welcome
I’m really glad that you’ll be joining me for the 4-day retreat, Natural Ease and Mindful Living, from 13 - 17 June at Strathean Retreat Centre, Otaki. It will offer you the opportunity to let go of everyday responsibilities and routines, to slow down, and to open to a deeper wisdom that can emerge from a clear quiet place of being. There’s usually a natural process of stilling that happens over the four days. Much of the retreat will be in silence for participants, though there will be full instruction and guidance (I’ll be talking!) to give you the chance to really come home to yourself without the usual energy involved in chit chat, presenting ourselves in a favorable light, and fulfilling others’ expectations. Having said this, we'll be talking and getting to know each other the first evening, the last session and Monday lunch time, and each day there will be a circle for questions and the sharing of reflections and insights. You are also welcome to come and speak with me at any time between sessions.
There will be time in the schedule to allow for reflection, walking, resting and writing.
Please feel free to do attend as much or as little of the schedule as you feel to.
getting to strathean
Strathean Retreat Centre is at 212 Old Hautere Rd, Te Horo.
BY CAR: Take the expressway north from Wellington or SH! if you’re travelling south, and turn off at the Otaki exit to take Otaki Forks Road. Keep travelling east along Otaki Forks Road, and Old Hautere Road will be on your right (there’s a sign for Strathean Retreat Centre). The address is 212 Old Hautere Rd (on your left) and there’s a sign outside the gate. (Please note that there is another way to approach the centre so if the GPS takes you the other way, Strathean will be on your right!)
Park just outside the main entrance to the house to unload your gear, then please drive a little further on to the graveled parking area to make room for more people to arrive and unload.
BY TRAIN: Please let me know if you will be arriving by train, and then text or ring with the time so that we can pick you up from Otaki railway station.
things to bring
Sheets, pillow case, duvet and a towel (or a sleeping bag) Pillows are provided. (Bedding is available from Strathean for an additional $50 per person)
Warm socks or slippers (the house is shoe-free)
Torch
A journal and pen - useful if you like to record reflections, insights, etc.
Jacket/raincoat
Walking shoes
A yoga mat if you have one. If you don’t, please let me know and i’ll bring one for you.
Water bottle
Loose, warm, comfortable, casual clothes, and plenty of layers to allow for warming up and cooling down
A blanket for the evening sessions, large and substantial enough to lay over a mat, and which won’t pucker up when you move your limbs over it! (I’ll have some spares if you’re not able to bring one)
We don’t provide plunger coffee, so if you need that (!), please bring your own supply along - there are plungers available for you to use.
All the beds have electric blankets and there are heaters in all the rooms. There are hot water bottles too, and I’m not sure how many.
OPTIONAL:
Meditation cushion or stool (if you have a favorite one). I will bring zafus, and there are of course chairs
Please note that some people react to strong perfume, so it’s a good idea not to wear it in a meditation retreat.
preparation
There are several things which in my experience help maximize the benefits of a retreat like this one. Here are my suggestions. Remember they are simply suggestions that will help you make the most of the retreat!
Set a clear intention, or intentions, for the weekend
Tell people close to you that you are taking time for yourself for the 4 days and won’t be available to be contacted. Please give them my number (021 473 012) for any emergencies
Arrive as well-rested as you can so that you have energy on board for the practices (I know, not always possible!).
Turn your cell phone off, leave it in the car and commit to not using it or checking messages for the duration of the retreat.
If you bring books, choose ones that inspire and uplift you but not ones that are full of head-content, or that take you into the world of someone else’s imagination. I’ll be bringing some books you can dip into and reflect on.
Bring a journal, and use it to record insights, mindfulness tools, dreams or reflections that you can go back to after the retreat.
bedding
If you need to hire bedding, Strathean charges a surcharge of $50. If you would like bedding, please let me know.
things to note
You may arrive any time from 4pm on Friday 13 June to give yourself time to settle in. The retreat begins at 6pm with a light meal of soup, so leave the city early to avoid the traffic if you're driving from Wellington. We'll finish mid-afternoon on Tuesday 17 June.
If you are delayed on the Friday night, please text me on 021 473 012.
We’ll be eating healthy vegetarian meals and we can arrange to address any special food restriction you have for medical reasons, but only if you let us know in advance. Jana is a fabulous cook and will be cooking a main meal in the middle of the day and a light supper in the evening for us, and Jo, who is taking part fully in the retreat, is going to do breakfasts and help set out the evening meal.
Please let us know if you would like porridge in the mornings. (E-mail rachel).
Please note that Strathean Retreat Centre is a drug, alcohol and smoke-free venue.
mindfulness in action
As part of a mindfulness retreat, I invite people to practice bringing presence and ease to simple ordinary tasks that we usually rush through as quickly as possible. There will be a sheet pinned up on the noticeboard that you can put your name on to do a role of your choice during the retreat, for instance helping with dishes, making sure the wood store in the lounge is kept full, tending the log burner fire, sweeping the kitchen floor, keeping the hot water topped up etc….
At the end of the retreat I will also be asking for your support in leaving the centre as we find it. This also helps to keep the cost of the overall retreat down. I would ask you to factor in an hour to help tidy up, gather your things and help clean the centre, meaning that we would be leaving the retreat mid-afternoon.
contact details
John and Gabrielle, who live in the main cottage, will be present on site,. They’ll be keeping an eye out to make sure your needs are all met. You may also see volunteer helpers (WWOOFers), but they know a retreat is running and will be respecting our space and the silence.
My mobile number is 021 473 012 and you may give it out to whanau members as a contact number for use in any emergency,. I will let you know as soon as I do if anyone needs to get in touch with you.
If I can be of any further help, or if you have any questions about the retreat, please contact me by e-mail: rachel@theartofmindfulness.co.nz or give me a ring on 021 473 012.
I'm really looking forward to meeting you, or seeing you again soon!
Warm regards
Rachel
cancellation policy:
Full refunds, minus a $50 admin fee, are provided up to 2 weeks before any course or retreat starts (minus the Eventbrite booking fee, unless the reason is Covid-related, in which case there will be no Eventbrite booking fee deducted)
50% refunds are provided if you cancel within 2 weeks of a course or retreat starting.
You may transfer your booking to a later retreat, but if this is within 2 weeks of the event, there will be a 10% admin fee incurred. (10% of the fee for the retreat you can't make)
If a deposit has been paid to secure a place, $25 of that deposit is forfeited per person in the case of any cancellation prior to 2 weeks before the retreat.