Vipassana Meditation Centre (Dhamma Bhumi)

I stayed for the 10 days Vipassana and it was a good experience - thanks for all the helpers and the teaching

This is a cult, there is a fine line between teaching a technique, and indoctrination. They cross that line

One of the best decision ever to go for this 10 days course. It’s not only the recreation centre, it purifies your heart. Definitely it improves your health and mind. To stay focus and keep calm. Definitely I will recommend for the kids. They have some one day course for the kids. The food was very yummy. Hats off to all the servers and volunteers, without them we can’t do this.

Incredible place of meditation. Wonderful course for everyone. I did my 1st 10 day course here in 1996. I recommend it to anybody wanting to learn the true art of meditation.

Dhamma Bhumi Blackheath is my favourite place for 10-day retreats. Vipassana (or Insight) is one of the meditation techniques taught by Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, in India. Vipassana meditation a serious undertaking. You need to prepare for it - both mentally and physically. If you approach it with reverence, and if you follow the strict rules, you should see the results. May all beings be happy. Metta.

For anyone who's interested in exploring their inner self, this is the place to be. The spirit in this centre is pure and strong, all the courses organized here are highly beneficial. Also the nature in the centre and its surroundings is just beautiful. Come, see and learn how to meditate!

An honest review:

Personally, for me, the experience was challenging but deeply rewarding. I was ready to show up and do the hard work. I didn't plan to leave and I had the determination to get through the 10 days. So, despite the days that were tough, long and challenging - it was still a powerful enough experience to have created some level of change in my life. I really needed that structure and grit to get to me to do that deep inner work in the meditation realm.

Other insights:

I luckily come from a meditation background and I have been meditating for 6 years now. If I didn't have a meditation background, I would've felt clueless during the experience. I would assume anyone that is signing up to Vipassana has tried meditation before to sign up. So, I would maybe expect people know what they've signed up for.

However, my friend who recommended me this course had never meditated before and was encouraged to sign up while she was in a deep depression, and this seemed to create some level of subtle change in her life for her to see positive changes in her lfie again.

The teachers are working on a voluntary basis, so I don't believe they need to provide anything above and beyond. The fact that they showed up to serve for 10 days is an effort in itself.

The servers are brilliant and I am super thankful for them. Thank you for coming and serving for us.

We should all be very grateful for the opportunity that one is allowed to sit for ten days, for a donation basis, and participate. This is a very rare experience and really takes away from the ego that this is related to making money, or abusing a 'religious' teaching to profit.

* From a business point of view, for one to experience this in a different way.a silent meditation without the Buddhist framework.

I would be really curious to know how 'Vipassana' could go from an ancient teaching from Mr Goenka, to an adapted version accomodating all the new techniques we've understood in the realm of mindfulness, neuroscience, somatic body work, trauma work, pressure points etc.

Of course, while still acknowledging where this technique was adapted. I would be curious to see the concept of a 10 day silent meditation in a modern day framework.

Still, overall, I had a great experience.

Best experience and course of my life!

After investing tens of thousands of dollars into programs to solve inner problems (grief, disappointment, frustration, anger) nothing has been able to help resolve this until.

I decided to attend this 10-day Vipassana course as where you learn two powerful breathing techniques Anapana and Vipassana to help you get rid of negative weight and gain more love and compassion towards others.

These techniques by the way are non religious and have been thought by Buddha himself over the last 2500 years.

After 7 days already I felt tremendous lightness and relief. Waking up with a lot of joy and looking forward to the future again.

Stunning location, great vegetarian food, simple but comfortable accomodation.

Don't be afraid to join if you're completely new to meditation. The course is from 0430am till 0900pm each day but there are loads of timeslots allowing you recharge and pace yourself.

Special thanks to our amazing teacher Erhard Rathmayr for guiding us and answering all questions.

May you all be happy,

Konstantin

I am writing this to express my gratitude for the tremendous job that our Manager Alison did during my 10 days course at Dhamma Bhumi. She was always available to cater the requirements for every individual and attended them specifically and was really gentle and polite which was one of her greatest qualities I believe. I loved how she handled everything and helped us have the best course ever.

Elizabeth and Tashi have been truly amazing in providing us our language discourse as per the preference of every individual and checking up on us. The best thing was that they respected the multicultural diversity and respected people by helping them meditate in their mother tounge language which helped them understand and benefit in a more larger way. They have been extremely kind and helpful throughout my precious course and I express a big big thank you for that!

With Metta,
Sunita M

I have developed so much peace, stability and courage in my life as a result of practicing Vipassana meditation daily since 1995.
I am forever grateful to the technique and the volunteers who teach, run and manage this beautiful serene centre. It is always a gift to be able to join them as a volunteer and develop that technique furthur from time to time.
Visiting this particular Vipassana centre is like returning home.

Best experience and course of my life!

After spending years trying to solve inner problems (grief, disappointment, frustration, anger) nothing has been able to help resolve this until.

I decided to attend this 10-day Vipassana course as where you learn two powerful breathing techniques Anapana and Vipassana to help you get rid of negative weight and gain more love and compassion towards others.

These techniques by the way are non religious and have been thought by Buddha himself over the last 2500 years.

