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28 January - 03 February, 2019
28 January
  • A Vipassana Retreat: The search for truth

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 4 days' accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates:

    jonathan-preboyanna-scharfenberg

    "You may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings ... it gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you. Never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

    - Nelson Mandela - Mandela The Authorised Biography by Anthony Sampson

    Vipassana (insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause all humans to suffer. The aim is to learn how to overcome suffering and to be fully alive. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. Meditators are encouraged to stay for the entire course but you may also stay for a shorter time and beginners are welcome to learn how to start Vipassana meditation. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing etc. and supported by daily interviews with the teachers. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble silence.

     Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart- Ajahn Chah

    View teacher details
    Jonathan Preboy worked as clinical psychologist in Durban before starting Vipassana meditation in 2002.  He practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, he has taught with his wife in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. For the last 2 years they have been teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center, Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

    Anna Scharfenberg began practicing Vipassana in 2005 and worked at meditation centers in Europe. She practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, she has taught with her husband in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In 2013 they started teaching meditation together in the Czech Republic and are currently teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

29 January
  • A Vipassana Retreat: The search for truth

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 4 days' accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates:

    jonathan-preboyanna-scharfenberg

    "You may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings ... it gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you. Never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

    - Nelson Mandela - Mandela The Authorised Biography by Anthony Sampson

    Vipassana (insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause all humans to suffer. The aim is to learn how to overcome suffering and to be fully alive. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. Meditators are encouraged to stay for the entire course but you may also stay for a shorter time and beginners are welcome to learn how to start Vipassana meditation. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing etc. and supported by daily interviews with the teachers. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble silence.

     Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart- Ajahn Chah

    View teacher details
    Jonathan Preboy worked as clinical psychologist in Durban before starting Vipassana meditation in 2002.  He practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, he has taught with his wife in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. For the last 2 years they have been teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center, Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

    Anna Scharfenberg began practicing Vipassana in 2005 and worked at meditation centers in Europe. She practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, she has taught with her husband in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In 2013 they started teaching meditation together in the Czech Republic and are currently teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

30 January
  • A Vipassana Retreat: The search for truth

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 4 days' accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates:

    jonathan-preboyanna-scharfenberg

    "You may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings ... it gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you. Never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

    - Nelson Mandela - Mandela The Authorised Biography by Anthony Sampson

    Vipassana (insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause all humans to suffer. The aim is to learn how to overcome suffering and to be fully alive. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. Meditators are encouraged to stay for the entire course but you may also stay for a shorter time and beginners are welcome to learn how to start Vipassana meditation. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing etc. and supported by daily interviews with the teachers. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble silence.

     Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart- Ajahn Chah

    View teacher details
    Jonathan Preboy worked as clinical psychologist in Durban before starting Vipassana meditation in 2002.  He practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, he has taught with his wife in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. For the last 2 years they have been teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center, Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

    Anna Scharfenberg began practicing Vipassana in 2005 and worked at meditation centers in Europe. She practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, she has taught with her husband in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In 2013 they started teaching meditation together in the Czech Republic and are currently teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

31 January
  • A Vipassana Retreat: The search for truth

    Teacher: Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg
    Cost: 4 days' accommodation + R450 surcharge
    Dates:

    jonathan-preboyanna-scharfenberg

    "You may find that the cell is an ideal place to learn to know yourself, to search realistically and regularly the processes of your own mind and feelings ... it gives you the opportunity to look daily into your entire conduct to overcome the bad and develop whatever is good in you. Never forget that a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

    - Nelson Mandela - Mandela The Authorised Biography by Anthony Sampson

    Vipassana (insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause all humans to suffer. The aim is to learn how to overcome suffering and to be fully alive. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen meditation practice using the traditional Buddhist method of Mahasi Sayadaw and Achan Tong. Meditators are encouraged to stay for the entire course but you may also stay for a shorter time and beginners are welcome to learn how to start Vipassana meditation. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing etc. and supported by daily interviews with the teachers. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble silence.

     Sustain awareness at every moment in every posture, whether standing, walking, sitting or lying down. This is the way to establish mindfulness in the heart- Ajahn Chah

    View teacher details
    Jonathan Preboy worked as clinical psychologist in Durban before starting Vipassana meditation in 2002.  He practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, he has taught with his wife in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. For the last 2 years they have been teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center, Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

    Anna Scharfenberg began practicing Vipassana in 2005 and worked at meditation centers in Europe. She practiced and trained as a teacher with Ajahn Tong. Ajahn Tong is Abbot of Wat Chom Tong and is widely regarded as the greatest living teacher in Thailand. Since 2012, she has taught with her husband in Thailand, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and South Africa. In 2013 they started teaching meditation together in the Czech Republic and are currently teaching and managing the Tisarana Vipassananusorn Meditation Center Prague (www.tisarana.cz).

01 February
  • Getting To Know The Birds, Trees And Wild Flowers At The BRC: 160 Birds of a feather

    Teacher: Chris Dalzell and Steve Davis
    Cost: 2 days’ accommodation + R200 surcharge
    Dates:

    chris dalzell psteve davisJoin Chris and Steve for an enjoyable weekend of identifying some of the BRC’s 160 species of birds (including the summer residents, the rare Blue Swallow, Knysna Turaco and Emerald Cuckoo) and getting to know the indigenous trees and many of the wild flowers that grow there. You will also have a chance to be part of the indigenous forest by planting your own tree. The weekend includes learning how to identify the most common trees in KwaZulu Natal, how to dig and plant a tree, how to maintain it, and what butterflies and birds are attracted to these trees for nectar or fruit. Walk the verdant hills and meadows among the wild flowers, close to where the Blue Swallows nest, and enjoy the rare orchids, tree ferns and yellowwoods, pink watsonias in their summer flurry and the orange Christmas Bells. Included will be talks, chi kung, meditation and some quiet time communing with nature. Bring your binoculars and a sunhat.

