Retreats

“Without subduing ones own mind we can’t subdue others, who are numberless. We can’t help. So for that we are gathered here … to subdue the mind that creates all our suffering”. Lama Zopa Rinpoche on the purpose of retreats.

Meditation retreats give us the opportunity to step outside of our everyday activities and preoccupations, and commit ourselves, for a period of time, to the process of stabilising our own minds and understanding our own nature. A Buddhist retreat involves devoting our time to the guided and structured practice of meditation techniques, with the view that we can find a more harmonious relationship with our own being, develop a better way of connecting with others through undermining habits of self-cherishing, and discover a path to our own enlightenment, the realisation of our Buddha nature.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche advises that we approach our meditation practice with the motivation that we are moving towards Buddhahood, the natural state that is completely infused with all the qualities of wisdom and compassion. Rinpoche also tells us that the true spiritual path is difficult and requires a deep commitment as well as the blessings of an authentic lineage and a capable teacher.

On the challenges of meditation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said “Nothing is more important than guarding the mind. Let us constantly keep watch over the wild elephant of the mind, curbing it with mindfulness and vigilance … But even in retreat in a very secluded place, if the mind is not kept under control, it will wander all over the place.” It is therefore essential to have a teacher with a thorough understanding of the Buddhist teachings and an extensive personal experience of a variety of meditation techniques to help us overcome unhelpful habits of thought and behaviour.

Meditation retreats are generally attended by those who have some experience of meditation, with a regular practice routine (please contact us if you are wondering whether a retreat is right for you). Some retreats start the day with the Buddhist precepts (taken for 24hrs at a time). They may also have a study as well as a practice component.

Our retreats are led by highly experienced teachers and focus on developing the key components of meditation, clarifying and pacifying the mind through shamatha (mindfulness meditation) and revealing the nature of the mind through vipassana (insight meditation). Get in touch with Chrissie Martindale at spc@jamyangleeds.co.uk for more information.

Buddhist Meditation Retreats

Upcoming Meditation Retreats

Other practice opportunities

Find out more about our regular Buddhist meditation sessions and other practice events.