Vipassana Insight Meditation in the Mahasi Tradition.
The Mahasi Sayadaw of Burma, one of the most influential meditation teachers of the last century, developed a combination of techniques - a robust schedule, noting intentions and going slow - to develop the steadiness of attention needed for insight into the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and not-self.
Understanding these Three Existential Characteristics leads to liberation, peace and happiness. Metta/Goodwill and Bodycare are also developed. Time also for daily practice and questions.
On the last Sunday there is the opportunity to undergo Lay Ordination for those wishing to make the Buddha Dhamma the reference point in their lives.
Mental health criteria
It is likely that this retreat will not be advisable if you have a history of any of the following:
- Severe psychotic interludes or psychosis (even if controlled with medication)
- An active addiction to drugs or alcohol.
A person with at least one year of recovery and abstinence is welcome.
If you have any history in relation to a suicide attempt or if you have questions or concerns about the above, please contact our Retreat Manager, Susanne O'Brien, by email, to arrange a suitable time to have a conversation.
Susanne can be reached on retreatmanager@gaiahouse.co.uk
BHANTE BODHIDHAMMA started training in Soto Zen in 1977, then in the Mahasi Theravada Tradition with Sayadaws U Rewata Dhamma, U Janaka and U Pandita. In 1986 he ordained, subsequently spending eight years at Kanduboda Mahasi Meditation Centre in Sri Lanka. He has been teaching in England, Ireland and internationally since 1998. From 2001- 2005, he was the Resident Teacher at Gaia House. He founded the Satipanya Buddhist Retreat in Wales, a meditation centre devoted to the Mahasi tradition.
Listen to one of Bhante Bodhidhamma's Talks: Mae Chee Kaew: Awakened! (Duration 41:40)
More talks on
Dharma Seed. and Satipanya.
NOIRIN SHEAHAN has been practising meditation under the guidance of Bhante Bodhidhamma for the past thirty years. She attended Gaia’s first Dharma Study Course in 2002-4 and she has been assisting Bhante Bodhidhamma since 2003. In July 2013 she lost her voice box due to throat cancer and now pioneers Dharma-teaching via an electro-larynx. She teaches regularly at Satipanya and offers on-line “Right Lifestyle” courses which help people to practise in everyday situations.
The teachers will be assisted by:
KAREN PIGGIN was introduced to Buddhism at Thich Nhat Hanh's Plum Village in 2004, returning every summer with her family until 2011. In 2009 she joined the Birmingham DharmaMind Sangha and followed their Chan/Zen practice of Silent Illumination. At the beginning of 2015 Karen joined Bhante Bodhidhamma adopting the Mahasi approach and attends 6-8 weeks of retreats at Satipanya each year, deepening her knowledge of the Buddha's teachings and her approach to the challenges that arise in meditation. Karen is married, has two grown-up sons, and retired to Devon in 2015 after 30 years in the IT Industry.
Retreat Code = 19146
C = special criteria, please read the retreat description carefully
Mental well-being guidelines - please click here to read before booking Intensive silent meditation retreats can be very nourishing; however, as they require sustained meditation practice, they also need some stability of psychological health. If you have recently (within the past year or so) experienced significant trauma or psychiatric illness, or if you are currently experiencing acute emotional distress such as serious depression or anxiety, it may not be the best time for you to attend an intensive retreat in silence. The teachers might not be able to give you the kind of individual psychological care you need at this time. A setting with more opportunities for interpersonal engagement may be more appropriate.
Before you book, please read these guidelines about mental well-being and silent retreats:
Friday 10 May 2019 - Sunday 19 May 2019 (9 nights)
Standard Rate: £486 - Please pay this rate if you can
Sponsor Rate: £583 - A benefactor rate, which helps others to come here on the Supported Rate
Supported Rate: £413 - Available if the Standard Rate is too high for you
FAB Fund Rate: £243 - For more details please see the Financial Assistance page
Young Persons Rate: £146 - For more details please see the Financial Assistance page
Extending Your Retreat = £54 per night - Conditions apply - please see box
- Arrive for registration between 2-5pm on the opening day.
- Depart after 12.30pm on the final day (or 1.30pm if staying for lunch).
- Please only make travel bookings to fit with these times.
- These conditions apply even if you've been to Gaia House before.
- The teachers and staff at Gaia House require this commitment in order to respect the retreat environment and minimise disruption to others.
- We are not able to accept bookings from people who want to arrive and/or depart outside of these times.
This retreat is full - you can join the waiting list
- To join the Waiting List, a non-refundable registration fee of £1.00 is required.
- Please complete the checkout process and pay the registration fee.
- Confirmation of being added to the waiting list will be emailed to you.
- We will contact you if a place on this retreat becomes available.
- Please apply only if you are sure that you will be available if offered a place.
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