A pilgrimage / walkabout in the Tweed Caldera, Northern NSW
Saturday 11th - 18th October 2008
Yatra is the Sanskrit word for pilgrimage. A Dharma Yatra is a pilgrimage which offers an opportunity to explore Dharma teachings in the company of like-minded people while travelling together through different inner and outer landscapes. The Dharma Yatra is based on a spirit of simplicity and in that we let go of the usual luxuries of life and simply walk on the earth, step by step, moment to moment, without a destination in mind, enjoying the countless wonders in nature. Apart from the walking time there will be daily sitting meditation periods (some silent, some guided), basic meditation instructions, a guided basic yoga practice, meetings in small discussion groups, dharma teachings and guided observations of nature.
This year's Yatra will be a round trip starting and ending at the Cloud Mountain Homeland at Doon Doon, 25min out of Uki. Our journey will lead us along the Historic Nightcap Trail through the Nightcap National Park via Minyon Falls and Protestor Falls to the Forest Meditation Centre at the Channon. There will be one day of silence where we stay at the Forest Meditation Centre. The walk then continues via the Nightcap Ranges back to the Cloud Mountain Homeland.
The daily walking distance will be around 15 kilometres or less. Some sections will lead through steep and bushy terrain and a medium level of fitness will be required at least. An accompanying support team will take care of meals and luggage. Most nights we will be accommodated in our tents except for two nights at the Forest Meditation Centre where we will be sleeping in old (and basic) buildings in the forest. The Yatra is an all weather event. The weather in the area could vary between extremely hot and dry days to continuous days of heavy rain.
The Dharma Yatra will start on Saturday the 11th October at 2pm for registration at the Cloud Mountain Homeland and end there on Saturday the 18th October after lunch.
Helping:
The Dharma Yatra is based on an active participation. The support team will need help with food preparation, washing up, luggage, setting up and packing up the camp site, toilets and showers and driving the support vehicles (valid driving licence needed for this).
Active support on the Yatra makes it possible to keep the costs low. It also lifts spirit of the group as we come together in a functional team. A rotation system will allow time for everyone to walk, be part of the program and help. Some participants can expect to spend one day being part of the support team and not walking.Dharma teachings and practice:
The pilgrimage will be conducted under the shelter of the Five Ethical Precepts, which create a safe, caring and conscious environment for spiritual practice. On the walk the precepts invite us to restrain from harmful speech and actions, sexual expression and intoxicants. The walking periods will be in silence. All meditation instructions are based on the Insight Meditation (vipassana) Tradition. The Yoga exercises are suitable for beginners and are designed to support our physical condition and our meditation practice on the Yatra.Teachers:
The various teachings and discussion groups will be facilitated by Carol Perry, Victor von der Heyde (both members of the Insight Teachers Circle Australia) and Ronny Hickel (yoga teacher)Cost: $310 this covers all meals and catering, hiring of support vehicles and transport, camp fees, and some administration expenses.
Dana - Donation:
In the Insight Meditation tradition, teachers do not receive payment for teaching the Dharma. There will be a donation box for the teachers and organisers and donations will be gratefully received. Dana not only supports individual teachers and organisers for the time they have spent on this event but it helps makes other Dharma events possible.
Note: The route of the Yatra does not go anywhere near an automatic teller!What to bring
- tent (At certain camp sites some tent sharing will be necessary due to limited space)
- warm sleeping bag and mat
- sun hat and rain coat
- appropriate clothing for hot, cold and wet weather (be prepared for heavy rain)
- good walking boots or hiking shoes (no barefoot walking accepted)
- daypack for walking
- water bottle(s) for 2 litres or more
- cup, bowl/plate, cutlery
- lunch container (like a plastic lunch box)
- sun screen, insect repellent, blister plasters (optional)
- torch and spare batteries
- toiletries, towel, swim wear, etcPack lightly and tightly - Our entire luggage is handled daily by the support crew and transported to each new camp site. Please keep you luggage confined to two bags maximum.
Getting to Cloud Mountain Homeland:
People who have registered will receive a confirmation letter and a map with instructions on how to get to the Cloud Mountain Homeland.
Through a car pooling network we will try to arrange lifts for those who can not or wish not to drive themselves.
Pick ups from Murwillumbah and certain other nearby locations can be arranged if necessary.
The closes airport from Murwillumbah is Coolangatta (Gold Coast). If you are flying please arrange your bookings in order to arrive in Coolangatta before 1:30pm.It is important that you arrive at the Cloud Mountain Homeland in Doon Doon for registration between 2 and 3.30pm on Saturday the 11th October.
How to register:
There are only limited (thirty) places available and we think the Yatra will book out quickly. Please call or email Carol on 02 6688 6269 or
to check that places are available and then post the three forms (registration, participant information sheet and the risks form) with full payment (cheque or money order made out to "Inner Union") to:
Dharma Yatra
C/- Carol Perry, "Dharmananda"
1 Ross Road
The Channon NSW 2480Cancellation:
Please inform us early if you need to cancel so that you can receive a refund and your place can be offered to someone else. If you cancel before the 12th September 2008 you will receive your payment back minus a $30 handling charge.For more information
please contact Carol, email:
Phone: 02 6688 6269
back to www.dharma.org.au
