10-day Ren Xue Retreat with Yuan Tze
November 15 – 24 2024 (NZDT)
Dunedin, New Zealand and Online
10-day Ren Xue Retreat with Yuan Tze
15 – 24 November 2024 (NZDT)
Dunedin, New Zealand and Online
Registration Now Open!
Are you ready to look at the unhealthy patterns that lie in the way of awakening your True Self?
Transforming unhealthy patterns is the core focus of Ren Xue life cultivation because it facilitates the breakdown of the false self and the manifestation of the True Self. Since 2022, the Ren Xue retreats have been dedicated to this work through exploring the Ten Fundamental Patterns, by focusing on two patterns during each retreat. Through these retreats, many participants have made profound changes to their lives.
We will continue this theme at the upcoming retreat in November, this time working on Unfounded Suspicion and Negativity. These two patterns can be so deeply entrenched in our consciousness that we are unaware of the full extent of harm they can do to life.
Join Yuan Tze and Melissa and the Ren Xue community for this very special opportunity to work on life and grow
So how do we transform these patterns? By applying realization and wisdom. Yuan Tze will take you through the process of going deep into your heart and consciousness to unlock the door to your True Self. With the support of a Qifield enriched with profound wisdom and powerful Qi, your True Self may start to awaken. When this happens, anything is possible. The realization and wisdom of your True Self will dissolve the ground on which these unhealthy patterns are built so they will no longer have a place in life. The wisdom of your True Self will prevail, freeing you from the distress caused by these patterns and brighten the path ahead.
Although the teachings from each retreat in the Seeing Your Original Face series are connected, the retreats do not need to be taken in a linear fashion. You can start with this retreat even if you have not completed the three previous retreats. Those retreats focused on the patterns of Fixed Expectations and Hiding & Avoiding, Polarized Thinking and Over-Generalization, and Self-Centeredness and Greediness and they are available as replays to watch at your convenience.
There are two ways you can attend this retreat. Join us in-person in New Zealand or attend virtually from the comfort of your own home. Many other Ren Xue teachers will also contribute to the program, which will include the Yuan Gong methods and healing activities. This is a great opportunity to work with teachers and fellow practitioners. All of this will be taking place in a strong Qifield that is accessible whether you attend in person or online.
Take the next step forward to improve your life and awaken your True Self.
We will be livestreaming the event to enable online participation. Whether you attend in-person or online you will have access to the recordings from the retreat in your Learn REN XUE Portal.
Join us in-person or online for this special journey.
In-Person Retreat Details
Should you have any further questions, please contact us on events@renxueinternational.org
Venue
We are excited to be offering this retreat from a new venue. Knox and Salmond College campuses are close to Dunedin City center and its conveniences, but tucked into their own private grounds and across the road from the Botanic Gardens.
Slide through the photos to the left (or below on a mobile/tablet).
Registration Fees
NZ $1,600 Standard Rate
NZ $2,000 Supporter Rate*
NZ $1,200 Financial Assistance
*Supporter Rate is for people who feel they can afford to pay a little extra. Extra income from this pool enables us to to keep the Standard Rate affordable and to offer Financial Assistance to ensure everyone can attend.
Registration fees are per person, and include:
- single room accommodation, including linen (bedding & towels), food, and shared bathrooms.
- all teachings and related teaching material from Yuan Tze and senior Ren Xue teachers, including access to the replay of the live-streamed portion of the retreat via your Learn REN XUE Portal.
All our full scholarships have now been awarded, so this option is no longer on offer. If you are unable to afford the in-person costs, please check out the online option below.
Accommodation
All rooms are single rooms with shared bathrooms.
There are a limited number of single rooms that are configured in partner or family layouts, with a shared space. If you indicate on the registration form your preference to be near someone else, or with a group of people, we will do our best to accommodate this.
We encourage participants to stay on site in order to receive the full support of the retreat. We offer a discount of NZ $100 off of the above rates for anyone choosing to stay off site. Please email events@renxueinternational.org to request the discount code before registering.
