Nature Meditation Retreat: Autumn Equinox - with Paul Macgregor

Description

Nature Meditation Retreat: Autumn Equinox - with Paul Macgregor

Ninety minutes north of Melbourne in the King Parrot Valley, Clearview Retreat backs onto the Tallarook forest and ranges, with immense views 100 kilometres across to Mount Buller and other spectacular mountain ranges. Clearview is located on ninety acres of bush with bluegums, a tea tree forest, grasslands and majestic granite rocks.

This is not a yoga retreat based on postures and movements; it is a meditation retreat that puts nature at the centre of the program. Much of the time will be spent outdoors, in the forest, under the sky. We will deepen our awareness of the land, rocks, trees, plants, birds and animals, using all our senses, and intuition, to engage with them on energetic, spiritual and physical levels. As well as guided bushwalking and meditation techniques, we will also explore intuitive expression of our interaction with nature, through drawing, sound, voice and body work. From this retreat we will learn skills to increase the sense of wholeness and connection in our lives, to be re-charged, and to harmonise our daily life and our communities with the needs of the natural world.

Autumn is the transition season when the energy of summer transforms into the rest and reflection of winter. It is the time of earth and wood. The living growth from summer begins to be absorbed into earth, and new wood from the growing season settles into its strength, taking its part in holding the forest together. With the Earth in balance, we will greet crescent moon and rising sun at dawn each day. During our long morning forest walks we will engage our six senses, with a focus on touch and scent, using meditation, chanting, movement and body work. In the quiet of the afternoons we will explore the resonance of wood energy in our bodies, using guided imagery, relaxation, intuitive drawing, and tree talismans from the forest. In the evening we will feel the coming of the dark, nurture our inner warmth, and watch the autumn stars cross the sky.

The program includes some periods of silence, including part of the bushwalking. Free time between sessions allows guests to rest and explore. Optional massage can be booked separately. Class sizes are kept small and individual levels are welcome. Students of all levels of experience in meditation are welcome. If there are areas of particular interest or specials needs, i.e. injuries, please let us know in advance so we are able to better tailor the program to suit you.

Home-cooked, delicious, inspiring vegetarian meals beginning with Friday night dinner. Special diets catered for.

Paul Macgregor, co-founder of Clearview Retreat, first gained insight into the intrinsic power of the natural world, when, at the age of 18, he walked for three days cross-country through rural Victoria, ignoring roads and fences, avoiding other people, sleeping with the stars and waking up with the kangaroos looking down at him. In the years since, he has walked in many wild places around eastern Australia, and hiked up sacred Taoist mountains in China. He has also undertaken many inner journeys with the aid of yoga, tantra, meditation, deep tissue bodywork, reiki and dreamwork. He was drawn to the land and forests of Clearview Retreat, and here realised the importance of combining his inner and outer journeying, to assist others to explore the Nature in their nature.

Other 2012 retreats

6-8 January 2012: Yoga Retreat: Summer Reboot - with Michele Maselli

20-22 January 2012: Yoga: The Practice gets personal - with Bill Walsh

3-5 February 2012: Yoga Retreat: Stepping Up To Your Edge - with Michelle Jayne

24-26 February 2012: Yoga: The Practice gets personal - with Bill Walsh

9-12 March 2012: Yoga Retreat: Balancing Activity & Rest - and the Transitions between - with Antonia Pont

16-18 March 2012: Nature Meditation Retreat: Autumn Equinox - with Paul Macgregor

27-29 April 2012: Yoga Retreat: Autumn - Grounding & Connecting in… - with Claire Heywood

15-17 June 2012: Yoga: The Whole Creative Story - with Fiona Cairns

27-29 July 2012: Yoga Retreat: Winter - rest, restore, renew…  - with Claire Heywood

More retreats will be scheduled for 2012 - check the website later for updates or ask to be put on our email list.