Retreats

Here are some retreats that might be of interest:

A Secular Buddhist Study Retreat

This retreat will explore what kind of Dharma practice might emerge in a Buddhism divested of the religious, dogmatic and patriarchal features that have often characterised its role in traditional Asian societies.

Combining the study of classical Pali discourses with the practice of mindful awareness and concentration, we will seek to uncover what lies at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching and ask how such ideas might be interpreted and put into practice in today’s increasingly secular and interdependent world.

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MARTINE BATCHELOR lived in Korea as a Zen nun

under the guidance of Master Kusan for ten years. She is the author of Meditation for Life, The Path of Compassion, Women in Korean Zen and Let Go: A Buddhist Guide to Breaking Free of Habits. She is a Gaia House guiding teacher. She teaches meditation retreats worldwide and lives in South West France. Her latest work is The Spirit of the Buddha.

 

STEPHEN BATCHELOR studied for eight years under the guidance of Tibetan lamas and completed a three-year Zen training in Korea. A former Buddhist monk, he is the author of Alone with Others, The Faith to Doubt, The Awakening of the West, Buddhism without Beliefs and Verses from the Centre: a Buddhist Vision of the Sublime. He is a Gaia House guiding teacher and co-founder of Sharpham College. He teaches worldwide and lives in South West France. Stephen’s Confession of a Buddhist Atheist has recently been published.

Saturday 14th July 2012 – Sunday 22nd July 2012 (8 days)

Please click to book this retreat on Gaia House site.

 

Also here is the full list of retreats with Stephen and Martine in various counties

Click here for the link.

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Dartmoor Walking and Meditation Retreat

with Yanai Postelnik

 

Based at Gidleigh Village Hall, Chagford, Devon

Easter Weekend, Friday 6 – Monday 9 April 2012

 

This retreat will be a special opportunity to cultivate mindfulness and practice the Dharma, while exploring the beauty and wilderness of Dartmoor. Following in the tradition of the Buddha, we will support our hearts to deepen in wisdom and compassion, while walking together, sitting in meditation, and spending time around the campfire and in nature. We will be walking in a range of landscapes, including remote areas and ancient stone circles. The Gidleigh Village Hall provides an ideal base, with ample secluded camping space,  a spacious heated hall for meditation, toilets and a shower and a catering kitchen. Nutritious and balanced vegetarian meals will be provided. Much of our time together will be spent in silence, and there will also be meditation instructions, dharma teachings and opportunities to discuss meditation with the teacher. Also, there will be space for sharing together and time for solitude. Saturday and Sunday will include extended walks of several hours, and there will be regular periods of sitting meditation through the retreat.  In recent years April has been a very sunny and clear month in Devon so we anticipate enjoyable conditions for walking at this time

 

Yanai Postelnik has been teaching the Buddha Dharma and Insight Meditation retreats internationally for 20 years. He has spent substantial periods walking in wilderness environments and has led walking retreats over many years, in the French Pyrenees and in the Negev desert in Israel. He is much inspired by the forest tradition of Thailand and the practice of ‘tudong’ – walking and meditating in the wilderness, undertaken in that tradition.

Faith Burch, our retreat organiser and cook is a dharma practitioner of many years, and has organised and catered for local events regularly.

 

Previous experience of insight meditation and silent retreats will be beneficial, but is not required, as full instruction for the sitting meditation and walking practice will be given. The walking may be moderately challenging for some, and some degree of physical fitness will enhance your experience. There is parking at the hall, and a camping shop in nearby Chagford if equipment is needed.

 

What you will need:

Meditation cushion or bench, mat and blanket or shawl (chairs are provided),

camping equipment (including ample warm bedding because it will get cold at night) and walking equipment suitable for varied terrain. Whilst April has been the most reliably sunny month in Devon over recent years, the weather is variable and appropriate equipment for cold or wet conditions is required. 

 

Cost: the retreat cost is £90 – This charge is just to cover the cost of organising the retreat including hiring the hall and providing the meals, but does not include any payment for the teaching. In the Insight Meditation tradition, dharma teachings are offered without charge and participants are invited to support the teacher in the spirit of generosity. At the end of the retreat, there will be an opportunity to practice Dana / Generosity to support the livelihood of the teacher. Places are limited so we encourage booking well in advance. We ask a deposit of £40 to secure your place, and the balance to be paid by 1^st March (non-refundable from that date). Please make the cheque payable to H F Burch and post it to H F Burch, Kingfisher Flat, Middle Washbourne Farm, Washbourne, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 7UB.

 

The retreat will begin at late afternoon on Friday 6 April, with time for arrivals and setting up tents etc. from3pm  and registration at5pmwith tea at6.30pm. We will conclude on Monday after lunch.

 

How to get there:  Post Code: TQ13 8HR      Grid Reference: sx672 883 

Gidleigh Village Hall Website:  http://www.gidleighvillagehall.co.uk/

 

Map:  http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=gidleigh&sll=54.162434,-3.647461&sspn=10.201063,20.566406&ie=UTF8&ll=50.679546,-3.855772&spn=0.043075,0.080338&z=14

 

For any further information and booking contact Faith:  faithburch@hotmail.com 07952157585

 

When booking, please briefly summarise your meditation and retreat experience as well as your previous walking experience.