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Calendar of upcoming events and retreats

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 view details of past Teacher-led retreats.

Jun
21

June Nature Meditation

6- 9pm Come celebrate the longest day of the year with us!  Watch the hoverflies zip about, track the butterflies as they flit through the bushes, glimpse robins hopping amongst the tree branches, all while sitting by the campfire practising in silence with others. To mark summer’s arrival, we will be sharing a vegan feast! Nature meditation … Continued

Jun
23

Tuesday evening sitting group

These evenings are a good way to practice meditation with others, to socialise and to have a taste of what we have to offer. All are welcome. Cont…………..
Jul
03

Awakening in the Woods

Fri 3 – Sun 5 July Two nights (£155) Facilitated by Lesley Wye and Shauna Hope All experienced practitioners welcome Warm sun on your skin, vibrant green leaves on the trees, scented gentle breezes with the soundtrack of delicious birdsong, this retreat is an opportunity to create the conditions to feel more fully alive, as … Continued

Jul
04

Community Meditation Retreat

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…
Sep
19

Teacher Led Retreat- Seven Points for Leading a Good Life- Bernat Font Clos

During a day of meditation, teachings and discussion, Bernat Font will show how the 7 factors of awakening are an incredibly versatile teaching which can help our meditation just as much as our day to day.
Nov
07

Teacher Led Retreat- Engaging Wise Intetnion to Navigate World of Change- Jane Culter

In Buddhism, ‘wise intention’ involves cultivating a mindset of renunciation (letting go), goodwill and non-harm. It is the underlying motivation behind our thoughts, words, and actions. It is vital for reducing suffering by counteracting greed, hatred, and delusion – the delusion that we are individuals separate from the web of life and that our actions have no consequences. Wise intention acts as a compass, guiding our choices and aligning our efforts towards the goal of freedom and inner peace.

Past retreats - 2024

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
Jan
21

Nature Meditation

Winter is a time of stillness, rest and rejuvenation in the woods. The birds are quiet. The earth is dormant. The trees are fortifying themselves for spring. What better place to practice steadying our minds round the campfire with others? Cont……….
Feb
03

Sangha Walk – North Stoke & Kelston Round Hill

This 3-4 mile walk starts from the picturesque village of North Stoke between Bitton and Kelston on the A431 from Bristol to Bath. Taking a footpath behind the church we head uphill to join The Cotswold Way and then head south towards Kelston Round Hill, taking in the fantastic view at Prospect Stile. Cont………
Feb
17

Mindfulness of Feeling Tone (vedana)

During this online day retreat Martine would like to explore mindfulness of feeling tones, which is the second foundation of mindfulness. First Martine will present the different aspects of mindfulness. Cont………….
Feb
18

Nature Meditation

In February, the land starts to stir, readying itself for another cycle of growth. It’s a time to appreciate the quiet before the  activity of Spring. Come join us round the campfire as we sit silently, grateful for all that nature offers. Cont……..
Mar
03

Sangha Walk – Shipham

This is a varied and pleasant walk through fields and ancient pathways with attractive views all the way round. The walk is 4.5 miles and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours at a gentle pace…
Mar
24

Writing in the Woods

Back by popular demand, Michael Gregg is offering another opportunity to practice meditation and writing in the woods. Michael says: Writing is a way of taking us deeper into our own experience. Each of us is unique and we all have our own ways of expressing this. Cont……..
Apr
17

Bristol Insight 2024 Annual General Meeting

Please save for the date for our upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM)! We invite you to join us in celebrating what our sangha has meant to us in supporting our practice through 2024…
May
04

Rewilding All

Welcoming the New
Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 May
In early May, signs of Spring are everywhere. Fresh green leaves unfurl from the trees. Pink, blue, white and purple flowers dot the paths. Baby birds sing out from their nests. Cont……
May
04

Sangha Walk – Table Mountain & Pen Cerrig-Calch, Black Mountains

The next Bristol Insight sangha walk will be a circular 5-6 mile Black Mountains walk on Saturday 4th May (Bank Holiday weekend)…
May
06

The Meditator’s Toolkit: A 4-week course with Mark Ovland

Monday 6th May to Monday 27th May. A four-week meditation course. Tools, techniques, and teachings to help you get the most from your practice.
May
18

Liberating Perspectives on Death and Dying with Venerable Canda

Liberating Perspectives on Death and Dying with Venerable Canda Saturday 18th May 10.00 am – 4.00 pm Perhaps you are witness to someone who is dying, have lost a loved one or have received a diagnosis you are grappling with? Or perhaps you are healthy and imagine death is far away – and that is … Continued

May
19

Focusing Group

The group meets monthly (every 4-5 weeks) between 11am-2pm at Bristol Zen Dojo, 91-93 Gloucester Road, Bristol BS7 8AT. The group is open to anyone, regardless of Focusing experience and involves a short period of meditation and some group sharing as well as Focusing with a partner…
May
19

