Develop the meditation in tune with earth. For when you are developing the meditation in tune with earth, agreeable and disagreeable sensory impressions that have arisen will not stay in charge of your mind – Buddha
This retreat is an opportunity for rest, resource and liberating exploration through the early Buddhist teachings of the four elements of mindfulness of earth, water, fire and air.
We will explore ways of relating to the natural world, both inner and outer, that loosen and dissolve habitual perceptions of self and other, and practice listening deeply to the wisdom inherent within our own bodies and hearts, and within that of the beautiful nature around us. We offer these teachings and practices in the service of supporting us in times of increasing fear, anxiety and distrust in our world. We will spend time in the beautiful natural setting of the High Heathercombe Centre, and while the majority of the retreat is held within companionable silence, there will also be opportunities for interpersonal speaking and listening practice together.
We look forward to seeing you there if this retreat is calling you.
Colette and Julia
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens and nature … – Anne Frank
A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. We experience ourselves, our thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of our consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. – Albert Einstein [paraphrased]
We aim to keep costs below £200 per person. Thanks to the generosity of those who have attended retreats in the past, and left donations, you can come along knowing that your place will already have been paid for. Amazing!
At the end of the retreat we will invite donations – this is an opportunity to practise generosity yourself, and to enable others to receive the same gift in the future. We truly appreciate, on behalf of these future retreatants, whatever you feel able to give. (So you know, because all the work putting on these retreats is done by volunteers we have almost no overheads at all – the whole thing is run on generosity and love. That means all your money will go straight into the kitty for future retreats, paying for nothing but absolute essentials.)
We will also invite a separate donation for the teachers. Teachers do not receive a fee for leading retreats, whilst giving enormously of their time and energy. Dharma teachings are considered priceless and therefore teachers offer their understanding freely. The livelihood of most Insight Meditation teachers depends wholly, or to a large extent, on voluntary contributions from retreatants who value their guidance and wish to support the ongoing teachings of the Dharma. Your generosity to the teachers is greatly appreciated.
Coming on retreat can be an invaluable boost for your practice whether you’re only just beginning with meditation or have been practising for decades. Everything is set up specifically to help you feel supported and to foster the calmness of mind necessary for meditative insight.
One of the conditions that we find particularly helpful to offer retreatants is an opportunity for shared silence. We agree as a group not to converse with each other for the duration of the retreat*, we turn off our phones and gadgets, we disconnect from social media, and we put down our books.
Why do we do this? Because silence provides the opportunity to develop a new relationship with ourselves and the world, rather than simply being a gap to be filled. Free from the usual distractions that stimulate the mind, we begin to experience an altogether different and sublime dimension to life, one that was hiding there all along. And as silence starts to reveal its irresistible and profound beauty we allow the possibility of our innate wisdom to show itself.
* During the week there will be talks, meditation instructions and opportunities to meet in small groups with the teachers. Outside of these times the retreat will remain in silence, but the coordinators are always present and can be communicated with via notes if any problems arise.