Experience unconditional self-love…
“I cannot list here all the shifts and changes I experienced both in retreat, and continuing post, but I can say that it has changed my life!” – Paula McKenry
Experience Your Self as Whole, Complete and Worthy of Love.
“A fantastic retreat to reconnect with self led by two very skilled facilitators.” — Dr. Lisa Shortridge
You were born complete, whole and worthy of love.
In this fully immersive, 7 day silent meditation retreat, you have the opportunity to deeply realise this.
“I experienced the oneness of just being” – Nicky Nicita
“I experienced (and continue to feel) times of deep and expansive peace – and I discovered that this IS me (not just within me)…I am changed forever by this awareness.” – Paula McKenry
“It was like a balm for the soul.” – Carmel Brock
Experience Radical Self-Acceptance…
Utilise your natural ability to heal and find wholeness within.
Experience Deep Transformation…
Let go of the struggle, and awaken to self-love.
“I gained a sense of inner peace and calmness that I haven’t felt in a long time. A well need reset occurred that is assisting me in dealing with all the challenges that are taking place.” – Elaine Lawry
“I loved the retreat, the silence was great as it really helped me to be with myself with no distraction… I found the whole experience very humbling, calming, restful, informative and soul fulfilling.” – Belinda Dubojski
“This retreat was the best thing I had ever done for myself and I was able to grieve without anybody judging me” – Yolanda Reading
The Retreat Venue – Maitripa Centre
Maitripa provides a peaceful, beautiful setting surrounded by 53 acres of forest for deep rest, rejuvenation, spiritual development and healing. We have exclusive use of the retreat centre for the retreat. Maitripa Retreat Centre is located at 528 Myers Creek Rd, Healesville.
“The place is just wonderful! It allows you to be in touch with mother nature and to reconnect with yourself!” – Késia Fernandes
“Beautiful space for quiet reflection” – Adam Rafferty
” Beautiful and very relaxing spot” – Cat Ross
Two of Australasia’s Leading Meditation Teachers
Stephen and Karl each have over 20 years extensive meditation experience. Their teachings are highly-accessible, down to earth and trauma and IFS (Internal Family Systems) informed.
“Stephen and Karl’s teaching style is humourous, accepting, humble and ‘real’. There’s no dogma or major rules to follow which is a breath of fresh air.” – Michelle Ryan
“The facilitators’ way of giving their guidance…was simple, direct without ego. They listened to their heart before speaking.” – Nicky Nikita
“Forever grateful to Stephen & Karl for creating this safe and magical space to reconnect with what truly matters” – Melissa Child
“Thank you Karl and Stephen for facilitating such an incredible experience. For sharing your great wisdom with such passion, conviction and humility. I am looking forward to future retreats.” – Nicole Bentley
Stephen Archer (Nyanaviro) is one of New Zealand’s foremost meditation teachers, and has led over one hundred retreats.
Stephen has been involved with mindfulness for over 40 years, starting his meditation journey as an ordained Buddhist monk in the Thai Forest tradition at the age of twenty-three. This involved working closely for 13 years with different teachers and completing a number of long solitary retreats to strengthen his practice.
Stephen has delivered courses in healthcare and prisons and assisted the Mental Health Foundation of NZ to develop their approach to mindfulness. He is a trustee and guiding teacher of the Te Moata retreat centre in New Zealand.
Stephen is in demand as a mindfulness meditation educator in the workplace, having worked with Air New Zealand, the NZ Olympic team, and Weta Workshop amongst others.
Stephen has been constantly evolving his teaching style and relationship to meditation. He teaches in a modern, non-religious and highly accessible style. At the heart of his teaching is the acknowledgement that all dimensions of human nature must be included in our practice.
Stephen’s approach draws from ancient wisdom, modern psychology, neuroscience, and his own unparalleled experience. He is an immensely compassionate teacher, focusing on supporting retreatants and encouraging them to trust their own authority and capacity for wholeness.
“Stephen’s sense of calmness and words of wisdom were truly of value and assistance to me. ” – Elaine Lawry
“I particularly liked that both Stephen and Karl showed their vulnerability.” – Carmel Brock
Karl Baker is the founder of Mindfulness Works – Australasia’s number one mindfulness training organisation.
Karl has been practising meditation for over 22 years. He has attended numerous multi-day silent meditation retreats and worked extensively one on one as a student of Stephen Archer and Jeremy Logan, a leading Insight Meditation teacher and counsellor, and has also been a student of New Zealand born spiritual teacher, Yanchiji, and within the Zen tradition.
Karl established Mindfulness Works, the largest mindfulness meditation training organisation in Australia and New Zealand. He designed and delivered a beginners mindfulness meditation course which over 40,000 people have participated in. Karl leads a team of over twenty mindfulness meditation educators, including psychotherapists, counsellors and MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) teachers as part of the Mindfulness Works organisation.
His approach emphasises trusting your own authority. His retreats have a strong focus on love, acceptance and compassion. Karl sees our humanity as a vehicle for awakening, rather than a barrier. He is trauma informed, and calls upon modern psychology in his offerings.
Karl loves simple, dogma and technique free meditation practices and teaches from a context that always honours our own inherent OKness, inviting use to experience this here and now.
