1997 Introductory Retreat Programme
** It is possible to book for either the first or second week or the full fortnight of this retreat.
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| May | ||
| 16-23 | Meditation and Massage Retreat* | |
| 23-30 | Common Ground: Poetry Workshop | |
| 30-6 June | Hillwalking Retreat* | |
| June | ||
| 21 | Open Day, 11am - 4pm | |
| July | ||
| 5-18 | Summer Open Retreat** | |
| 18-25 | Touching Earth: Environmental Seminar | |
| 25-1 August | Reflexology and Meditation Retreat* | |
| August | ||
| 1-7 | Tai Chi Retreat | |
| 15-22 | Hillwalking Retreat* | |
| September | ||
| 5-12 | Painting Retreat: Meditating with Nature | |
| 12-19 | Yoga and Meditation Retreat* | |
| 19-26 | Hillwalking Retreat* | |
| 26-3 October | Singing and Meditation Retreat | |
| October | ||
| 3-10 | Autumn Open Retreat | |
| 10-17 | Women's Yoga, Meditation, and Massage Retreat | |
| 31-7 November | Yoga Retreat* | |
| November | ||
| 14-16 | Creating the Freedom to Choose: An Assertiveness Training weekend | |
| 28-30 | Edinburgh Sangha Weekend | |
| December | ||
| 6-13 | Winter Open Retreat | |
| * It may
be possible to book for the weekend only of these
retreats ** It is possible to book for either the first or second week or the full fortnight of this retreat. |
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| Open Retreats Summer* Jul. 5 - 18 |
 *
It is possible to come for one or two weeks of this
retreat.Retreats are an ideal situation in which to take a fresh look at yourself and your life. On retreat you can relax and enjoy yourself. You can learn to meditate or take your meditation further with the help of experienced teachers. This can help you develop clarity, confidence, energy, positive emotion - even a deep insight into yourself. A retreat is an ideal situation in which you can grow. These retreats provide an excellent introduction to both meditation and Buddhism. We will follow a light and varied programme of meditation, talks and discussion. There will be plenty of free time for walks in the beauty of the surrounding countryside. These are our most popular retreats and are renowned for an atmosphere of friendliness and harmony. |
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| Open Day Sat June 21 , 11am - 4pm |
Visit for the Day, have a guided tour of the retreat centre and enjoy the beauty of our gardens and grounds. Refreshments will be available throughout the day. There will be a chance to meet the community, try out meditation, or just have a chat about our activities. A great day out for families and children, and it's free. | |
| Creating
the Freedom to Choose. Nov. 14 - 16 |
Buddhism
exhorts us to become happy, healthy human beings and to
strive to overcome our conditioning. Using a blend of
material, from assertiveness courses to meditation and
Buddhist teachings, this event aspires to enhance our
self-awareness and self-esteem, and enable us to move
from habitual unassertive behaviour and, with growing
awareness and confidence, move towards becoming more
fully ourselves. Viprassana, who is based in Norwich, has been developing and leading such events for 8 years and has been teaching meditation since his ordination in 1993. |
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| Tai
Chi and Meditation Fri 1 - Thu 7 Aug |
This
retreat will cater both for beginners to either Tai Chi
or meditation and for those with more experience. Weather
permitting the Tai Chi will take place on the lawn. The
form taught will be a Yang style short form. The retreat
ends on Thursday to avoid clashing with the WBO
Convention. |
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| Hillwalking
and Meditation May 30 - Jun 6 Aug 15 - 22 Sep 19 - 26 |
Discover
the majesty of the surrounding mountains or enjoy the
quiet beauty of the glens and forest walks around
Dhanakosa. Walks will not be supervised so you can chose
walks that suit your own level of fitness and experience.
A light programme of meditation will give focus to the
retreat and help us to become more appreciative of our
experience. It may be possible to come for the weekend only of any of these events |
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| Yoga
and Meditation Sep 12 - 19 Oct 31 - Nov. 7 |
These
retreats are open to people of any level of experience;
beginners are welcome. The retreats will include a number
of sessions of meditation and yoga each day, the yoga
being taught in two groups for beginners and for more
experienced practitioners. Book early as these retreats
are very popular. It may be possible to come for the weekend only of these retreats. |
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| Women's Yoga, Meditation, and Massage Oct. 10 - 17 |
 Yoga,
meditation and massage complement each other to provide
an ideal combination of practices which enables us to
deepen our awareness of ourselves and of other people. |
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| Massage May 31 - Jun. 7 |
Massage
has profound effects on our health and well-being.
