Tuesday 17 March 2020 and last updated Wednesday 1 April
Dear friends,
Gaia House exists to offer the Buddha’s teachings of wisdom, compassion and meditation practice, for the wellbeing of all life. Right now, to protect life, in light of the escalating COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the decision to pause our retreat programme with immediate effect, at least until 31 May.
People and communities everywhere are being called to do what they can to slow the spread of the pandemic. Temporarily suspending our retreat programme is the best way for us to support this shared effort. Slowing the virus down will make a big difference to how we can all care for the people that are most vulnerable.
We are constantly assessing the situation and will keep you updated via our website, social media and e-news.
Looking after yourself and your community
While this is a challenging time for us all, the impact of this health crisis will be felt by some much more than others. We may be asked to offer support in our communities and we may be in the position of needing to ask for support. Giving and receiving both reveal the tenderness, beauty and strength of our profound interconnectedness and interdependence. Let this be an invitation to bring out the best in us all as we bring compassion, care and wisdom to the situation we face.
Online practice opportunities
While we cannot gather in person, Gaia House will be creatively exploring how we can support and nourish each other. In the coming days and weeks, we will let you know what online practice opportunities we are helping to coordinate.
Supporting you and Gaia House
Many of you, along with Gaia House and other organisations, will be facing financial hardship at this time.
Cancelled retreats
If you are booked onto a cancelled retreat (between now and 31 May), you will receive an email from our Retreat Manager. We would like to reassure you that we are able to offer a full refund. However, if you’re able to donate your booking fee or part of it to Gaia House, this will help to ensure that the Dharma teachings offered at Gaia House survive and continue to thrive into the future. If you would like to support the work of Gaia House in this way, please send an email to retreatmanager@gaiahouse.co.uk by 7 April.
Temporary cancellation policy for future retreats
Due to the exceptional circumstances of COVID-19, we have a temporary cancellation policy in place for retreats from 1 June.
We hope our flexibility supports you, while your generosity helps sustain our offerings through these unpredictable conditions.
If you need to cancel your retreat for any reason, the following options are available to you:
- Request a full refund
- Request for your payment to be placed on account for a new retreat booking. We will notify you when we re-open our bookings and those with payments on account will be given priority for a period of time. The booking will need to be made by 31/12/20.
- Allow your payment or part of the payment to be received by Gaia House as a donation. This will help to ensure that the Dharma teachings offered at Gaia House survive and continue to thrive into the future.
To contact us about cancelling a future retreat (from 1 June), please email our Reception team on info@gaiahouse.co.uk
Thank you for your patience and understanding while we navigate these unchartered waters.
May all beings be well,
On behalf of all of us at Gaia House