Non-Duality Retreat

Reserve Your Place

A 3-Day Non Duality Meditation Retreat in Stroud

Silent Meditation, Self-Inquiry, and Surrender

Join us at Stroud Monastery for a peaceful, unhurried retreat devoted to self-inquiry, effortless presence, and the recognition of life unfolding by itself.

A Personal Invitation

This retreat is an invitation to explore the timeless teachings of Advaita Vedanta, with particular emphasis on the self-enquiry and surrender taught by Sri Ramana Maharshi. Through silence, meditation, contemplation and dialogue, we will turn towards the fundamental question, “Who am I?” turning attention towards the source of the sense of “I” and resting in the stillness of our true nature.

We will come together in the spirit of enquiry, allowing periods of silence, contemplation, dialogue and simple communal living to form the rhythm of our days.

Location: The Old Monastery, 47 St Clairs Rd, Stroud NSW 2425

Dates: January 1, 2 & 3, 2027 (Friday–Sunday)

Full Retreat Cost: $350

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The Old Monastery: A Place of Profound Sacredness & Deep Stillness

Nestled in the bushland of Stroud, New South Wales, the Franciscan Mudbrick Monastery offers a beautiful setting for stillness and enquiry. With its peaceful chapel, simple rooms and quiet surroundings, the monastery invites us to slow down, rest, and enjoy the rare luxury of having nowhere else to be.

An elderly man lying on his back on a grassy yard, relaxing and enjoying the sunshine, with a small building and trees in the background.
Interior of a rustic house with a brick floor, wooden ceiling, and large glass windows with louvered shutters, featuring a small table and chairs.
A room with a tiled floor, wooden beams, and large arched windows. There are several picnic-style tables with blue chairs around them. In the background, there is a kitchenette with white cabinets and a counter with various items, and a wet floor sig
A pink water lily blooming on a pond with green lily pads.
Living room with various chairs, a bookshelf filled with books, a rug, and pillows on the floor, with sunlight coming through windows.
A smiling man standing outdoors in a garden with trees and pink flowers, next to a house with large windows and a pergola with pink flowering vines.

A Space for Being

Stillness, Solitude, and Connection

This retreat offers a spacious rhythm of silence, solitude and time together. There will be time to meditate, enquire, read, walk, rest or simply do nothing, as well as time for conversation, shared meals and the natural companionship that arises from spending a few unhurried days together.

Come with no expectations. The monastery gives us the rare opportunity to step out of our usual routines and notice what is already here—to relax, enquire, enjoy one another’s company, and allow life to be exactly as it is.

Three people sitting outdoors around a table with mugs, with trees and grass in the background.
A woman with long hair, dressed in a greenish-blue top, sitting cross-legged on grass outdoors, smiling, with a box in her hands. There is a tree trunk on the left, and a fence with trees in the background.

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. Nestled in lush bushland, this peaceful retreat center offers a perfect sanctuary for reflection, connection, and renewal.

The Heart of the Retreat

Self-Enquiry, Meditation, and Surrender

At the heart of our time together will be the simple, direct exploration of our true nature. Through self-enquiry, silent meditation, contemplation and dialogue, we will explore the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, with particular emphasis on the self-enquiry and surrender taught by Sri Ramana Maharshi.

Self-Enquiry

Our time together will be particularly informed by the self-enquiry and surrender taught by Sri Ramana Maharshi, approached not as ideas to adopt, but as an invitation to look for ourselves.

A man with red hair and beard smiling at the camera against a gray concrete wall.

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.

Silent Meditation

Meditation Without a Goal

During the retreat we will spend time simply sitting together in silence. There is nothing in particular to achieve, no special state to enter, and no requirement that the mind should become quiet.

Inspired by the direct approach of Jean Klein, meditation is not treated as something we do in order to arrive somewhere else. Thoughts may come and go, the body may become quiet or restless, sounds may arise and disappear. Nothing needs to be excluded.

Rather than striving for silence, we can discover the stillness that does not depend upon the mind being still. Meditation becomes an open listening—a resting without expectation in what is already here.

A man lying on his back on a grassy yard, outdoors, in front of a small building with a door and bushes nearby.

Surrender to What Is

A middle-aged man with blue eyes and grayish black hair lying on green plants with purple flowers, wearing a dark gray shirt.

“His is the burden.” — Sri Ramana Maharshi

Alongside self-enquiry, Ramana Maharshi taught surrender as a direct path to the Self. Rather than carrying the weight of life as though everything depended upon us, surrender places the burden back into the hands of the Higher Power.

“Leave everything entirely to Him. His is the burden: you have no longer any cares. All your cares are His. Such is surrender.”

During the retreat we will spend time with this teaching through meditation, contemplation and prayer, allowing Ramana’s words to speak for themselves.

Meditation in Motion

Three men stand outdoors in a forest, with one man in a white shirt in the center raising his hands, two other men in striped shirts gesturing towards him.

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.

Group of seven people sitting cross-legged on the floor in a circle, in a cozy room with warm lighting, participating in a meditation or spiritual practice session.

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.

Kitchen countertop with a large watermelon, various spice jars, seasoning packets, a wooden cutting board, and some fruit, with kitchen shelves holding bottles and containers in the background.
A man taking a selfie indoors, wearing a dark T-shirt and a backwards cap, smiling slightly, with a bed and a decorative doll in the background.

Take the First Step

An invitation to begin the New Year in stillness, enquiry and contemplation.

Details:

  • Location: The Old Monastery, 47 St Clairs Rd, Stroud NSW 2425

  • Dates: January 1, 2 & 3, 2027 (Friday–Sunday)

  • Retreat: $350

The retreat includes simple accommodation at the monastery and shared vegetarian provisions for our meals together.

Places are limited, allowing us to keep the retreat small, quiet and personal.

Click below to reserve your place at Stroud Monastery.

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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!