    View teacher details
    Chris Dalzell was Curator of the Durban Botanical Gardens where he was in charge of special collections. He has studied, lectured and travelled internationally, collecting plant specimens from USA, Canada, Brazil, S.E. Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  For many years he guided the South African exhibition at the international Chelsea Flower Show where his stall was consistently awarded Gold and Silver-Gilt Medals. He was appointed Assistant Director for the development of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. He currently runs his own landscaping business Chris Dalzell Landscapes.

    Steve Davis has been watcing birds since moving to South Africa in 1975, and has travelled in most parts of southern Africa and many countries around the world. He has presented numerous talks and courses on birds, served on the BirdLife Port Natal Committee and is a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Rare Birds Committee. He has written two books with his late friend, Roy Cowgill - one on the birds of Durban reserves and one on shorebirds identification. He is a keen wildlife enthusiast, having expanded his interests to butterflies, dragonflies, trees and flowers. Steve is a Chemical Engineer by profession, having gained a M.Sc.Eng (Chem) at the University of Natal, Durban, and is currently Research and Development Manager at the Sugar Milling Research Institute in Durban.

02 February
  • Getting To Know The Birds, Trees And Wild Flowers At The BRC: 160 Birds of a feather

    Teacher: Chris Dalzell and Steve Davis
    Cost: 2 days’ accommodation + R200 surcharge
    Dates:

    chris dalzell psteve davisJoin Chris and Steve for an enjoyable weekend of identifying some of the BRC’s 160 species of birds (including the summer residents, the rare Blue Swallow, Knysna Turaco and Emerald Cuckoo) and getting to know the indigenous trees and many of the wild flowers that grow there. You will also have a chance to be part of the indigenous forest by planting your own tree. The weekend includes learning how to identify the most common trees in KwaZulu Natal, how to dig and plant a tree, how to maintain it, and what butterflies and birds are attracted to these trees for nectar or fruit. Walk the verdant hills and meadows among the wild flowers, close to where the Blue Swallows nest, and enjoy the rare orchids, tree ferns and yellowwoods, pink watsonias in their summer flurry and the orange Christmas Bells. Included will be talks, chi kung, meditation and some quiet time communing with nature. Bring your binoculars and a sunhat.

    View teacher details
    Chris Dalzell was Curator of the Durban Botanical Gardens where he was in charge of special collections. He has studied, lectured and travelled internationally, collecting plant specimens from USA, Canada, Brazil, S.E. Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  For many years he guided the South African exhibition at the international Chelsea Flower Show where his stall was consistently awarded Gold and Silver-Gilt Medals. He was appointed Assistant Director for the development of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. He currently runs his own landscaping business Chris Dalzell Landscapes.

    Steve Davis has been watcing birds since moving to South Africa in 1975, and has travelled in most parts of southern Africa and many countries around the world. He has presented numerous talks and courses on birds, served on the BirdLife Port Natal Committee and is a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Rare Birds Committee. He has written two books with his late friend, Roy Cowgill - one on the birds of Durban reserves and one on shorebirds identification. He is a keen wildlife enthusiast, having expanded his interests to butterflies, dragonflies, trees and flowers. Steve is a Chemical Engineer by profession, having gained a M.Sc.Eng (Chem) at the University of Natal, Durban, and is currently Research and Development Manager at the Sugar Milling Research Institute in Durban.

03 February
  • Getting To Know The Birds, Trees And Wild Flowers At The BRC: 160 Birds of a feather

    Teacher: Chris Dalzell and Steve Davis
    Cost: 2 days’ accommodation + R200 surcharge
    Dates:

    chris dalzell psteve davisJoin Chris and Steve for an enjoyable weekend of identifying some of the BRC’s 160 species of birds (including the summer residents, the rare Blue Swallow, Knysna Turaco and Emerald Cuckoo) and getting to know the indigenous trees and many of the wild flowers that grow there. You will also have a chance to be part of the indigenous forest by planting your own tree. The weekend includes learning how to identify the most common trees in KwaZulu Natal, how to dig and plant a tree, how to maintain it, and what butterflies and birds are attracted to these trees for nectar or fruit. Walk the verdant hills and meadows among the wild flowers, close to where the Blue Swallows nest, and enjoy the rare orchids, tree ferns and yellowwoods, pink watsonias in their summer flurry and the orange Christmas Bells. Included will be talks, chi kung, meditation and some quiet time communing with nature. Bring your binoculars and a sunhat.

    View teacher details
    Chris Dalzell was Curator of the Durban Botanical Gardens where he was in charge of special collections. He has studied, lectured and travelled internationally, collecting plant specimens from USA, Canada, Brazil, S.E. Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  For many years he guided the South African exhibition at the international Chelsea Flower Show where his stall was consistently awarded Gold and Silver-Gilt Medals. He was appointed Assistant Director for the development of Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. He currently runs his own landscaping business Chris Dalzell Landscapes.

    Steve Davis has been watcing birds since moving to South Africa in 1975, and has travelled in most parts of southern Africa and many countries around the world. He has presented numerous talks and courses on birds, served on the BirdLife Port Natal Committee and is a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Rare Birds Committee. He has written two books with his late friend, Roy Cowgill - one on the birds of Durban reserves and one on shorebirds identification. He is a keen wildlife enthusiast, having expanded his interests to butterflies, dragonflies, trees and flowers. Steve is a Chemical Engineer by profession, having gained a M.Sc.Eng (Chem) at the University of Natal, Durban, and is currently Research and Development Manager at the Sugar Milling Research Institute in Durban.