Adelaide Insight Metta Retreat
A 3 night Lovingkindness meditation retreat in the Western Insight (Vipassana) tradition
November 20-23rd, 2025
Insight Meditation Retreat
November 20-23rd, 2025
This 3 night residential retreat is an opportunity to immerse yourself in the wisdom of the Buddha and the practice of metta.
Each day will consist of meditation instruction, sitting and walking meditation, mindful movement, group meetings, evening Dharma talks and inquiry sessions.
The retreat will explore the four Brahmaviharas, which are considered sublime states of mind in Buddhism. Metta, the first of these sublime states, involves a warm and friendly attitude towards all beings, wishing them happiness and well-being. The other three Brahmaviharas are compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. These qualities are cultivated to promote harmony and reduce suffering. As we take these four up as a practice, we will be cultivating a steady, loving heart.
The retreat is designed to cultivate loving awareness so that we can witness our present moment experience with a non-judgmental and curious attitude, opening to lightness, joy and wonder.
Although the retreat is held in Noble Silence, there will be plentiful opportunities to check in with the teachers and receive support. There is no previous retreat experience required and it is perfect for beginners and advanced students alike
About the Teachers
Kate Duncan
Insight Dharma Teacher
Kate came across the Buddha’s teachings through Jack Kornfield’s book, The Wise Heart, 15 years ago. Although having never heard the words before, she immediately knew them to be true. Kate began sitting multiple retreats at Spirit Rock every year, until moving back to Australia in 2015 and finding her teacher Alan Bassal. Kate has sat and facilitated over 30 meditation retreats and has completed the Insight Meditation Institute’s Insight Dharma Pathway. Kate is also an ERYT-500 hr Yoga Teacher and specialises in trauma recovery and prevention.
Tessa Leon-
Assistant Teacher
Over the past 2 decades, Tessa has had the privilege of guiding thousands of people through the complexities of human experience and shaping their presence in the world. Today she is immersed in teaching meditation and mindfulness, guiding yoga and movement, nurturing her inclusive and engaged community. In 2022 Tessa completed a two year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification led by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach and is currently on the pathway to become an Insight Dharma Teacher with the Insight Meditation Institute.
Becca Gross-
Yoga Teacher
Becca is a seeker of awe and joy, pulled by the magnetism of movement and mindfulness practices. Becca has trained extensively in yoga with the amazing teachers at Power Living and Human.Kind and has completed a year long mindfulness teacher training through MTIA. She is incredibly inspired by the work of spiritual ecology through the teachings and work of Joanna Macy and Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee.
Becca’s practices include awe walks, spending time with more-than-human-beings, befriending trees, seated meditation, bike rides, silent retreats and movement of all kinds
About the Venue
One of the first buildings in Strathalbyn, Glenbarr is a heritage listed homestead set on 35 acres of gently undulating farming land alongside the meandering middle creek. Built in 1842, the buildings are a unique insight into the lifestyle of the early pioneers in rural Australia. Many of the original buildings are used by the retreatants, with modern dormitory style accomodation or camping options with shared bathroom facilities.
Book Your Retreat
In keeping with a 2500 year tradition, no fee has been added for the teachings. At the end of the retreat, you are invited to give a donation (dana) in support of the teachers to continue their work.
Quad or Triple Share Dorm
$650 for all meals and accomodation: Max 4 people per room
Camping Option
$550 for all meals and camping site costs:
BYO all camping gear
What is Dana?
Dana is the Pali word (the language of the Buddha) that translates to generosity. Offering dana is a 2500 year old practice that dates back to the time of the Buddha. It honours that the teachings are priceless, and therefore are offered freely.
For this retreat, the teachers have not charged a fee for their offerings. The price of booking your retreat covers the cost of your accomodation, all food and beverages and administration costs.
The teachers time, preparation, planning and delivery (including support while on the retreat) are all offered for free. At the end of the retreat, you can offer your generosity, or Dana, to support the teachers to continue sharing the Dharma and offering retreats.
There is no recommended amount for Dana, it is entirely up to you to explore (with mindfulness) what feels right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do I arrive and depart the retreat?
You are welcome to arrive anytime after 3pm on Thursday to get set-up with camping or settled into your room. We will share dinner, with talking, at 6pm, and then officially being together in the meditation hall at 7pm.
We will finish with a closing circle at 3pm on Sunday.
What is Noble Silence? Does this mean I can't talk?
Noble Silence is a practice of refraining from idle conversation. We only speak when necessary, which in the context of this retreat, means we are mostly don’t talk. The purpose of Noble Silence is to give ourselves a break from stimulation, so that we can allow the mind to start to move toward stillness.
Throughout the retreat, there are many opportunities to ask questions, share what is happening for you and to inquire into your practice. This is done through group and individual meet-ups with the teachers and through a daily check in session.
While many people are initially afraid of silence, they quickly find that it is very peaceful. Many report feeling as though we are all deeply connected even though we aren’t talking, and that it is a powerful practice to share our kindness and intimacy in non-verbal ways.
What kind of food will we eat? What if I have allergies or preferences?
Our caterer will lovingly prepare 3 delicious, but simple, vegetarian meals per day, and will cater to gluten and dairy free diets. If you have other food allergies please let us know when you book.
We will have a tea station and snacks available at all times of the day, and basic coffee is available on this retreat if needed.
Is it okay to come alone? Who will I share a room with?
Most people come to a retreat alone, yet leave as friends. If you book a dorm share room, we will place you in a room with someone of the same sex, with a maximum of 4 per room. Sharing a room is easy when you are in Noble Silence! If you would like to stay alone, you will need to camp. You are welcome to camp in a tent, van, or campervan/caravan. Power is not provided.
What if I have trouble sleeping? What if I snore?
If you are concerned about insomnia, being kept awake, or keeping others awake, we encourage you to not worry too much. Part of the practice is being with what is difficult. We recommend bringing earplugs and an eye pillow so that you can support yourself to get the best rest possible.
If you know that you consistently snore, we ask that you book your own room.
Can I use my mobile phone at this retreat?
Generally, we ask that you gift yourself a break from phones, emails and outside responsibilities for the duration of this retreat. To assist with this, you are welcome to hand over your devices to us to hold for safekeeping.
If you have young children, elderly or unwell family members, you may wish to check in with them or be available. We understand this too. We will leave it up to you to decide.
We will ask, however, that you do not use your phone at any time in the presence of others (including in your room if you are sharing) and that you do not bring them into the meditation hall at any time.
A good idea is to bring a watch so that you do not need your phone to keep time.
What happens all day? What is the Schedule like?
You can see a sample of our anticipated schedule below. The schedule is there to create a strong container, however nothing in it is mandatory. We ask that you do your best to be physically present for the following: the morning instructions, the open inquiry session and the evening Dharma Talk
Anticipated Schedule
6am: Wake-Up Bell
6:15am Mindful Yoga
7:00am Sitting Meditation
7:45am Breakfast
9:30am Sitting Meditation (with Instructions)
10:15am Walking Meditation
11:00am Sitting Meditation
11:45am Walking Meditation
12:30pm Lunch, rest, walk
2:30 Instructions and Check-In
3:15pm Walking Meditation
3:45pm Sitting Meditation
4:15 Mindful Yoga
5:00 Dinner, rest
6:30pm Sitting Meditation
6:50pm Stretch/walk
7:00pm Dharma Talk
7:45pm Walking Meditation
8pm Evening program- yoga nidra, poetry, mindful movement etc
Adelaide Insight Metta Retreat
November 20-23rd, 2025
