Campfire in the Heart

07/02/2026

***Read our Summer Newsletter for upcoming retreats this year***

All blessings of hope and peace to each of you dear friends of Campfire in the Heart in this New Year, may you find joy each way you turn!

We’ve just spent three wonderful days with our Campfire Companions board, gathering in the guesthouse at St Benedict’s monastery at Arcadia, reflecting on so many aspects of Campfire and its operations.

All over again we reaffirm our commitment to Campfire in the Heart as a sacred place of retreat, in the spirit of love we, the Campfire community welcome all who come.

Maybe this will be the year for you to ‘come and see’, to drink deeply from its offerings. We’d love to be with you there, have a look at our variety of offerings...

Read the full newsletter >> https://campfireintheheart.com.au/news/summer-newsletter-2026/

03/02/2026

Congratulations and big thanks to Paul Taylor, whose latest artwork collection is currently being exhibited on Dangar Island from 4 January – 7 February, with all proceeds being donated to Campfire in the Heart. 💗🙏

“Over the last 12 months I have continued to experiment on various surfaces with works inspired by times spent at Dangar Island and in Central Australia. I hope you enjoy this rotating exhibition.”

Paul draws inspiration from the landscape where he lives on the Hawkesbury River, as well as travels to remote areas of Australia. As a meditator for nearly 40 years, Paul suspects this daily practice has helped him connect with his creativity.

To see artworks from Paul Taylor’s latest exhibition ‘Surface Tensions’ visit https://www.paultaylorhawkesburyartist.com/work

29/01/2026

The temperatures are soaring here in Alice Springs ☀ 🌡so instead of restarting next week, Campfire Reflection will resume again on Wednesday 18th February.

Let's hope it cools down a little by then... 😅🤞

18/01/2026

Don't miss this free series starting in March - ideal for those drawn to self-knowledge, meditation, art, and the dialogue between spirituality and contemporary culture.

Register for the Full Series for Free.

Being Human, Being Real --
Authenticity, inner listening, sacred vulnerability, and our communion with the Earth.
Being Human, Being Real is a series of four online conversations exploring the depth and beauty of being human in a world often driven by speed, appearances, and disconnection. Each session brings together voices from different paths to reflect on authenticity, presence, vulnerability, and compassion—bridging spirituality, art, and contemporary life. A space to pause, listen, and remember what it means to live truthfully.

These talks are especially aimed at young adults seeking a living spirituality grounded in everyday life; People sensitive to questions of meaning, authenticity, and inner depth—especially those tired of superficiality and longing to reconnect with themselves, others, and the Earth. Ideal for those drawn to self-knowledge, meditation, art, and the dialogue between spirituality and contemporary culture. Register for the Full Series for Free.
For full details see https://wccm.org/events/being-human-being-real/

16/12/2025

The same week our Contemplative Book Club finished up, ABC Radio National ran this interview. Great timing! The stoics live on...👌

"Author and journalist Brigid Delaney lives her life according to the teachings of men who’ve been dead for thousands of years.

She is devoted to the Stoics, a philosophy that encourages its followers to focus on what they can control, accepting what happens outside of that sphere of control, and mastering inner peace to have a good life.

These ideas have helped Brigid prepare for grief and take the edge off her anxiety by putting it in context.

One of the most powerful Stoic ideas is that all the wonderful things and people in our life are “on loan” and can be taken away at any moment.

Instead of taking them for granted, the Stoics wanted us to run toward them at full speed, and wring as much fun and juice out of them as we can."

Journalist and author, Brigid Delaney looked into the ancient philosophy during an assignment from her editor. What she discovered led her to years of study and a brand-new outlook on life that focuses less on happiness and more on meaning and contentment. Brigid is devoted to the Stoics, a philosop...

10/12/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us yesterday for our final evening reading 'The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius', the last Contemplative Book Club series of the year. We learned that there is so much more to stoic philosophy than what we thought, and that it's consistent with universal spiritual principles seen in the world's great traditions. 💫

📖 "Stoicisim was the most highly spiritual form of philosophy in ancient Greece and Rome. It was so spiritual is is as accurate to call it a religion as a philosophy...

For Marcus Aurelius the universe was one perfect harmony, above all things to be loved. It was God's abode, was in fact God. Marcus had an enthusiastic acceptance of Nature and the universal law. His attitude to God was one of worship and love.

Philosophy became, in a way, the third religion of Greece. It was a religion without ritual or priesthood, though Marcus Aurelius realized that each individual philosopher made himself holy through the activities of his mind." - Mark Forstater

10/12/2025

Enjoy this beautiful Christmas video from Central Australian cinematographer Chris Tangey, dedicated to a local legend - the late Ted Egan.

09/12/2025

Campfire in the Heart is a meditation retreat in Central Australia, inspired by the the world’s wisdom teachings and affiliated with the The World Community for Christian Meditation.

Visit our website to see more details about next year's offerings.

Retreat, reflect and renew in 2026.

More info 👉 https://campfireintheheart.com.au/whats-on/

(Numbers are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.)