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19 Jan to 26 Jan 2018
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The set of Buddhist love meditations, the brahma vihāras or 'divine abodes' are kindness (mettā bhāvanā), compassion (karunā bhāvanā), appreciative joy (muditā bhāvanā) and (upekkhā bhāvanā). In a way they are a meditative preparation for real life, all those encounters with real human beings in the midst of their joys and sorrows. They culminate in upekkhā bhāvanā which is a contemplation of the human condition, how everyone is embodied within a flow of conditions and continually making the choices that create their future. On the retreat we can get familiar with the whole range of emotions that human encounters stir up, from envy and resentment to anxiety, pity and gloom to craving, anger and possessiveness. All through, our ideal will be to access our innate humanity and respond from that deeper level. My own style of teaching is to introduce each of the brahma vihāras in a simplified three-stage form initially and then the longer version after we've had some practice. I also like to relate and combine them so that, for example, we positively rejoice in the strength and courage of someone who is able to respond really well to their own suffering. The meditations start and finish with T.A.R.A: that Tender All-Receiving Awareness which forms the foundation of mindfulness, the receptive awareness which underlies all other meditations and is the basis of love itself.

For more information read the retreat information sheet.

Booking Fee: 
£75.00
Booking Availability: 
Less than 10 spaces

This retreat is no longer open for bookings

Paying for your retreat

Dhanakosa runs on donations

Dhanakosa does not charge for retreats.  Instead, we ask people to make a donation towards the ongoing cost of running the centre, for everyone.  This recognises that everyone’s financial circumstances are different.  It’s a genuine donation but our suggested donations may serve as a guide.  You are free to decide how much to give.  And we don’t want our doors to be closed to the less well off.

The donations we collect from you on your retreat pay for future retreats.  You are “paying it forward”.  And the retreatants of the future will heartily appreciate your generosity.

To find out more about how donations to Dhanakosa and the Dana Economy click here.

Suggested donations

Booking fees for 2024:

  • £100 for week/2 week retreats
  • £75 for weekend retreats

Our suggested donations for 2024 (in addition to the booking fee) are (higher/lower level):

  • Week retreats: £650 / £420
  • Weekend retreats: £300 / £210
  • 2 week retreat: £1100 / £750

We ask people to make a donation in advance of arrival, either online or by phone. You can do this by phoning the office or donate online here. Please use the message section of the on-line form, or email us to let us know which retreat you are donating for.

It will also be possible to give a donation while you are here. Donations can be made by credit/debit card, cheque or cash.