Detailed List of Retreats

As we travel deeper into the 21st century we experience more and more acutely - if we are awake and aware - the unravelling of the interconnected cycles and systems which make up this miracle of life on this Earth which is our only home. Increasingly, we humans don't seem to care for anything other than ourselves. The chasm that is separating human beings from the natural world and from one another is widening, with society encouraging ever more alienation. Even the very words for wild and natural things - flowers and creatures and landscapes - are being erased from the great dictionaries, to be replaced by technology-speak. And yet the words we choose become the world we live in - so we are diligently engaged in making an un-natural and hyper-me world. It is our connection, our relationship, with something that moves us to take care of it. So the key to our future lies in re-connecting ourselves to the Earth, to one another, to our true nature. We cannot survive independently from the Earth and her natural cycles and systems. No matter which strand we try to isolate, we will always find it hitched to a myriad others. Indeed, we are made of the elements. We are made of the same stuff as the stars. We and they have come from the same singularity. Yet a long time ago, before physicists had ever even theorized about the Big Bang, Dogen, the great Zen master, already knew.  I came to realize that the mind is nothing but the sun and the moon and countless stars. Can we also come to this knowing, like Dogen? How can we come to know that the sun and moon and stars are within, that the wilderness is within, that we are the whole of it? The Buddha showed us how when he awoke to the Truth while sitting under the Bodhi tree. He had found through his practice of meditation that we are the sun and the moon and the stars, that the wilderness is within, and is home. He had seen the great interdependence of all things. Taking advantage of the wilderness around the BRC, we will explore the meeting place of the outer and inner worlds to uncover our connection with ourselves, all beings, the sun and moon and the stars. The retreat will combine meditation practice with silent contemplative walking in the wilderness, as well as some of the spiral practices from Joanna Macy's Work That Reconnects.

In a series of talks and Mindfulness meditation sessions, we will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states on the body: psychoneuroimmunology or PNI. The talks and demonstrations will show that we can attain optimal wellness and performance by getting to know our temperament and personality traits; by being more present-minded; and through sensible, informed ways of living and behaving.

Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality. Participants will learn the key techniques of how to master chi kung and incorporate it into their daily lives, effortlessly. These techniques are easy to learn, are useful and powerful. The healing power of chi kung works on both the physical and spiritual level - if it is done correctly. These techniques include breathing, timing, warm ups, postures, movement and mind projection. Dr Hu will also introduce Chinese medicine for detoxing, lowering cholesterol, decreasing body fat and relieving water retention. This retreat is designed to suit beginners, as well as those who have practised chi kung previously.

This 4-day 'Open the heart and still the mind' retreat facilitated by clinical psychologist, Sue Cooper, offers an integration of body, heart and mind and is held in a contained and nurturing atmosphere of contemplative (Noble) silence. Inspired by the wisdom of Buddhist psychology, with its profound understanding of the truth of Impermanence, we will explore ways to integrate change and loss in our lives, so that we can learn to bear the unbearable. Through sitting and walking meditations, compassion practices, chi kung and short individual sessions, we will strengthen our capacity for courageous presence. This allows us to embrace life and death with an open and compassionate heart, one which can rediscover joy and lightness of being, in the midst of life's challenges. There will be time for restorative rest, as well as for silent walks in the beautiful gardens of the BRC. Beginners as well as experienced meditators are very welcome.

CPD accreditation for psychologists and other HPCSA registered professionals: 26 General CEUs  are applicable and R175 admin fee is requested to receive the CPD certificate. Please also kindly be aware that as there is no teacher's fee charged, your dana for this retreat replaces the teacher's fee, which is usually R2500-4000 for a non dana-based retreat of this length of time. See: sue.stillmind@gmail.com and www.suecooper.co.za

Join us for a joyous celebration of chanting and enjoy the wonder of your singing voice. François and Sally will help you uncover your natural voice and lift it to new heights of expression and beauty. By combining correct breathing techniques with chanting and stillness, and discovering the origin of speech, your 'body-mind' and voice will be refined. We will focus on sacred chanting, incantations and mantras which form an integral part of most religions, including Buddhism. The healing power and expressive nature of singing appeals to and affects every aspect of our being, including our intellect and emotions. Such harmonious sound opens the heart to joy and can be transforming. By Sunday, the Ixopo hills will truly be alive with the sound of chanting. Daily sessions of chi kung and meditation will take your experience even deeper.