Nature Meditation

May is a time of warm breezes, flowering trees, nesting chicks and busy hoverflies. Join us round the campfire to appreciate and revel in this most benevolent of seasons. 
May
25

Rewilding Women

Listening to the Land; Listening to the Heart
Saturday 25  – Sunday 27 May
Late May transforms early Spring’s promise into thick green canopies, bubbling streams and a profusion of wildflowers and verdant grasses. Birdsong fills the air from dawn to dusk making this an ideal time to listen, both to the land and the stirrings of your own heart. Cont………
Jun
14

Rewilding Women

Finding Treasure
Friday 14 – Sunday 16 June
In Midsummer, the bright sun stays in the sky until late; the hoverflies and bees hum in dappled daylight and the light fades slowly as the owls call out to their mates. Cont…………
Jun
15

Sangha Walk – Owlpen Valley & Uley Bury Hillfort

The next Bristol Insight Sangha walk will take in the Owlpen Valley and Uley Bury Hillfort in Gloucestershire. We start the walk in Nympsfield (near Stroud), ambling through the village then across some fields and woods to enter and descend the lovely Owlpen Valley…
Jun
23

Nature meditation – Abbot’s Leigh

Join us to celebrate the coming of summer in a beautiful, private woodland, just a few short days after the solstice. Watch the hoverflies zip about, track the butterflies as they flit through the bushes, glimpse goldcrests hopping amongst the tree branches, all while sitting by the campfire practising in silence with others…
Jul
27

Sangha Walk – Avon Gorge and Old Sneed Park

The next Bristol Insight Sangha walk will be a local Bristol walk around Avon Gorge, Old Sneed Park and Bishop’s Knoll…
Jul
28

Nature meditation – Bruton

Come spend an entire day practising in the woods! At this time of Lammas, or early harvest, we will be appreciating all that the land offers, as we listen to the quieting birds, watch the blue green dragonflies zipping over the stream and wander along dappled glades in the deep lush green woods…
Aug
23

Rewilding Women

Words from the woods
Friday 23 – Monday 26 August (bank holiday)
In our first three-night retreat (where Time will undoubtedly slip!), the Beech tree will be our focus. Known as the ‘Queen of the Forest’ and venerated for its connection to learning and knowledge, especially written knowledge, we will draw on key Beech qualities of communication, community and interconnection in our nature meditation practices. Cont……..
Sep
08

Nature meditation – Leigh Court Woods

As the leaves begin to turn and the birds leave for their winter homes, the woods are a great place to practice. This is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and take some time out to experience all that nature has to offer…
Sep
14

Rewilding Women

Rest Release Renewal
Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September
In September, the Summer light begins to fade, the first leaves start turning vibrant oranges and reds, migrating birds leave for their winter homes and the woods become quiet. This is an ideal moment to rest, let go of what no longer serves and take time to restore your energies. Cont……….
Sep
15

Sangha Walk – Clevedon Circular Walk

The next Bristol Insight Sangha walk will be a circular walk around Walton Common and the Clevedon coastal path…
Sep
21

The Breath Reimagined

Every breath that we take invigorates the body and mind, energising us and keeping us alive. It is an intimate and wondrous phenomenon and potentially a very deep resource for our meditation. Cont………..
Oct
15

Introductory Course in Insight Meditation

Bristol Insight Meditation is offering a four week introductory course in Insight Meditation on Tuesday evenings from 15th Oct to 5th November.
Oct
26

Sangha Walk – Bradford-on-Avon, Freshford & Avoncliff

The next Bristol Insight Sangha walk, led by Jill Bird, will be a walk starting and ending at picturesque Bradford-on-Avon…
Nov
01

Nature meditation – Leigh Court Woods

Friday 1st Nov is the ‘Day of the Dead’ or All Saint’s Day, a chance to honour all those that have come before us. To celebrate, we are holding our first night time retreat in Leigh Court Woods from 6-9pm…
Nov
16

Investigation on Spiritual Friendship for your community

I should love to offer an investigation on Spiritual Friendship for your community. I am an Insight Dialogue teacher and will give a simple flavour of relational meditation throughout the day, drawing on the basic Insight Dialogue guidelines to support a relational practice investigating the power and joys of relational practice. Cont……..
Nov
30

Sangha Walk – Blaise Castle and Kings Weston Estates

The next Bristol Insight sangha walk, led by Tim Parsons, will be an exploration of the Blaise Castle and Kings Weston Estates…
Dec
21

Sangha Winter Solstice Walk – Long Ashton and Ashton Plantation

I invite you to join me on a sangha walk in the fields and woodland around Long Ashton on Saturday 21st December…
Dec
29

Nature meditation – Leigh Court Woods

Come join us round the campfire as we mark the transition from 2024 to 2025. This is a wonderful time to get outside after the festivities and enjoy all that the woods have to offer….