The Simply Meditate day retreat is on June 24.

Meditation is a way of calming the mind, reducing stress and developing a more positive approach to life, teacher Kadam Mick Marcon said.

"This day retreat is suitable for everyone and will provide the perfect opportunity to discover for yourself the inner peace and happiness that naturally arises when our mind becomes still," he said.

"The feeling of inner peace will help us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life and we will feel warm and well disposed towards other people thereby improving our relationships.

"Although everyone has the same basic wish to be happy all the time, very few people understand the real causes of happiness. 

"We can't eat, sleep or drink our way to happiness, we need to think our way to happiness.

"Happiness is a feeling, it's a part of our mind and so its main cause must lie within the mind itself. 

"The real source of happiness is inner peace, or mental peace. If our mind is peaceful we will be free from worries and mental discomfort.

"The purpose of meditation is to make our mind calm and peaceful.  By learning how to meditate we can stop negative thoughts and maintain a happy mind all the time."

Mr Marcon said the day retreat offers a great opportunity for anyone to learn how to calm their mind and enjoy some mental peace.

The event is organised by Losang Dragpa Kadampa Buddhist Centre, Newcastle, a not for profit organisation.

Bookings can be made via www.meditateinportmacquarie.org