Online Option
If you are unable to attend in-person or are weighing up how to attend, the full retreat will be broadcast online. Our standard sliding scale for hybrid retreats will apply: $500, $600, $700, $850, $1,000 all in NZD – pay what you can.
Read more about the online option on our Learn REN XUE site here.
Arrival & Departure Details
November 15 – 24
Friday November 15th
2:00-5:00pm – Registration
6:00pm – Dinner
7:30pm – Welcome and Group Healing with Yuan Tze
Sunday November 24th
Ends at 11:30am with optional lunch to follow.
See the Retreat Daily Schedule details below for more information.
The venue can accommodate a small number of early arrivals (no earlier than 2pm on the 14th of November) and can accommodate a larger number after the retreat. Accommodation is on a Bed & Breakfast basis (no lunch or dinner provided) and costs NZ $75/person/night. If you would like to stay extra nights, please email events@renxueinternational.org to check availability and book.
Access
The retreat is being held across both the Knox and Salmond campuses, which are a 5-10 minute walk apart, with the Knox campus being up hill from Salmond.
We are working on ways to mitigate the challenges this will pose to some people to fully participate, including investigating a shuttle. When you complete the registration, please indicate to us any mobility or health issues you have that would require support to get between the two campuses or to navigate internal stairs.
We will be in communication with you when designing any solutions.
See the Retreat Daily Schedule below for where the different program activities will be held.
Retreat Daily Schedule
Morning
7:00-8:00 Session 1 (1’) – Yuan Gong Practice & Instruction, Knox Campus
8:00-9:30 Break (1’30”) – Breakfast, Knox Campus
9:30-12:00 Session 2 (2’30”) – Yuan Tze talk, Salmond Campus
12:00-1:30pm Break (1’30”) – Lunch, Knox Campus
Afternoon & Evening
1:30-3:00 Session 3 (1’30″) – Yuan Gong Practice & Instruction, Salmond Campus
3:00-3:30 Break (30”)
3:30-5:15 Session 4 (1’45”) – Special Topics by Ren Xue Teachers, Salmond Campus
5:15-7:00 Break (1’45”) – Dinner, Knox Campus
7:00-8:30 Session 5 (1’30”) – Yuan Tze talk & Yuan Gong Practice, Group Healing on Day 1, 5 and 9, Salmond Campus
Accommodation – Knox Campus
Meals & Dietary Requirements
Three meals and afternoon tea with fruit will be provided daily. Please bring your own snacks if you need food between meals. The menu will consist of healthy food including fish or chicken, vegetarian and vegan options, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
The venue has a very experienced catering team. They cater to dietary needs including but are not limited to gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegan, low FOD map, and acute food intolerances, as well as religious and cultural requirements. Please let us know when you register if you have any special dieteary requirements so the venue can plan accordingly.
There will be a basic selection of tea and coffee. If you prefer specific herbal teas, please bring your own tea bags.
The five activity sessions are dedicated to learning Ren Xue, group healings, learning Yuan Gong and Yuan Gong practice. Tian Yuan, Di Yuan, Ren Yuan, Tong Yuan and Ling Yuan will all be taught.
A detailed program will be supplied closer to the retreat.
Travel to Dunedin
- Air New Zealand and Jetstar (from Auckland only) have domestic flights daily to Dunedin Airport (DUD)
- Most flights from overseas enter New Zealand via Auckland, with flights from Australia, the Pacific Islands and parts of Asia coming in via Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown
- When booking flights from overseas it is recommended that you make Dunedin your destination unless you are planning domestic travel to the retreat from your original entry point.
New Zealand Entry Requirements
If you will be traveling to the retreat from outside New Zealand, please ensure you are aware of New Zealand’s entry requirements, you can find Visa and NZeTA Requirements here.
Transport to Knox College
- Dunedin Airport to the venue: 31 km, 30 minute drive
- Dunedin city centre to the venue: 3.9 km, 10 minute drive
- Dunedin Airport Shuttles has advised us that all transport from the airport to Knox College receive their student rate of NZ$20 for a shared ride, if booked through their online form in advance. Please be sure to chose Knox College as the destination to receive this fare.
- If you prefer an express door-to-door service, you can book this through a separate online form, and this should cost approximately NZ$95.
