29th Sept – 5th Oct

Singhashri is back again with a small team to guide us deeper into our personal and collective practice. Her powerful and sensitive teaching speaks to our longings for community and meaning.

She writes, “How do we make sense of this imperfect world? How do we hold the tension between the ideal, what our heart longs for, and what’s happening now? Discover how engaging with what’s happening now supports us to begin to edge into what else is possible.” 

This non- residential retreat is an open invitation to explore our interconnected and individual journeys through a combination of meditation, Dharma teaching, conversation, body listening, ritual and simply hanging out together.

It is open to everyone who has completed an introductory course.  Order Members and Mitras are particularly encouraged to come along and participate and share in this Sangha building Retreat.

Come for the whole retreat or when you can to fit in with your work or family responsibilities. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be provided each day but you must book these at least one day in advance. (Sign up sheets in Centre or email info@bristol-buddhist-centre.org)

There is no set charge for this retreat but a donation of between £30 and £60 per day would be very much appreciated.

The retreat starts at 7.30pm on Friday 29^th September and ends 9pm on 5^th October.

“Singhashri is one of the most skilled facilitators and teachers that I have experienced.  I’m still not sure how she does it but she is able to respond to each person individually with what they need whilst not losing the thread of the material.” – Trisha

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Bristol Rain’s Retreat: I am because we are

Led by Singhashri and friends

Friday 29^th September – Thursday 5^th October

A non- residential retreat Open to all Order members, mitras and those who have completed an

introductory course and are working to deepen their Buddhist practice.

You are invited to attend as much of the retreat as you can but is open for you to come and go

as you need to. We recognise that some of us will have other commitments during the retreat.

Please note: Timing of sessions will not change but content may be adapted depending on those

attending, what is coming up amongst us and calling for attention

Somatic exercises, mindful movement, and chanting will be woven throughout the programme

Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided but must be pre-booked

Saturday

9.15 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Arriving practices and reflections

Community Agreements

Who are your people?

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 Vision of liberation

Intentions for practice

Earth-touching practice and enquiry

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – setting our intentions for practice,

touching the earth, Akshobya

Sunday

7.45 – 8.30 Open period of Meditation

9.00 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Holding the tension between what’s happening now

and our vision of liberation.

Breath as gateway to the unknown.

Breath awareness practice and enquiry.

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 What’s the raw sensation now?

Six senses practice and enquiry

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – seeing with clarity and compassion,

White Tara

Monday

7.45 – 8.30 Open period of Meditation

9.00 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Embodiment as a radical act

Dhyana factors – opening to pleasure and joy

Led meditation and enquiry

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 What’s here?

What supports presence?

Body scan practice and enquiry

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – Dhyana as gateway to metta, Amitabha

Tuesday

7.45 – 8.30 Open period of Meditation

9.00 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Seshin – moving between sitting, walking,

standing and lying down

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 Seshin continued

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – remembering our true nature,

Vajrasattva

Wednesday

7.45 – 8.30 Open period of Meditation

9.00 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Recognizing and liberating the klesas

Working creatively with fear, grief and anger

Led practice and enquiry

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 Open space to offer what feels needed at this

point in the retreat

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – offering confessions, the alchemy of

bringing awareness to the klesas,

Padmasambhava

Thursday

7.45 – 8.30 Open period of Meditation

9.00 Breakfast

10.15 – 12.30 Exploring the co-created and interconnected

nature of experience and reality

How is the sense of self arising?

Led practice and enquiry

1.00 Lunch

4.00 – 6.00 Retreat review

Q and A

Reporting out

6.15 Dinner

7.30 – 9.00 Ritual – rejoicing in our efforts, dedicating the

merits, Avalokiteshvara

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Without donations our doors wouldn’t be open and our classes running. It is due to the gifts of those who have come along previously that we are here now sharing meditation and Buddhism. To be part of this continuing flow of care and generosity to others, please do donate here.