Well-Aware-Ness Psychology

24/02/2026

Our next Meditation Retreat for 2026 is on the 29th of March 2026

We have a very special guest Ajahn Medhino.

Venerable Ajahn Medhino left The Netherlands at 18 for adventure & freedom. After traveling for 4 years, he came to Thailand where he met the Buddhist teachings & immediately connected with them. Seeing the simplicity & peacefulness of the monastic life he became a monk. He trained with several teachers of the Thai forest tradition/ Theravada. He ultimately went to Sri Lanka & practiced in various monasteries, before living as a hermit for 12 years. Ajahn Medhino will be establishing a forest monastery in Sri Lanka when he returns from his visit to Australia.

The opportunity to take time out of the busy-ness of our contemporary lives can be an invaluable experience. We all realize the need to take a break, even knowing that our health and performance will be better for doing so, yet often we may feel at a loss with regards to how to take a conscious break and retreat from the ways of the world, if only for a while.

WELL-AWARE-NESS has responded to this need by offering both short and longer term Meditation Retreats. During his monastic life as a Buddhist monk, John Barter (JAVANO), both participated in and also led and taught Meditation Retreats. These included participating in a three month retreat each year and as a senior monastic in Europe leading and teaching Meditation Retreats.

We continue to video record the Thursday night Meditation and Sunday Retreat Days whilst also providing LIVE Streaming. If you live at a distance or unable to attend you are welcome to join us. If you send us an email to notify us that you would like to attend online we can add you to the LIVE Streaming ZOOM list and send you the ZOOM link.

RATANAGIRI GARDEN MEDITATION RETREAT DAY

Theme: ‘Meditations and Reflections from the forest'

Date : Sunday 29th March 2026

Time : NSW time – Arrive at 9.15am for a 9.30am start – 2.00pm finish.

Venue : Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484

Led By : Ajahn Medhino

Practice : Samadhi- Mindfulness of Breathing For Calm and Clarity

Cost : Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance.

In keeping with the Buddhist tradition and practice of generosity, teachings are freely given to support the WELLbeing of those interested in spiritual practice. In the spirit of generosity those that have received teachings are free to offer financial support for the continuation of such opportunity.

As a guide suggestion of $50 – $100 for teachings and guidance for the Day Retreat.

Bring : Notepad and pen, water bottle, warm/rain clothes, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation Cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).

ZOOM LINK – it will be possible for people to connect that cannot make it in person. This will stay the same so we can use it for every retreat day.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1

Please contact us to register for this Meditation Retreat at: info@wellawareness.com.au

17/02/2026

Dear Friends in Meditation,

A gentle reminder that our 1st Meditation Retreat for this year is on Sunday - the 22/02/2026.
If you have not registered but would like to join us please email us ASAP as there are still a few places left.

info@wellawareness.com.au

All info https://www.wellawareness.com.au/events1/

RATANAGIRI GARDEN MEDITATION RETREAT DAY

Theme: ‘Meditations and Reflections on a Mindful and Wise Appreciation and Perception – The Buddha’s Right View’.

Date : Sunday 22nd of February 2026

Time : NSW time – Arrive at 9.15am for a 9.30am start – 12.30pm finish.

Venue : Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484

Led By : John Barter

Practice : Samadhi- Mindfulness of Breathing For Calm and Clarity

Cost : Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance.

In keeping with the Buddhist tradition and practice of generosity, teachings are freely given to support the WELLbeing of those interested in spiritual practice. In the spirit of generosity those that have received teachings are free to offer financial support for the continuation of such opportunity.

As a guide suggestion of $50 – $100 for teachings and guidance for the Day Retreat.
Please bring cash for your Dana contribution for the day and a Donations Box will be provided on registration.

Bring : Notepad and pen, water bottle, warm/rain clothes, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).

Parking: (See photos below) Please park in the Parking Area below the house – off Double View Road on the left hand side – entrance between the 2 White reflective posts, MEDITATION PARKING SIGN to show entrance to parking area, just before the yellow Private Road sign.
Return to the road and walk up to the House (Ratanagiri sign by the Stainless Steel Letterbox) – enter on the Left where the Rock Wall is.