This is an interactive retreat designed to help the “beginner” to understand and experience the basics of meditation practice. Meditation is a tool to transform the mind so that one’s life and experiences become more meaningful. This is achieved through simple, yet effective Mindfulness techniques as well as analytical meditation practices. Different techniques will be experienced so that retreatants can take with them tools to assist the transformative process in their daily-life. No prior knowledge of meditation is necessary. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of silence and contemplation.

Tune in and allow Nature to flow through your heart and lens. The lens of your camera is an extension of your eye, your eyes are an extension of your heart. This weekend workshop is guided by Master Fine Art photographer, Marlene Neumann. She will take you on a journey deep into the forest where you can explore the light through your camera lens as you listen to the ancient wisdom whispered by the trees. This is not a technical workshop on how to use your camera, but rather an opportunity to learn to follow the light and allow the spirits of Nature to shine through you. Marlene’s contemplative approach will teach you new insights and a new way of seeing. See www.marleneneumann.com.

This is a largely unstructured self-retreat with meditation, chi kung, walks and healing therapies

Join us for Easter in the hills of Ixopo where you will be left alone in the beautiful surroundings of the Centre, to meditate in the Buddha Boma  and relax with healing therapies. Wake up to the sound of the gong, followed by meditation and chi kung in the dell. Experience the profundity of Noble Silence in the morning and what it is like to eat your breakfast quietly and really be present in that moment. Tune into the sound of the windchimes and birdsong, and the beat of one’s heart in this tranquil environment. Healing therapies such as aromatherapy, reflexology and sound therapy will be offered during the day. This retreat will allow you to rest, relax and reflect in the Easter tradition. Meals will be their usual delicious “Plentiful” best. We will also offer a Meditation On Tea, the ancient, meditative Chinese Tea Ceremony.

Yoga asanas (postures) massage the internal organs, nerves and glands, improving their performance. They enhance energy levels and stamina, flexibility and agility of the body and mind, enabling you to lead a more active and creative life. Sleep and digestion are improved.  Yoga’s focus on the body and correct breathing improves energy levels and the immune system.  As you let go of resistance and allow the muscles and tendons to release into the postures, you also learn to let go of resistance in other areas of life, accepting what is and what cannot be changed, helping you to make better choices. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat.

Dissolve your old imprisoned self … and set yourself free now…
Freedom from grief, depression and anxiety
Freedom from need, fear and wanting
Freedom from jealousy and regret
Freedom from lack of self-worth
Freedom from non-forgiveness
Freedom from past pain
Freedom for Life

Sometimes getting away from it all for a short while and being gently guided through a process of soul re-integration and healing, is all that is needed to shift your life to higher levels of love and fulfilment. Until you discover your true life purpose, your life may appear rudderless and uncertain. This retreat includes finding your inner purpose: the power of forgiveness, acceptance, surrender and presence. Participants will be guided to answer three vital questions: Who are you? What do you really want? What is your life's purpose? During this workshop participants will discover how to still the mind and access the power of presence, opening them up to greater levels of happiness and creativity. By stripping away the layers of the unconscious mind and discovering a deeper innate sense of being, participants will gain a clearer sense of purpose and direction. The Awakening Shift Experience is based on John Homewood’s own insights and takes retreatants through a shift from head to heart. He draws not only from his own experience and understanding, but also on enlightened teachings from Eckhart Tolle’s A Course in Miracles. The retreat combines wisdom teachings with practical exercises, guided meditations, simple yogic breathing and stretching, quiet stillness interludes and question and answer sessions. Participants can extend this experience by continuing with a follow up retreat: Going Deeper Into The Awakening.

This retreat is only open for participants of Awakening Shift retreats.