His retreats have a stripped back approach, encouraging you to trust your own experience, allowing your inner teacher to flourish, facilitating insight, depth and a tacit sense of presence and unconditional love.
“I loved Karl’s teaching. He was enough to keep things moving along in a light hearted way without overpowering individual needs within the group” – Susan Parminter
“Karl has a gentle and reassuring message that we are all okay, exactly as we are, in this moment, no matter what is going on in life. Not only is radical acceptance explained, Karl has a way of personal sharing that suggests that ‘not good enough’ and comparison are untruths we tell ourselves.” – Michelle Ryan
“Karl was brilliant, so easy to listen to, open, welcoming, kind, passionate, considerate, validating and informative.” – Erin Harvey
“I found Karl to be great at facilitating. He is a genuine, kind and humble person. He is also very passionate and his passion to help people comes through.” – Ankur Sarawal
“Karl is an amazing, expert yet accessible teacher whose job description is human. His enthusiasm is contagious.” – Chris Egan
Suitable for Beginners and Experienced Meditators
Having run over 100 retreats, lead teacher Stephen Archer has developed a structure and timetable for this retreat which supports the deepening of the meditative experience.
This silent retreat will consist of group sessions along with free time to move with your own rhythm. Daily sessions include instruction in the practice of mindfulness, sitting and walking mindfulness meditations and an enquiry period. This retreat is suitable for people who are new to the practice as well as those with previous experience of mindfulness/meditation.
Who Should Attend This Retreat?
This retreat is ideal for:
- Beginner meditation and mindfulness practitioners.
- Experienced meditation practitioners who enjoy immersive silent retreat experiences.
- People who are wanting to start their healing journey, as well as those who are already on their healing journey.
- Mindfulness and meditation teachers wanting further professional development.
- Anyone who would like to re-connect with parts of themselves they feel they have lost, or need more love, allowance and acceptance.
- Anyone who feels called to the spiritual path, and feels a sense of longing inside themselves.
- Anyone who would like a greater degree of self-love, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance in their life.
Silent and Tech Free
Conducting this retreat in silence creates an environment where you can switch off and focus on your own meditative experience. We ask that you do not use cell phones or internet devices during the length of the retreat. This means there are fewer distractions and you don’t need to worry about engaging with anyone verbally. Deep connections still arise and there is a sense of deep holding as you embark on your meditation journey in this environment.
People can speak during instructional discussion periods and one on one sessions with teachers.
One on One Sessions with Teachers
Throughout the retreat you will have the opportunity to meet one on one with the retreat teachers, Stephen and/or Karl. This gives you the ability to ask questions, share experiences and be supported in a private and 100% confidential environment.
Inclusions
Your retreat fee includes:
- 6 nights’ accommodation at Maitrepa (all single rooms)
- All meals
- All group meditation instruction
- All meditation sessions
- All one on one sessions
- Pre and post retreat online meeting
- On-going What’s App community and support group
“I really loved sitting in silence with myself and with others. I realised that all the different parts of me, the hurt and shamed parts, needed love and incorporation to make me a whole person.” – Belinda
Retreat Schedule
Wednesday 11th February
Arrive by 6PM.
6.30 pm: Supper
7.45 pm: Welcome and formal start of retreat
9 pm: Free time
Thursday 12th to Monday 16th February
6.45 am: Sitting meditation
7.30 am: Breakfast
9.30 am: – 12.00 pm Sitting and walking meditation, guidance & reflections
12.00 pm – 2.15 pm: Lunch and free time
2.15 pm – 5.00pm: Sitting and walking meditation
5.00 pm – 6.45 pm: Supper and free time
6.45 pm – 8.20 pm: Sitting meditation, talk and reflections
8.20-8.50 pm: Optional sitting / free time
Tuesday 17th February
6.45 am: Sitting meditation
7.30 am: Breakfast
8.45 am: – 12.00 pm Sitting and walking meditation, closing
First Release Tickets Available – $2,250 For a private single room.
Book now with a $500 deposit. Full payment required by 1 January 2026. All deposits and payment are non-refundable.
BOOK NOW
All rooms are private, single rooms. There are separate single sex shared bathrooms. All bedding is provided.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call or text Karl on +61 424 995028 or email us using the contact form further below.
Retreat Frequently Asked Questions
All tickets and deposits are non-refundable.
The main part of this retreat is conducted in silence. Speaking occurs with teaching, group discussions and one on one teacher sessions.
Fresh vegetarian meals are prepared by on-site catering. If you have dietary requirements, please let us know in advance.
All rooms are single rooms. There are shared, single sex bathrooms.
Rooms have all bedding, and heaters.
- It’s best to wear loose comfortable clothing. Be prepared for a range of temperatures and weather conditions.
- Bring a pair of slip-on shoes as all rooms are shoe-free, along with appropriate footwear if you like walking or jogging as there are several walks around the property.
- Please bring your own toiletries and a hat/sunscreen for walks during the warmer months.
- All bedding and linen is provided.
- Bring a towel.
- Bring a torch and a watch or clock (so that you can keep track of when sessions are on) to avoid using your phone for the time.
- A notepad and pen if you want to take notes during any of the sessions.