ZOOM LINK – it will be possible for people to connect that cannot make it in person. This will stay the same so we can use it for every retreat day.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1

Events The 1st Meditation Retreat for 2026 is on the 22nd of February 2026   The opportunity to take time out of the busy-ness of our contemporary lives can be an invaluable experience. We all realize the need to take a break, even knowing that our health and performance will be better for doing so...

14/01/2026

Dear Friends,
Happy New Year 2026.
Welcome to Summer and Welcome to the New Year!

The ending of the year is so often a time of busyness, where we have to be careful that we don’t get stressed and ‘wound-up’, rather that the calming and ‘winding-down’.

I do hope that you have had a pleasant end to the Old Year 2025 and a peaceful beginning to the New Year 2026 with some quality time with family and friends. I also hope that you have had some time to yourself to pause and ponder, sit and reflect on the year that has passed while also contemplating ideas and aspirations, intentions and motivations for this new year?

For myself I spent some days visiting my mother together with my brother. Also sharing some time with new friends and old friends. I also spent time in the garden clearing, cleaning, weeding and planting.
Certainly here on the Sub-Tropical Far North Coast of NSW, Summer is a time for great growth in the garden with the warmth and rain that happens at this time of year.

Summer and especially the New Year can be a time to consider our ongoing Spiritual Growth – particularly practices and wisdom perspectives that we might like to look at, learn about and engage for the year?
This might include ideas such as:
Developing and Deepening our Meditation – Samadhi practice.
Focussing on using the Four Spiritual Emotions (Kindness, Compassion, Joy for others, Equanimity) as we relate to others.
Understanding the Four Noble Truths as a Philosophical approach to experience (This is Stress, It has a Cause, It has an Ending, There is a Practice Path to its Ending) developing dispassion and insight freedom.
Sourcing the Seven Awakening Factors (Mindfulness, Investigation, Energy, Joy, Tranquillity, Concentration, Equanimity) as we engage the challenges of life.
Focusing on the Five Spiritual Strengths (Faith/Conviction, Energy/Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration,Wisdom) helping us in our Meditation Practice.
The above are just a few suggestions amidst an amazing Wisdom resource of the Buddha’s Teachings, many of these we can look into further through our Thursday Night Meditation sessions and our monthly Sunday Meditation Retreat Days.

Certainly 2025 did offer up its share of challenges to us all – individually, as a community, society and humanity; hopefully there is ongoing reflection, insight and learning from all these experiences.

I do hope that our New Year of 2026 is a pleasant and peaceful one for us all, with our ongoing motivation to a Mindful and Meditative approach and practice to fulfill our Psycho-Spiritual potential.

I wish you great joy and well-being, good health and happiness in 2026.

Kind Regards with Metta,
John B.


RATANAGIRI MEDITATION SANGHA
Thursday Night Meditation Group
Weekly drop-in sessions start again from Thursday 15th January 2026
6.30pm to 7.30pm NSW time.
At Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill, NSW 2484.

If you are coming for the first time please email us at info@wellawareness.com.au.

YOUTUBE LINK - https://www.youtube.com/


RATANAGIRI MEDITATION RETREAT DAY
Theme: ‘Designing and Developing our Right-View Approach for the Year’

Date : Sunday 22nd February 2026

Time: Arrive at 9.20am for a 9.30am start – 12.30pm finish. (NSW daylight saving time)

Venue: Ratanagiri at 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484

Led By: John Barter

Practice: Samma Samadhi

Cost: Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance (suggestion - cash on the day $50 - $100)
If attending online and you wish to contribute Dana, bank details are below -
Account Name: WELL-AWARE-NESS Pty Limited
BSB: 082 738
Account No: 484 342 890

Bring: Your own lunch, notepad and pen, water bottle, cool clothes, rain gear if needed, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation Cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).

Parking: (see attached photos below) Please park in the Parking Area below the house. Off Double View Road on the left hand side when driving up the hill – entrance between the 2 white Reflective Posts, just before the yellow Private Road sign. New 'MEDITATION PARKING' sign on right hand side of parking entrance. Then after parking return to the road and walk up to the House (Ratanagiri sign by the Stainless Steel Letter Box) – enter on the Left where the Rock Wall is. Walk up to the house.

