SILENT RETREAT
Our Centre has been conducting silent retreats in spring and autumn each year since 1998. It is a 3-day retreat from the Friday evening meal until Monday after lunch, with an option to stay for 2 days only.
An account by a retreatant, April 2010
Next Silent Retreat
You can join us for the silent retreat at Hartzer Park, Burradoo:
October 8–11, 2010
April 1-4, 2011
October 7-10, 2011
Download Retreat Registration Form
Download Retreat Schedule
SRF Silent Meditation Retreat at Hartzer Park, Bowral, NSW
— April 2010
“The temple of God is within your soul. Enter into this quietness and sit there in meditation with the light of intuition burning on the altar. There is no restlessness, no searching or striving there. Come into the silence of solitude…”
— Paramahansa Yogananda
Away from the chaos of a busy city whose daily needs drain a person of his balance, a retreat is an occasion that helps mankind to kindle the link between his life and spiritual revelation. The fragrance of lush trees tickled my spirit while entering Hartzar Park, 1.5 hours out of Sydney, for a 3 day SRF retreat. Before entering the chapel I thought, ‘My God, Your children are getting together on Your name, how beautiful and complete it is, in itself!’
Next moment I was welcomed by a greeter with smiling eyes saying, ‘Enjoy your retreat!’ Communion with God at quiet places is the purpose of a ‘retreat’. And I could feel its true purpose being served right from that instant.
The retreat activities included morning and evening energization exercises, morning & evening long group meditations, along with the provision of watching audio and video screenings of various inspirational SRF teachings. Each service was conducted with utmost devotion and aspiring affirmations for one’s spiritual advancement. There was enough time to relax and contemplate what mind was acknowledging. This helped in truly rejuvenating the soul with divine expressions.
The observation of strict silence for a few days helped in anchoring the mind into its true state of being. The Romanesque architecture of the chapel overlooking the vast green fields helped to provide an environment satiated with calmness and natural magnificence. The walk on these fresh sunlit grounds of the park added another element of peace.
All facilities provided at the retreat were conducive to extracting maximum benefit out of the time spent there. The rooms were well ventilated and well suited for individual meditations. The vegetarian meals prepared by nuns were scrumptious, they were light and supported the physical attribute of meditation.
The retreat helped me and all, who felt more in tune with the bliss. And I felt better equipped to endeavour again in my daily responsibilities, with a fresh outlook, faith and gratitude towards God. As Paramahansa Yogananda said, “On the doors of silence I knocked loudly with my persistent blows of faith, and the doors of space opened. There, on the altar of glorious visions, I beheld Thee, resting.”
— An account by a retreatant, April 2010
