Sraddhadharani first began practising Buddhism in Manchester in the late '90's. A desire to explore her practise more deeply away from the distractions and demands of busy urban life lead to her moving to the Scottish Borders, where she has lived for the last 16 years with her partner and various dogs and cats. Her interest in and commitment to Buddhism continued to develop and thrive, helped by the beauty and peace of the surrounding landscape, as well as the many opportunities available within the Triratna Buddhist Community and she was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2013. She has a particular interest in meditation and has been co-facilitating a Meditation Group in her local village hall for the last 8 years. She also works as a dog walker and massage therapist and enjoys using ritual and ceremony as a way of bringing people together around shared values and experiences.
‘If happiness has not its seat and centre in the breast. We may be wise or rich or great but never can be blessed. No treasures, no pleasures can make us happy long. The hearts aye the part aye that makes us right or wrong’; so Robert Burns declared 200 years ago.
On this retreat we will be exploring our relationship to the landscape and the world around us. There will be minimal technical teaching on this retreat with the emphasis being very much on photography coming out of meditative experience (whatever that turns out to be!).
These retreats are an excellent short introduction to Buddhism and Meditation. We will cover an introduction to two traditional Buddhist meditations: the mindfulness of breathing and the development of loving kindness (Metta Bhavana). We will also introduce some key elements of the Buddhist tradition. As well as giving a grounding in the basic principles of Buddhism and meditation, these retreats are an ideal reflective situation in which to take a fresh look at ourselves.
These retreats combine introductory meditation teaching with a blend of traditional yoga and contemporary approaches to embodied movement. This playful synthesis of body based approaches to wellbeing (through meditation and movement) in the peaceful and beautiful environment of the retreat can help restore physical and mental vitality and balance in our lives.
These retreats are an excellent short introduction to Buddhism and Meditation. We will cover an introduction to two traditional Buddhist meditations: the mindfulness of breathing and the development of loving kindness (Metta Bhavana). We will also introduce some key elements of the Buddhist tradition. As well as giving a grounding in the basic principles of Buddhism and meditation, these retreats are an ideal reflective situation in which to take a fresh look at ourselves.
From the earliest days, the main meditative approach to awakening in Buddhism has combined the cultivation of calmness of mind (shamatha) and mental absorption (dhyana) with the cultivation of liberating insight (vipashyana).
Open to women in Scotland training for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order.
These retreats provide an excellent short introduction to both meditation and Buddhism. They will introduce you to two simple traditional meditation practices and give you grounding in the basic principles of Buddhism. They are an ideal situation in which to take a fresh look at yourself and your life.
For more information read the retreat information sheet.
A retreat exploring photography which will ground you in the technical skills required to improve your photography within the wider context of learning meditation. No experience of photography is necessary.
For more information read the retreat information sheet.
Covid-19 update: Sadly this retreat has been cancelled due to Tier 4 restrictions across Scotland. An alternative introductory weekend will be running online from 22-24 Jan. For more information click here.
