Book 4: Sensitivity and Mandala
Month retreat at the Hermitage of the Awakened Heart
29 September to 27 October
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This year's month retreat will explore the fourth book of the Discovering the Heart of Buddhism course, focusing on Sensitivity and Mandala. This month-long exploration will enable participants to uncover more and more significance and inspiration within the course as well as deepen their meditation practice.
This retreat is a unique opportunity to devote an extended period of time to our meditation and daily life awareness practice, explore our experience, and sharpen our insight, all in the supportive atmosphere of a group retreat.
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 4 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
Note on Changes to Format of Retreat
The teaching part of the retreat will formally end on Friday 18 October. The following week, from October 19 to the 27, will be an opportunity for retreatants to deepen their understanding through individual practice and discussion, but Lama Shenpen will not be in residence. During the first three weeks of the retreat, Lama Shenpen will be giving teachings on most days--so the overall number of talks will be about the same as in previous month retreats.
The reason for making this change is two-fold. Firstly, we have received feedback from previous retreatants that they would benefit from more time at the end of the retreat to absorb what they have received. Secondly, Lama Shenpen has a special opportunity to receive some NVC training herself during the last week of October.
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 with shared bathroom facilities. 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. If you cannot come to the whole retreat, and if 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. Retreat costs may be subject to change.
Early Bird Discount:
£693 if you book by 1 August
Otherwise:
£770/whole month, or
£35/night for the first 7 nights, and
£25/night for subsequent nights
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, 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 1 August. The last date we will accept bookings is 22 September. You may download a booking form by clicking here.
You may request a booking form by emailing [email protected]ku.gro.sha@stneve Send your completed form along with your deposit cheque to: Awakened Heart Sangha Office, 5A High Street, Criccieth LL52 0RN. 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 email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@stneve .
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".
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 email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@seirasrub .
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, 5A High Street Criccieth LL52 0RN