'I Am Because We Are' - Rains Retreat
This event has already happened.
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 29th September and ends 9pm on 5th 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
Bristol Rain’s Retreat: I am because we are
Led by Singhashri and friends
Friday 29th September – Thursday 5th 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
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.