This is not a Vipassana retreat but one that emphasises no separation between stillness (samatha) and insight (vipassana).
It employs kindfulness, not control, as the effective path to generate a healthy, relaxed body that can then be transcended to explore the mind.
Making peace, being kind and gentle, with every moment develops contentment within. Then when wanting is unnecessary, thinking subsides, stillness deepens and super-power mindfulness and bliss prevail. From such direct experience one has a taste of freedom.
The daily schedule will be uncertain, adapted as needed.
AJAHN BRAHM was born in London in 1951 and earned a degree in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University. He became a monk in 1974 under Ajahn Chah and is today the abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery near Perth and a revered spiritual guide, regularly attracting thousands to his inventive and insightful talks. Ajahn Brahm has also been a pioneer for the full bhikkhuni ordination of women in the Theravada tradition, and is working with Ven. Canda to develop a Bhikkhuni Monastery in England.
VEN. CANDA began meditating in 1996 with S.N. Goenka and spent the next 7 years deepening her practice in India. She ordained as a Buddhist nun in Burma in 2006 and subsequently took full bhikkhuni ordination with Ajahn Brahm. Her approach to meditation focuses on kindness and letting go as a means to deepening stillness and is increasingly informed by the Early Buddhist Suttas. Ven. Canda founded Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project with Ajahn Brahm - a UK charity aimed at establishing a nun's monastery in the UK.
Retreat Code = 19163
A = suitable for all
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 25 October – Sunday 27 October 2019 (2 nights)
Standard Rate: £128 - Please pay this rate if you canSponsor Rate: £154 - A benefactor rate, which helps others to come here on the Supported Rate
Supported Rate: £109 - Available if the Standard Rate is too high for you
FAB Fund Rate: £64 - For more details please see the Financial Assistance page
Young Persons Rate: £38 - For more details please see the Financial Assistance page
Extending Your Retreat = £54 per night – Conditions apply – please see box
Arrival & Departure:
- Arrive for registration between 2-5pm on the opening day.
- Depart after 12.30pm on the final day of the retreat.
- You’re welcome to stay for lunch after the retreat ends.
- Please only make travel bookings to fit with these times.
- These conditions apply even if you’ve been to Gaia House before.
Please only book if you are able to commit to the entire retreat:
- 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.