Recollective Awareness

with Jason Siff and Anna Markey

Glenbarr Retreat Centre – Strathalbyn – South Australia

This retreat offers ways to become more aware of meditative experience, to increase discernment and investigation, and to examine the various conceptual frameworks people bring to meditation practice. Participants may meditate in whatever way they are accustomed to, or they may try out a gentle permissive approach to meditation, or do a bit of both. The emphasis of this way of teaching meditation is not so much on what people decide to do in meditation but on what they experience in meditation. Writing and talking about one's meditation sittings is thus recommended for anyone attending this retreat. There will be daily group interviews where participants will talk about their sittings, as well as the option for private individual interviews. Through the course of the retreat the teachers will give talks on the meditative process, as well as discuss Buddhist philosophy and psychology in light of people's meditation experiences and interests.

The retreat is open to beginners as well as experienced meditators who would like to look more deeply into the meditative process itself and bring more ease and acceptance into their sittings.

Cost, food and board $455 ($390concession) for the venue and food. An Early Bird Option applies ($415/$350) if paid before 24th February. Accommodation is 3-5 bed dorms or camping. Glenbarr is an historic homestead situated in beautiful farm land 45mins from Adelaide. Delicious vegetarian meals are provided. This does not include dana (donation) to the teacher, which can be offered separately. In accordance with Buddhist tradition the teachings are a gift from the teachers and can be returned to them through dana.

Times Arrive Thursday from 4:30pm onwards for a 7:30 pm start. The retreat ends at 2:30pm on the Tuesday

Information & Reservations Anna 08 8555 2588 ammarkey@yahoo.com.au or Liz 08 8555 1250.

The Teachers

Jason Siff
Jason was a Theravada Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka in the late 80's, where he practiced Vipassana and studied Pali. He taught meditation at a few meditation centres in Sri Lanka before leaving the Buddhist Order and returning to the States in 1990. He has developed his own approach to awareness meditation practice, which he calls "Recollective Awareness," and in 1996 he co-founded the Skillful Meditation Project in Los Angeles. He teaches at various Vipassana sanghas in the States and in Australia, and has taught at the Esalen Institute and the Barre Centre for Buddhist Studies. His article on "Understanding the Meditative Process" was published by Insight Journal in Spring, 2005.

Anna Markey
Anna began exploring Buddhist practice in the early 80s while teaching in a Tibetan village in India. At the same time she attended retreats with Christopher Titmuss and has practiced insight meditation ever since. She has trained in the Mahasi method with Patrick Kearney, and is currently studying with Jason Siff. Anna also practiced for a number of years within the Zen tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. She runs groups in Adelaide and Goolwa. She is interested in exploring the ways meditation can be used to clarify and refine our inner and outer life.