Ian and Ruth Gawler’s Meditation Retreats with Melissa Borich
Need some time out? Time to reflect? Re-charge?
Deepen your meditation? Regain inner balance and clarity?
Ian and Ruth Gawler’s mindfulness retreats and meditation retreats are immersive and highly experiential. They are designed to be restful and regenerative, but are intense enough to be meaningful and effective for those seeking deeper experiences of meditation, good health and wellbeing.
These meditation retreats are suitable for those relatively new to meditation, as well as more experienced meditators. Many have been coming to these retreats regularly over the years.
Each mindfulness retreat and meditation retreat focuses upon a particular theme relevant to the ongoing development and deepening of your meditation. Some take the opportunity for a digital detox. Many find inner peace; some genuine transformation…
| IMPORTANT DETAILS of the program follow, however, if you are ready, you can register here |
Two Meditation Retreats will be Offered in 2025
Meditation in the Forest
– 7 days with the particular focus upon Contemplation
Monday 2nd June at 11am to Sunday 8th June at 2pm 2025
(with Ian and Ruth Gawler, and Melissa Borich)
While based in the regular practice of meditation, for this, the main meditation retreat for 2025, there will be a particular focus upon the theory and practice of Contemplation. Meditation in the Forest offers a meaningful holiday that has the genuine possibility of being transformative!
Your days will include:
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- The delight of being in a meditative environment free of external distractions. The Upper Yarra Valley is renowned for its natural beauty and inherent peace; The Living Centre has been a place for Meditation for many decades. You can feel it; and relax into it…
- A short, daily teaching from Ian – combining the best of timeless wisdom with modern science; a guide to deepening your Meditation, along with the practice, experience and benefits of Contemplation.
- Meditation sessions personally guided by Ian, Ruth and Melissa; along with optional, gentle yoga sessions led by Melissa.
- Space for personal quiet time, along with the possibility of walks amidst the natural beauty of the Upper Yarra Valley.
- Wonderful plant-based meals; simple yet delicious; highly supportive of the meditation.
- Being amidst like-minded company. Some come on retreat preferring silence, but many delight in meaningful conversations with the diverse groups that inevitably gather for these retreats.
- Good time for discussion, questions and answers. If you have nagging questions around your meditation, or the philosophy that wraps around it, be sure to bring them along…
Like a breath of fresh air… In fresh air!!!
Fees for Meditation in the Forest
The fees cover everything to do with the retreat, accommodation and meals.
| Dormitory or single room with shared facilities | $2,370 |
| Twin share with ensuite | $2,970 |
| Single with ensuite (limited availability) | $4,470 |
| Offsite option (only offered if the venue is fully booked) | $2,370 |
Deposit to be paid on registration: $480
Balance Due 3 weeks prior to commencement – we will remind you…
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation up to 3 weeks prior to commencement: Refund minus deposit
Cancellation less than 3 weeks prior to commencement: 50% refund
Cancellation once retreat has commenced: No refund
REGISTRATION – How to apply
- The first step is to download the Application Form HERE , fill it out and return it by email to our Program Manager, Mel Crow: [email protected]
- Once Mel has received your completed application, she will arrange a short phone conversation to clarify what the retreat offers, discuss your needs, answer any questions and ensure the retreat is suitable for you.
- Once accepted for the retreat, you pay a deposit or full fee to reserve your place.
- Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to the commencement of your training.
Deep Natural Peace
– a 3 day, long weekend, immersive meditation retreat
Friday 14th November at 11am to 3:30pm Sunday 16th November 2025
(With Ian and Ruth Gawler)
How often do you feel drained, even exhausted at the end of the year?
This retreat is specifically designed to help you to simply let go of any “baggage” from the year, take a deeper breath or two, regenerate and recalibrate.
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- Receive some basic guidance and key points from Ian to aid your meditation practice.
- Enjoy a good balance of meditating together, with walks in nature, personal quiet time, good simple natural food, and like-minded company.
- There will be good time for discussion, questions and answers, or you could choose to do a digital detox and remain in silence.
