structure that is held lightly, a method to enable unfolding to take place.
This is a student-centred retreat, meaning that you are able to find skilful and responsive ways to work with the teachings in your own unique experience, with the guidance of the teacher. Our facilitation team will do their best to meet you where you are and provide as much support as needed to deepen your practice. The retreat has limited capacity to ensure everyone can speak with the teacher each day.
This retreat will be facilitated with sensitivity to trauma, acknowledging the impact of trauma and conditioning and how this affects the present. However, this retreat is not a space for trauma therapy. If you are currently experiencing the effects of either recent or severe trauma, you may wish to seek assistance from qualified mental health providers, and speak with the organisers if unsure. If you are in crisis, please reach out to an appropriate helpline.
No previous meditation experience required. This retreat offering is the latest refinement of many iterations of incorporating feedback and learnings from teaching retreats, sitting retreats, practising, and guiding practitioners.
Testimonials
“This was my 4th time on retreat with Kynan at Vejjasala and I keep coming back because of the friendly vibe, welcoming atmosphere, quality teachings and the wonderful natural setting. And the food!”
– Richard C
“The retreat with Kynan was very effective and helped me with my meditation practice. The venue is beautiful and well-maintained and the schedule is easy to follow. Kynan has a student-centered approach which means he takes care to consider the needs and level of each individual participant as well as offer practices which suit the group as a whole. He is very knowledgable about both the theory and practice aspects of meditation and I learned a lot from his retreat.” — Nina
“I am deeply comforted by the consistent and thoughtful way Kynan facilitates a meditation space. He offers realistic expectations to participants, meets you were you’re at in your practice and pushes you when needed. Alongside all this he maintains a delightfully warm and calm demeanour – truly a great teacher.” — Lillian C
“This retreat was everything I’d hoped it would be and more! It was my first silent multi-day retreat, so I was a bit unsure what to expect. Kynan offered so much guidance, encouragement, and humor the whole weekend. I walked away feeling grounded and more connected to the world around me.” — Rachael C
“This was an extremely well-run and thought-out retreat, focusing on individual need, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Its emphasis on what works best for the individual, rather than adherence to any particular technique or tradition was a relief. I was particularly taken with the high-quality of instruction and talks provided by the Kynan, as well as the excellent and friendly services provided by the retreat manager and chef.” — Richard C
“This was my first retreat with Kynan. The reason to do it was to reignite my meditation practice and alleviate a period of stress. I liked the opportunity to practice with a small group, as well as the combination of seated and walking meditations. The sessions with Kynan to learn about Dhamma helped me to integrate my practice. I found Kynan to be highly engaging in his teaching and guidance, thanks to his approachability and lucid communication.” — Claudia Turró
Retreat Schedule
There will be a balance of practice that is guided and self-guided (silent) sitting and walking, complemented with daily instruction, Dharma Talks, stretching and gentle movement, checking in one-on-one with Kynan, optional Noble Noise group sessions as an opportunity to relate and find friendship with other participants, and time and space to deepen your practice. There will be three meals provided. We will observe noble silence from the opening night until the final day.
About the Teacher
Kynan Tan is a meditation teacher who takes a collaborative approach to helping students deepen their meditation practice. He came to meditation after struggles with burnout, anxiety, and depression and found the practice to be transformative. He believes that meditation has enormous potential for creating positive change and opening up new ways of relating to our experience.
Kynan draws upon a number of different modern and traditional techniques of contemplative and introspective practice. He is a longtime practitioner of the stages of śamatha-vipassanā (as presented in the book The Mind Illuminated), Rob Burbea’s insight meditation techniques, nondual awareness, and brahmavihārā practices (mettā, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity). Kynan brings his experience as an artist, musician, and programmer into his understanding and sharing of meditation in a way that is clear, practical, and creative.
Kynan has recorded guided meditations for SBS, and has taught classes at Carriageworks, City of Canada Bay Libraries, and Melbourne University Contemplative Studies Centre. He teaches the Pragmatic Dharma Club at the San Francisco Dharma Collective, regularly leads residential retreats, offers one-on-one instruction, and teaches online meditation courses. He is the co-creator of Sit Down and Practice. Kynan has sat a number of retreats, including a month-long solo retreat in 2021.
