Download Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre for Women 2014 Classic Taraloka

Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre for Women
2014
Classic Taraloka
Whether you have been coming to Taraloka for years or it is your first time here, these
Classic Taraloka retreats could be for you. The teaching programme will take into account
all levels of experience and are unique opportunities to explore meditation and Buddhism
in the beauty of Taraloka.
Circles to Awakening: Tai Chi and Meditation
24-28 February
Jo
Sometimes in life it just feels like we’re going round and round in circles. But is that really true?
Allow the play of circles, within Tai Chi movements, to lead you to a deeper, kindly awareness of
yourself and open you up to your limitless potential for freedom. (No previous Tai Chi experience
required; also suitable for Tai Chi practitioners who wish to deepen their embodiment and
understanding of the application of Tai Chi for life.)
Awakening Loving Kindness: Metta
4-11 April
Maitrimala, Varakhanti + Satyajyoti
Metta, loving kindness towards ourselves and others, lies at the heart of Buddhist practice. We'll
explore how the Metta Bhavana meditation practice can transform our emotional lives into ones
more consistently based on love, friendship and interconnectedness. The five days will also
include body scan relaxations, talks, workshops, discussions, space for reflection and periods of
silence.
The Space to Choose
21-25 April Dhammagita
We all want to be happy, but often go about it the wrong way. Meditation and Buddhism give us
the awareness and kindness to help us see where we need to develop and change, and the space
and energy to do it. A mid-week tool-kit for making positive choices. Talks, workshops, led
meditations, discussions and a taste of silence.
Courage to Change
6-13 June Sanghajivani + Ajayashraddha
The Buddha left us many teachings. Their bedrock is the five ethical training principles: loving
kindness, generosity, simplicity, truthful communication, awareness. Following these can have a
huge affect on our lives, those around us and our world. A week bedded in meditation practices of
mindfulness and positive emotion, in ritual and celebration.
One Moment at a Time
15-20 June
Vidyamala, Saddhanandi + Maitrimala
“Your old life was a frantic running from silence. Wake up like someone suddenly born into colour.”
Now in its 12th year, join this popular retreat and wake up to the beauty of the moment. With
sitting, walking and lying down meditation, mindfulness in daily life and mindful movement based
on yoga and pilates.
Human and Truly Alive!
4-11 July
Saddhanandi
Supported by the beauty and simplicity of a retreat environment, we’ll explore the qualities of
metta and mindfulness and what it means to be human and truly alive. A thorough introduction for
those new to meditation and for others an opportunity to go deeper. A programme of talks,
discussion, meditation and silence.
Surfing the Worldly Winds
1-8 August Maitrimala, Taravandana + Padmasara
The worldly winds, lokadhammas, are Buddhist teachings on how we are tossed around by 4 pairs
of opposites: pleasure & pain, gain & loss, praise & blame and fame & infamy. We can't avoid the
ups and downs of life but we can learn practical ways to recognise how these winds blow us about
and how we can transform our lives by responding to them with awareness, kindness and
equanimity.
Awakening Loving Kindness: Metta
27 - 31 October
Maitrimala, Varakhanti + Viryajyoti
Metta, loving kindness towards ourselves and others, lies at the heart of Buddhist practice. We'll
explore how the Metta Bhavana meditation practice can transform our emotional lives into ones
more consistently based on love, friendship and interconnectedness. The five days will also
include body scan relaxations, talks, workshops, discussions, space for reflection and periods of
silence.
Winter Retreat
23-27 December
“It is the pauses which make beautiful the music of our lives” (Sangharakshita). As the year draws
to a close, this will be a time to pause: to bring a sense of stillness and quiet to our minds and
experience. Through meditation and an exploration of a simple Buddhist theme, we will engage
with a deeper awareness of ourselves, others and the world.
Weekends
Introductory Weekends
These weekends offer a special opportunity to be introduced to meditation and Buddhism
in the stillness and beauty of the countryside at Taraloka.
Loving Kindness (Metta) 17-19 January and 12-14 September
Mindfulness
28-30 March and 24-26 October
Long Introductory Weekends
Meditation 2-5 May
Buddhism 23-26 May
Drumming and Meditation
7-9 March Sanghajoti
Come and experience a weekend of guided drumming, meditation and body awareness, helping
us become more grounded and connected with ourselves and others. An opportunity to have fun,
make friends, and deepen our sense of being present in the world. No experience needed. All
welcome. If possible, bring a drum.
