Silence & Stillness - A 3 Night Silent Meditation Retreat with Dave Gardner
When?
25th-28th July, 2024
Description
Begin or deepen your meditation practice in this three night silent retreat with Dave Gardner in residence at Pumula Retreat.
Allow clear listening to awaken in the presence of silence, allow connection to deepen in the presence of stillness.
Immerse in abundant replenishing natural surroundings, the forest, the beach and sea. Nourish with holistic homemade plant-based nutrition.
Connect, meet and share with exceptional people, threaded together by the intention of understanding & peace.
A little bit more about the retreat...
It’s happening at Pumula Retreat, which is situated on top of a hill nestled in the lush evergreen coastal forests of the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, near the Umzumbe area . It is the ideal space to immerse yourself into. The view of the ocean as it glistens from sunrise to sunset, breaching with whales & dolphins is like an ideal screen saver, without the screen.
Facilitated by Dave Gardner (www.original-condition.com), this retreat will focus on meditation & mindfulness practices that serve each individual to awaken to their inherent wakefulness, how to train and retain this embodied awareness, and to understand the hindrances and challenges of meditation practice & living a mindful life. Whether you are a beginner or committed practitioner, this process will empower you with tools on how to cultivate presence, clarity, adaptability, creativity and patience.
Schedule:
Here is the general proposed schedule (please note it is a scaffolding that may change each day). Each day will build into the next and will remain slightly flexible to ensure the flow of the groups dynamics and weather:
Arrival & check in on Thursday 25th July: 14:00
Check out & departure on Sunday 28th July: 14:00
Thursday 25 July
14:00 - Check in, welcome, arrive & settle
15:00 - Opening the circle, plan for the retreat, group and individual intentions
16:00 - Guided practice
17:00 - Beach sunset bathing ritual (weather dependent)
18:00 - Dinner
19:00 - Going into silence together & meditation
20:00 - sleep
Friday 26 & Saturday 27 July (in silence):
06:00-07:00 - rising bell, sunrise & tea (fruit & snack available)
07:00-08:30 - morning seated & walking meditation
08:30-09:30 - mindful movement
10:00-11:30 - breakfast & rest
11:30-12:30 - guided intentional discussion on practice
12:30-13:30 - midday meditation
13:30-15:00 - rest & alternating one on one facilitation
15:00-15:30 - snack & tea
15:30-17:00 - afternoon meditation
17:00-18:00 - sunset & shower
18:00-19:00 - dinner
19:00-20:00 - evening meditation
20:00-06:00 - rest
Sunday 28 July
05:00-07:00 - sunrise on the beach (weather dependent)
07:00-08:30 - morning practice
08:30-09:30 - coming out of silence together, group reflection and integration
10:00-11:30 - breakfast & rest
11:30-12:30 - guided intentional discussion on practice
12:30-13:00 - midday closing meditation
13:00-14:00 - farewells & check out
Accomodation options, rates and booking:
R5500pp.
We will be hosting a minimum of 6 participants, and a maximum of 11.
Price includes all activities, facilitation & guidance, accommodation and exceptional plant based food for the 3 nights (transport fees not included - but we do assist in organizing lifts to and from the venue).
Monthly installment options are available.
You can see the room options here, all rooms are private for this retreat (no sharing), and are booked on a first come first serve basis.
Booking info:
A 50% deposit / or full payment will secure your spot.
The cancellation policy is as follows:
- More than 30 days prior to arrival: we will keep 10% of your full retreat charge and return the rest
- 15-30 days prior to arrival: we will keep 25% of your full retreat charge and return the rest
- 8-14 days prior to arrival: we will keep 50% of your full retreat charge and return the rest
- Less than 7 days prior to the arrival: we will keep 75% of your full retreat charge and return the rest
Banking details:
David Gardner
Capitec Bank, Savings Account
Acc. No. 1312470745
Branch No. 470010
If you have any questions please do ask.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Big love and thanks,
Dave & The Pumula Retreat Team
About Dave Gardner:
I go by Dave.
And I am first and foremost a student.
My proposition is called Original Condition.
Original Condition is an ongoing community research project into the enquiry of human capacity. Movement, meditation, immersion into natural environments and communication are tools explored to investigate what our original condition could be. The aim is to cultivate awareness around stimulus and response.
My experience so far has been influenced and inspired by Henry Madini of CAMA Muay Thai SA, Jim Harrington and Simon Borg-Olivier of Yoga Synergy, Aditi Gaur of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition, Cameron Shayne of Budokon University, David Aghion of Gracie Barra, Richie Lowe of Renzo Gracie Cape Town, Leilah Kirsten’s Movement Practice, Richard-Dean Sumares’ Crawl Project, Tom Weksler’s Movement Archery, Tomislav English’s Ferus Animi Terra Nova and Iesu Escalante’s Shifting methods, Shaolin Wushu and Acrobatics.
My process is to study with these and other teachers, to research through my personal practice and develop a way in which we all contribute to one another’s lives and work. What I discover through my study and practice is what I share. My work is to assist and facilitate the individual to create their own path through self-awareness.
I currently host masterclasses, weekend workshops, monthly immersion’s, and retreats in South Africa and abroad.
I look forward to meeting and sharing with you soon.
Big love, Dave
