Clarity, Sensitivity, Wisdom: Awakening the Mandala
Led by Darsavini & Ksantikara
What might unfold if we were to bring greater clarity, sensitivity and wisdom into our meditation and our daily life?
Drawing on three aspects of deepening meditative experience from the Mahamudra tradition, this long-weekend retreat will invite you into a richer relationship with the Mindfulness of Breathing and the Metta Bhavana. Clarity brings shape, discipline and intention. Sensitivity (or responsiveness) opens us to the richness of felt experience and emotional vitality. Wisdom points us toward profound undercurrents of impermanence and interconnectedness.
Sangharakhita has said ‘there are no higher teachings, only deeper realisations’. In that spirit, exploring this ancient triad not only deepens our experience of familiar practices, it allows them to unfold into a mandala of total transformation: awakening processes of integration, positive emotion, receptivity, insight and illumined imagination.
The retreat - only open to those who have been coming along to the North London Buddhist Centre for more than a few months and are familiar with both the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana - will include meditation, reflection, periods of silence and puja.
Rooms are shared and located in single-sex accommodation blocks with toilets (no urinals) and showers (private cubicles). The gender-neutral room will have an en-suite bathroom but share a corridor with the mens accommodation.
Cost £275/£215 conc [concessions policy is here - if you are eligible, after you click the booking button use the code CONC215 where it asks for ‘concession code’ ]. If you are unable to afford the concession rate for this retreat please email the centre team to let them know and they’ll do their best to help.
Some Practical Infomation
The weekend starts with dinner on the Thursday at 7.30pm (you’re welcome to arrive from 6pm) and ends at 3pm on the Sunday.
During the retreat we’ll ask you to turn off you’re phones, so in case of emergencies you may inform your family and friends that they can contact Vajrasana on 01359 259 067.
Vajrasana caters for most accessibility requirements, with disabled access rooms which can be allocated upon request.
We serve three tasty vegan meals a day. If you have dietary restrictions many of these can be accommodated if you let us know when you book - you can read more information here.
Our retreats feature periods of silence and the challenge of engaging with our minds, our habits and the big questions of life and death. Although it is a very supportive environment, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re currently experiencing mental health difficulties, please consider if a retreat is right for you at this time.
Location & Travel
Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Potash Farm, Walsham le Willows, Suffolk, IP31 3AR
Travel
Coach:
You can book a return place on the coach going from the North London Buddhist Centre to Vajrasana. Please arrive at the NLBC at 4.10pm on the Thursday - the coach will depart at 4.30pm sharp. The coach will leave Vajrasana again at 3pm on the Sunday, arriving back in London at about 5pm (traffic permitting).
Trains:
Regular trains run from London Liverpool Street to Stowmarket station. If you are travelling from outside of London, it may be more convenient to get a train into Thetford or Bury St Edmunds. You will then need to get a taxi from the station to Vajrasana. (Please note that although Elmswell is the nearest station, it has no bus link to Vajrasana and taxis will have to come from one of the bigger towns).
Vajrasana also has a car parking facilities if you would prefer to drive.
Taxi:
We recommend booking taxis with plenty of advance notice as there is often limited availability. On average the price is £20-£25:
Stowmarket: Stowmarket Taxis: 01449 677 777 or Gold Star Taxis: 01449 676 767.
Thetford: A2B Taxis: 01842 755 222
Bury St Edmunds: A1 Cars: 01284 766 777