In order to maintain a silent, sacred container together and support each other on the journey, we follow strict guidelines. Please review these carefully before signing up to the retreat.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Because these retreats run on a donation basis, we don’t have a financial buffer to absorb last-minute cancellations. We ask that you register mindfully, and please take note of the following timelines:

• Deposit: The $100 deposit is non-refundable but may be transferred to another person or a future retreat.

• Full Payment: Full payment is due six weeks prior to the retreat. If payment is not received by this time and no alternative arrangement has been agreed upon, your place may be offered to someone else.

• Cancellations 6+ Weeks Before Retreat: A full refund will be provided, excluding the $100 deposit.

• Cancellations 4–6 Weeks Before Retreat: 50% of the full retreat fee will be payable. If your balance has not yet been settled, we’ll issue an invoice for this amount.

• Cancellations Within 4 Weeks of Retreat: The full retreat fee will be payable. If your balance has not yet been settled, we’ll issue an invoice for this amount. Unfortunately, no refunds can be offered at this stage.

We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover your retreat fees in case of emergencies, illness, or unforeseen circumstances.

These retreats are offered by “conscious donation.” This means only the cost of food and accommodation is fixed - the price of which is based on the venue hire and the cost of the meals.

The programmatic component - the program itself, including training, preparation, administrative, marketing, and teaching aspects during the retreat - is up to you. This requires some personal reflection and a level of integrity, weighing up what feels harmonious for you to afford at this moment in time, as well as the perceived value of the retreat (excluding food and accommodation).

To support with budgeting, in general, the minimum donation for a 3-day retreat by full-time students and low-income participants is $150. However, we encourage you to reflect on what feels right for you, and you won’t need to decide until after the retreat.

No experience in meditation or yoga is necessary for this retreat. No experience in anything in particular is necessary for this retreat. Come as you are.

The food at Happy Buddha is fresh, filling and tasty plant powered with Asian, Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean flavours.

Meals are vegetarian (and almost vegan!). We occasionally include honey in our dishes.

We also cater for strict vegans and people requiring dairy or gluten free foods due to intolerance. Allergies will also be carefully noted. Please let us know your specific restrictions and allergies in the booking form. Sorry, we cannot customise meal times.

In addition to vegetables, fruit and spices, our primary sources of proteins include: Tofu, Lentils, Beans & Peas, Quinoa and Chia seeds. Our main fillers are: Rice, Potatoes, Oats, Gluten-free flour and Pumpkin. If your dietary needs exclude most items from one of these categories, we kindly ask that you bring your own fridge-free snacks and powdered supplements to ensure your requirements are met.

Please note, our kitchens and venue are strictly meat free.

Yes. Meditation might feel more subtle than breathwork or plant medicine, but its power lies in that very subtlety. Over time, it reshapes the way you relate to your mind, your body, and your life.

Scientific research has shown that meditation can:

• Reduce stress and anxiety by calming the amygdala (the brain’s fear centre)

• Improve focus and memory by strengthening the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus

• Support emotional regulation by rewiring patterns of reactivity

• Promote overall wellbeing by lowering blood pressure, improving sleep, and enhancing immune function

Breathwork and plant medicine can open profound doorways but they can also be risky. Meditation helps you integrate those openings, live with more clarity and stability, and return to a deeper presence day after day. Many people are surprised at just how impactful it becomes when practiced in the right environment, with the right support.

No. There will be chairs available for you to sit on and we will guide you with different sitting options depending on your needs, with plenty of props to support you.

While meditation can be profoundly helpful for mental health challenges, this retreat is addressed to those in a stable emotional and psychological state. If you have any mental health conditions, please read our retrMental Health Disclaimer to help determine if this retreat is right for you, and please write to Rose at hello@rosecousens.com if you have an questions or concerns.