I’m excited to be offering our sixth annual on-line retreat, running in the post-Christmas lull and seeing in the New Year. Booking is now open.
The retreat will run for five full days from Sunday 28th December to Thursday 1st January. There will be input, led meditations, and the opportunity to ask questions and talk about your practice. In the evenings there will be integrated ritual elements, including a longer evening to mark the New Year.
The Theme
This year I want to revisit and build on a theme from a few years ago: “Freedom From Clinging”.
The focus of the retreat will be on investigating the nature of the mind that clings or grasps. The retreat will initially refresh the central principles of awareness and right view, and explore the difference between concepts and awareness. After that we’ll focus on using our direct experience to notice how the mind clings, what it clings to, and how we can release from clinging and therefore from suffering.
The Programme
Session 0: 07.00 – 08.30 Unled double meditation (not day 1)
Session 1: 10.30 – 12.30 Main input and led meditation
Session 2: 17.00 – 18.00 Light input and led meditation
Session 3: 20.00 – 21.00 Meditation and puja (until midnight on New Years Day)
There will be optional un-led groups at 16.00 on the first, third and fifth (final) days to check-in about your practice and connect with others on the retreat. There will also be the opportunity for meditation reviews.
This online retreat is for anyone who has previously participated in five days or more of retreat with me. I will be supported by Vajrapriya.
The retreat is offered on a dana (donation) basis. I’ll say more about this during the retreat.
This year, the bookings will be handled by Zoom. You will receive an immediate acknowledgement from them – look out for it, and check spam if needed – with a link to all the information you need to join the retreat. Please don’t lose the confirmation email, as it also contains your unique joining link.
Neither myself or Vajrapriya have much capacity for emails at the moment, so I’ve listed some Frequently Asked Questions below. Please contact Vajrapriya (vajrapriya@gmail.com) if you still need some practical assistance after reading them.
I really hope to see you there. You can book HERE
With all good wishes,
Vajradevi
PS I probably won’t be running one next year, so I hope you can make this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
I haven’t been on a five day retreat with you. Can I still come?
Yes, although be aware that some level of understanding and experience of this particular way of practising will be assumed. There will be a brief summary at the start of the retreat, but you are advised to read my book first, and watch some recordings of my talks.
I can’t make every session / I will have to arrive late /I will have to leave early. Can I still come?
Yes, but especially if you will miss the first day, please make sure that you are familiar with this way of practising, as you will miss me introducing the basic practice of receptive mindfulness.
I won’t have retreat conditions at home, and will still need to work / look after the family etc. Is it worth attending?
Yes, this method of practising is especially suited to taking out into your daily life, and doesn’t rely on a lot of quiet.
I will be on a different time zone and not able to attend all sessions in real time. Can I catch up with recordings?
Yes. Recordings (video and audio) will be posted within one hour of each session finishing, so you should be able to watch in your own time, before the next session starts.
How much is the recommended donation?
There isn’t one! I really do invite you to give whatever you wish.
I am really short of money, can I come without leaving a donation?
I want everyone to attend if they want to. If you can’t afford to give this time, that is fine.
Uncontrived Mindfulness 