The Call of Beauty

16 - 23 August 2013

Led by Mahasukha, Jutika & Osadha

Calling lovers of beauty: join us in a joyful, tribal and meditative week imbued with a spirit of devotion; celebrating beauty, creativity, myth and the imagination through an uplifting and nourishing menu of soulful singing, drumming, dancing, meditation, mantra, ritual, poetry and community - set in a beautiful landscape. Bring body and soul, voice, songs, instruments, guitar, drums.

"Let the beauty we love be what we do" Rumi

More information here.

Hillwalking & Meditation Retreats

05 - 12 July 2013

26 Jul - 02 Aug 2013

20 - 27 Sep 2013

Discover the majesty of the surrounding mountains or enjoy the quiet beauty of the glens and forest walks around Dhanakosa. A programme of meditation will give focus to the retreat and help us to become more appreciative of our experience.

More information here.

Introduction to Meditation & Buddhism Retreats

13 - 15 December 2013 (weekend)

These retreats provide an excellent introduction to both meditation and Buddhism. You can learn to meditate or take your meditation further with the help of experienced teachers. This can help you develop clarity, confidence, energy and positive emotion. As well as giving you an introduction to meditation, these retreats aim to give you a grounding in the basic principles of Buddhism and are an ideal situation in which to take a fresh look at yourself and your life.

More information here.

Photography & Meditation

Led by Amoghavira & Steve Knight

04 - 11 October 2013

A retreat that will explore the relationship between meditation and photography. By introducing the basics of photography, meditation and experiential practices from Zen Buddhism we can go deeper into each discipline to see how they can support and complement one another. No experience of photography is necessary but participants are required to bring an SLR camera (digital or film) with them.

More information here.

Tai Chi, Poetry & Meditation: Waving Hands like Clouds

18 - 25 October 2013

Led by Larry Butler

Tai Chi and poetry have much in common: form, structure, sensitivity and a striving towards essence. Conscious movement can fuel creative expression in surprising ways.  This is a retreat expanding our horizons through language (voice, body & expressive writing). Each move in Tai Chi is a metaphor. The structured forms provide an inspiring backdrop for the creation of rhythmic patterns with words.
Suitable for beginners.

More information here.

Yoga & Meditation

31 May - 07 Jun 2013

28 Jun - 05 Jul 2013

09 - 16 Aug 2013

13 - 20 Sep 2013

01 - 08 Nov 2013

These retreats combine introductory meditation teaching with yoga. The supportive atmosphere of the retreat allows us to develop and deepen both practices, and understand how the two augment each other. Both meditation and yoga teaching will be from first principles and will be suitable for complete beginners. However, many people also come back on these enjoyable retreats year after year. Please visit our web site for details of teachers and their styles.

More information here

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Opening to Life - Buddhist Tools

25 October - 01 November 2013

Buddhism is not about beliefs, it's about the way we live our lives. On these retreats we will explore traditional Buddhist teachings and meditation practices and see how they can help us develop clarity, confidence, energy and positive emotion. As well as giving a grounding in the basic principles of Buddhism and meditation these retreats are an ideal reflective situation in which to take a fresh look at ourselves.

More information here.

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Tai Chi & Meditation

24 - 31 May 2013

19 - 26 July 2013

Tai Chi is very beneficial for promoting relaxation, inner and outer balance and stimulating the body's healing energies. The retreat will include Tai Chi instruction, Buddhist meditation, some ritual and silence -­ as well as free time to explore the beautiful surroundings. The teachers all have extensive experience of both disciplines, and of combining their depth of experience to create these popular and powerful retreats.

More information here.

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Who's Living Your Life?

12 - 19 July 2013

We all have what we call dominant selves and selves that have been disowned. This imbalance in us is the cause of much confusion, distress and even illness. These dominant selves (energetic habits) are often in control of our lives leaving us feeling helpless and frustrated. Through meditation, Voice Dialogue and focusing we will explore these inner selves, bringing much understanding of who we are and how we function, and beginning to take back control over our lives.

More information here.

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Dancing the Unknown

02 - 09 August 2013

This retreat combines meditation with movement improvisation. Movement improvisation uses fun physical and vocal exercises to promote creativity, mindfulness and greater awareness of the body. The atmosphere will be playful and appreciative and is suitable for anyone who wants to explore physical and vocal expression in a supportive environment. Improvisation supports meditation in helping us to be present to the ever-moving mind, allowing thoughts and feelings to come and go, without holding on.

More information here.

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Skilful Communication

06 - 13 September 2013

Want to speak out freely and easily? Deepen the art of listening? Tackle difficult conversations with confidence? 

Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers skills to open our hearts, be more alive to our values and, to express ourselves without misunderstandings or blame. As well as a thorough introduction to NVC, there will be meditation teaching, simple ritual, some silence, free time and fun. Vajrasara is a certified NVC trainer and experienced retreat leader.

More information here.