Awakened Heart Sangha
2004 Group Month Retreat
at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart
Sat 30th October - Sat 27th November
In November 2004 Shenpen Hookham will lead a month long retreat at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart in North Wales, UK. Here are some quick notes for anyone is who interested in taking part.
What will the retreat involve?
The retreat is an opportunity to deepen our meditation, explore our experience, and sharpen our insight. To help us accomplish this we will have:
- Many hours of meditation each day
- Reflection on the course materials from the early part of Discovering the Heart of Buddhism
- Question & Answer sessions (and possibly teachings) with Shenpen on these topics
- Personal interviews with Shenpen to discuss our meditation and reflection
- An atmosphere of silence
What are these course materials we'll be reflecting on?
They'll be materials from the early part of Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, a structured training in Buddhist study, reflection and meditation taught by Shenpen. Topics we'll focus on at the retreat may include:
- Meditation - detailed instructions on the practice of formless meditation
- Daily life awareness practice - how to carry the quality of awareness we discover in meditation into the rest of our lives
- Deepening our insight by examining closely our experience and our assumptions about it
- the space of our awareness - examining the sense we have of thoughts and feelings arising in a kind of space, what we often call 'mind'. Exploring the real nature of this spaciousness - where is it, where are we in relation to it, does it have boundaries?
- the many aspects of heart - what is our 'heart'? what is it's nature? how does it relate to 'awareness'?
- the longing in our hearts - what do we really want? what does it mean to want something? is there anything wrong with wanting?
If you want to know more about Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, Shenpen Hookham, and her teaching style, you can read more on the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism pages.
Who can take part in the retreat?
The retreat is open to anyone whose application to come is accepted by Shenpen. But as a guideline, Shenpen is interested mainly in developing long-term relationships with serious students, so the retreat is intended for:
- people who are already training seriously with Shenpen (enrolled on Discovering the Heart of Buddhism or Members of the Awakened Heart Sangha)
- people who are considering training seriously with Shenpen (e.g. are considering enrolling on Discovering the Heart of Buddhism).
How much does the retreat cost?
So that no one is excluded only for financial reasons, the basic charge for this retreat is just £13 per night inclusive of food and catering. However, far more than that is really needed to cover the overheads of the Hermitage, so retreatants are asked to make substantial donations in addition to this to help support the Hermitage. Half of these additional donations goes to Shenpen as an offering.
Breakdown of weekly costs:
1 wk (7 nights) - £91 / 2wks (14 nights) £182 / 3 wks (21 nights) £273 / 4wks (28 nights) £351
Accommodation for the Retreat
Although this is a group retreat most of the meditation periods will be done in retreatants own rooms. It is for this reason that each retreatant will have their own room but will share bathroom facilities with other retreatants. There will be a group meditation morning and evening in the main shrine room where retreatants can connect with there fellow participants and feel the support from others who are doing the same thing.
Overseas Travel
Note for those considering coming from overseas: the best airport is Manchester (2 hours by train), but London (Heathrow or Gatwick) (5-7 hours by train) are also possible. Flights from the USA to the UK can be had for as low as $200-$400 if you look hard on the internet.
Do I have to come for all of the retreat?
Shenpen requests that everyone taking part in the retreat comes for the full time if possible. However, if you are already a student of Shenpen's in the Awakened Heart Sangha, you are allowed to come for just part (at least 1 week) of the retreat if you can't come to the whole.
How to apply to take part in the retreat
If you are not already training with Shenpen, you need to learn more about her and her teaching style, to see if this retreat really would suit you:
- Read the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism pages to learn more
- Shenpen actually recommends that you consider enrolling on Discovering the Heart of Buddhism before the retreat begins - the more prepared and focused you are the more you will be able to benefit from the retreat. However, she doesn't insist on this.
Everyone needs to do this:
- Read the Hermitage booklet that describes the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart, it's purpose, spirit, and the retreat boundaries that guide everyone there.
- Send in to the Hermitage Manager, your answers to the Month Retreat Questionnaire, so that Shenpen can learn a bit about you and consider you application.
- If Shenpen accepts your application, send in a booking form to the Hermitage Manager.
If you have any questions
Questions about the practicalities of the retreat and bookings should be sent to Karl, the Hermitage Manager, at [email protected]ku.gro.sha@egatimreh .
Questions about whether the retreat is suitable for you should be sent to Shenpen. If you're not already a student of Shenpen's and don't have her contact details, send your questions to Karl and ask him to pass them on.
If you're not sure who to ask, ask Karl.
- Introduction to the Hermitage
- Coming to the Hermitage
- Supporting the Hermitage
- Meditation & Feast Offering days
- November 2004 Month retreat