After 7 days already I felt tremendous lightness and relief. Waking up with a lot of joy and looking forward to the future again.

Stunning location, great vegetarian food, simple but comfortable accomodation.

Don't be afraid to join if you're completely new to meditation. The course is from 0430am till 0900pm each day but there are loads of timeslots allowing you recharge and pace yourself.

Special thanks to our amazing teacher Erhard Rathmayr for guiding us and answering all questions.

May you all be happy,

Konstantin

It's OK, I feel though the teaching could be done better to avoid misunderstandings that can cause massive issues. When you play with fire, I believe great care needs to be taken. I feel there should of been much more 1 on 1 time with teachers. Too many questions went unanswered until serious problems emerged in meditation. I feel the first few days where we learned to watch breathing was good, to ground into the now, the rest arguably not so much for me. The last few days caused reactive spirals, and feared losing my mind. I resolved this by adjusting the technique thankfully to ensure it was being taught consistent to the teachings. The problems with this technique, it relies on foundation that suffering comes from attachment to impermanence of life and our aversions and cravings, yet it asks you however encryptedly, to trick yourself through successful use of the technique to avert aversions and crave to be free from cravings, so it is self defeating in the long term. I feel the subconscious cannot be tricked. Just my opinion. Still 4 stars, because staff were great, food was great, great nice walking tracks, and first 3 days was still a charm. I left end of day 7 as it was evident to me what I wrote above and thus my incompatibility. I'll stick with my yoga and sadhguru my mentor. I write this to present my honest review, not to berate or glorify anyone.

I practice different kind of meditation for years, none of this practice could compare the one I learn from Vipassana Meditation Centre. My heart full of gratitude for people who invited me to join this course and people who work for the centre.

Why are you still displaying discrimination by asking now for 3 doses of the Covid vaccination? Have you lost your touch on reality? This stance goes directly against the practice of Vipassana.this stance is tied up in ego, the self, and is actively planting seeds of discontent and fear in our heavily damaged society.
Why can't you as a spiritual organisation lead by example and end this absolute madness.
The last centre asking for vaccination certificates, and the only centre in Australia (probably the world) to ask for 3 doses.is this actually legal? Does the vaccination work?
Personal choice is surely a better option.

I love the centre and everything it does. This however needs to change. Be the good in the world.lets not amplify the fear and anxieties in it.

In 2019 my partner of 19 years, mother of two, attended Vipassana Meditation Centre and completed their "program". We were all really pleased that she was able to do this although she did note several people had broken down and had to leave during her stay. And at first all seemed fine with her. However, despite our successful, stable long-term marriage soon after she began to talk about "stuff that had come up for her" throughout the meditation process. Not surprising of course, given all the random but thoughts our minds produce. But in the case of my dear wife this led to her becoming more and more unstable despite having been happy previously. Since then her life has spiralled out of control, she ended our marriage in the most wreckless and irresponsible way, she has basically abandoned her children, and is currently homeless and suffering ongoing mental health issues. She is unrecognisable - and not is a good way. In my opinion, this "organisation" basically performs brain surgery on it's clients without consideration of those that may be unwittingly vulnerable and takes no responsibility for any of the consequences that result. It should be shut down.

A good place to learn meditation techniques and discover more about your self, thoughts and feelings. 10 days of practice is a lot of time in this modern world but it is a unique experience that you should not rush. Learn and absorb what you can, with no pressure other than your own will.

The practice aside, this place is tranquil and picturesque with good facilities. Everything was well organised. Enjoy the views as you practice vipassana.

I recommend everyone who is interested in meditation to visit this place, or a Goenka Vipassana centre like it somewhere in the world, at least once in their lives for the 10-day training.

It was a life-changing experience for me to sit the course last year, and my ongoing practice of Vipassana continues to build on that experience.

I have been back to Dhamma Bhumi twice since for shorter courses.

It is an oasis of calm, tranquility, a beautiful place for reflection. With a team of volunteer teachers, servers and just all-round wonderful people.

A place to begin to sharpen the awareness that so often remains clouded by our everyday trials and tribulations. And oh what we begin to realise as we focus attention on the breath, then sensation!

Go. Find the time. You will not regret it, if you go with an open mind and an open heart.

With metta

Absolutely amazing experience, perfect place for a real meditation course. I am so happy I signed up to go there again ️

In a bid to learn how to meditate, I downloaded apps like Headspace, Calm, and Waking up. While they did add some value, It's only after doing the 10 day course that I really understood how to meditate properly. The centre provides such a rare and precious environment to learn and practice meditation in full immersion. Where else can you get clear instructions, have accommodation and food taken care of by other volunteers (old students who have done the course previously). The tranquil environment this place provides really is a refuge from the chaotic world that has become our norm. I work in the stressful and demanding world of Enterprise Software Sales but at least for 10 days a year, I get to reset my mind and develop the wonderful skill of meditation. It has literally change my life and the lives of friends and family for the better!

One of the most sacred, practical and experiential teaching that leads to liberation, peace and harmony. I love Vipassana and so grateful to have a beautiful and powerful center in Blackheath! Thanks to all the volunteers who have served us, I thank you for your devotion and services!