The essence of your self-love is woven into the fabric of the universe. It is integral to you. It just requires the right environment to emerge.

An environment of safety, silence, depth, beauty and ease.

The Essence of Self-Love, Silent Meditation Retreat provides that environment.

“It was like a balm for the soul.” – Carmel Brock

Experience a rare opportunity to embrace yourself fully and unconditionally. Located in the serene setting of Sangsurya Retreat Centre, Byron Bay, this retreat provides an exceptional chance for self-love, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance.

Feel the calm of the surroundings envelop you. Let go and be fully present. Utilise your natural ability to heal and find wholeness within.

Be Supported by two of Australasia’s leading meditation and mindfulness teachers, let this immersive experience break new ground and provide a firm foundation of self-care you can call upon in the future.

Sangsurya Retreat Centre

“Absolutely stunning property. Can not recommend it highly enough. Such beautiful staff too” – Tara Chapman

“Stunning ocean views from the Byron hinterland. Luxury retreat accomodation set amongst natural beauty. A place to return again and again… I have!” – Matt Currie

“Love this place!!!! Everything about it is beautiful, sacred and stunning.” – Martina Hughes

Unplug and unwind in an environment where all you need to do is be.

Your meals and schedule are all taken care of. Just relax, rest and be guided by your own inner authority on a profound journey of self-acceptance and 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

• Reclaim your own inner authority.
• Recharge, reset, restore, and re-align with your authentic self.
• Let go of feelings of not being good enough, being broken or needing fixing.
• Simple, non-religious, trauma-informed meditation practices and teaching.

Immersive, Fully Supported Meditation Experience

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.

Meditation And Retreat Lead Teacher, Stephen Archer

What You Can Expect On This Retreat

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.

“Stephen and Karl’s teaching style is humorous, accepting, humble and ‘real’. There’s no dogma or major rules to follow which is a breath of fresh air. I had coaching sessions with both men, and their wisdom was helpful to me with what I had going on at that time. I would highly recommend this Retreat to you.” – Michelle Ryan

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.

On Site Chef – Todd Stream Cameron

All meals are prepared by on-site chef, Todd Stream Cameron. Todd was previously head chef at Olivia Newton John’s Gaia Retreat and Spa. As the owner of True Nature Cuisine, Todd will be preparing delicious, fresh, nurturing,, modern mainly organic vegetarian meals for you to enjoy.

Inclusions

Your retreat fee includes:

• 5 nights’ accommodation at Sungsurya (single and twin-share accomodation available)
• All meals
• All group meditation instruction
• All meditation sessions
• All one on one sessions

Who Should Attend This Retreat?

This retreat is ideal for:

• Beginner meditation and mindfulness practitioners who would like an opportunity for more in-depth practice.
• Experienced meditation practitioners who enjoy immersive silent retreat experiences.
• Mindfulness and meditation teachers wanting further professional development.
• Anyone who would like a greater degree of self-love, self-forgiveness and self-acceptance in their life.

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 been a student of Stephen for much of that time. He has attended numerous multi-day silent meditation retreats and worked extensively one on one as a student of Jeremy Logan, a leading Insight Meditation teacher and counsellor, and has been a student in 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 fifty mindfulness meditation educators, including psychotherapists, counsellors and MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) teachers as part of the Mindfulness Works organisation.

Karl’s approach to mindfulness is centred around his own exploration of what it means to be radically self-accepting. He is a compassionate, authentic, and heartfelt teacher who values the precious opportunity to be authentic and vulnerable in a supportive environment.

“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. He easily infused a message of oneness, okay-ness and we’re alright as we are in the workshop. During the session, I felt at ease, seen, heard and supported along with the other group members.” – 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

Sangsurya is a realm where each moment is an invitation to embrace self-compassion, guided by the wisdom of the ages and the soothing presence of the natural world.

Here, in this oasis of calm, you are not just visiting a venue; you are stepping into a living tapestry of self-love, self-acceptance, and insight. Sangsurya, a sanctuary where the whispers of your innermost being are heard and honoured.

Sangsurya Location

Sangsurya Retreat Centre is located at 95 Old Bangalow Road, just outside of Byron Bay.

Saturday 21st June

Arrive by 6PM.
6.30 pm: Supper
7.45 pm: Welcome and formal start of retreat
8.30 pm: Free time

Sunday 22nd – Wed 25th June

6.45 am: Sitting meditation
7.30 am: Breakfast
8.45 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

Thursday 26th June

6.45 am: Sitting meditation
7.30 am: Breakfast
8.45 am: – 12.00 pm Sitting and walking meditation, closing
12.00 pm – 1.00 pm: Lunch and end of retreat

Secure your place with a $500 deposit. Full payment required by 1 March 2025.

Accommodation Options, Details and Pricing

Choice of single or twin share accommodation in hand-built timber Thai style. The bedrooms are uniquely positioned amidst sub-tropical gardens to give a wonderful sense of privacy and connection to nature. Each room has been individually designed and furnished to have its own charming ambience.

All rooms are heated, air-conditioned and have ceiling fans.

All bedding and linen is provided along with organic hand and body soap.

Price includes: 5 nights accommodation, all meditation sessions, all meals, all one on one sessions and meditation instructions. Tickets are non-refundable.

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.

How to Get To Sangsurya

If travelling by plane there are shuttle bus services direct to Sangsurya Retreat from Ballina Domestic Airport (25 min), Coolangatta International Airport (45 min) and Brisbane International Airport (2 hours).

Shuttle buses arrive into Byron Bay where they will deliver guests directly to Sangsurya or guests can be dropped off downtown then take a taxi to the Retreat Centre (5 min).

Alternately, when arriving at Ballina or Gold Coast airport go to the transport counter and they will direct you to the next shuttle bus to Byron.

Most airport shuttle services offer a door to door service between Sangsurya Retreat Centre and the airports. There are several shuttle services for which you can make your booking in advance online or by phone. These are:

Byron Easy Bus transfers to and from Gold Coast and Brisbane airports:
www.byronbayshuttle.com.au
(02) 6685 7447

Byron Shuttle Bus transfers to and from Ballina airport:
www.byronshuttlebus.com
0423 555 636

Go Byron transfers to and from Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ballina airports:
www.gobyron.com.au
(02) 6620 9200

Other Questions About The Retreat? Please Contact Us.