Rigpé Yeshé
Myall Lakes Retreat program for children and teenagers Rigpa warmly welcomes children and teenagers to our Australian retreat at Myall Lakes. Our program has grown dramatically over the past few years – we now cater for over 100 children and teenagers. We have a daily program for children and teenagers and a caring and supportive environment for families. The retreat is held in a beautiful location, with a lake, beach and the bush. Children are given a much-needed opportunity to enjoy the natural environment, to reflect and to slow down the pace of their lives. The children form lasting friendships and look forward to returning every year to meet with their retreat friends |
Dharma
We provide dharma sessions, with trained RY instructors, for all age groups, from pre-schoolers up to teenagers. We also offer a study group for our young adults. The dharma sessions include daily meditation practice and the opportunity to engage with Buddhist teachings in an open, fun and inquisitive way - we encourage the children to reflect, question and discover answers for themselves. The sessions are friendly and relaxed, providing an atmosphere where the children feel safe, happy, respected and listened to.
The Dharma sessions have a different theme each year, based on teachings given by Rinpoche. For example in 2007 the theme was Inner Peace and Contentment, 2008 was Loving Kindness and 2009 was Meditation. The sessions typically consist of meditation, short video teachings from Tibetan masters, stories, discussion, art and craft, and drama.
The dharma sessions for the children and young teens are held in the mornings and the young adult’s study group (aged 15 and over) is in the afternoons.
Sogyal Rinpoche
Sogyal Rinpoche has given a teaching to the children and teens for the past few years and this has been a highlight of their experience at retreat. In addition, senior students and ordained sangha visit the children at their Dharma sessions and study groups and answer a very wide range of questions!
Adventure Program
Our Adventure Program provides the opportunity for parents to experience Rinpoche’s teachings worry free - with the knowledge that their children are in a safe, stimulating, and creative care program. Children who are 4 and over and have experience of at least one term of pre- school are eligible for the Adventure Program.
We have an area for lively outdoor play and creative construction for the 8-11 year olds, and some exciting new additions to their program for 2010! The 4-7 year olds have their own space for creative and fun indoor and outdoor activities.
For safety reasons, children under 12 whose parent/s are in the teachings must be enrolled in this adventure program.
With the exception of :
- children attending Rinpoche’s teachings – during the teachings they must be closely supervised by their parents at all times (whether in the main tent or the family listening tent), or
- children in the care of another adult or responsible person – whom the parent has arranged to care for their children during Rinpoche’s teachings.
Pre School Children
Unfortunately, we cannot provide child-care for very young children (those younger than four, or those who have not attended pre-school or school) as the camp-site premises aren't suitable.
However many parents hire one of the responsible teens to babysit, as the teens are keen to earn holiday money. Another option is to hire a nanny or bring along a friend to assist.
Where there are two parents, they often share the care of their children so that each parent has an opportunity to attend the teachings. Some single parents also support each other in attending the teachings.
Family Activities
These are facilitated by a parent group and held in the early evening. The activities range from musical sessions, story-telling, roasting marshmallows at the fireside, to beach-cricket and soccer. We encourage parents to come along and participate with their children, to spend time together as a family. Younger children must be accompanied by their parents.
Family Listening Tent
If you have children who are too young to attend the Adventure Program, you can watch Rinpoche’s teachings together in the family listening tent, which has a live feed from the main teachings. The evening video teachings can also be viewed from here. Some parents bring their childrens’ sleeping bags in the evening, and the children fall asleep while the parents listen to Rinpoche’s teachings. It is up to the parents present to create the right environment to listen to Rinpoche’s teachings together.
Parents Study Groups
We have a facilitated parents’ study group most afternoons (poolside), so that parents can discuss the morning’s teachings, while their children are happily playing in the pool.
Parenting Support Group
This group provides an opportunity for parents to reflect and discuss how to bring up children in the dharma and how to find time for their own practice..
A Typical Day at Retreat
A typical day for school-age children starts with a yummy breakfast, dharma for children, adventure program, lunch, hang out at the pool with parents and other families, dinner, early evening activities and play with other children and perhaps fall asleep in the family listening tent!
From the Rigpé Yeshé Team….
The retreat is an opportunity for children and parents to slow down, reflect and appreciate, to connect with nature and with each other, and connect with our own good hearts. We also hope to have fun together, find support and friendship, and inspiration, strength and joy in the teachings. We look forward to seeing you there.
We are continually working to improve and strengthen our program each year, and welcome all offers of help – time, effort, ideas, money, resources…
Please contact rigpeyesheaustralia@gmail.com for further enquiries or with offers of help