3 - 12 October 2008: Wiseman's Ferry. A residential retreat at Wat Buddha Dhamma (WBD), outside Sydney. This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. For further information and bookings contact the WBD office, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 noon on (02) 4323 3193, or visit the WBD website.

31 October - 9 November 2008: Lismore. A residential retreat at Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery & Retreat Centre, Tullera. This retreat is offered on the basis of dana ("gift"). It is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. For further information, visit the Bodhi Tree website. For bookings, call (02) 6628 2426, or email .

15 - 16 November 2008: Lismore. Two days of mindfulness at Kuan Yin Meditation Centre, Lismore. For information and bookings, contact Christine on (02) 6689 7116, or email her .

21 - 28 November 2008: Yarrahapinni Ecology Centre, near Stuart's Point. Dharma Gathering, taught with Christopher Titmuss, Subhana Barzaghi, and teachers from the Insight Teachers Circle of Australia (ITCA).

Christopher has been teaching awakening and insight meditation worldwide for over 30 years. He is co-founder of Gaia House, a founder-member of the International Advisory Board of the Buddhist Peace Fellowship, and director of the European Dharma Facilitators Program. Subhana’s dharma practice extends over three decades. She teaches both insight and zen meditation, and is Spiritual Director of the Sydney Zen Centre. She also works as a counsellor and psychotherapist.

The Dharma Gathering brings together teachers and enquirers in an exploration of the nature of dharma in a contemporary context. A gathering rather than a retreat, formal meditation practice is blended with workshops, social events and dharma enquiry.

For information, email Will James , or see www.dharma.org.au.

10 - 24 December 2008: Malaysia. A two week retreat at Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS), Taiping, Malaysia. This retreat is offered on the basis of dana ("gift"). It is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. For further information and bookings, contact SBS , or visit the SBS website.

2 January – 30 January 2009: Blue Mountains. A one month retreat at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre (BMIMC), Medlow Bath. This retreat is suitable for experienced practitioners rather than beginners. As the retreat progresses, its formal structure will drop away, leaving practitioners to rely increasingly on themselves and the support of their friends in the training hall. For further information and bookings, call BMIMC on (02) 4788 1024, or see the BMIMC website.

11 - 20 September 2009: Blue Mountains. A residential retreat at the Blue Mountains Insight Meditation Centre (BMIMC), Medlow Bath. This retreat is suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. For information and bookings, call (02) 4788 1024, or see the BMIMC website.

25 September - 3 October 2009: Perth. A retreat in Perth, at a venue yet to be announced. The retreat will be suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners. For further information, visit the website of the Perth Insight Meditation Group. For information and bookings, contact Bavali Hill on (08) 9335 3847.