Through giving and receiving massage we experience
ourselves and others more deeply. In this beautiful
environment we have a week to enjoy massage and have fun.
Meditation and massage practices combine well, enabling
us to deepen our awareness and emotional positivity.
Massage led by Mary Norman of Bodywise in Manchester. All
levels of experience are welcome. It may be possible to come for the weekend only of this retreat. |
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| Reflexology Jul 25 - Aug 1 |
Touch
is a powerful medium of communication and can be a potent
vehicle for developing greater self-awareness and
sensitivity to others. On this retreat we will explore
the connection between the principles of reflexology and
the practices of Sati (mindfulness) and Metta
(loving-kindness). Reflexology is the study of the
reflexes in the hand and foot which correspond to the
various organs and glands of the body. By stimulating
these reflexes we bring about relaxation and equilibrium
in the body. Suitable for beginners to both meditation
and reflexology. It may be possible to come for the weekend only of this retreat. |
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| Touching Earth: Buddhist Perspectives on the
Environmental Crisis Jul. 18 - 25 |
 What are
traditional Buddhist views towards nature and the
environment? What can the Dharma contribute towards an
environmental ethic capable of fundamentally changing how
we live on the face of the earth? What relevance is
meditation to a crisis of this nature and magnitude? What
is 'Green Buddhism' and its most dangerous 'near
enemies'. We will explore these questions and more using
presentations, small-group discussion, and workshops as
well as traditional Buddhist practice including
mindfulness meditation and the cultivation of
loving-kindness.This retreat is intended for anyone interested in exploring the link between Buddhism and environmentalism. Meditation instruction will available to anyone without previous experience in Buddhist practice. Dh. Saramati (Prof. Alan Sponberg) has studied and practised Buddhism since the 1960's, and has taught Buddhist Studies at Princeton and Stanford, and most recently at the University of Montana. |
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| Singing
and Meditation Retreat Sep 26 - Oct. 3 |
 Singing
and meditating with others can produce a profound sense
of co-operation and togetherness. The retreat will
include the opportunity to learn choral singing and to
play solo too, so bring an instrument if you have one. As
the retreat progresses the singing will be integrated
with meditation and devotional practice. Dhanakosa is an
ideal setting for singing and making music. Previous
experience of singing is not necessary. Led by
Vipulakirti. |
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| Painting Retreat: Meditating with Nature Sep 5 - 12 |
Experience
the meditative quality of painting and drawing from
landscape. Calm your mind and develop a loving solidarity
with all life using two traditional Buddhist meditation
practices. Arts activities will be led by Amaraketu, who
has recently completed a BA (Hons.) Fine Art degree, has
been a full-time artist for 8 years, and who has led many
creative art and meditation events. Kuladitya, who will
teach meditation, teaches at the Covent Garden Centre and
has wide experience of teaching meditation. |
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| Common Ground: A Poetry Workshop May 23 - 30 |
A
week of intensive exploration of our inner world through
discovering what we have in common: landscape, our
bodies, emotions, fantasies, language, social structures,
values... We will focus on drawing on the irrational and
associative qualities of the imagination by means of
games, discussion, talks, writing projects, walks, and
meditation. Bring samples of your work if you would like
to discuss it, and a piece by a writer you admire to
present to the group. But there is absolutely no
prerequisite for this course apart from a willingness to
experiment and share your experience. Led by Dharmacari
Ananda. |
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| Edinburgh
Sangha Retreats Jan. 24 - 26 Nov. 28 - 30 |
Living
and practising together is an invaluable means for
developing Sangha. These three retreats present ideal
opportunities for the burgeoning Sangha in and around
Edinburgh to deepen their practice and their connections
with one other. Led by Tejamitra. Book through the
Edinburgh Buddhist Centre on 0131 662 4945. |
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