Return To Peaceful Presence

YOGA THERAPY • TRE® • MEDITATION • SELF-INQUIRY

A Space for Healing and Self-Discovery

perhaps life's feeling Overwhelming

My dedication to myself and clients is one of self-care, healing, maintaining balance and living an authentic and joyful life.

Many people silently suffer with anxiety, confusion, ongoing effects of childhood or adult trauma, depression and isolation. Don’t let that happen to you.

There is a tendency to push feelings down, bury them alive, but they can become secret drivers of our inner pain body.

I had taken for granted my history of naturopathic studies, philosophy, yoga, meditation and self-inquiry which allowed me to work my way, albeit not always easily, through my own very deep and raw feelings of grief and loss following the death of my son. I emerged a better human – with a deep connection to who I AM – and a desire to support others wishing to heal.

I share my journey with grief in my memoir ‘Shining Through from Grief to Gratitude’, published seven years after my son passed.

I realised many people don’t ever recover from past trauma or a period of loss or burn out.

This inspired me to add to my somatic therapy work and dig deeper into ways to support my clients. My work now draws on 40 years of training and personal experience.

We all grow and heal differently so here I offer one-on-one sessions both on-line and in-person, group sessions, meditation classes and retreats and self-discovery programs.

Terry Oldfield & Soraya Mangalam Meditation Retreat

Soraya Saraswati & musician husband Terry Oldfield welcome you to Mangalam Meditation Retreat. Surrounded by nature Mangalam lies between Palmwoods and Montville on the edge of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland..

Mangalam’s birdsong and forest surrounds is the perfect setting to unplug, relax, unwind and be supported with your inner journey…of self-realisation.

We are dedicated to supporting you to overcome your past trauma and realise the true-self and our true nature of happiness and contentment.

In an outward facing world driven by finance and struggle we have mistakenly identified ourselves as a body-mind, believed false and less-than thoughts and dogmas that have caused us much suffering.

In our retreats we aim to peel back the layers, see through the illusory false beliefs that have held us stuck and become free. We learn to open our hearts to love, inner freedom to live with life as it is.

From weekly classes, regular weekend Awakening Hearts and day Sounds & Silence Retreats, private mentoring, yoga therapy, TRE tension and trauma release somatic work, as well as monthly Sunday Music and Mantra afternoons there is plenty to choose from.

Or, take the option to stay for personal residential retreat in Mandala Cottage or Kailash Studio. Mangalam Meditation Retreat has an abundance of offerings.

Are you ready for real change?

To Connect with your true essential nature

in Peaceful Presence?

A shift in perspective
'Be the Change'

Imagine living in a state of natural peace with no resistance to the arising moment. Acceptance of whatever is happening right now ‘as it is’ can set one free.

To rest back into presence awareness as if you are resting back in a comfortable armchair, relaxed, calm, open, fully alive, fully present – ready to experience the show in the unfolding moment.

It doesn’t mean that life will be instantly perfect. There is an initial purification process. And it takes dedication and courage to face the truth.

Challenges will still be there – Yet moment by moment awareness will grow.

Listening, feeling, seeing whatever is arising in each moment…as it is.

First, we need to re-cog-nise our attachment to certain patterns, desires, programs, beliefs and fears. And to realise that we are NOT our thoughts, fears, attachments, cravings or aversions.

We are the aware presence – the silent witness of awareness.

True embodiment is an important part of this coming home to self. Feeling comfortable in our own skin. Our offerings include mindfulness, yogic breath-work, TRE tension & trauma release, live healing music and an understanding of our energetic or subtle makeup. These processes bring us home to a whole new understanding of the age-old question, who am I?

What is offered here is simple, honest and holistic if you are ready for change

Mangalam Meditation Retreat Events

Mangalam Meditation Retreat is based on permaculture and syntropic principles. We have reforested the land which is nestled between Palmwoods and Montville. Mangalam offers monthly music afternoons with Terry Oldfield and Soraya – divine flutes and sacred songs. Retreats offered are aimed at heart awakening and overcoming trauma and old patterns through TRE (trauma release exercises), meditations, lessons of the chakras with Satyananda style yoga, mindfulness and yoga nidra. You may also wish to join us on one of our international retreat in India.

Upcoming Mangalam
Retreats & Events

Mangalam Meditation Retreat hosts, classes, courses, day and weekend music – chai & chat Sundays, meditation and mindfulness retreats as well as personal or group sessions with Soraya. Check out our very special Springtime Awakening Hearts Retreat October 2026.

STAY AT MANGALAM FOR A PERSONAL RETREAT

Mangalam is 1 hectare of land which Terry and Soraya have been transforming into a food forest. Over the past 12 years with organic permaculture and syntropic farming principles we’ve created a jungle. With meditation grooves and paths through leaf and flower it is wonderful to wander through the gardens or sit and enjoy natures simple gifts.

Mandala Yoga Cottage is a self-contained 3 room Cottage offering a tranquil getaway with lush organic forested surrounds.

Kailash Studio is a new stand alone building with ensuite and kitchenette with all facilities. With 2 beds it is perfect for a personal or shared retreat.

Take your practice to the next level with a personal retreat. Select from optional extras such as private yoga therapy, private TRE session, Spiritual Clarity Sessions or a class or time your stay with a Silent Meditation Retreat day or Sacred Songs and Mantra afternoon with your host Soraya.
Have some time out and enjoy the local waterfalls & forest walks or the peaceful garden surrounds.

Awakening Hearts Retreats

A gentle invitation to step away from the noise of everyday life and return to the peace of your true nature. Through meditation, self-inquiry, yoga, somatic practices, live music and deep rest, discover the freedom that comes from simply being. A bi-annual retreat offered at Mangalam led by Soraya together with Terry Oldfield’s warm musical presence.