Deepening Meditation
Please join us in Birmingham, UK for this very special weekend that includes meditation, reflection & teachings by Lama Shenpen and Rigdzin Shikpo
Lama Shenpen’s focus for our sangha this year has been on how to approach and deepen our meditation practice. In keeping with this theme, Lama Shenpen will be guiding us on how to take our own practice further - at whatever level we are approaching it
Lama Shenpen has invited Rigdzin Shikpo to share his own meditation experiences with us. This is a rare opportunity to listen to teachings with these great meditation teachers.
Celebrate & Strengthen Sangha Connections
This is a wonderful opportunity to meet new sangha members and to renew connections with those you already know. The power of Sangha to increase our trust in and commitment to the Dharma in the midst of our hectic lives is priceless.
Venue
IMC is a Christian conference centre (wallishouse.org) with beautiful grounds, easily found near to Bournville in Birmingham. Meals are a continental breakfast, a vegetarian lunch of main course and dessert, and a light vegetarian supper. Refreshments of tea, coffee, juices etc are also available.
Most accommodation is in single ensuite shower rooms, with some twin/double ensuite shower rooms available for couples.
It is also possible to stay offsite.
PLEASE COMPLETE OUR BOOKING FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BOOK YOUR SPACE…
It is very helpful for us to get an idea of how many people are coming as soon as possible as it affects the amount we pay. If we have a reduction in numbers from the number we expect by 19th August, we have to pay a cancellation cost, so please make sure you book and pay as soon as possible.
BOOKINGS WILL CLOSE 13 SEPTEMBER 2019.
BEGINNING AND ENDING
The retreat starts around 6pm on Friday evening and lasts until Sunday evening.
You are welcome to attend some or all of the weekend.
WHAT TO EXPECT
• Teachings from Lama Shenpen & Rigdzin Shikpo in the morning and afternoon on both days
• Opportunities to discuss your practice with others.
• Lama Shenpen thrives on questions so there will be plenty of encouragement to pose yours!
• The offer of a personal interview with Lama Shenpen (there may not be an opportunity for Lama to see everybody; those she has not had recent contact with will take precedence)
• All dietary needs catered for
• The Annual General Meeting of The Shrimala Trust (the charity that support the Awakened Heart Sangha) will happen at 7pm, on Saturday, all welcome
• There's a meeting on Friday lunchtime and afternoon for members of the Shrimalagana. Details forthcoming.
VOLUNTEERS
We rely on volunteers to run this event, if you would like to be part of the team, please email Namgyal ( [email protected]moc.liamg@85nelmap ) to offer your assistance. The areas to be covered are Teachers’ Attending Team, Shrine Room, Front of House and general liaison.
If you have any questions about what the weekend involves, please email the AHS Events Team.
BOOKINGS
Bookings are now open. - Please click here
Bookings will close on 13th September 2019.
LATE BOOKINGS
Bookings for overnight stays received after 13th September will not be confirmed with you until confirmation from BMS is received, and an invoice raised and sent to you (see Invoicing below).
For those just attending during the day, you may have to supply your own lunch.
COSTS
The costs for the weekend are:
24 hours - £120 per person which includes dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and tea/coffee etc;
Day Only rate - £60 per person per day (includes lunch, tea/coffee etc).
Examples:
Arriving Friday night to leave before dinner on Sunday = £240.
Arrive Saturday morning, stay overnight, leave Sunday evening before dinner = £180.
For those non-residents wishing to attend the AGM on Saturday night, dinner will be £10.
For those wishing to stay on Sunday night (bed & breakfast only, no dinner) - £45.
There are a number of B&B’s close by if you feel the overnight cost is too expensive. There is no requirement to stay on site.
BURSARIES
Limited funds are available for bursaries for this event to assist with expenses as we do not want money to be an obstacle to you attending. Please contact [email protected]ku.gro.sha@maet-stneve to apply for a bursary.
INVOICING
A Paypal invoice will be sent to you by email, and once paid will also act as confirmation of your booking.
DANA FOR OUR TEACHERS
In keeping with the Buddhist tradition of making these teachings available to all, we do not include an offering to the teachers in the weekend fee.
We are invited to make a financial offering to the teachers in gratitude of their teaching and as a way of deepening our connection with them.
Opportunities to make an offering to Lama Shenpen and Rigdzin Shikpo will be explained during the weekend.
CANCELLATIONS
If you have to cancel your booking after 13th September, there will be a cancellation fee deducted from any refund, depending on the amount of notice given.
If you have any queries on bookings and payment please contact [email protected]ku.gro.sha@ablust .
If you have queries about any other aspect of the weekend, please email [email protected]ku.gro.sha@maet-stneve