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Maitrivira

Maitrivira has led and supported retreats at Dhanakosa for over 25 years. He brings a heartful and embodied approach to his teaching and a deep love of poetry and ritual. He's a qualified Focusing practitioner and teacher, undertaking training with Peter Gill, Jutika Healy and for the last 10 years, Wholebody Focusing with Addie Van Der Kooy. 

Living Presence: Focusing and Meditation

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Retreat Type:
Regulars - Meditation

“If you can live in your body and not reject any of it, then you will be guided in discovery of your own wisdom and Nature’s wisdom, guided into this vast, awesome field of spacious Presence” (Ed McMahon, Founder of Bio-Spiritual Focusing)

Combining meditation with the process of Focusing, this retreat explores a way of living from an embodied sense of Presence. 

In the 1960’s Eugene Gendlin coined the term ‘Focusing’ to give expression to an innate way of being, along with a practice to re-kindle this natural process.  In essence, the process of Focusing offers a way of compassionately listening to our lived experience.  Through the timeless, sacred act of listening, we give space for the body’s wisdom to be known and creative new life to unfold. 

Guidance in the Focusing process will be offered. As it can be amazingly supportive to have another person ‘companioning us’, we will also be practicing Focusing in pairs. Exploring how Focusing can enrich our Dharma practice will be a central element of the week.

The retreat is suitable for people who have been on retreat before and have a regular meditation practice. For more information, read the retreat information sheet and to find out more about Focusing, visit the British Focusing Association

 

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

Padmasambhava and the Vajra of awakening

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Retreat Type:
Regulars - Triratna

The retreat will draw on the inspiration of Padmasambhava, Tantric Guru, who was invited to Tibet to transform the deeper, more unruly forces of the mind. Padmasambhava is seen to be both a historical and mythic figure within Buddhism. He was a renowned Yogi, Dharma Teacher, Shaman, and Healer. 

We will bring Padmasambhava to life through talks and Buddhist devotional practice. Through meditation, silence, and ritual we will explore both the energetic and receptive elements of his teaching. 

On the basis of mindfulness and metta, and with the support of silence and ritual, we will explore the practice of ‘just sitting’ where we open to direct experience and the heart of awareness.

For more information, read the retreat information sheet

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

a heart as wide as the world

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Retreat Type:
Introductory

Our human heart holds both our suffering and our joy. And our hearts are also universal, boundless and full of love.

On this retreat we will be invited to open to our hearts qualities and learn to sit with self-blessing, strengthening our capacity to meet ourselves and the world. We will focus on embodied meditations that will lead us into the hidden depths and treasures that lie in our hearts; and explore the heart opening potential of living for a week in spiritual community with like-minded people. The approach to teaching will be practical and direct, with meditation, poetry, simple ritual, movement and time in nature. We will have plenty of time to reflect and just to be, free from all the pressures and demands of our ordinary lives.

This retreat is suitable for complete beginners as well as being an ideal refresher for those who already have some experience.

For more information, read the retreat information sheet.

 

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Less than 10 spaces

padmasambhava and the vajra of awakening

-
Retreat Type:
Regulars - Triratna

The retreat will draw on the inspiration of Padmasambhava, Tantric Guru, who was invited to Tibet to transform the deeper, more unruly forces of the mind. Padmasambhava is seen to be both a historical and mythic figure within Buddhism. He was a renowned Yogi, Dharma Teacher, Shaman, and Healer.

We will bring Padmasambhava to life through talks and Buddhist devotional practice through meditation, silence, and ritual we will explore both the energetic and receptive elements of his teaching.

On the basis of mindfulness and metta, and with the support of silence and ritual, we will explore the practice of ‘just sitting’ where we open to direct experience and the heart of awareness.

For more information read the retreat information sheet.

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

a heart as wide as the world

-
Retreat Type:
Introductory

Our human heart holds both our suffering and our joy. And our hearts are also universal, boundless and full of love.

On this retreat we will be invited to open to our hearts qualities and learn to sit with self-blessing, strengthening our capacity to open and meet ourselves and the world. We will focus on embodied meditations that will lead us into the hidden depths and treasures that lie in our hearts; and explore the heart opening potential of living for a week in spiritual community with like-minded people. The approach to teaching will be practical and direct, with meditation, poetry, simple ritual, movement and time in nature. We will have plenty of time to reflect and just to be, free from all the pressures and demands of our ordinary lives.

This retreat is suitable for complete beginners as well as being an ideal refresher for those who already have some experience.

