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. After four years where he lived a 'homeless' life, spending time at different Buddhist Centres around the world, he is now the Chair of the Croydon Buddhist Centre.
Retreat numbers
We have returned our retreats to their normal capacities in 2022 and will be taking bookings on that basis. However, should we need to reduce numbers because of future changes to government Covid guidelines, those who have booked first on each retreat will retain their places, whilst others will be contacted and given the options of a full refund, to transfer your money to another retreat, or perhaps to consider offering their fee, or part of it as 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 joining instructions about your stay at Rivendell. 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
Unfortunately Rivendell is unable to offer concessionary rates in 2022, as we are still in a very difficult financial situation as a result of closing for a year and a half due to the pandemic (2020/2021). However, please consider writing to our office team via bookings@rivendellretreatcentre.com if you really are in need of some financial assistance to help enable you to come on retreat here.
Cancellation policy
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 will be possible. All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable in all *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. A refund will still be on the basis that we can the fill your space.
*However, if Rivendell has to cancel your retreat due to further Covid restrictions, then you will be given the option of a full refund, to transfer your money to another retreat, or perhaps to consider offering your fee, or part of it as a donation.
Prices for this event are: £370