Simply Being

In essence, ‘simply being’ evokes effortlessly resting in the flow of embodied presence. Presence is this ‘timeless moment’, where there is no observer nor observed, no subject or object. It is undivided wholeness and is always, unconditionally ‘here’. Yet, we remain ignorant of it owing to the deep conditioning of our self-narratives. Nevertheless, it is what we are and we can never depart from it.

Presence is our ineffable reality, ungraspable by the abstractions of the mind. It is not any-thing, so it can only be evoked by terms like ‘suchness’, ‘just this’ or ‘no-mind’. It knows itself directly as being completely open, spontaneously self-illuminating, energetically alive and intimately, compassionately ‘here’, as all experience. These are all qualities of the five wisdoms (jñāna – undivided knowing) which we’ll explore, along with the Buddhas who imaginally embody them. 

Discovering and resting here-now in presence, there is a lightness of touch and being. Our self-stories, conditionings and painful emotions begin to lose their traction and can increasingly be seen and known directly as like phantoms, illusions or dreams – without any true substance. With this, we enter into the wholeness which is our birthright.

Tejananda has been honing his practice and teaching of meditation for many years whilst living at Vajraloka Buddhist Meditation Centre in Wales and is the author of The Buddhist Path to Awakening.

Covid-secure requirements

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

Rivendell has reintroduced its concessionary rate for all retreats, however we are still in a very difficult financial situation so please can we ask that you only use this rate if essential. Please do also consider writing to our office team via bookings@rivendellretreatcentre.com if you really are in need of further financial assistance to help enable you to come on retreat here.

Cancellation policy

All deposits 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, in order that a refund (not deposit) will be possible. 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. Any refund will still be on the basis that we can the fill your space.