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.
A chance to be ‘wild awake’ over the summer, this retreat will combine meditation and puja with immersion in nature. This can help open our hearts and expand our awareness. Can we sense the Dharma in the song of the birds, the leaves of the trees and in the dancing moonbeams? Weather permitting, we will spend a lot of time outdoors, so bring warm clothes and waterproofs! The basic practice will be simple awareness, exploring how looking 'inwards' and looking 'outwards' are not two entirely different things, but intimately connected. Our inner and outer worlds can mirror each other; they can speak or gesture to each other in meaningful ways.
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. For the last four years he has been living a 'homeless' life, spending time at different Buddhist Centres around the world, but has recently become the Chair of the Croydon Buddhist Centre.
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. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable in any circumstances. 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. 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: £360