- Taxis can also be found outside Dunedin Airport’s arrivals gate, costing approximately NZ$120-150 to get to Knox College.
Knox College
3 Arden Street
North East Valley
Dunedin
Ways To Pay
Direct Bank Transfer is our preferred option for receiving payment. If you are paying from a New Zealand bank account, no fees are payable for this option. If you are paying from outside of New Zealand, transfer fees with your bank will apply.
We recommend Wise.com for international transfers. They have the lowest fees and an efficient service in our experience.
We will email you our bank account details along with confirmation we have received your order. Please pay the full amount due within 3 days. Your registration will remain on hold until your payment is received.
Account name: REN XUE International Charitable Trust
Email: admin@renxueinternational.org
Address: 101 Cluny Road, Plimmerton, Porirua 5026, NEW ZEALAND
Bank: Kiwibank
Account No: 38-9020-0409613-00
BIC/SWIFT Code: KIWINZ22
Payment Reference: The order number on your order confirmation email. This is very important. We need this reference to know the purpose of the payment and that it is from you.
Credit Card is our preferred payment method if you are unable to pay by Direct Bank Transfer. This option will incur a surcharge of $60 to help cover payment gateway fees we are charged.
PayPal is also available and will incur a surcharge of $60 to help cover payment gateway fees we are charged.
Registration Process
Step 1:
Pay for your registration fee on the Learn REN XUE website here. You will need to select a price and your payment method in order to determine the fee. You will also need to agree to our Health & Safety, Informed Consent and Cancellation Policies below. NOTE: you will be able to access the retreat learning materials and the replay of the retreat from your Learn REN XUE Portal.
If you are paying by bank transfer, we will send you an email with payment instructions and your order will be placed on hold until we receive your payment.
Step 2:
Complete the In-Person Registration Form presented to you on the screen after submitting your order. This form has important details we require from you to finalize your registration. We will also email you a link to the form.
Step 4:
Once we have received both your payment and completed registration form, your place at the retreat will be reserved.
Step 3:
Closer to the retreat you will receive further details about the retreat program, preparation for the event and registration on arrival at the venue.
Your registration is incomplete until we have received both your payment and your completed registration form.
How to Prepare
Weather
During November in Dunedin the average minimum night-time temperature is 9°C (48.2°F). The average maximum daytime temperature is around 14°C (57.2°F). The amount of rain in November is high with an average of 119mm (4.71in). The weather can be unpredictable this time of year. If you have attended past New Zealand retreats, this is cooler and wetter than conditions in Rotorua so please come prepared to stay warm.
Linen & Bedding
Linen, bedding and towels are all provided. The venue will organize for these to be changed during our stay.
Laundry
Washing machines and dryers are available and free of charge. Washes will run on cold wash only. Powdered soap will be provided.
Internet
Free and reliable Wi-Fi is available throughout the venue.
What To Bring
- Personal toiletries
- Layers of comfortable clothing, as the weather at this time of year can be unpredictable and cold at times
- An umbrella and wet weather shoes and jacket for getting between campuses
- Blanket for keeping yourself warm during seated practice
- Cushion for floor seating or seated practice (chairs are also available)
- Slippers or socks for the main practice areas
- Tablet/laptop or notebook and pens
- Water bottle or thermos flask
- Specific snacks and tea/coffee you want outside of the meals and tea/coffee provided
- Torch/flashlight
- Hot water bottle to stay warm
- Slip on shoes or jandals/flip flops are recommended for the shower block
- List of any prescription medications that we would need to know about in the event of a medical emergency, placed in a sealed envelope with your name on the outside. It will be opened only in the case of an emergency and destroyed after the retreat
- Rapid Antigen Tests to test on arrival. See Health and Safety Policy below.
Pre and Post Retreat Community Activities
Dunedin
Local Pre-retreat Programme for Wednesday 13 & Thursday 14
WEDNESDAY: 5.30pm – 8.30pm Yuan Gong Practice and dinner.