Registration: Please email us to register your interest in attending this retreat.
Contact Christie at WELL-AWARE-NESS -info@wellawareness.com.au.

ZOOM LINK –
Retreat Days can be attended online on request if you cannot physically attend.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1

Sunday Meditation Retreat Days (Full and Half Day sessions) with John B.
Sunday 22nd February
Sunday 22nd March (with Ajahn Bhuripannyo)
Sunday 29th March (with Ajahn Medhino)
Sunday 31st May
Sunday 26th July (Vassa Retreat Day 1.)
Sunday 30th August (Vassa Retreat Day 2.)
Sunday 27th September (Vassa Retreat Day 3.)
Sunday 25th October (Vassa Retreat Day 4.)
Sunday 6th December

02/12/2025

Just a quick reminder of our last Retreat Day for 2025 this coming Sunday 7th December from 9.30am NSW time to 12.30pm.

As this is our last Retreat at Ratanagiri for the year – we can have a shared lunch for those that can stay.
Please bring a plate of food to share with everyone for the occasion and join in connecting with our Meditation Sangha / Community.

The theme for our Half Day Retreat is: ‘Motivation for Meditation and Inspiration for Samadhi’
More info below.

Please note that our Thursday Night Meditation Group will have its last session for the year on Thursday 18th December 2025. We will resume in the New Year – Thursday 15th January 2026.
Whilst I understand that this is a busy time of year, especially connecting with friends and family on the weekends, I do hope that you have some time this Sunday to connect with your friends in Meditation and Buddha-Dhamma.

If you have not already registered for our Half Day Retreat – please send me a quick email so I have an idea of numbers.

Please email info@wellawareness.com.au

If you are unsure – then simply arrive on Sunday as there is usually always enough space!
Looking forward to seeing you at the Meditation Retreat.

Metta Regards,
John B.

RATANAGIRI GARDEN MEDITATION RETREAT DAY

Theme: ‘Motivation for Meditation and Inspiration for Samadhi’

Date : Sunday 7th of December 2025

Time : NSW time – Arrive at 9.15am for a 9.30am start – 12.30pm finish.

Venue : Ratanagiri – 11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill NSW 2484

Led By : John Barter

Practice : Samadhi- Mindfulness of Breathing For Calm and Clarity

Cost : Dana – your expression of Generosity for the Teachings and Guidance.

In keeping with the Buddhist tradition and practice of generosity, teachings are freely given to support the WELLbeing of those interested in spiritual practice. In the spirit of generosity those that have received teachings are free to offer financial support for the continuation of such opportunity.

As a guide suggestion of $50 – $100 for teachings and guidance for the Day Retreat.

Please bring cash for your Dana contribution for the day and a Donations Box will be provided on registration.

Bring : A Plate of food for lunch to share with everyone, notepad and pen, water bottle, warm/rain clothes, shoes for walking meditation outside, your own Meditation Cushion if you wish (Chairs and Meditation Cushions are available here).

ZOOM LINK – it will be possible for people to connect that cannot make it in person. This will stay the same so we can use it for every retreat day.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82020665739?pwd=JPNtDW7SQder6vomcWj0eZTjDaQ7Gz.1

18/11/2025

Special Guest Monks for Thursday Meditation Group 27th November 2025

Dear Friends in Meditation,

Just a quick message to let you know that we have a special Thursday Night Meditation Group session coming up on 27th November 2025.

We have 2 special Guest Monks – Venerable Jin Chuan Shi and Venerable Jin Wei Shi, who will offer Reflections and Teachings on ‘Spiritual Friendship in Spiritual Practice’.

These monks have been based at the City of Ten Thousand Buddha’s Monastery in California USA for many years and are now establishing a branch monastery in the Red Woods California.
They have a close connection to the Ajahn Chah community of Western Monastics both in the USA and Europe / Britain.

