We are delighted that the Self-Led retreat has returned to its Friends Meeting House, Bristol venue for 2021. The retreat continues its popular format with periods sitting and walking meditation. Payment for the day is in cash or by an online bank transfer.
Who’s it for?
These self-led retreats are suitable for anyone with basic meditation experience. This could be from attending a group retreat, for example, or an eight-week mindfulness course. Although Insight Meditation is rooted in Buddhism, all traditions and backgrounds, both spiritual and secular, are very welcome.
What’s the format?
The day is silent and based around alternating 45-minute periods of sitting and walking meditation with no teacher or guidance. There’s also a carefully curated recorded dharma talk to listen to, a shared lunch and, at the end of the retreat, a chance to break silence and discuss the day’s experiences as a group.
Where is it?
In the light and airy surroundings of the Quaker Meeting House , 300 Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol BS7 8PD. An oasis of calm amid the busyness of Bristol. The group has sole use of the entire meeting house, including a wonderful enclosed and secluded garden.
When is it?
From 10am to 5pm – please arrived promptly, ready to be settled by 10:15am – on the first Saturday of every month. For 2021, the remaining dates are:
November 6th and December 4th.
Payments
A donation of £15 waged or £7 unwaged towards the costs of the day. Thanks to Gift Aid, waged donors who provide consent can boost their donation by 25%. Payment for the day is in cash or by an online bank transfer. For bank transfer details, please contact lesleywye2@gmail.com.
What should I bring?
Please bring a vegan or vegetarian contribution to our shared lunch and whatever else you need to feel comfortable. For example, a mat, cushion, meditation stool, blanket or thick socks. There are plenty of chairs to use.
Can I find out more?
Please call Max Beseke on 07581 127734 or email David Ringsell at david@talk-it.biz. Both are happy to answer any questions. The group sends a monthly reminder email with the upcoming retreat date and details of the talk. If you’d like to be added to the distribution list, please email retreat@gmx.co.uk. Your email address won’t be used for anything else.
Retreat talks
November talk:
2019-05-02 Internally & Externally – Holding It All 61:49
James Baraz
On the recent retreat James sat with Ven. Analayo, the monastic started out the last day’s teaching saying: “This morning I want to talk about climate change. Though some say this is not an appropriate topic for the Dharma Hall, in my view and in light of the crisis we are facing, there is no more appropriate or necessary topic.” We explore how Dharma principles can help each of us individually hold this unsettling situation as well as why they are the key to us waking up as a species.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks
David says:
Everyday we are reminded that we face an existential climate emergency. Time is running out. How can our meditation practice help us grasp this massive scenario? And move from helplessness to effective collaborative action. A relevant talk for November 2021.
To listen to this talk click on the audio image.
Recorded talks archive
Explore and listen to an archive of the dharma talks played at the monthly self-led retreats since 2016 by clicking anywhere on the picture below .
