Sydney Centre’s retreats are open to anyone seeking spiritual renewal and who desires to leave behind the pressures of everyday life to deepen their awareness of the Divine. While it is not necessary to be a member of Self-Realization Fellowship to participate in our retreat program, it is important that guests be familiar with meditation and be comfortable spending their time at the retreat in silence. Guests maintain silence throughout their stay to deepen their retreat experience. As Paramahansa Yogananda said: “The value of silence cannot be understood except through experience…. What joy awaits discovery in the silence behind the portals of your mind no human tongue can tell.”
Retreat activities include daily group meditations, practice of the SRF Energization Exercises and other inspirational programs such as readings from Paramahansa Yogananda’s writings, kirtan, and DVD talks by SRF monastics. There is also ample free time to relax and enjoy God’s presence in the beautiful retreat setting.
SRF publications are available for private study, and the meditation room is open for individual meditation from 6 am to 10 pm when other services are not being conducted there.
The retreat program is based on the SRF teachings. If you are not familiar with the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda you can find samples of his writings on the SRF website, or you may like to attend Sydney Centre or another SRF group.
Please note that instruction on meditation techniques is not provided at the retreat. The meditation techniques are taught in the Lessons for home study, written by Paramahansa Yogananda.
The cost of the retreat covers the accommodation and food provided by Hartzer Park and their service fee. Four dollars of the amount that each individual pays goes towards providing flowers for the altar, herbal teas, nuts and other ad hoc expenses that occur from time to time such as printing.
For more information, email our retreat coordinator.
