Nayaka came to Dhanakosa in 1996 after learning to meditate with the Newcastle Buddhist Centre. Drawn by the mountains, he quickly felt at home here and became increasingly involved in the running of the centre. He became part of the management team in 1999, was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order in 2001 and became Centre Director in 2006. He has a background in earth and life sciences, a long standing interest in natural history and a love of the wilderness. He has two children, now young adults, and lives at Dhanakosa with Dharmavasini.
For men training for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order and Order Members.
£75.00
The five skandhas are a description of human experience often evoked in both early and later Buddhism to point to the nature of reality through reflection. When approached experientially this list has the power to lead us to deep transformation.
On this retreat we will take a three levels of wisdom approach to the topic; using study to conceptually understand our topic just enough to support reflection, then diving into our direct experience we will familiarise ourselves with the skandhas as they present in the immediacy of each moment, supporting deeper meditation, and enabling us to witness the unfolding of experience with a new sense of freedom.
The skandhas are of course a description of the whole of our experience, so as well as a substantial amount of time in the shrine room we will be encouraging an integrated and holistic approach to practice specifically including periods of meditation and reflection outdoors where the full and sensuous experience of nature can gently lead us deeper. Optional movement sessions will also help us ground our experience and retreat reviews will give opportunity for personal guidance.
For more information, read the retreat information sheet.
£100
Going Deeper retreats are an ideal first regulars’ retreat. They are suitable for anyone who has already done an introductory retreat or who has been attending their local Triratna centre and wants to take things deeper.
Going Deeper with Hillwalking takes the established, successful Hillwalking retreat format and by intensifying the practice enables us to connect more deeply with our experience both in the shrine room and in nature. We will continue exploring the Mindfulness of Breathing and Metta Bhavana and also introduce a stronger Just Sitting element to the practice, and more reflection, both on and off the cushion. These retreats will also include an introduction to Buddhist ritual and the Seven Fold Puja. Longer periods of silence together and quiet walks will all support a deep and rich experience both of ourselves and the world around us.
The retreat will include three days of guided walks. There will be walk options available to suit different levels of fitness. All walks are in the local area, but some require a short drive to get to the starting point. For more information on the walks, recommended fitness levels and the appropriate clothing and footwear to bring, please read the retreat information sheet.
£100
This retreat will take a playful approach to reconnecting with the body through the elemental experience of water and through movement. Each day we will have the opportunity for several swims in the local lochs and rivers as well as other explorations of water and wet places.
We will have daily guided movement sessions to support embodiment and connection. There will also be introductory meditation teaching, daily collective meditation practice, and a practical contemporary look at some traditional Buddhist teachings.
Swim activities will include lifeguard supported bank-based activates, swim trips (for more experienced swimmers) and the opportunity for unsupported personal swimming. There may also be the opportunity to walk by water and explore local burns and waterfalls.
For more information, including swimming ability and wetsuit requirement, please read the retreat information sheet before booking.
£100
Going Deeper retreats are an ideal first regulars’ retreat. They are suitable for anyone who has already done an introductory retreat or who has been regularly attending their local Triratna centre and wants to take things deeper.
In Going Deeper – Awake in the Wild we will take our meditation practice into the great outdoors. Awakening our senses to the different elements of the surrounding landscape, we will cultivate a deeper sense of connection with nature.
We will explore how our connection with nature, landscape, and the elements can support a deepening of awareness and a more embodied and harmonious approach to life. We will weave together Buddhist teachings, meditation practice, and an appreciative and playful investigation of the natural world around us to create an experience of depth and connection.
To help ground our experience we will have daily gentle movement practices, including Qi Gong. The retreat will also include an introduction to Buddhist ritual and the seven-fold puja, with an emphasis on connecting with nature.
For more information, read the retreat information sheet.
£100
Can we practice the Dharma in a way that deepens our sense of aliveness and connection with the living earth?
On this retreat we will be exploring what it is to be human, and what it is to be animist. We will go back to practices taught by the Buddha, whose teaching reflects the animistic culture of ancient India, such as meditating on the six elements and the six sense spheres, to overcome the modern separation of the ego from nature, and to rediscover the background hum of life in every moment of experience in our bodies and out in the world.
Dhanakosa is an excellent venue for this kind of retreat, with its combination of elemental grandeur and good conditions for meditation indoors and outside.
This retreat is for people who already practice with the Triratna Buddhist Community and have a basic grasp of the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana, and basic Buddhist principles, as taught in Triratna.
For more information, read the retreat information sheet.
£100
This retreat will take a playful approach to reconnecting with the body through the elemental experience of water and through movement. Each day we will have the opportunity to swim in the local lochs and rivers as well as other explorations of water and wet places. We will also be using dance and movement to support embodiment and connection. There will also be introductory meditation teaching, daily collective meditation practice, and a practical contemporary look at some traditional Buddhist teachings.
Swim activities will include lifeguard supported bank-based activates, swim trips (for more experienced swimmers) and the opportunity for unsupported personal swimming. There may also be the opportunity to explore local burns and waterfalls.
For more information read the retreat information sheet.
£100
For men training for ordination into the Triratna Buddhist Order and Order Members.
£75
Modern life is complex, often demanding and can be highly technical too. But as human beings gifted with the magical mystery of awareness, we have all we need to align with and relax into awakening, just as the Buddha did.
On this retreat we will explore the possibility of easing into natural simplicity and effortless enjoyment of life's journey. Drawing on the ancient wisdom of Mahamudra we will invite in resources, release obstacles, and relax into the flow of life more fully without the stress of trying to control our experience.
The retreat will invite a revitalisation and a fresh approach to practice wherever you are on your journey and whatever meditation you practice. As a retreat community we will meditate together becoming a stronger force for good in the world. We will do this within the timeless flow of awakening in the company of all our fellow meditators past, present, near and far inspired by all enlightened beings, mythical, magical, and just like us.
This retreat is for people who already have a regular meditation practice and established connection with the Triratna Buddhist Community. Who are already familiar with the mindfulness of breathing and the metta bhavana, and the practice of puja.
For more information read the retreat information sheet.
£100