Going even deeper into the process of awakening, this extended retreat takes participants further into the powerful creative space beyond mind and will include wisdom teachings, intimate question and answer discussions as well as counselling sessions with John. He will also deal with individual life challenges and questions and provide tools and techniques to break through various blockages in life, allowing  joy and abundance to flow again, often in miraculous ways. Dissolve your old imprisoned self - and set yourself free. Experience freedom from grief, depression and anxiety; freedom from fear, jealousy and regret; freedom from lack of self-worth and non-forgiveness; freedom from past pain. The retreat includes both guided and silent meditation and chi kung sessions.

Yin yoga provides the balance to our hectic Yang lifestyle. In today’s busy world we are inundated with the pressure to do more, take on yet more and push ourselves even further. This retreat provides a balance to our often frenetic, stressful lives and will restore harmony, health and calmness. In relaxing our muscles and surrendering into our yoga postures, we are able to work deeply into the joints, ligaments, fascia and bones of the body - releasing tension and detoxifying normally inaccessible parts of our bodies. The weekend is centred around releasing, relaxing and restoring our bodies, our minds and our energy and is suitable for everyone. Please bring your own yoga mats.

The full moon of May - Wesak - is the most important day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha 2,500 years ago. Wesak is traditionally held on the full moon of the lunar month of Vesakha (coincidental with May) which in 2019 falls over this weekend. We will mark this festival with a programme of sitting and walking meditation with talks and reflections on aspects of the Buddha’s life and teachings and, in union with Buddhists around the world, we will hold a Wesak ceremony including pertinent readings, a candle-lit circumambulation and traditional chanting. Please note: Apart from the talk and discussion periods this retreat will be held in Noble Silence.

Drumming and music-making are ancient ways of transcending our routine lifestyle, opening ourselves to spiritual realms of healing and creativity, which is experienced as liberating and rejuvenating. The  universe is a flux of pulsating rhythms. Drumming connects us to these rhythms, facilitating a change in consciousness that leads to a sense of beonging and well-being, which promotes deep relaxation and healing. In this retreat we will be learning basic drumming techniques and exploring rhythmic creativity which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation.

Mindfulness is defined as knowing what is happening, while it is happening, with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. In the beginning, we notice how our attention is like a butterfly flitting from one thought to the next. So we start by slowing down and settling our mind. We then introduce practices that ground us, allowing our attention to drop out of our heads and into the sensory awareness of the body. We learn to rest in the present moment getting used to disengaging from our habits of compulsive doing. During the retreat we will be “coming home” to our body, heart and mind; applying curiosity and compassion to whatever we notice. This attitude of openness, kindness and acceptance to whatever is there helps us to live with greater clarity and resilience. The weekend will be experiential and is designed as a helpful first step in developing your own personal Mindfulness practice or as a way of refreshing your existing practice.

Our search for meaning is the most prominent quest of our time. More and more people today are on a personal quest for meaning and a deeper sense of purpose, in the hope of enjoying a happier life. Logotherapy, as an existentialist analysis, was developed by Dr Viktor Frankl - more famous for his book Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl was practising as a neurologist and psychiatrist in Vienna when, as a Jew, he was sent to the concentration camps. There he refined his therapy on how to discover meaning in life despite suffering. This secular approach offers many parallels with that of Buddhist philosophy. The weekend workshop will include activities and worksheets to assist participants to discover their own unique path to meaning. It will also be infused with case studies from Tibetans who escaped from the Chinese occupation of their country, as living examples of how it is possible to live life powerfully despite severe challenges.

We all have stories to tell, but many of us don’t know where to start. In this workshop we will stop - listen - connect - write. The focus will be two interconnected, transformative practices: mindfulness (awareness, presence, “listening” ) and memoir writing (story). You will get to meet, name and kick-start a relationship with your personal muse; mine the richness of your life for “story”; explore focussed journaling practice (self-expression, self-coaching, self-growth, liberation); start a memoir. You will get to take away tools, strategies, and a “how-to” plan to move forward. And lots more.
For the cost of the course: Contact Wanda: wanda@wandahennig.com / 072-664-3170.

