Five-Day Retreat with Bhante Joe

Imagine five days of stillness in a monastery setting, where your only task is to sit deeply with your own mind and heart. This Five-Day Retreat with Bhante Joe at Newbury Monastery in Victoria offers an immersive return to the fundamentals of Buddhist meditation practice—a rare opportunity to step outside the noise of daily life and into the rhythm of monastic living. Whether you're new to meditation or deepening a long-standing practice, this residential retreat creates the conditions for genuine insight and peace to emerge.

Led by Ajahn Brahm, a respected Buddhist monk and teacher who brings both traditional wisdom and warmth to Western practitioners, this retreat balances structured meditation sessions with the lived experience of monastery life. You'll practice alongside monks and fellow seekers, discovering how sustained concentration naturally ripens into clarity and compassion. The five days unfold as a journey inward—supported by clear guidance, a quiet environment, and the collective energy of a practice community.

What to Expect

The retreat follows the gentle rhythm of monastic life: early morning sittings, group practice sessions, and teachings that illuminate your direct experience. Ajahn Brahm will guide you through techniques to strengthen concentration and investigate the nature of mind and reality using classical Theravada Buddhist methods. Days blend periods of silent meditation with walking practice, meals taken in mindfulness, and evening teachings. You'll stay overnight at Newbury Monastery, which becomes both your retreat space and your teacher. By the end of five days, many participants report a tangible deepening of calm, a clearer sense of mental patterns, and a renewed connection to why they practice.

About the Artist

Ajahn Brahm is a British-American Buddhist monk and meditation teacher who leads the Dhammakaya International Society of Australia. Known for his gift of making Theravada Buddhist practice accessible and alive for Western lay audiences, Ajahn Brahm teaches through both formal instruction and the example of his own practice. His approach honors traditional Buddhist wisdom while speaking directly to the questions and struggles of modern seekers.

Venue & Logistics

The retreat takes place at Newbury Monastery in Victoria, beginning Thursday, October 1, 2026. Participants stay overnight at the monastery; simple accommodations and vegetarian meals are provided. Wear comfortable, modest clothing suitable for meditation and communal living. If you have accessibility needs or health concerns, contact the organizers in advance.