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.
"Through the ordinary state of being, we’re already creators in the most profound way, creating our experience of reality and composing the world we perceive.” -Rick Ruben
Being an ‘artist’ isn’t about learning to paint or write. It’s about engaging with the world as an artist would. Dharma practice is similar. It’s not about wearing robes or living in a monastery; it’s about engaging creatively with whatever life presents:
Being curious: Paying attention, noticing what we observe, asking questions, and taking notes. Being open to finding anything and anyone interesting, without any agenda.
Opening ourselves to magic: Trusting our intuition and acting on it. Looking for signs and letting ourselves be guided by something beyond our rational mind. Saying yes and entering into a conversation with life.
Embracing failure and mistakes: Being vulnerable and recognising fear as the biggest barrier. Allowing ourselves to be uncool and welcoming each failure as an opportunity to grow stronger. Not striving for perfection but for something alive, real, and human.
Though Buddhist teachings, meditation and reflection we’ll make connections between the Dharma life and a life of creativity, seeing how they support and feed into one another.
While this retreat won't focus on creating major art pieces, you are welcome to bring small-scale materials such as pens, pencils, needles, thread, and cameras.
Vajradarshini is known for her down to earth approach to Dharma practice. She draws widely on the Buddhist tradition and on contemporary art and culture, weaving them together to create engaging and enjoyable retreats. You can expect a week of reflection and meditation, with some long periods of silence.
For more information on Vajradarshini: (https://www.redladderstudio.com/)
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)