Feature Event
Regular Events
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Bellingen Insight Meditation (Weekly)
Tallowwood Sangha meet every Monday night with Dharma teacher Will James at the Bellingen Yoga Studio from 7pm to 8.30pm. Please use the rear lane to access the studio at the back of 8 Crown Street - there is a sign to the Studio in the lane. All are welcome, new and experienced, to come along for an evening of meditation, inquiry and discussion.
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Coffs Harbour Ocean Sangha (Fortnightly)
Auspiced by Tallowwood Sangha, Ocean Sangha meets from 6-8 pm every second Thursday evening. Facilitated by Dharma teachers Lisa Brown and Ali Barlow, the evening includes meditation, inquiry and discussion. Please email lisa@mindful-wellbeing.com for more information.
Days of Mindfulness
Come spend the day with us, meditating and exploring the Dharma. All welcome - including beginners! Please bring your own sitting gear (cushions etc) and a plate to share for lunch.
This event is free of charge and no registration necessary - just show up! There will be a Dana box available on the day for donations for our teacher.
2025 Dates:
Sunday 27th April
Sunday 20th July
Sunday 28th September
WHERE: Raleigh Hall (Walter Street, Raleigh, NSW - see here for more info
TIME: 9:30am arrival for a 10am start, finishing at 4pm
Other Events and Retreats
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Awareness and the Unbound
Sangsurya Byron Bay
Dec 12 - Dec 18 2025
Will James & Radha Nicholson
For more information and to register please click here
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The Freedom of Being
Sangsurya Byron Bay
Jan 23 - 30 2026
Will James & Subhana Barzaghi
For more nformation and to register please click here -
Insight & Awakening
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Mar 20 - 24 2026
Will James & Ali Barlow
Registration will open in January
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Buddha Touched the Earth
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
11 - 14 June 2026
Will James and Lisa Siegel
Registration will open in April 2026 -
The Joy of Awakening
Sangsurya Byron Bay
Jul 17 - 23
Will James & Radha Nicholson
Registration will open in May 2026
Retreat Information
Teachers
Radha Nicholson regularly teaches retreats in Australia and is a founding teacher of Bay Insight, Byron Bay, Australia. Radha teaches the liberation of the heart through inquiry and insight. She focuses on freeing the mind through the realisation of the non-dual nature of reality.
Will James is the guiding teacher at the Tallowwood Sangha in Bellingen. He regularly leads retreats in Australia and Bali, has taught at the Dharma Gatherings in Australia and India, and is a Senior Mentor for the Insight Meditation Institute.
Ali Barlow is an Insight Dharma Teacher after completing the inaugural Insight Meditation Institute’s 4 year Dharma Teacher programme in 2024. Ali has supported multiple retreats over many years. She also leads yatras and helps to facilitate a weekly sitting group in Bellingen.
Schedule
Insight meditation allows us to see clearly the reactions and distortions that arise in our daily life. It cultivates an awareness of the freedom and clarity that is available in each precious moment. The retreat program consists of sitting, standing, walking & guided meditation, meditation instruction, group and individual meetings with teachers, inquiry sessions, evening Dharma talks and daily mindfulness work periods. The retreat is conducted in silence apart from meetings with teachers and essential communication. Meetings with the teachers are an essential aspect of the retreat and will be in a small group format. Also there will be opportunity for individual interviews with teachers during the week.
Dana
Insight Meditation teachers give generously of their time and energy during retreats. They receive no payment for this and are supported by donations from those attending retreats. A Dana (donation) box will be placed inside the meditation hall for donations to support the teachers.
More information available on the Humanitix ticketing site
Our retreats are open to all, beginners and experienced practitioners alike. If you are experiencing financial challenges, please contact us about our subsidy policy.
Sample event schedules
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5:45 Wake-up bell
6:00 Yoga or exercise
6:45 Sitting Meditation
7:30 Breakfast
8:10 Mindfulness Work
9:20 Clean-up
9:30 Daily instructions & Sitting Meditation
10:30 Walking meditation
11:15 Sitting Meditation
12:00 Walking meditation
12:30 Lunch & Rest
2:00 Dharma Inquiry
3:00 Walking meditation
3:45 Sitting Meditation
4:30 Walking Meditation
5:00 Evening meal
6:30 Sitting Meditation
7:00 Break
7:15 Dharma Talk
8:00 Standing / Walking meditation
8:15 Evening program: guided meditation, poetry, music
9:00 Rest well
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10:00 Sitting meditation
10:45 Walking meditation
11:15 Sitting meditation
12:00 Dharma Talk
12:30 We break silence for a shared lunch
1:30 Sitting meditation
2:15 Standing or Walking meditation
2:30 Dharma Inquiry
3:00 Walking meditation
3:15 Sitting meditation / Metta
3:45 Close of day
Autumn Insight Meditation Retreat
Autumn Insight Meditation Retreat with Will James
REGISTRATION OPEN SATURDAY 19 MAY via Humanitix
If you have been flood-affected or are facing other financial hardships, please email us for a discounted registration rate.
Wisdom and Compassion Insight Meditation Retreat (in person and online) (Copy)
Teachers: Subhana Barzhagi, Will James and Alan Bassal
Registration for this retreat opens on Wednesday, 1 December at 9am (NSW), via Humanitix. Click here. (Please note that the link will not be open before this time). Questions to tallowwoodretreat@gmail.com
Wisdom and Compassion Insight Meditation Retreat (in person and online) (Copy) (Copy)
Teachers: Subhana Barzhagi, Will James and Alan Bassal
Registration for this retreat opens on Wednesday, 1 December at 9am (NSW), via Humanitix. Click here. (Please note that the link will not be open before this time). Questions to tallowwoodretreat@gmail.com
Wisdom and Compassion Insight Meditation Retreat (in person and online)
Teachers: Subhana Barzhagi, Will James and Alan Bassal
Registration for this retreat opens on Wednesday, 1 December at 9am (NSW), via Humanitix. Click here. (Please note that the link will not be open before this time). Questions to tallowwoodretreat@gmail.com