Introductory Weekend: Mindfulness | Taraloka | Buddhist Retreat Centre For Women

Friday, August 31, 2018 to Sunday, September 2, 2018

Led By: The Taraloka Team

Retreat Type: Introductory

2,500 years ago, the Buddha described mindfulness as ‘clear and radiant’ and as ‘stillness, simplicity and contentment’. He saw it as a deeply human quality of unlimited potential and which can bring meaning and happiness to our lives. Yet we do not need to be Buddhist nor interested in Buddhism to benefit from mindfulness.

This weekend is suitable for newcomers and is an introduction to mindfulness: as a meditation practice, as a way of being and as part of a spiritual path.

Mindfulness practices can help us to develop a serene, alert, focussed state of mind, in which we can get beyond the usual chatter in our heads and start to listen to our deeper inspiration and wisdom. On a retreat, beyond the busyness and pressures of our daily lives, we can give ourselves space and time to go deeper into our experience, and allow clearer perspectives to emerge on what is truly important to us in our lives.

We will fully introduce the Mindfulness of Breathing, a simple, effective and traditional meditation. In this practice we focus on the natural experience of breathing, in a way which is both directed and relaxed and which unfolds through a series of structured stages.
The retreat will also include activities to explore bringing mindfulness into our daily lives, small discussion groups, presentations, and some time for ourselves: to relax, let go and appreciate sitting quietly or walking in the landscape.

Suggested donation (in addition to the booking fee): £140 waged / £85 unwaged

Booking Fee:

£50.00

Paying for your retreat

Taraloka runs on generosity.

To book a retreat you pay a booking fee. This is the only charge made for coming on retreat. As far as possible, we don't want anyone's financial situation to stop them from coming to Taraloka.

At the end of your retreat, you have the opportunity to give money towards Taraloka. If you are able to donate, you are giving to another person who otherwise could not afford to come on retreat. And you are helping to give the gift of Taraloka to the women of the future.

Suggested donations

Our suggested donations (in addition to the booking fee) for 2024-25 are (waged/unwaged)

Weekend retreats (£195 / 135)
Long Weekend (3 nights) (£225 / 160)
4 night retreats (£255 / 175)
5 night retreats (£285 / 195)
Week retreats: (£365 / 250)
9 night retreats (£410 / 290)
12 night retreats (£465/ 310)

There will be an opportunity to make your donation at the end of the retreat. Donations can be made by credit/debit card, cheque or cash.

Those who cannot afford our suggested donations are free to contribute what they can.

Running on generosity is radical – thank you for being part of that.

For more information see what does it cost and a flow of generosity