- Join the weekly community class at the Quaker hall in Dunedin city 5.30pm-6.30pm (this will be free for retreat participants)
- 7pm dinner afterwards at Buddha Stick restaurant nearby
All of this is in walking distance to the Knox college
THURSDAY: 1pm-5pm Afternoon nature experience, socializing and Yuan Gong practice
- 1pm pick up from Knox College – drive to Waitati
- Walking at a local beach
- Lunch at the Woolshed on Double hill – Dunedin teachers are inviting you to a self-made yummy vegan meal
- A choice of walking to the top of Double Hill (20 minutes) or hanging out and relaxing in the cozy woolshed
- 4pm Yuan Gong practice
- 5pm drive back to Knox College
For any questions or to register your interest to participate in these activities contact the local team at qigongdunedin@gmail.com
Ren Xue Farm - Golden Bay
Anyone who is keen to tag on a trip down to Golden Bay in the South Island to visit the Ren Xue farm, site for the retreat center, and the Ren Xue community is welcome in Onekaka either before or after the retreat. The locals on the ground are happy to give farm tours, Retreat Centre Site tours, let you know about classes in Golden Bay and help out with accommodation and transport needs where possible.
It is recommended that travellers book accommodation and don’t rely on tents because the weather is still very changeable at that time. It’s also recommended that you make bookings soon as things start to get busy in the area in November.
Read the local team’s Welcome Information here for more details and feel free to contact the Visitor Coordinator Jackie Blunt who is happy to help direct you to information and services that will help your visit – jackie.blunt@aotearoaretreatcentre.org phone 021 233 4591
Event Team
Mary Johnson
Simon Sangmeister
Trina King
Vanessa Lukes
Jackie Blunt
Mary Bordi
Health and Safety Policy
2024 Health & Safety Policy: Dunedin, New Zealand
HEALTH
You and your health and wellbeing are important to us. To support your retreat experience, REN XUE International works to create a safe, supportive, and healthy environment for our time together. We would appreciate it if you could read the recommendations in our Guidelines for Health and Safety and work with these to help us shape a retreat environment which benefits everyone.
With regard to any illness, please let us know before you arrive at the venue about any new health conditions which could impact your own or others’ experience on retreat, or if you have become sick or tested Covid positive while traveling to the event. It would be appreciated if you could test if unwell before arriving at the venue. If you become unwell at any stage during the retreat, please let the Wellbeing and Guidance Team know, and they can help with any support you might need.
WELLBEING
You may notice that many of the suggestions for preparing for a Ren Xue Retreat encourage you to be in a “relaxed, calm and natural” state. Feeling this way is very helpful for you to be able to integrate new insights and grow, and also for your safety.
If your mental state is unstable or highly changeable and it is not within your ability to return to a calm state, this may not be the right time to attend a Ren Xue event. Please read our Looking After Your Mental Health information to decide whether now is the right time for you to join a retreat. There will be more opportunities to attend in the future and you will benefit even more if you attend at a time that feels right.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
2024 Retreat Refund Policy: Dunedin, New Zealand
If you need to cancel your retreat registration, please do so early. Late cancellations may make it difficult to give someone else the opportunity to attend. Once you have paid any portion of the retreat fee, administrative and possibly cancellation fees will apply, depending on the cancellation date.
If you cancel your reservation:
- before October 15, 2024 at midnight, we will refund all fees paid minus any applicable administrative charges.
- on October 16, 2024 or later, we will refund all fees paid minus $150 cancellation fee and applicable administrative charges.
Refunds will be paid within 30 days of receiving a cancellation notice.
PLEASE NOTE THAT:
- Anyone leaving the retreat early for anything other than a qualified emergency (medical emergency or a death in the family) will not receive any refund.
- If you cannot attend because you test positive for Covid, a refund for the difference of the in-person and online event fee will be given, with the option to participate online.
- If someone leaves early due to a qualified emergency (medical emergency or a death in the family), we will refund the days that are not attended proportionately minus the $150 cancellation fee and the applicable administrative charges.
REN XUE International reserves the right at any time to require that a participant leave the retreat if it is determined that the participant’s behavior is either excessively disruptive or dangerous to self or others. In this case, all retreat fees are non-refundable.