This report was originally a blog by Roy on Gnosticweb

To begin the year on the right foot, Australia launched the Alpine Ash retreat, starting the 1st of January until the 6th. The location was about an hour from the city of Melbourne. This gave us all some space to leave our daily life behind and dedicate time to take Gnosis to a deeper level.

The focus of the retreat was

Investigation in itself is a very global goal and everyone could chose their part of the teachings which they wanted to explore further.

We investigated our goals with awareness walks.

In such a beautiful environment, its much easier to be aware and everybody made good use of the walks.

The wildlife made it more attractive to be fully in the here and now and everybody was trying to get this right, so that no moment was wasted.

Some people even spotted several snakes and a kangaroo.

Concentration practises were held in the Mountain Ash hall.

Here we had our daily peptalks on how to improve our concentration and practised afterwards.

Some of the practises where guided...

There was one practise where there was a candle in front of the room with a camera recording every movement. This was then projected onto a screen so that everybody could see the image clearly. The practise was guided through and lasted quite long. Afterwards everybody felt different and the clarity of everybodies mind could be felt in the atmosphere.

The walls and ceiling of the hall are made of wood and carpet is on the floor. The front of the room consists of glass and gave a beautiful view over the forest in the distance. This hall was ideal for doing mantras and once the mantra started, it created a harmony amongst the whole group.

We slept in a big chalet and some people in smaller ones. Each room was assigned a teacher or trainnee teacher.

so that even in the evening, the practises continued and momentum was kept.

In the morning there where asanas for the early birds among us.

Nature provided us with all its beauty and if you pay attention you see more and more details.

Due to everyones focus on investigation, each of us was looking for something valuable.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner was provided and people who haven't seen each other for quite some time could catch up again.

The Messmate room, where breakfast, lunch and dinner was served.

Between eating and practises there was some "free" time, and some people reflected.

Others enjoyed a good cup of coffee or shared their experiences

And a retreat wouldn't be a retreat without the international gnostic sport

hacky sack...

The last night we started with some songs and everybody could join in.

Afterwards there was a bonfire.

Two testimonials of the Australian retreat 2009.

Many thanks to the teachers and all those who attended the retreat. Together we created a great atmosphere for learning and valuable experiences could be gained.

It was great to be a part of this...