Finding inner peace and contentment

We invite you to spend five days immersing yourself in the Tibetan Buddhist wisdom tradition.

Join us in our temple by the park for a city, non-residential retreat, to: 

• establish or deepen your daily meditation practice

• learn how to work with distractions and obstacles that may arise during your practice

• contemplate and meditate on the essence of the Buddha’s teachings 

• create space to experience genuine inner peace and contentment 

• learn how to bring about lasting transformation in your life 

You will be supported by experienced meditation teachers Jan van der Breggan and Marianne Gizycki, and receive video teachings from Sogyal Rinpoche, a renowned master of the Tibetan Nyingma lineage and Dzogchen, or “Great Perfection”, tradition. Through the Dzogchen approach, that cuts to the heart essence of Buddha’s teachings, Rinpoche shows us who we really are: our unchanging, fundamental goodness or Buddha nature.

Each day will feature a rich yet spacious program of teachings, guided meditation, and time for reflection and discussion.

About Jan van der Breggen

Jan Van Der Breggen has studied the Dharma since the mid-1990s, receiving teachings and empowerment from many masters, but principally from Sogyal Rinpoche and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

From 2006 to 2009, he participated in a three-year retreat in France, under Sogyal Rinpoche's guidance. He is currently participating in Milinda, a 10-year Buddhist teacher training programme, under the guidance of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

Jan grew up in the Netherlands and has lived in Brisbane, Australia, since 1998, where he obtained a postgraduate degree in information technology. He makes a living as a data and analytics professional for a large financial service provider.

Jan was instrumental in founding Rigpa Brisbane in 1999, where he has served as a Dharma instructor for over 20 years.

About Marianne Gizycki

Marianne Gizycki first met Sogyal Rinpoche in 1994. In the years since, she has also received teachings from Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, Alan Wallace and Steven Goodman.

As an instructor at Rigpa Sydney, she has led courses on meditation, Buddhist philosophy and Ngondrö practice. Having worked as an economist, she has offered Tibetan Buddhist teachings and practices to Australian business and community leaders. She provides meditation sessions at a refuge house for women recovering from drug dependency.

Marianne spent ten years as Rigpa Australia’s National Director - Teaching Services, assisting with the work of over one hundred course facilitators, designing courses and helping students undertake their own personal retreats.