Tai chi and Meditation
25-27 July Jo
“The human body, at peace with itself, is more precious than the rarest gem”. Enjoy blending
meditation in movement, through Qigong and Tai Chi, with sitting meditation. Play with the Tai Chi
principles of Rooting, Sticking and Yielding to explore your experience of your body, mind and
your life in the world. (No previous Tai Chi or meditation experience required; suitable for Tai Chi
practitioners who wish to deepen their embodiment and understanding of the application of Tai Chi
for life.)
Steering into the Deep Weekends
This year we have an exciting range of weekend retreats for women who are already
practising the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana as taught in Triratna.
Young Women’s Weekend
24-26 January
Singhamati, Vajratara + Karunadhi
"Awareness is revolutionary" Sangharakshita. Why? How can we deepen our awareness and
start a Dharma revolution? Explore another of Sangharakshita's famous aphorisms and discover
the transformative power of awareness. An exciting opportunity for young women to come
together, to deepen their practice of the Dharma, make friends and have fun! (For women in their
late teens, 20s and 30s.)
Silent Weekend
18-21 April Samantabhadri + Guhyaprabha
What is a really good way to spend a long bank holiday weekend? Come to Taraloka at this
transitional time of the year for almost 3 days of silence. Appreciate time for yourself as you relax,
meditate, walk, share ritual and devotion, and quietly enjoy the beauty of spring.
Body and Breath; Earth and Air:
Meditation and Bodywork
25-27 April Dhammagita
Earth and air are such different elements, yet their manifestation as body and breath is the most
natural connection there is. Focussing our awareness in our physical experience of these different,
interdependent aspects of our being, we can experience them in harmony together and discover
new delights in both of them.
Weekend Retreat for Mothers
13-15 June
Karunagita
Karunagita wrote A Path for Parents as a working mother and Buddhist, keen to practise. Like the
book, this retreat embraces the gifts and challenges inherent in parenting as a context for spiritual
practice. All with lightness, spaciousness and invaluable time out with other mothers.
Steering into the Deep
Want to Steer into the Deep? These retreats are for women who already have a regular
practice of the mindfulness of breathing and metta bhavana, as taught in the Triratna
community, and offer many exciting opportunities to take your practice deeper.
The Radical Embrace
14-21 March
Singhashri + Bodhilila
Practising Anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) and Metta (loving kindness), we invite all our
disparate selves into a space of acceptance and calm abiding. From this foundation, we begin to
see into the true nature of experiencing and thus deepen confidence in our ability to embrace the
open dimension of being, full of beauty and potential.
Spring Retreat: Meditation
11-18 April
Samantabhadri + Guhyaprabha
Explore sitting and walking meditation, reflection and devotional practice, while experiencing
mindfulness in the beauty of the Taraloka garden and the Spring landscape. Supported by
presentations, meditation guidance, poetry, silence and the inspiration of the Dharma. Consider
continuing this retreat experience by staying on for the Silent Weekend 18-21 April.
Imagining Tara
16-23 May
Samantabhadri + Taravandana
Tara is compassion, wisdom, fearlessness, protection, beauty, and an intimate presence in the
Taraloka landscape and buildings. Whether artistically skilled or unskilled, explore creative ways
of imagining Green and WhiteTara or just simply give time to contemplation. Then let this
connection flow into meditation and reflection, into ritual and devotion.
Silent Retreat
27 June – 4 July
Samantabhadri + Samadevi
“There is a silence of words, a silence of desires, and a silence of thoughts” (Sangharakshita). A
precious opportunity for almost a week of continuous silence. Enjoy the timelessness of
meditation, reflection, devotion and relaxation, within a simple supportive programme and amid the
passing richness of summer days.
Body of Awakening: Body, Movement, Meditation
11-18 July
Dhammagita
Teacher, guide and doorway to awakening, the human body tells the truth. Opening fully to
sensation, physical awareness brings us into the present moment and helps us feel our lives;
knowing the depths and delights, pleasure and pain of a fully human being buzzing with life.
Meditation, movement, arts, awareness exercises, breath and energy work. (Please check
suitability before booking if you have physical/ energetic problems.)
