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This autumn Lama Shenpen Hookham will lead a month-long retreat at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart in North Wales, UK.
This retreat is a unique opportunity to take an extended period of time to deepen our meditation and daily life awareness practice, explore our experience, and sharpen our insight, all in the supportive atmosphere of a group retreat. We will be particularly reflecting on the course materials in Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, Book 2 Confidence and Heart Wish.
While retreatants are encouraged to have completed Book 1 of Discovering the Heart of Buddhism, this is not a requirement for attendance. Lama Shenpen's teachings offer 'spiral learning', whereby we hear the core teachings over and over again, each time deepening our understanding of all the inter-related aspects. So the teachings on this retreat can be heard and understood in a whole new way by experienced practitioners and new students alike.
The retreat will involve:
- Many hours of meditation each day
- Detailed instructions on the practice of formless meditation
- Reflection on the course materials from Book 2 of Discovering the Heart of Buddhism
- Teachings and Question & Answer sessions with Lama Shenpen on these topics
- Personal interviews with Lama Shenpen to discuss our meditation and reflection
- An atmosphere of silence
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 his or her own room but will share bathroom facilities with other retreatants. While there will be extended periods of solitary meditation and silence, there will also be times when retreatants can connect with their fellow participants and feel the support from others who are doing the same thing.
Dharma Work on the retreat
All retreatants are expected to help with various tasks to help keep the retreat running, including helping in the kitchen, tending the shrine room, teacher's attendant, interview organizer, etc. A rota will be put up for these tasks.
Do I have to come for all of the retreat?
Lama Shenpen requests that everyone taking part in the retreat come for the full time if possible, and priority will be given to those booking for the entire retreat. However, if you can't come to the whole retreat and there is room available, you will be allowed to come for just part, provided you can come for at least 1 week and provided you can be there for the first week.
Costs
Offering to Lama Shenpen
It is traditional to make an offering to Buddhist teachers to express gratitude for teachings received and to make a strong positive connection. Lama Shenpen will receive no payment for her teaching other than what is given as offerings. Students are asked to make a donation to the Teacher's Fund, to be used for this purpose.
Suggested amount: £50-200 per week
Retreat costs
This amount goes entirely towards the cost of running the Hermitage, catering, and offsetting the Sangha's overheads in running events.
Early Bird Discount:
£693/whole month if you book by Oct 1
Otherwise:
£770/whole month or
£35/night for the first 7 nights
£25/night for subsequent nights
Off-site:
£15/day
Bursaries
There is a bursary fund in the Awakened Heart Sangha that helps people who would not otherwise be able to attend retreats. To apply for a bursary write to Cindy Cooper at 99 Warwick Way, London SW1V 1QL, or email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@ydnic , explaining your circumstances and what you can afford to pay.
Donation to Support the Bursary Fund
The bursary fund depends on regular donations. Please consider giving something to enable another person to attend this retreat who would not otherwise be able to. Any amount you can offer will be gratefully received. Cheques should be clearly marked for the Bursary Fund, made out to the Shrimala Trust, and sent to the Awakened Heart Sangha Office, Bwthyn Plas Brynhir, Lon Ednefyd, Criccieth LL52 0AR
Help Run this Retreat
A number of people are needed to manage the running of this retreat, and discounts are available. For more information and to apply for a position, please mark the booking form or contact Jane Powell, on (01970) 880827, [email protected]ku.oc.enilnoku@llewopj ;
The Venue The Hermitage of the Awakened Heart
This retreat will be held at the Hermitage, which is on the Llyn peninsula in North Wales, in lovely countryside and with splendid views toward Snowdon. Accommodation at the Hermitage is quite basic but comfortable, in cottages and caravans.
Travel information
The nearest train station is Criccieth (4 miles from the Hermitage), or you can take the train to Bangor (20 miles away) and get a taxi or buses to the Hermitage. You will be sent full details of what to bring with you and travel information when you book.
Note for those considering coming from overseas: the nearest airports are Birmingham and Manchester (2-4 hours by train), but London (Heathrow or Gatwick) (5-7 hours by train) is also possible.
How to Book
There are limited places on this retreat, so please book early. You will receive a substantial discount if you book for the whole month by October 1. The last date we will accept bookings is OCTOBER 25th.
You may download a booking form from this website by clicking here.
Send your completed form along with your deposit cheque to: Cindy Cooper, 99 Warwick Way, London SW1V 1QL.
You will then receive a letter confirming your place and giving you further information about the retreat, or putting you on a waiting list or returning your deposit if your booking can not be accepted.
If you have any questions about this retreat please contact:
Cindy Cooper
99 Warwick Way
London SW1V1QL
Tel: (020) 7834-5367
email:
[email protected]ku.gro.sha@ydnic
If you are new to Awakened Heart Sangha retreats, you may also want to look at:
- Frequently Asked Questions about retreats.
- The booklet "An Introduction to Awakened Heart Sangha Events".