Venue and Cost
Vejjasala, located just outside the village of Wingello in the Southern Highlands of NSW, is a retreat centre run by the Association of Engaged Buddhists. The name, Vejjasala, means a place for healing. This beautiful retreat centre features recently renovated, comfortable accommodation, expanses of bushland, and lots of amazing wildlife. Full details about Vejjasala, accommodation options, directions, and information about what to bring can be found on the Vejjasala website.
The registration cost includes accommodation and food, with three nourishing vegan meals per day. Please indicate if you have any allergies or dietary requirements. We can accommodate gluten free diets, or if there are specific ingredients you need to avoid, however we may not be able to accommodate all requests. Please also note that we do not have dairy milk, you can bring your own vegetarian items if you wish.
We work to keep the price of the retreat as low as possible while allowing for us to pay for food and venue hire. The cost for this retreat varies depending on the type of accommodation and there is an early bird discount available. Please click on “Buy Tickets” to see the different options.
You can read more about the accommodation options. Shared rooms will generally be allocated to people of the same gender (please indicate on the form if you are booking a shared room and this is not suitable for you). There is also space available for participants who are able to camp or bring a caravan — if you are doing this note that you will need to bring all your own equipment, bedding, and warm layers and be prepared for potential cold and/or wet weather. The kutis are traditional free-standing single person dwellings away from the house that do not have power, heating, or bathroom/toilet facilities (there are plenty of shared bathrooms in the main house). Please be aware of this when booking as this may not suit everyone.
Scholarships are available via Open Dharma Foundation. You can apply at any time for up to $300 USD, these are reviewed each month on the 15th. There are quarterly deadlines for scholarships of up to $2000 USD, with a deadline on July 15.
The retreat registration does not include payment for the teacher. This continues the ancient Buddhist tradition where the teachings are offered freely. Payment to the teacher is made by donation (dāna or generosity) after the retreat. Participants are invited to make a donation that feels sustainable and generous according to their situation. These retreats and teachings are possible because of the generosity of others in the past and any dāna given will help make the teachings available in the future.
You can access the venue by driving, carpooling, or taking public transport and then being picked up from the station (generally Moss Vale station as the Wingello station is infrequently used). Transport to and from the venue is the responsibility of the participant, however if you request assistance we will do what we can to put you in touch with other participants or organising a pickup from the train station.
Vejjasala is a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ people.
Fire Danger
Due to its rural location in the bush, Vejjasala Retreat Centre is “not to be occupied” on days with an “extreme” or “catastrophic” fire danger rating (per Wingecarribee Shire Council DA for the property). During the bushfire season, if the forecast before the retreat is for an “extreme” or “catastrophic” fire danger rating, the retreat will not be able to proceed. We will monitor the fire danger, and will advise all participants as soon as possible and provide a full refund. The on-site retreat manager will monitor the fire danger rating for the duration of the retreat.
Risks and Responsibility
This retreat will be conducted in silence (you can always talk to the teacher as required). This may not be a good environment for you if you are experiencing serious mental health issues, or if you have experienced recent or severe trauma. While meditation retreats are generally beneficial, intensive meditation practice can lead to distress or adverse effects. The teacher and volunteers will do their best to support you but they are not qualified to provide mental health support. Please consider your own situation and discuss with the organisers and teacher if you have any concerns. The teacher will arrange a call with each participant prior to the retreat to make sure they understand your situation and how they can best support your meditation practice.
It should be noted that participants attend these retreats entirely at their own discretion and should consider their own risks and responsibilities in regard to their own health needs and COVID. While reasonable efforts will be taken in regard to providing a safe environment, the organisers take no responsibility for individuals’ behaviour or health consequences arising from attending a retreat.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID please take a RAT or PCR test and notify the organisers at hello@kynanmeditation.net. If you test positive for COVID you will not be able to attend the retreat and we will arrange a refund. If you have a negative result you may still be able to attend, depending on the severity of your symptoms and in discussion with the organisers.
Refund Policy
PLEASE NOTE: Bookings may be cancelled 28 days prior to the event with a full refund (minus booking fees). Cancellations less than 28 days prior to the retreat will not receive a refund, unless another participant is able to take your place, in which case you will receive a full refund (minus booking fees). Cancellations less than 14 days prior to the retreat cannot be refunded.
Questions?
Here’s a short FAQ about going on retreat.
For more on noble silence you can read the Retreat Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions about the retreat, please email hello@kynanmeditation.net
This event is organised independently by Kynan Tan, with the Association of Engaged Buddhists as the venue partner.