The Wisdom of the Awakening Heart
18-25 July
Vijayamala + Maitrivajri
The innate wisdom of the heart is simple and direct. Meditation practice connects us with this
creativity and compassion. Mostly in silence with meditation teaching and ritual, there will be
careful guidance on what limits our practice and what really supports it.
Yoga on the Path to Insight
15-19 August
Prasadavati + Ratnadevi
How can our practice of Yoga become an inquiry into the way things are: interconnected,
insubstantial and impermanent? Change old habits. Develop and embody attitudes of openness,
curiosity, acceptance, creativity and compassion through mindfulness in movement, reflection and
creative writing. (For women with 6 months yoga experience).
Brahma Viharas: Meditation
5-12 September
Saddhanandi
Exploring responses to ourselves, other people and the world, we begin to understand how 'selfgrasping' complicates life! This is the heart wisdom of the four Brahma Vihara meditations: love,
compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity. Including short workshops or talks, with periods of
formal silence and individual meditation reviews.
Sounding Nature
15-19 September Suchitta
An exploration of three things - meditation, chanting and mantra – together with working outside in
the Taraloka gardens. Traditionally there are three kinds of action in Buddhism and we will look to
create a smooth flow of mindful, expansive energy between all three, creating a synergy of body,
speech and mind. Intriguing!
Facing Death, Embracing Life
3-10 October
Samatabhadri + Ratnavandana
Deepening our spiritual vision around physical death, we will engage with our impermanence
within a supportive context of meditation, reflection, shared activities, silence, nature, ritual and
devotion. With this perspective, we can also discover all that we value in the richness and
potential of life here and now. (We do not recommend this retreat if you are currently experiencing
intense bereavement.)
New Year Retreat: Meditation
27 December - 3 January
Samantabhadri + Guhyaprabha
After the bustle of Christmas, come to this quiet place and peaceful landscape. Turn to stillness,
contemplation, inspiration and the true significance of New Year. Practise sitting and walking
meditation, reflection and devotion: supported by presentations, meditation guidance, special
ritual, silence and the wisdom of the Dharma.
For Mitras
We are excited to be offering this new range of retreats specifically for mitras. These
retreats are a great opportunity to deepen meditation and dharma practice with other mitras
who are also committed to practising in the Triratna Buddhist Community.
Contemplating the Six Bardos
7-14 February
Saddhanandi, Vajragupta + Vijayamala
Spiritual death and spiritual rebirth are the themes of this reflection retreat. Using verses from The
Tibetan Book of the Dead we are instructed to give up self-limiting habits and turn towards the
antidote and a particular quality of freedom. Includes short talks, some discussion and periods of
meditation and silence.
Seven Point Mind Training
8-15 August
Saddhanandi
Based on a set of proverbs from 12th century Tibet, this practice demands that we connect with
our world in an unconditionally skilful way, taking full responsibility for our experience. At its heart,
it teaches the Bodhicitta and the need to overcome the habitual tendency to centre the world
around ourselves.
Bodhicaryavatara
17-24 October
Saddhanandi
The Dalai Lama uses this text as his main inspiration. It is a guide to the Bodhisattva Path: a
restatement of basic Buddhism that emphasises concern for others and practising for the welfare
of the world. Each day Saddhanandi will give a talk, drawing out the relevance for us as presentday practitioners, followed by discussion and reflection.
For Women who have Asked for Ordination
These intensive meditation retreats for women who have asked for Ordination will be held
mostly in silence with some talks, led meditations and meditation reviews. They are a
precious opportunity to reduce input and develop a deeper experience of ourselves, using
awareness and kindness to transform the habits of the mind. It is recommended that you
have attended at least one week long meditation retreat before coming on these more
intensive retreats.
Reflection: A Path to Wisdom
14-23 February
Suchitta + Samantabhadri
Is reflection an essential part of your practice? Here is an opportunity to live with reflection in a
meditative retreat context, discovering and holding deeper Dharmic truths in both contemplation
and the flow of living. Refining our consciousness in this pivotal space, we discover what we
believe to be true and find ways to express our deep values in daily life.