For more information read the retreat information sheet

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Less than 10 spaces

yoga, embodied movement and meditation

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Retreat Type:
Introductory

These popular retreats offer a nourishing mix of movement and meditation, giving time to connect with yourself and to experience community with others, all held in the beautiful landscape of Balquhidder Glen. 

The retreat combines introductory meditation teaching with a blend of traditional yoga and contemporary approaches to embodied movement. This playful synthesis of body-based approaches to well-being in the peaceful and supportive environment of the retreat can help you find ease and balance in your life. 

We will introduce two traditional Buddhist meditations and offer a solid introduction to the principles of meditation, giving you tools and practices that you can continue at home. We will also explore some traditional Buddhist teachings to get a sense of how these might be relevant in modern life. 

No previous experience of meditation, yoga or embodied movement is assumed, so these retreats are suitable for complete beginners, and they are also a good refresher for those who already have some experience.

For more information, read the retreat information sheet

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

a heart as wide as the world

-
Retreat Type:
Introductory

Our human heart holds both our suffering and our joy. And our hearts are also universal, boundless and full of love.

On this retreat we will be invited to open to our heart’s qualities and learn to sit with self-blessing, strengthening our capacity to open and meet ourselves and the world. We will focus on embodied meditations that will lead us into the hidden depths and treasures that lie in our hearts; and explore the heart-opening potential of living for a week in spiritual community with like-minded people. 

The approach to teaching will be practical and direct, with meditation, poetry, simple ritual, movement and time in nature. We will have plenty of time to reflect and just to be, free from all the pressures and demands of our ordinary lives.

This retreat is suitable for complete beginners to meditation as well as being an ideal refresher for those who already have some experience. For more information, read the retreat information sheet

Are you new to Dhanakosa? Watch our short film to get a sense of the centre, landscape and what it's like being on retreat here. 

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

wild swimming, embodied movement and meditation

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Retreat Type:
Introductory

This retreat will take a playful approach to reconnecting with the body through the elemental experience of water and through movement. Each day we will have the opportunity for several swims in the local lochs and rivers as well as other explorations of water and wet places. 

We will have daily guided movement sessions to support embodiment and connection. There will also be introductory meditation teaching, daily collective meditation practice, and a practical contemporary look at some traditional Buddhist teachings. 

Swim activities will include lifeguard supported bank-based activities, swim trips (for more experienced swimmers) and the opportunity for un-supported personal swimming. There may also be the opportunity to walk by water and explore local burns and waterfalls.

For more information, including swimming ability and wetsuit requirement, please read the retreat information sheet before booking. For more detail about wetsuits, read our guide

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Less than 10 spaces

awakening body: movement, meditation and buddhism

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Retreat Type:
Introductory

This retreat takes an embodied approach to meditation - cultivating presence, aliveness and kindness through sitting meditation and mindful movement practices including free-form dance, gentle yoga and Qi Gong. This retreat is perfect for beginners interested in a contemporary and body-based approach to Buddhism and meditation, as well as those looking to deepen their existing practice through an embodied lens.

You'll learn two traditional Buddhist meditations – the mindfulness of breathing and the loving-kindness practice - as well as receive a clear introduction to the principles of meditation. We will also be exploring some traditional Buddhist teachings to get a sense of how these might be relevant to modern life. 

As well as time to move and meditate together, this retreat will include time for reflection, discussion, connection with others and time to explore the beautiful landscape around Dhanakosa and time to rest and just be, away from the pressures of everyday life. 

This retreat is suitable for complete beginners to meditation as well as being an ideal refresher for those who already have some experience. No experience of movement or dance is required, only a willingness to explore your experience of movement in the body you are living in. For more information, read the retreat information sheet. 

Are you new to Dhanakosa? Watch our short film to get a sense of the centre, landscape and what it's like being on retreat here. 

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Spaces

wild swimming, embodied movement and meditation

-
Retreat Type:
Introductory

This retreat will take a playful approach to reconnecting with the body through the elemental experience of water and through movement. Each day we will have the opportunity for several swims in the local lochs and rivers as well as other explorations of water and wet places. 

We will have daily guided movement sessions to support embodiment and connection. There will also be introductory meditation teaching, daily collective meditation practice, and a practical contemporary look at some traditional Buddhist teachings. 

Swim activities will include lifeguard supported bank-based activities, swim trips (for more experienced swimmers) and the opportunity for un-supported personal swimming. There may also be the opportunity to walk by water and explore local burns and waterfalls.

For more information, including swimming ability and wetsuit requirement, please read the retreat information sheet before booking. For more detail about wetsuits, read our guide.

Booking Fee:

£100

Booking Availability:
Less than 10 spaces