Ayurveda - the knowledge of life - is a 5000 year old healing/health system that offers integrated, balanced living and preventative medicine. This ancient wisdom helps us to maintain health from deep within our systems, of which yoga and meditation are a part. In this retreat we will look at the fundamental guiding principles of Ayurveda. The daily rhythm includes a talk, followed by a class combining chi kung and simple, gentle, dynamic yoga for all levels of fitness, walking meditation, guided visualization, yoga nidra and breathing practices (pranayama). No previous experience is needed.

Come and join us for some serious fun and adventure this winter!  Spend 3 days filled with games and stories, nature walks, making art and toasting marshmallows under the stars and lantern-lit trees in the beautiful environment of the BRC. This is a family retreat aimed at children of school-going age (10 and up) and offers a basic introduction to Buddhist thought and practice as well as guidance for parents and children to explore spirituality through connecting with nature and creative expression. Children must be accompanied by an adult, preferably a parent.

The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. Our sedentary, western lifestyle has stiffened our limbs and spine to such an extent that many people find the yoga asanas (poses) difficult to perform. Iyengar yoga evolved to deal with this problem - safely, without forcing the body into harmful contortions. Iyengar uses simple, but carefully calibrated props and other supports to achieve postures that would otherwise be unattainable except after years of practice. This retreat is suitable for beginners and for those who may have practised other forms of yoga. The weekend retreat is an introduction to the Iyengar method. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 4-day retreat is strongly recommended (23-27 June).

For those who wish to consolidate and deepen their yoga practice, this 4-day intensive retreat is highly recommended. You will definitely feel stretched, relaxed and fit for life.

Here I am once again, disguised as myself – from About Death and Other Things   Alexander Ristovic

Life writing is not only about developing technical skills. It is also a way to reflect and grow awareness. The tools we need to write about what we know best are tools we need to live more creatively, less anxiously. Whether you are writing fiction or poetry, life writing skills can help to deepen observation. We each have life motifs or themes that are more or less unconscious. Yet an evolving pattern binds our journey from birth to death into a whole coherent piece. Getting to know more about the story we are living helps us to ride our stories, rather than our stories riding us. We will reclaim memory and imagination as means to release ourselves into awe and creativity, connectedness and purpose, awareness and pleasure. Through identifying and engaging with the images that shape our time on earth, we will find refreshing approaches to put our personal stories down on the page. Bring a notebook and pen, two objects from the period you want to write about - one that represents something you loved about it, and one that represents something you disliked about that time. Beginners are welcome.

You are invited to explore the creative information that is bound up in your persistent difficulties - your chronic illness, relationship problems, habits and addictions, artistic blocks, or spiritual dilemmas. Neuroscience confirms that our behaviour, attitudes and choices are driven by images and narrative. This explains why logic and argument are often ineffective in changing old patterns. Locked into a chronic or recurrent complaint are stagnant and blocked images. Instead of trying to get rid of the difficulty out of fear and frustration, we will explore the associated images with curiosity. This workshop will help you to identify the images that underlie the disturbances in your life and give you tools to explore them. This can release valuable information and connections about them. Paying attention and using the tools of the artist - drawing, writing, movement, clay and  collage - encourages  unexpected resolutions to emerge.

"When we are busy judging people, we have no time to love them" -  Marshall Rosenberg

When interacting with others, we often find ourselves emotionally triggered and then we communicate in ways that hurt or harm - ourselves, the other, or the relationship between us. We have not learnt how to use mindful and authentic communication. The principles and practices we will explore on this retreat are drawn from Non-Violent Communication And Insight Dialogue, and held within a framework of yoga and mindfulness, in order to increase awareness, compassion and ease with ourselves and others. We will explore both intra-personal and inter-personal mindfulness in order to cultivate skills of empathy, compassion and a better understanding of self and other. Contemplative dyads are increasingly being taught in retreat settings as a way to promote social connectedness, something that we are often lacking in daily life where our time is dominated by digital devices. We will practise deep listening in this retreat setting, in order to learn skills that can increase feelings of closeness and strengthen relationships with our friends and partners. These practices will help us communicate with more presence of mind so that we learn to be aware of our feelings and needs and stay open to the feelings and needs of others.