Complete the year feeling lighter, more at ease, more content…
Fees for Deep Natural Peace
The fees cover everything to do with the retreat, accommodation and meals.
| Dormitory or single room with shared facilities | $1,470 |
| Twin share with ensuite | $1,870 |
| Single with ensuite (limited availability) | $2,470 |
| Offsite option (only offered if the venue is fully booked) | $1,470 |
Deposit to be paid on registration: $480
Balance Due 3 weeks prior to commencement – we will remind you…
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation up to 3 weeks prior to commencement: Refund minus deposit
Cancellation less than 3 weeks prior to commencement: 50% refund
Cancellation once retreat has commenced: No refund. )
IMPORTANT DETAILS of the program follow, however, if you are ready, register here )
REGISTRATION – How to apply
- The first step is to download the Application Form HERE , fill it out and return it by email to our Program Manager, Mel Crow: [email protected]
- Once Mel has received your completed application, she will arrange a short phone conversation to clarify what the retreat offers, discuss your needs, answer any questions and ensure the retreat is suitable for you.
- Once accepted for the retreat, you pay a deposit or full fee to reserve your place.
- Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to the commencement of your training.
Ian and Ruth Gawler’s Meditation Retreats for 2025
Important Details
Why in person only and not online as well?
These are immersive retreats
A major part of the benefit will gained by leaving the activity of your daily life behind for a while and entering into a meditative atmosphere; free of external distractions and entering into a natural, peaceful environment.
Venue and Meals
What am I coming to?
Each retreat will be presented at the Yarra Valley Living Centre, 55 Rayner Crt, Yarra Valley Victoria 3797, Australia. The Centre is renowned for its purpose-built meditation sanctuary, its spaciousness, scenery, comfortable accommodation, majestic trees and delightful gardens, the adjacent Little Yarra River and its atmosphere, born of decades of use for meditation-based programs.
The meals will be plant-based, prepared with love – and delicious! Gluten free needs can be met, but if you have other needs please speak with our program manager, Mel.
Is This a Good Fit?
For whom will these retreats be suitable?
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- Those keen to deepen and expand their own meditation practice and personal development. As we all know these days, meditation helps us in so many aspects of our lives…
- Anyone over 18 years, including mature-age students
- These retreats are open to anyone with a genuine interest in meditation and the inner life. They begin with a review of the basics and then move into deeper territory. You could attend as a beginner or as someone with a long meditation history.
- Typical participants come from a wide range of society and ages. In previous retreats, this diversity has provided another strength as people share in the experience of meditation.
- For health professionals and teachers these retreats could serve as personal and professional development. These retreats provide a model for teaching mindfulness and meditation. They may satisfy requirements for on-going professional education credits. If relevant, please check with your Professional Body, and discuss this with our Program Manager, Mel Crow.
Prior Reading
How to be well prepared
Ian has written several international bestselling books on meditation.
His most recent, Blue Sky Mind focuses upon the very essence of meditation and is highly recommended.
Meditation – an Indepth Guide is more comprehensive and goes into the detail of all aspects presented on the retreat, so it too is highly recommended.
REGISTRATION – How to apply
- The first step is to download the Application Form HERE , fill it out and return it by email to our Program Manager, Mel Crow: [email protected]
- Once Mel has received your completed application, she will arrange a short phone conversation to clarify what the retreat offers, discuss your needs, answer any questions and ensure the retreat is suitable for you.
- Once accepted for the retreat, you pay a deposit or full fee to reserve your place.
- Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to the commencement of your training.
Additional Accommodation
Can I Stay Offsite?
If all our onsite rooms are fully booked, you may choose to arrange and pay for your own offsite accommodation at a nearby B&B. You would need your own transport.
Our retreat manager can provide more details if needed.
Meet our trainers and administrator
Dr Ian Gawler, OAM, BVSc, MCounsHS
The inner world of Meditation, Contemplation and Imagery has been a major focus of Ian’s life for many years. Diagnosed with bone cancer, Ian’s right leg was amputated in 1975, but the disease recurred later that year. Those were the pioneering days when meditation and mind/body medicine techniques were being developed and first applied to healing in the western world. Drawing heavily upon intensive meditation practices, contemplation, guided imagery, and a truly holistic approach, Ian was fortunate to experience a remarkable recovery.
Ian went on to learn from leaders in Psychoneuroimmunology, or Mind/Body Medicine, along with many recognised meditation masters from traditional backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on Tibetan Buddhism. His main teacher have been Dr Ainslie Meares and Sogyal Rinpoche, the author of The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying. Ian holds a degree in Veterinary Science and a Masters in Counselling.
