On a quarterly (estimated) basis, MDC will be organizing group retreats to Santisukharama Meditation Centre in Kota Tinggi (SMC), Malaysia. In December 2008, MDC conducted such a retreat with overwhelming success.

Practitioners were eased into the art of practising in nature with meditation sittings and Dhamma talks in the forest. Ajahn Chakat skillfully weaved in teachings of the Dhamma as he shared with the practitioners his encounters in the forests.

Dhamma Sharing in the forest.

The seven acre SMC allowed practitioners the option of sitting in solitude or in groups, sitting in the sheltered halls or in the open forest.

A regular day would begin with meditation sitting at 4:00am until 6:00am. This would be followed by morning chanting and then breakfast. Occassionally, the Venerable teachers will conduct Dhamma sharing an hour before lunch. Practitioners are encouraged to participate in area cleaning or walking meditation after meals, followed by one's own practise. In the afternoons, the Venerable teachers would conduct private one-to-one interview sessions for practitioners to clarify the more technical aspects of their practice. The day ends with evening chanting and group sitting at 6:00pm.

Participants of the December'08 retreat at SMC

The Venerable teachers are also able to arrange for personal (solitary) retreats in Thailand for practitioners who are interested in furthering their practice.