Visitors to the BRC often like to experience the practice of Mindfulness Meditation (Sati), which is the kernel of the entire spectrum of the teachings of the Buddha. Sati equips us with the capacity to deal calmly and effectively with the many challenging circumstances that inevitably come our way in life. As we all know - often to our cost - when the mind is unsettled and distraught, we tend to make decisions and say and do things we often regret, upon reflection. Sati, therefore, corrects this tendency for the mind to become overwhelmed by negative emotions and enables us to find a space of mental stillness and clarity. Meditation and chi kung will be offered over this unstructured retreat, and a chance to simply be present from one moment to the next in a tranquil, natural environment.

The way we move, think, act and breathe contributes to the flow and vitality of prana - the universal energy that runs through us and everything around us. Daily stress and tension can create energetic and physical obstacles. However, when we work on freeing the breath through focused, meditative pranayama (breathing exercises) and yoga asana practice (posture), we focus on letting life energy flow through the body, which has the effect of vitalising, relaxing and healing. By practising the pause - on and off the yoga mat - we learn to slow things down and to find balance in our daily lives. We will explore ways to energise or calm ourselves by changing our breathing patterns and by moving our bodies in a mindful way, using the ancient practice of yoga. The retreat is suitable for beginners and will include sunrise and sunset meditation.

Are you longing for a more loving relationship with your body? Every symptom, every emotion, every negative thought guides you back home - to the exquisite connection between you and your Body Wisdom. Real nourishment doesn’t start with food; it starts with how you communicate with your body, how you let yourself feel and how you listen to and honour the messages you receive from your body. In this retreat you will learn to access your Body Wisdom through a gentle, but powerful self-enquiry process which will help you to shift years of baggage, trauma, pain so that you can create a foundation for wellness.

The Buddha’s teachings emphasise the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to be of service to others. Most of us, whether we are professional caregivers or people caring for family, colleagues or friends, miss this vital step. When we are told to take better care of ourselves we either feel we don’t have the time or don’t know how to do that or where to begin. The secret lies in finding your Centre - because when we are centred in our own wholeness, we are able to deal with what life throws at us.  This retreat will teach you practical tools to help you find, regain and retain your balance so that you can ride life’s merry-go-round with equanimity. This retreat is ideal for care workers and anyone wanting to be more effective in caring for themselves.

We are inviting you on a journey of direct experiencing, sensing and being - witnessing the mystery of existence reveal itself. The Dyad is a powerful meditation technique which rapidly takes us to a heightened level of mindfulness and self-awareness. In contrast to silent meditation methods practised alone, this is practised face-to-face. Through the Dyad enquiry we watch our hearts unfold, learning to trust ourselves, to listen with our whole being and to speak from a place of inner awareness. Just as in Origami, each fold presents a new facet of ourselves; another aspect of life. Individual and group processes will be alternated with periods of individual reflection and quiet contemplation in the beautiful natural surroundings of the BRC.  Click here to view a clip of a similar retreat conducted abroad.

The five elements provide a very dynamic system of understanding life. They make up the world around us and are in all living organisms, only the proportions differ.When the elements are in balance there is balance and harmony; when they are out of balance there is disharmony and dis-ease. The balance is constantly changing within and around us. To help us learn how to work with this ever-changing balance of the elements in a positive way, we have to first get to know them. In this retreat we will use the Tibetan schemata of the five elements - earth, water, fire, air and space. We will explore and get to know them in a practical way. We will examine and become familiar with the characteristics and qualities of each, and observe their interaction. At the same time we learn to observe our mind/body states in relation to the elements. The retreat will include guided meditation, gentle stretching and creative work around each element, including painting and working with clay. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Everybody experiences tranquility from time to time, because this open quality of mind is natural to us all. Yet, often our bodies and minds tighten and freeze to life’s challenges and stresses, even though creative solutions and expansive ideas are most likely to arise from a relaxed state. Healing Relaxation -  designed by the late Akong Tulku Rinpoche, a wise Tibetan Buddhist healer, and a team of western healing professionals - is a simple, highly practical, yet profound programme which helps people repair the strains and tensions resulting from the conditions of modern life, and prevents them from developing in the first place. Relaxation and awareness practices can enhance our ability to access calm, expansive states of mind intentionally throughout our day. In this workshop, we will explore the benefits of developing such calmer states of mind, and learn effective relaxation, breathing and visualisation techniques.

