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.
Wild Awake: Finding Wisdom in Nature
The world is alive, teeming with life and awareness. But sometimes, caught up in the ten-thousand things, we miss the beauty and aliveness of the world around us. We don't notice the truth it can teach us. We become cut-off from the world, and from who we really are. On this retreat, we'll explore how to be more "Wild Awake". We'll consider five Buddhist teachings that can become "doorways" back into relationship with the natural world.
Periods of meditation will alternate with time wandering in the woodland and fields around Rivendell. Through the week you'll find your senses coming more alive, your feeling of connection with the world increasing, and your meditation opening-up in surprising ways too. We'll also discuss poems and Buddhist teachings, to get us thinking about our human relationship with nature. The retreat will involve plenty of time outdoors, so you'll need waterproofs and suitable footwear.
Vajragupta is the author of five books on Buddhism, including Wild Awake: Alone, Offline and Aware in Nature. He has taught meditation and Buddhism for over twenty-five years. After four years where he lived a ''homeless' life, spending time at different Buddhist Centres around the world, he is now the Chair of the Croydon Buddhist Centre.
Covid-secure requirements
We are no longer asking each retreatant to take a lateral flow test before travelling to Rivendell, but we are asking that they bring a test with them in case they fall ill whilst here.
We want those that come to Rivendell to be confident that we are making their stay here as safe as possible.
Concession information
Rivendell has a concessionary rate available for most of its retreats. If you are in need of further financial assistance to help enable you to come on retreat here, please do consider writing to our office team via bookings@rivendellretreatcentre.com explaining your circumstances.
Cancellation policy
All deposit amounts are non-refundable and non-transferable in all circumstances.
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.
If you cancel more than 6 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place you will receive a refund of all but the deposit amount, if you have paid in full.
If you cancel between 6 and 4 calendar weeks before the retreat is due to take place and we can't replace you, you will be required to pay half the total cost of the retreat.
If you cancel less than 4 calendar weeks before the retreat is due to take place then any refund will be at Rivendell’s discretion, depending on the circumstances.
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. The refund amount will still depend on whether we can fill your space.
Prices for this event are: £399 - £379 (Conc)