Time on retreat gives an ideal space to experience ourselves differently and discover new perspectives. This retreat will explore some of the core principles of Buddhism and meditation, in particular, how the Buddha’s clarity on the human condition can bring more meaning, richness and purpose to our lives. The teaching will seek to keep things simple and direct, so practical and relevant to the challenges of modern life.

Over the course of the retreat you will learn two main meditation practices - the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana (loving kindness). These practices help us develop calm, positive and alert states of mind. We also teach practical ways to help you cope with states of anxiety and reduce distraction.

Central to the Buddha’s teachings is the importance of developing body awareness. During the retreat, we will be practising ways of becoming more embodied, both on the meditation cushion and in our everyday lives. Each day we will engage in some light body work or movement activity. 

No previous experience of meditation or Buddhism 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. 

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. 

Time spent in nature can be deeply restorative - re-connecting us to ourselves and to a sense of wonder and peace in this often busy world. This retreat combines guided walking in the landscapes around Dhanakosa with introductory meditation teaching and plenty of time to rest and just be, away from the pressures of everyday 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. 

The retreat will include three days of guided walks, spread throughout the week. We will normally offer three walks on each of these days to suit a range of levels of fitness and experience. All walks are in the local area but some require a short drive to get to the starting point. For more information on the walks, recommended fitness levels and the appropriate clothing and footwear to bring, please read the retreat information sheet. 

An introductory retreat - no previous experience of meditation is assumed - the retreat is suitable for complete beginners, and can also be a good refresher for those who already have some meditation experience.

Seeing the dangers confronting humankind these days, we can feel depressed, demoralised and helpless to avert disaster - or even to talk about such feelings. This retreat provides a space to talk about and to explore an extraordinary sequence of reflections and communal practices that can rekindle an ‘active hope’ and vision for humanity. 

The retreat takes its title from a book called Active Hope co-authored by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnston. Having studied Buddhism, Joanna went on to develop this sequence of exercises and reflections to help us move from despair to hope. Such hope is far more than something vague and passive, it's creating a vision for humanity, a future which we can contribute to and actively help bring about.

The retreat will be focused around Joanna Macy's workshop exercises 'the spiral of the work that reconnects'. Each day will include meditation and movement to help us assimilate and process what is stirred by the workshops. There will also be periods of silence overnight. No prior experience will be assumed and all necessary tuition will be provided. 

For more information, including detail of the workshops and daily programme, see the retreat information sheet. You can also watch Smritiratna's short video about the retreat here. 

Imagine being able to meet the world with love, no matter what life throws at us. To actually live with the intention of love towards everything, be it joy, sorrow, or the whole mix in the show of life. 

The Brahma Viharas are a set of meditation practices that invite us to engage with this territory of love in the most optimistic and hopeful way and give us clear guidance on how to cultivate not only love, but also compassion, joy and equanimity. 

Giving very practical instructions on how to work with love in all aspects of life, from what to do when we encounter suffering, to how to deal with success and joy, they also point out how we can live in a way that is less bound up with our ego-driven motives and instead go beyond likes and dislikes by dwelling in equanimity, making possible a freedom of heart we could only dream of before.

We will work with embodiment in our meditation practice and what it actually means to experience ourselves as humans, cultivating a curious and interested attention to being alive which then allows us to deeply engage with the Brahma Viharas and to open to wisdom and insight. 

This retreat is open to people who have been on retreat before and have a regular meditation practice. These retreat will be conducted mostly in silence, and will normally have between 5 and 7 hours a day of sitting meditation. For more information, read the retreat information sheet. 

A new 5 night version of this popular retreat - start your year with a nourishing mix of movement and meditation, connecting with yourself and others in the winter 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. 

What does it mean to live with more presence, deep alignment, and compassion in the world?

This weekend retreat offers a supportive, down-to-earth space to explore meditation, mindfulness, and the Buddha’s teachings as tools for grounding, connection, and radical self-acceptance.

Together, we’ll explore practices that help us come home to our bodies, deepen self-awareness, and cultivate compassion — for ourselves, each other, and the world. Through meditation, simple ritual, time in nature, shared inquiry, and community, we’ll begin to tap into an embodied wisdom that many of us long for.

The retreat is open to young people aged 35 and under, from across Scotland and beyond, with all levels of experience. Come join us!

For more information, read the retreat information sheet. 

This weekend retreat combines introductory meditation teaching with yoga. This playful synthesis of body-based approaches to wellbeing (through meditation and yoga) in the peaceful and beautiful environment of the retreat can help restore physical and mental vitality and balance in our lives. 

We will cover an introduction to two traditional Buddhist meditations as well as give a solid introduction to the principles of meditation. We will also be exploring some traditional Buddhist teachings to get a flavour of how these might be relevant to our modern lives. 

No previous experience of meditation and yoga 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. 

This retreat will take an embodied and heartful approach to exploring and deeply connecting with our experience – out walking in the hills, through gentle movement practice and in meditation. 

We will meditate indoors and outside, where exploring our senses and opening our hearts to an elemental connection with nature will guide us. We will continue to practice the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana and also introduce Buddhist ritual and the seven-fold puja, with an emphasis on connecting with nature. Periods of silence together and quiet walks will all support a deep and rich experience of coming home to ourselves and the landscape that surrounds us, holds us and lives within us. The team will also offer mindful movement sessions to deepen our connection with our embodied experience and explore new ways of relaxing, moving with ease and deeply resourcing ourselves.

The retreat will include three days of guided walks, with walks to suit different levels of fitness. All walks are in the local area, but some require a short drive to get to the starting point. For more information on the walks, recommended fitness levels and the appropriate clothing and footwear to bring, please read the retreat information sheet. 

Going Deeper retreats are an ideal first regulars’ retreat. They are suitable for anyone who has already done an introductory retreat or who has been attending their local Triratna centre and wants to take things deeper.

We are open to bookings from a range of gender identities, in keeping with the intention of this women-centred retreat. If you are unsure if this retreat is a good fit for you please get in touch.