In a series of talks and Mindfulness meditation sessions, we will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states on the body: psychoneuroimmunology or PNI. The talks and demonstrations will show that we can attain optimal wellness and performance by getting to know our temperament and personality traits; by being more present-minded; and through sensible, informed ways of living and behaving.

Visitors to the BRC often like to experience the practice of Mindfulness Meditation (Sati), which is the kernel of the entire spectrum of the teachings of the Buddha. Sati equips us with the capacity to deal calmly and effectively with the many challenging circumstances that inevitably come our way in life. As we all know - often to our cost - when the mind is unsettled and distraught, we tend to make decisions and say and do things we often regret later, when the mind has calmed down and when we are able to reflect on them. Sati, therefore, corrects this tendency for the mind to become overwhelmed by negative emotions and enables us to find a space of mental stillness and clarity. Meditation and chi kung will be offered, and a chance to simply be present from one moment to the next in the tranquil surroundings of the BRC.

Learn why Nia is a lifestyle practice that strengthens your ability to sustain body-centred awareness and vitalises your nervous system. Feel how every cell in your body can vibrate in joy and how you are connected to everything that surrounds you. It is more than a cardio dance fitness class.

Enjoy the revitalising and rejuvenating effects of both hatha and restorative yoga sessions over this retreat. Yoga offers us a nurturing space where we can heal and balance our physical, mental and emotional selves more effectively, as well as develop strength, stability and flexibility.  Both hatha and restorative yoga offer overall support and healing to the nervous, lymphatic, hormonal, cardio thoracic, digestive and immune systems which brings you back into harmony with your body’s natural rhythms. Through asana (posture), and pranayama (breathing), we learn to become more mindful in our lives. You will also  learn the art of preparing a dosha-balancing meal that will take you from the cool days of winter into spring.  Be your own healer by learning how to incorporate the therapeutic properties of food, herbs and spices into your daily routine  to detoxify your body and enjoy optimal health.

"Between living and dreaming there is a third thing. Guess it."
Antonio Machado

In this retreat we wander between words and silence as we inhabit the spaces in-between. When we write and meditate we attend to the moment in a zen-pen way. This moment open us up to time and space beyond tick-tock clock time.  We draw inspiration from the mynah birds in Huxley’s novel Island who call out "attention, be here now." Word by word and breath by breath, we create an expanded sense of reality. Beginner writers/meditators are welcome, for we live this retreat weekend in beginner’s mind.

Some record only what has happened to them; but others record how they happened to the universe - Henry David Thoreau

On this retreat we follow Wordsworth’s advice: "Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." The word journal comes from Old French, day. A daily encounter with yourself. Journal echoes the word journey. So we become travellers of inner and outer regions, writing in our travelogues. Our guiding metaphor? A journal is a mirror, a window and a cameras lens.  It reflects our realities, helps us focus and opens us to the world. "A journal does not simply record my actual life but rather offers an alternative to it." Susan Sontag

Open to newcomers and seasoned meditators alike, this retreat gives participants a taste of the practice of Mindfulness: developing moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. This powerful practice enables one to relate with equanimity to whatever is unfolding and makes it possible to work more creatively with the stresses and demands of daily living. Based on the work of Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn, this retreat combines traditional eastern wisdom with modern science and psychology and aims to generate a greater sense of present-mindedness, less reactivity, more relaxation, body awareness and self-compassion through mindful exercises, yoga, group discussion and reflection. This unique format enables one to integrate this practice into one’s daily life.

What comes first? Karma or Drama? Our previous karma - going back many lifetimes - usually thrusts us into the dramas we experience in all our relationships. Yet, it is the drama of ups and downs that usually creates more karma! So both are important to examine. All we know is that difficult relationships cause us pain and suffering, but is there a way to deal with relationships more creatively? The answer is to learn to view difficult relationships in a completely different way. During this retreat we will study the Buddhist approach to relationships from which we will learn that we are the creators of all our drama and that we need to take responsibility for change no matter how difficult. We will see relationships as a mirror reflecting our repetitive imprints both positively and negatively. This 3-day workshop will include meditation, chi kung and periods of quiet and rest.

