Give yourself the gift of stepping back from everyday life and finding fresh perspective, in the wild and beautiful landscape of Balquhidder Glen.

We will introduce two traditional Buddhist meditations: the mindfulness of breathing and the development of loving kindness (metta bhavana). We will also share some key elements of the Buddhist tradition. 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 your life. 

These retreats are 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. 

Give yourself the gift of time amongst the mountains, water and big skies surrounding Dhanakosa in this new spring retreat - a beautiful time to be in Balquhidder Glen as the natural world starts to awaken. 

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.

Nature is for many of us a vital source of spiritual nourishment in an increasingly busy world. On these retreats, we will combine traditional Buddhist teachings with the simple practice of spending time walking in the rich and beautiful landscapes that surround Dhanakosa. 

We will cover an introduction to two traditional Buddhist meditations: the mindfulness of breathing and the development of loving kindness (Metta Bhavana), as well as a solid introduction to the principles of meditation. We will also be exploring some of the broader aspects of traditional Buddhism to get a flavour of how these might be relevant to our modern lives. But, perhaps most of all, we will be enjoying a reflective and companionable week in the richness and beauty of nature. Exploring how our connection with the natural
world supports us to be more fully ourselves. 

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. 

These retreats are suitable for complete beginners to meditation, and those who already have some experience.

A film-maker, Hartley Woolf, will be joining this retreat, to create a short film about the experience of a Dhanakosa retreat. You are welcome to choose not to be filmed. See Hartley's work for Alfoxton retreat centre here.