Wisdom Heart
6-16 May
Ratnavandana
Sitting within the mandala of the Five Jinas, in the shrine room and outdoors, our hearts open
more to their transcendental wisdoms which in turn draws us towards a deeper experience of the
profound beauty and purity of the Divine Abodes, the Brahma Viharas: those attitudes of heart and
mind that connect with our deepest heart wish of how we can manifest in the world.
Awareness is Revolutionary
19-28 September
Vidyamala
Discover the radical brilliance of the Satipatthana Sutta as a practical guide to freedom. Meditate
on the various gateways to mindfulness: body, sensations, thoughts and emotions, and Reality. As
greater awareness and wholeness arise, taste the universal quality of Metta. Open your heart and
allow love to pour out. With teaching input, meditation reviews and deep silence.
For Order Members
A Breath of Connection: Tonglen
21-28 March
Saddhanandi
A meditation retreat based around the breath and our heart-connection with others. Using the
practice of Tonglen we will breathe in the texture of reality - impermanent, insubstantial and
unsatisfactory - finding the resources to turn towards our experience and our relationship with the
world. Mainly in silence with short presentations.
National Order Weekend 29 May - 1 June
Formless Meditation Retreat: Padmasambhava's Advice to Queen Nang Chung
31 October - 9 November
Srisambhava + Vimalacitta
". . . neither accept or reject. As anything can happen, peace will arise from within."
Padmasambhava's "few words of great import" show how a path of devotion, commitment and
altruism can lay the ground for letting go into a profound openness. Engaging our hearts and
imagination with poetry and ritual, and exploring the shamatha and vipashyana aspects of
formless meditation, we will follow his urgent advice.
Bookings and General Information
To book: Either send a Booking Form and a non-refundable Booking Fee (cheque payable to
Taraloka) of £50 for weekend events and £70 for longer events to: Bookings, Taraloka,
Bettisfield, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 2LD or call the office on 01948 710646 between 12
and 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays to book with a debit card. Please note that we
are unable to accept credit cards. Confirmation and additional information will be sent out on
receipt of your Booking Fee.
Cancellation policy: Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel your booking,
as there may be other women waiting for a place on that retreat. If you give us at least 6 weeks’
notice when cancelling, it may be possible to transfer the Booking Fee, providing there is space on
another appropriate retreat within the calendar year. Please note that Booking Fees are nonrefundable under any circumstances.
Practising generosity (dana): As a Buddhist Centre we wish to give everyone access to the
Buddha’s teachings as freely as possible. In the Buddhist tradition this is called practising ‘dana’
and our retreats are offered in the spirit of that generosity. At the end of each retreat there will be
an opportunity for you to also practise 'dana' by giving a donation to Taraloka. Any donations will
help us continue to offer Buddhist and meditation teachings freely and to further develop the
facilities of the Retreat Centre. Thank you.
Other ways of practising dana: You can also give to Taraloka by volunteering to do some work
in the gardens, organising or cooking on some retreats and distributing brochures in local libraries
and cafes. Please contact the office for more information.
Accommodation comprises four-bedded rooms, twin rooms, and a limited number of single
rooms which are often needed for those with health concerns and are therefore reserved on a firstcome-first-served basis. We have some facilities for the disabled; please contact the office for
more details. There is also plenty of space to camp.
Food: At Taraloka we believe we can change the world and ourselves by what we choose to eat.
Our vegan principle, together with sourcing organic and local produce where possible,
corresponds with our commitment to non-harm and loving-kindness to all beings.
Restricted Diets: We can cater for some restricted diets for genuine medical reasons (e.g.
Coeliac and Nut allergies) and we need to be informed each time you book. To help those
cooking on the retreat, please keep food requests to absolutely essential requirements only.
There will be one alternative to the main meal for all restricted diets e.g. steamed vegetables, a
simple protein and simple carbohydrate.
Health: It is essential that you inform us of any physical, emotional or mental health issues, which
could effect your participation on the retreat, each time you book. Any information will be treated
with strict confidence and will not be communicated to other retreatants.
Charity Registration Number 274500
Data Protection Act: If you received this programme by post then we have your details on
computer. Please let us know if this is not acceptable to you.
Brochure designed by Dharmadakini, Berlin
Photo credits: Members of the Sangha
Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre for Women
Bettisfield, Whitchurch
Shropshire SY13 2LD
0845 3304063 or
01948 710646
[email protected]
www.taraloka.org.uk
www.GoingOnRetreat.com