The practice of yoga brings the mind and body together, grounding us in the present, connecting us with where we are and what our body tells us about ourselves. Yoga is a process of re-connecting to our body and breath, coming back into the present moment. The ancient yogis realized that in order to be able to meditate effectively requires a healthy, strong body, so they developed yoga postures (asanas), cleansing techniques and breathing exercises (pranayama). Through regular practise of asanas, pranayama and meditation, yoga unlocks the deeper levels of our being. It is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who we are. This retreat is open to beginners and experienced students. Please bring a yoga mat.

Research on emotional intelligence (EI or EQ) suggests that a person’s ability to perceive, identify and manage their emotions is essential to making good decisions, taking optimal action to solve problems and coping with change. According to Daniel Goleman, emotionally intelligent people are aware of their own emotions (self-awareness) and they effectively manage their emotions (self-management). In addition, they are aware of the emotions of others (social awareness) and are adept at managing the emotions of others (relationship management). Each one of us can acquire and improve our EI - an essential part of our personal development. Self-awareness - EI competence - cultivates our empathy, and nurtures our compassion and caring. Furthermore, the subject of mindfulness has received huge interest from practitioners and researchers alike, with a growing body of research linking mindfulness to cognitive, physiological, and psychological benefits. Interestingly, current research shows a positive relationship between mindfulness and the development of emotional intelligence competencies. This interactive retreat supports participants in their personal development journey through gaining insights into emotional intelligence and mindfulness, and behaviour that positively impacts their well-being and relationships.

Cultivating the practice of Mindful Body-Embodied Mind in daily activity, we will take each step, each activity with conscious awareness and impeccable attention. Through a combination of Body Sense Alexander Technique and mindful movement - gentle tai chi-chi kung and conscious walking - we will restore a state of ease in body and mind. The practise of Alexander Technique in an environment of attentive-relaxation offers a means to enhance and maintain our co-ordination, composure and effortless mobility. Come and walk the path to health and well-being.

In this two-day retreat, we continue the practice of Mindful Body-Embodied Mind. Managing our lives in such fast-paced, challenging times, we need such life-skills: attentiveness and focus; poise and balance in body and kindness and compassion in our emotional and spiritual lives. Spend 2 days in the tranquil environment of the BRC to ground yourself in this technique.

Mindful eating can bring us awareness to our habits and thoughts around food and our bodies. This workshop is based on a combination of Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness and Intuitive Eating Principles. The focus is on creating a healthy relationship with food, using a non-judgemental and compassionate approach to re-learning internal physical and emotional cues to guide us when, what and how much we eat. The workshop covers how to deal with cravings and urges through the development of mindfulness skills. It also draws on techniques from cognitive behaviour therapy that enable us to become aware of - and manage - our sometimes destructive patterns and habits around food, eating and our bodies. We will also look at the emotional triggers that can lead to overeating and binge eating, and how these may be understood and effectively dealt with.

Buddhism is described as being a life-path rather than a blind-faith religion: the famous Path of Peace. Yet peace exists on many levels, from meditative states of peace, through to being at peace with oneself and life around us to the ultimate peace of being inseparable from eternal love and wisdom. Ken will present these driving forces from a perspective of practice and experience rather than dry theory. The weekend retreat (Part One) will consider the realities of developing an evolving path of meditation and of awakening a purer form of love, showing how these lead to a deeper sense of peace with life as we experience it.

This three-day retreat with Ken will take a deeper dive into the topics of voidness ("emptiness") as being the ultimate truth of everyone and everything and how learning to become "that" (also known as our Buddha Nature) is the most transcendent peace, full of spontaneous wonder.