Combining his personal recovery experience with emerging research, Dr Gawler co-founded the world’s first lifestyle-based cancer and multiple sclerosis self-help groups and convened Australia’s first Mind-Body Medicine conference for Health Professionals in 1995 – Mind, Immunity and Health. Ian was also instrumental in establishing the Centres for Contemplative Studies at both Melbourne and Monash Universities, and sits on both their Advisory Boards.
Ian first taught others to teach meditation in 1988 and has led many meditation programs and retreats.
He is a regular blogger, has authored seven bestselling books including the international classics You Can Conquer Cancer, Meditation – an Indepth Guide, Blue Sky Mind and The Mind that Changes Everything; and has assisted in creating the meditation app, Allevi8.
A powerful advocate of a healthy lifestyle, Dr Gawler has appeared widely in the media and presented at many major conferences. He shares the accumulated experience and wisdom of the many thousands of people he has worked with over four decades. Meditation has always been at the heart of his work.
In 1987 Dr Gawler was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to the community.
Ian was a co-founder of Meditation Australia and is recognised by MA as a senior meditation teacher.
Dr Ruth Gawler MBBS MGPPsych FPACert
Ruth (nee Berlin) graduated from Sydney University in 1981 MB BS and worked in hospitals in Sydney before going to Kenya for 2 years. There Ruth worked in the Nairobi Hospital in Intensive Care and then a Presbyterian Mission Hospital in the Kikuyu Highlands. Returning to Australia in in 1985, Ruth worked as a Psychiatry Registrar in training at the Rozelle Hospital in Sydney. She then trained in General Practice through the RACGP and worked at Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (5 years) and the Family Planning Clinic (as Central Australian Director for 8 years). Ruth also completed a Masters in GP Psychiatry (Monash 2001) with counselling and psychotherapy becoming her main work.
Ruth moved to Melbourne to marry Ian in 2000 and they have worked together for over 24 years leading meditation retreats and trainings, facilitating cancer, multiple sclerosis and other groups, as well as counselling and teaching people about a healthy lifestyle and meditation.
Ruth has been a dedicated student of Tibetan Buddhism for 25 years and has served as president of Meditation Australia and is recognised by MA as a senior teacher. She is passionate about meditation and living a meaningful life.
Melissa Borich
Melissa has been teaching yoga and meditation for over twenty years. She is a Yoga Therapist, a registered Senior teacher with Yoga Australia, a registered senior teacher with Meditation Australia, an Allevi8 Meditation Mentor, an accredited teacher in Restorative Yoga in the Judith Hanson – Lasater tradition. She facilitates classes, retreats, meditation courses and workshops in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland at her purpose-built studio and retreat space. Melissa also teaches at other venues throughout Australia.
Her influences and immersion into Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and Mindfulness have continued with the teachings of – Krishnamacharya, T.K.V. Desikachar lineage, Radiant Light Yoga, Judith Lasater, Donna Farhi, Flo Fenton, B. K. S. Iyengar, Drs Ruth and Ian Gawler.
Melissa has a strong belief that embracing a holistic lifestyle through yoga, diet, mindfulness and meditation helps create a harmonious and balanced life; bringing to your everyday moments good health, a sense of joy, inner peace and knowledge.
Mel Crow, Program Manager
Mel has had a personal interest in health and wellbeing from an early age doing, her first meditation course as a young adult. Mel spent many years working in the corporate sector in administration before she began working for The Gawler Foundation in 2011 as a Program Manager; a job she held for 8 years. This time spent with participants and therapists deepened Mel’s passion for holistic lifestyle approaches to health and wellbeing and the mind body connection. She completed the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Training in 2017 and during this time commenced studying with Wellness Coaching Australia; completing Level 3 Wellness Coaching in 2021. Mel briefly left the industry and completed a Mental Health Certificate IV.
Currently, Mel works alongside her NDIS clients using her skills and life experience to support them to achieve improved health and wellbeing outcomes. In her downtime Mel enjoys a wide variety of hobbies, time spent with loved ones, getting out in nature and believes balance and joy are the key to life.
We welcome Mel in this part time role supporting our team and participants; knowing she will ensure a caring and seamless booking process from first contact to arrival at the program.
