Calendar of upcoming events and retreats – Bristol Insight Meditation

Below is a list of upcoming retreats and other events. Some are regular events and you will see the next session below. At the bottom of the page you can see view details of past Teacher-led retreats.

Sep

Tuesday evening sitting group

The sitting group meets every Tuesday evening at the Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Bristol BS2 9DB. These evenings are a good way to meet others and have a taste of what we have to offer. All are welcome.

Sep

Sangha walk – Abbots Pool, Abbots Leigh

“A lovely stroll through woods, along lanes and river banks to visit quiet Gloucestershire hamlets. Although an undulating walk, there is only one short steep climb. The walk is 4 miles and should take around 2 hours at a gentle pace.”

Oct

Saturday self-led day retreats

These popular, well-supported day retreats are a great way to create spaciousness and stillness in our busy, daily lives. They are based sitting and walking meditation. They are not led by a teacher and no meditation guidance is given, so they suit participants who are comfortable with a basic meditation practice.

Oct

A day of soulful practice with Catherine McGee

What might be gained by liberating ‘soul’ from any unhelpful associations, and picking up the rich resonances of the concept and bringing them in to our Dharma practice? All are welcome.

Dec

Cultivating care and wisdom with Zohar Lavie

The Buddhas teaching includes all aspects of human life. In this day retreat we will explore how to apply these teachings of compassion to our engagement and our relationships, looking particularly at our caring roles.How can Dharma practice resource us as we act in the world, and how can the care we share with others … Continued

Jan

Seeing things differently with Mark Ovland

When life is so full and seems to demand so much from us all the time, where and how can we find peace? Is it even possible, without escaping into a convent or up a mountain?

Feb

Equanimity: Dancing with Uncontrollable Life with Stephen Fulder

The last words of the Buddha to his disciples as they gathered to say goodbye included: ‘Be an island to yourself’. This sense of autonomy, quiet and steadiness are certainly needed in times of uncertainty, anxiety, conflict and difficulty. But how can we stay quiet and yet speak our voice and go out and make change in the world?

Mar

Ground, body, breath, space – the art of knowing support with Kirsten Kratz

During our day together we will explore creative ways to perceive ground, body, breath, space and gesture as possible resources, as means to support, hold and nourish us in our practice and in life.

May

Inherent states of wellbeing with Maura Sills

The day concentrates on interconnection; belonging; attunement; acceptance and generosity. We will include the Four Sublime States of Love (metta); Compassion (karuna); Sympathetic Joy (mudita) and Equanimity (upekkha).

Jun

A day with John Peacock

John Peacock is both an academic and a Buddhist practitioner of nearly forty years. He was initially trained in the Tibetan Gelugpatradition in India and subsequently spent time in Sri Lanka studying Theravada.

Sep

A Path of Wisdom and Love with Jake Dartington

In this silent day retreat we will explore our potential to bring wise and loving responses to each moment in our lives. Through sitting and walking meditation, we will learn ways to respond creatively to the obstacles that appear to block our capacity to live in a wise and loving way. We will explore what it means to bring these beautiful qualities to our meditation practice and to our everyday lives.

Oct

A day with Suvaco

Suvaco is originally from Denmark, and currently lives in Devon, UK. Suvaco holds an MA in Mindfulness Psychotherapy Practice and is a registered psychotherapist and cranio sacral practitioner. He trained in the Thai forest tradition of Ajahn Chah for 17 years as a Buddhist monk and currently teaches meditation, mainly to activists committed to make social or environmental changes. He is part of the teaching staff at Gaia house, Devon.

Dec

A day with Julia Wallond and Andrea Hosfeld

Past retreats - 2018

2019 2018 2017 2016

Feb

Cultivating refuge in a changing world

In a world which can appear increasingly unstable, bewildering and unkind, the need for refuge can feel ever more important. This retreat helps us to explore and expand our ways of looking at and conceiving of refuge.

Apr

‘Cultivating your practice, deepening in dharma’

This new 6 week ‘next steps’ course will be led by Julia Wallond. It will be an opportunity for those with a meditation practice to develop it further with the support if teachings from the Insight Buddhist tradition. Beginners are also welcome.

Apr

Annual sangha celebration day

Our Annual sangha celebration day is a great way to find out all about Bristol Insight. This year we are celebrating the meaning of Sangha (community of practitioners) itself. The day includes our short interactive Annual General Meeting and shared lunch. All are welcome.

Apr

Radical dharma: a radical practice with Lama Rod Owens

In this daylong retreat, Lama Rod will explore deepening commitment to community and integrating social justice and dharma practice through meditation, discussions, small group interactions, and movement practice. All are welcome.

May

Sangha walk – a wander down the Cam from Hinton Blewett

Sangha walks are an opportunity to socialise with other sangha members, ground ourselves in our natural environment, take gentle exercise and to practice mindful walking. All are welcome.

Jun

Discovering the heart’s guidance – going beyond the inner critic with Laura Bridgman

This retreat we will contemplate a natural sense of ease with ourselves as we are, and explore what gets in the way of that – in particular the conditioning of the inner critic. All are very welcome. Please note new venue at Glenfrome School.

Jul

Daytime sangha meetings

These once a month meetings are open to all, and give an additional daytime opportunity to get together in a small group in a spirit of sangha. The meeting will include a period of sitting meditation, some sharing, and discussion on any topics of mutual interest arising.

Aug

Focusing group

Focusing and Insight meditation have in common a willingness to sit with one’s experience from a place of presence, acceptance, warmth and curiosity. If you’d like to attend a meeting please contact Gordon to book a place.