Beyond ideas, there is a field,
Will you meet me there?
Will you see me - without filters or fixations or illusions?
Don’t make me special, Just see me, understand me, be with me.
Experience the passing moments by my side.
Rumi

The Buddhist teachings provide a wonderful foundation to understand why relationships work - and why they don’t. This helps us to develop an ability to live in the present moment - because only then can we truly flourish. Our exploration of vital, loving relationships will include Buddhist insights into how compassion, impermanence and loving-kindness are key in the way we relate to others. We will explore the role attachment and craving plays and the suffering these cause. Because if we were fully awake and present, we would know that to harm another is to harm ourselves, and that to harm ourselves is to harm another. As we come to fully understand this, we will become less reactive to others and will respond with loving-kindness. Some of the fundamental traits of a loving relationship that we will explore are: a deep commitment to being a couple and yet separate individuals; the ability to resolve conflict; having shared values, dreams and life-style; showing appreciation, respect and care and sharing a strong connection to community and being of service to others; having a sense of humour and being able to laugh at ourselves. Natascha and Warren are able to speak from their own experience and how Buddhism triggered a deeper understanding of the subtle issues involved in maintaining a healthy relationship.

This retreat will incorporate a series of core-strengthening movements. The Pilates methodology helps to stabilise your spine, improving posture and balance. Enjoy learning our Mat routine, using your body weight as a tool and specific breathing patterns to encourage efficient movement, core stability and flexibility within the body. Included in the workshop are the Advanced Mat exercises to accommodate both beginners and experienced students. There will be an evening discussion on how Pilates can thread through your daily life. Moving with agility helps you to deal with life’s stresses and to discover your best self.

On returning from an extended pilgrimage to China, the 14th century Japanese Zen master, Dogen, greeted his followers with these words: I have returned home with empty hands... I say only this: my eyes are horizontal, my nose vertical - their position in meditation. Thereafter Dogen spent the rest of his life teaching the merits of zazen (sitting meditation), the practice which lies at the very heart of the Buddhist experience. Simply being attentive, moment to moment, can have profound consequences: reconnecting us with our deepest selves, to others and the natural world around us. Experience this intimate connection supported by a programme of sitting and walking meditation. There will also be time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Centre. Please note that apart from an introductory talk and a discussion period, the retreat will be held in Noble Silence.

On a quiet evening in my thatch-roofed hut, I play a lute with no string. Its melody enters the wind and cloud, mingles deeply with a flowing stream, fills out the dark valley, blows through the vast forest, then disappears. Other than those who hear emptiness, who will capture this rare sound? - Ryokan (tr. Kazuaki Tanahashi)

This will be a simple no-frills, "bare-bones" Zen-style retreat consisting of sitting and walking meditation, including a morning and evening dharma reading, as well as time to experience the beautiful surroundings of the Buddhist Retreat Centre while capturing the rare sound of a lute played with no string. Held in the supportive space of Noble Silence, this retreat presents an ideal opportunity to extend and deepen your meditation practice.

Chi kung is an ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and longevity. Through gentle, slow and flowing movements, it integrates and harmonises one’s bodily functions and states of mind by eliminating static and toxic energy patterns. Chi kung also strengthens the internal organs and skeletal structure and encourages good posture. In this retreat, Paul will teach the Healing Sounds Short Form - a set of gentle exercises that incorporates sounds to cleanse and heal our major organs. In addition, it is fun to practise. He will also teach the ancient Taoist Brain Cleansing healing meditation.

This is a silent meditation retreat focusing on the relationship we have with ourselves: what does “being our own best friend” really mean? Can we be steady and at ease simply being who we are without needing to be particularly special or better or worse than anyone else? Can we similarly be at peace with others who are different to us without being critical and judgmental? We will explore these questions, using insights from both psychology and the Buddha’s teachings on what keeps us trapped in cycles of negativity and suggest ways of how we can restore ourselves into a more natural state of ease and well-being. During the retreat, there will be periods of sitting and walking meditation, morning and evening talks, and opportunities for dialogue and discussion.

The aim of this workshop is to develop the tools that make us aware of the ebb and flow of our moods and emotions and to learn to be mindful instead of reactive in our interactions with others. Using the techniques presented, we will learn to train our minds to be centred on the present so that we can flow with the river of life. We will explore Kundalini yoga, which is a combination of stationary and dynamic poses that include chanting, yogic breathing and chi kung techniques. These practices develop the ability to be fully present and integrated in our bodies and minds. The workshop will be varied to allow retreatants of all ages and levels of experience to derive great benefit from this very old tradition. Bring comfortable clothing and a sun hat.