Smritiratna

Smritiratna writes: "We live, it seems, in increasingly troubled times. Yet if we fall prey to fear, hatred, blame and conflict, things only get worse. Somehow we need the resources to find our feet, rise up and meet the challenges we face with courage and confidence, with strength and dignity, with creativity and compassion, with wisdom and the harmonising speech that builds concord and co-operation.

Open to Order Members of the Triratna Buddhist Order in Scotland.

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.

In Buddhism, the four love meditations are known as the brahma vihāras or ‘sublime abidings’. These meditations cultivate kindness (mettā bhāvanā), compassion (karunā bhāvanā), appreciative joy (muditā bhāvanā) and serenity (upekkhā bhāvanā). In a way they are a meditative preparation for real life - our encounters with real human beings in the midst of their joys and sorrows.

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.

We begin this retreat around the time of the Winter Solstice, which we shall be celebrating, as of old, the following evening. This is the darkest time of the year, when the short days begin to increase again, the nights drawing back as the daylight returns. We live at a dark time in human history too, with multiple dangers looming. At such a time it is natural to feel gloomy. Yet at just such a time we can rekindle our faith in humanity and the human potential for Enlightenment.

Seeing the dangers confronting humankind these days, we can feel depressed, demoralised and helpless to avert disaster - or even to talk about such feelings. This retreat provides a space not only to talk but to explore an extraordinary sequence of reflections and communal practices that can rekindle an active hope and vision for humanity.

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 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 weekend retreat open to members of the Triratna Buddhist Order in Scotland.

2022 Covid-19 update: We expect to be running this retreat with a maximum of 21 people including the team. Before booking please read our Covid Pre-retreat information sheet here for more information about what to expect.