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.
Limited places
Due to Covid-Secure government restrictions, this retreat can currently only accommodate 7 retreatants, each having their own single room (a ‘capped’ retreat). Should the government guidelines change and we are able to safely increase our numbers, then those on the waiting list will be given the opportunity to book first.
Concession information
Unfortunately, due to this requirement to restrict our retreat numbers we will not be able to offer a concessionary rate. This decision had to be made as Rivendell’s current financial situation is of great concern – we had to close for most of 2020 and this has had a seriously detrimental effect on our finances.
We will revisit this decision again if things change later in the year, and we are allowed to safely increase the numbers (with people sharing rooms again).
Change to cancellation policy
If you wish to cancel, we now require a minimum notice of 4 calendar weeks before a retreat is due to take place, in order that a refund will be possible. It will still be on the basis that we can the fill your space.
However, if Rivendell has to cancel your retreat due to increased Covid restrictions, then you will be given the option of a refund, to transfer your money to another retreat, or to perhaps offer 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 some Covid-Secure information about your stay at Rivendell. We have made many changes to ensure that Rivendell is Covid-Secure and we will only accept bookings on the basis that those who attend our retreats abide by the requirements of our Covid risk assessment.
NB Please be assured that should someone repeatedly ignore our Covid guidelines, we reserve the right to ask them to leave the retreat, with no refund, as potentially they will be putting others’ health at risk. We want those that come to Rivendell to be confident that we are making it as safe as possible.
Prices for this event are: £255