You are welcome to the Self-Led retreat at the Friends Meeting House,
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?
On the first Saturday of every month. The front door to the Meeting House opens at 10.15 am. You will then have 15 minutes to settle in before the retreat starts. The retreat finishes at 5.00 pm.
Payments
A donation of £20 waged or £7.50 unwaged towards the costs of the day. 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 get more involved?
Would you like to get more involved? You can join a small friendly team that helps organise the retreats. The commitment is light, and we welcome new volunteers. Find out more by dropping me an email or having a chat at the retreat: David Ringsell david@talk-it.biz
Can I find out more?
Please email David Ringsell at david@talk-it.biz. 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
2023-06-21 Taking the RAFT Home: Working with the 5 Hindrances 60:34
Gullu Singh
In this talk Gullu introduces the 5 hindrances: Desire, Aversion, Sloth/Torpor, Restlessness & Doubt and how they keep us from feeling comfortable or “at home” with the present moment. He also introduces the acronym RAFT from Gil Fronsdal as a method of working with them. RAFT is Recognize, Allow, Feel & Tease Apart. The talk uses some visual aids which can be found at https://links.gullusingh.com/mj1
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Mindfulness For Everyone
David says:
What gets in the way of our meditation practise? A lot! This talk takes a close look at the obstacles like doubt, restlessness, and tiredness. We tend to struggle with these experiences. By becoming intimate with them we can move through them. We can then relax into the present moment.
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 . 