Please come along and be part of this special presentation Thursday Meditation Group for this occasion.
Address:
Ratanagiri.
11 Double View Road, Farrants Hill/ Condong, NSW, 2484.
(Parking Photos below)

See our website for more information.
https://www.wellawareness.com.au/courses-retreats/meditation-groups/

Please see the link below to read more about the monks.

https://www.redwoodvihara.org/redwood-vihara

I do hope to see you next Thursday 27th November at 6.30pm – 8.00pm (extended session if you can stay) NSW time.

If you would like to contact us by email - info@wellawareness.com.au

With Metta – Kind Regards,
John B.

21/10/2025

Dear Friends in Meditation,

Trusting this note finds you well with the warming weather of Spring.

Our Vassa Retreat period for 2025 has now ended.
Of this period from the Full Moon of July to the Full Moon of October, a period of 3 months (12 weeks), we had four monthly Sunday Retreat Days, the last being Sunday 5th October.

I trust that this period of time for those that were part of our Vassa Retreat, found it a helpful period of time to both develop and deepen your Meditation Practice as well as taking time to study and reflect upon the theme of our Vassa Retreat, The Ten Spiritual Virtues – Paramita.
The four Sunday Retreat days were all well attended with around 20 people in attendance as well as several people connecting online for the livestreaming of the sessions.
The weather for all four sessions was also favourable for us, allowing us to practice our Walking Meditation outside in the gardens of Ratanagiri.

I always find that this designated time frame is a great support to dedicate and devote time and energy to a most significant and special endeavour, developing the quality and clarity of our Mind.
I also find that the 3 month period does pass quite quickly indeed.

As I mentioned to the participants on the last Vassa Retreat Session, what remains important is to now continue to develop and maintain the good practice that we have done over the last three months.
Some of you may have attended all of the 4 Vassa Retreat Days, some of you maybe only some, and others maybe none.
However we still do have our Vassa Retreat Period for next year 2026, and maybe you are already looking forward to this!

During the Vassa Retreat Period, we also had our Thursday Night – weekly Meditation Group, which provided extra explanation and discussion on the Ten Spiritual Virtues.
Our Thursday Night Meditation Group will continue for the rest of the year as usual.

The next and also last Sunday Meditation Day Retreat for the year will be on Sunday 7th December 2025.
This will be a Half-Day Retreat with a shared lunch at the end, as a way of finishing the year.

I came across a lovely verse in my notebook that I used when I was a Buddhist Monk living at Amaravati Monastery in England in 1990.
The verse expresses the beauty of deep inner Peace and Presence when we stop the mental creating of stress and worldly issues; waking up to profound Peace which is the foundational experience behind all the stress.
The verse was written by an American Buddhist Monk at City of Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery in Northern California, the monastery of Master Hua; who I visited in 1990 together with other monastics from Amaravati Monastery. During that visit I also met Reverand Heng Sure, another American disciple of Master Hua, who spends half the year in Australia at Dharma Realm Buddhist Monastery on the Gold Coast.
Last month several of us from the Ratanagiri Meditation Group visited Dharma Realm, and just last week Rev. Heng Sure and two visiting monks from USA visited me at Ratanagiri (see photo above).
Please enjoy the verse below and use it for your own inspiration for your Meditation.

I hope to see you at our Thursday Night Meditation Group and also our last Retreat Day for the year, which you can register for now: info@wellawareness.com.au
Metta Regards
John B.

Life is truly a dream.
All of its troubles I alone create.
When I stop creating, the trouble stops.
With a single mind, with an unbounded heart,
We can wake up to the wonderful existence
In true emptiness that we are
In the middle of right now.
When all in the world ceases to exist,
Only the wonderful remains.

Bhikshu Heng Ch’au

24/09/2025

https://youtu.be/s9gv9qkPZYY?si=QhATknbs32JI9D8P

The 3rd retreat day of the 2025 Vassa Retreat. This year the theme for our Vassa Retreat is: The Ten Spiritual Virtues.These are qualities or strengths that ...

09/09/2025

Buddha head handmade by John B. in school aged 15 years old.



Dear Friends,

Welcome to Spring 2025.

