For those who imagine a ladies’ retreat as an expensive one-day spa holiday, offering mineral spring water therapy and fragrant oil massages and facials, this year’s Chinmaya ladies’ retreat in Melbourne on Sunday March 2nd was poles apart. Instead of healing by approaching only the physical body and leaving the chattering mental noise untreated, Brni Nivedita and her many helpers succeeded in creating a conductive atmosphere where the women in attendance had a chance to get in touch with the core of their existence – their inner wisdom. Through the stillness of prayer, focus of yoga, two lectures on the process of tuning in and group exercises based on ancient and contemporary poems, about 30 ladies were able to learn, discuss, reflect and contemplate on the wisdom Brni Nivedita brought out in a familiar language and with an open heart.

Who would think that talking about intuition to women would be necessary, however, we realised how years of conditioning and a busy life style had drowned the most natural of voices that we, women, possess. We understood the difference between action conditioned by upbringing and expectations and action arising from inner bliss. We learned how to recognise and distinguish the voice of inner wisdom in contrast to that of the Ego, how to be aware of our intuition and how to apply it to our decision-making.

The simplicity and harmony of the Australian bush on Mary Clark’s property in Smiths’s Gully, where the retreat was held, rendered the venue perfect for such an undertaking. For those busy bees working in the urban chaos of the city, the silence and welcoming bosom of Mother Earth was a welcome resting space where new understanding could be explored and gained. This welcome oasis was fully complete with plenty of laughter and jokes that only women can share, added by healthy and wholesome food, and an abundance of fresh air and compassion. At the end of the day our faces had red cheeks and smiles, whilst our bodies were relaxed and fully rejuvenated – a confirmation of the universal law "As within so without".

More photos from this event can be found here.