This retreat is suitable for those who have a regular meditation practice and who regularly attend retreats, a centre or a group within the context of the Triratna Buddhist Community. You will also need to be familiar with, and happy to participate in, Triratna Buddhist devotional practice and ritual (puja), be comfortable with extended periods of sitting meditation and the possibility on some retreats of periods spent in silence.
“I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.” - John Muir
We call this retreat The Big Listen because we believe that to really listen has magic; listening for the call of the forest and for the myths of our lives, giving our full attention to ourselves and not forgetting each other. Through ritual, meditation and immersive practices in nature we will open to a sense of ‘self’ that’s also integrated within the richness of the organic world. Here we can meet the deeper aspects which enable us to step into the myth of our lives and of these times.
This programme weaves together Wilderness Practices including The Four Shields, Way of Council and solo time in nature, with meditative, ritual and heart-based practices from the Buddhist tradition.
At the heart of this programme lies an invitation to spend time alone with Nature, and listen. This solo will take the form of a sunrise-to-sunset Threshold Walk. Inspired by our place within the cycles of nature, traditional vision quests and ‘nature solos’ have been practiced by many people and cultures across time. Whilst immersed in nature, deeply listening you may receive a gift, the beauty of an insight or the rapture of reconnecting with the most authentic and unique currents in your life.
“People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances with our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.” — JOSEPH CAMPBELL
Nagadipa guides individuals and groups through life transitions with nature with over fifteen years’ experience leading programmes that connect people back to their true nature. Her project The Art of ReWilding weaves together the main threads of her life, creativity, Dharma, mythic journeys, the intelligence of the body and nature. Underpinning everything is a care for deep ecology and community.
Werner Pilz is a Vision Quest guide and Wilderness Facilitator. He trained with the School of Lost Borders and has been guiding Vision Quests and facilitating Way of Council for ten years. He is a member of the German-Speaking Wilderness Guides Network and has been working within this organisation for approximately twelve years.
Retreat numbers
We have returned our retreats to their normal capacities in 2022 and will be taking bookings on that basis. However, should we need to reduce numbers because of future changes to government Covid guidelines, those who have booked first on each retreat will retain their places, whilst others will be contacted and given the options of a full refund, to transfer your money to another retreat, or perhaps to consider offering their fee, or part of it as a donation.
Covid-secure requirements
In addition to the confirmation email you will receive at the time of your booking, you will also be sent joining instructions about your stay at Rivendell. We still have some Covid related requirements that we believe helps to ensure that Rivendell is a safer environment (such as asking each retreatant to take a lateral flow test and letting the office know the result before travelling to Rivendell), and we will only accept bookings on the basis that those who attend our retreats abide by the requirements of our Covid risk assessment.
We want those that come to Rivendell to be confident that we are making their stay here as safe as possible.
Concession information
Unfortunately Rivendell is unable to offer concessionary rates in 2022, as we are still in a very difficult financial situation as a result of closing for a year and a half due to the pandemic (2020/2021). However, please consider writing to our office team via bookings@rivendellretreatcentre.com if you really are in need of some financial assistance to help enable you to come on retreat here.
Cancellation policy
If you wish to cancel your place on a retreat, we require a minimum notice of 4 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place, in order that a refund will be possible. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable in all *circumstances. If you cancel and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel, as there may be other people waiting for a place on the retreat to become available. A refund will still be on the basis that we can the fill your space.
*However, if Rivendell has to cancel your retreat due to further Covid restrictions, then you will be given the option of a full refund, to transfer your money to another retreat, or perhaps to consider offering your fee, or part of it as a donation.
Prices for this event are: £260