The season of Spring brings such a contrast from the cold days and long nights of Winter.

It is little wonder why most people and creatures do appreciate and celebrate the arrival of this wonderful season!



Whilst Spring is in many ways a call to our sensors to experience the world outside – especially through the changes in Nature both flora and fauna; it still remains important to be inwardly aware both psychologically and spiritually.

Both through WELL-AWARE-NESS Psychology and Ratanagiri Retreat Garden, mindfulness and meditation continue to be the way to centre the mind and open the heart to the present moment; as I often say to both clients and meditators ‘live now – not next!’.



The Vassa Retreat – the three month period from the Full Moon of July to the Full Moon of October, continues with our monthly Sunday Retreat Sessions and ongoing weekly Thursday Night Meditation Group.

This Sunday just passed we had the third of our Sunday Retreat Sessions, which was well attended with 20 Meditation participants. Through this three month (12 week) period we are looking into the Ten Spiritual Virtues (Paramita) which the Buddha recommended to develop as we engage and interface the various issues and challenges of our life. The Vassa Retreat being also an important time to deepen and develop our Meditation Practice.



Our last Vassa Retreat during the three month period will occur on Sunday 5th October 2025 where we will look into, reflect and contemplate the last two of the Spiritual Virtues (Paramita) being Kindness and Equanimity. These are very important qualities to interface both all experience as well as INTRA and INTER-personal relationships.

Even if you have not been able to attend the last three Vassa Retreat Sessions, you are still most welcome to join us for this upcoming Retreat Session.

Please contact us by email to register your place for this Sunday Meditation Retreat Session: info@wellawareness.com.au



The last Retreat Day for the year at Ratanagiri Retreat Garden – Farrants Hill will be on Sunday 7th December 2025 and will also serve as a special occasion to connect especially if you have not been so frequent during the year at the Retreat Days or Thursday Night Meditation Group. This can provide a sense of connection and community around the appreciation and practice of Meditation and Buddhist Wisdom.



We continue to video record the Thursday night Meditation and Sunday Retreat Days whilst also providing LIVE Streaming. If you live at a distance or unable to attend you are welcome to join us. If you send us an email to notify us that you would like to attend online we can add you to the LIVE Streaming ZOOM list and send you the ZOOM link.



So as the warmth of Spring continues please stay mindful and kind-ful towards others and also to oneself!

Spend time in Nature to celebrate the joy that Spring can bring and also reminding us of the possibility of an Awakening of our Spiritual Spring, as I mention in my verse below.



I do hope to see you soon.

Metta Regards

John B.

SPRING BLOOMS
Spring blooms,
And never too soon.


Buds and blossoms,
Birds and butterflies.


Flora and fauna,
A collage of colours.


The sweet scent,
Of fragrant flowers.


The sonorous sounds
Of Nature calling to herself.


Longer days,
And shorter nights.


Ideas and options,
Possibilities and potentials.


May we all realise our Spiritual Spring,
As a Mind-Heart Awakening within!

02/09/2025

Hope to see you at our upcoming Meditation Retreat this Sunday the 7th of September. Day 3 of Vassa.

Starts at 9.30am - Finishes at 12.30.

Please email info@wellawareness.com.au to register.

More details at wellawareness.com.au

Thankyou.

29/07/2025

Dear Friends,
Our next Meditation Retreat Half Day is on the 10th of August, Day 2 of the VASSA Period for 2025.
info at wellawareness.com.au
Hope to see you there.

28/05/2025

Dear Friends,
Our next Meditation Retreat is on the 13th July, Day 1 of the VASSA Period for 2025.
info at wellawareness.com.au
Photos of our Easter Retreat with special visitor Venerable Ajahn Bhuripanyo.

16/04/2025

Just a gentle reminder that our Meditation Retreat is on this Sunday the 20th of April (Easter) - please email info@wellawareness.com.au if you would like to join us.

We have a very special visitor Venerable Ajahn Bhuripanyo. He will also be joining us for the Meditation group tomorrow night. Thursday the 17th April.

All details on our website https://www.wellawareness.com.au/courses-retreats/meditation-retreats/