Please note that our monthly Self-led Retreats now meet online using the Zoom platform. For further information of this month’s retreat please visit our Supporting our Sangha online page.
A monthly opportunity to spend a day cultivating spaciousness and stillness in silence, away from the bustle of everyday life, made all the more powerful and nourishing through the shared experience of a friendly group setting.
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 2020, that means:
January 4th, February 1st, March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, June 6th, July 4th, August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th
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%.
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
March’s talk is by Ann Cushman. It is called The Four Foundations of Creativity. (48:54)
‘It is an exploration of how mindfulness supports creative expression and how art-making can be mindfulness practice. This talk is from a retreat for painters and writers and was given at the Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
David say’s “Anne describes how the foundations of meditation can also be applied to creative expression. Anne’s inspiring talk contains some lovely poetry readings. It helped me with my work as a painter. A great way to step into Spring”
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 .
