General Retreat Information

JOINING THE RETREAT AS AN ACT OF COMPASSION TO YOURSELF.

Retreats offer us ‘time out’ from our busy, often stressful lives, to ground ourselves in our meditation/mindfulness practice. The peaceful seclusion and mountainous setting of Susurumba, Nyanga, assists in the process of allowing our busy, distracted minds to settle, allowing our deeper energies of kindness, compassion, wisdom and clarity to reveal themselves. Retreatants can find solace and a deeper inner peace through meditation, taking breathtaking walks, swimming in the clear mountain dams, etc.

While there is now limited cell phone reception at Susurumba, we recommend that you keep your cell phones turned off – you are, after all trying to get away from the bustle of everyday life. If you must use a cell phone – even for SMS – we request that you do so in the privacy of your room/ tent and not in the public spaces. While in the shrine room or dining room, they must be switched off.

HEALTH ISSUES

We are suggesting that if you are feeling unwell that you stay at home

BOOKINGS

Please consult the retreat you are booking on for suggested offerings and when bookings close.

VENUE:

‘Susurumba’, Juliasdale, Nyanga (immediately behind Pine Tree Inn) – approximately 70kms from Rusape; take the Pine Tree turnoff and follow the driveway to the hotel. At the hotel car park, branch left behind the hotel buildings. Follow this road up the valley for +/- 1 km, keeping left. Total distance 250 kms or comfortable 3.5-4 hour drive from Harare.

WHAT TO BRING:
1. Towels. We suggest bringing two towels for bathing and swimming
2. Raincoats/umbrellas (it can rain at Nyanga at any time of the year)
3. Torches/headlamps & spare batteries (very important); solar lights are helpful
4. Toiletries/bath soap. Hand washing powder if you need to do personal laundry
5. Comfortable walking shoes (plus optional CROCS?)
6. Loose, comfortable clothing
7. Warm clothing plus wraps for when sitting in the meditation room (tracksuits, extra socks)
8. Hat & sunblock cream
9. Notebook and pens
10. Swimming costumes (lovely refreshing mountain dams and small swimming pool).
11. Personal meditation cushions and mats if needed (there are cushions available at the retreat centre)

FOOD

We offer hearty vegetarian cuisine. The main meal is at lunchtime with soup and bread in the evening. Breakfast consists of yoghurt, eggs, fruit, porridge (made with water), cereals, toast and jams.

** We regret that we are unable to cater for any other dietary requirements. For those with other dietary needs (vegan, lacto intolerant, gluten free, nightshades etc.), we request that you please bring a main meal with you to cover all your lunches and that this can be prepared by yourself in a second smaller kitchen area. NB Only bring meals that can be heated on a gas top ( there is no oven available in the second kitchen for baking). You are welcome to take salads, starches etc. that will be available from the serving table. We believe that there is enough choice for breakfast to satisfy all dietary requirements and we will ensure that no milk is added to the evening soups. Please bring with you your bread and milk substitutes. Please note, no meat is permitted on our retreats.

We do request please that retreatants refrain from entering the main kitchen. The second kitchen is available to you should you so wish. Thank you for your cooperation.

** Participants may be asked to assist by bringing some prepared food and tea time treats.

STAFF CONTRIBUTIONS

A financial contribution to the support staff at the end of the Retreat would be appreciated.

DHARMA SHOP

There is a small shop at at the retreat centre which sells items such as incense, spiritual books (a good selection), prayer flags, malas and other trinkets. Please come with some extra cash!

A NOTE ABOUT THE CABINS:

As these structures are wooden we ask that you do not use candles or smoke in the cabins. We also request that you do not use any heating apparatus ie hairdryers, heaters etc. These will cause the power to trip. It is fine to plug in computers, phones etc.

WIFI:

Please note that there is no Wifi available at the Retreat Centre but Edge and 3G can be found around the Centre if you climb a mountain.

DANA:

For certain retreats we might suggest Dana. (Please see the relevant retreat flyer for information).
Dana is the practice of generosity by making monetary offerings for Dharma teachings. This expression of generosity, is not payment for services rendered; rather it is an offering given freely from the heart in appreciation of the Dharma. It is a gift that supports not only the teachers and the wider Dharma community, but also one's own practice.