Welcome to our 2021 Programme
15 July 2021 update
What a joy that Gaia House is now open for residential retreats! After 14 months of shutdown, it has been truly wonderful to have our first retreatants back at Gaia House this summer.
Below you’ll find our schedule of upcoming residential and online retreats. We do hope you’ll be able to join us soon.
Please click here for information on what we’re doing to create as supportive and safe a retreat environment as possible, under the covid regulations that are still in place.
*Please be aware that whilst we are in the process of re-opening our team is very busy so it may take a little longer than usual to respond to any enquiries you may have. Please make your booking via the website, unless you are enquiring about a FAB Fund or Young Persons’ place. Thank you!*
A note on dana/generosity
None of your registration fee goes to the teacher(s). Gaia House teachers rely on the generosity of students for their livelihood. There is an opportunity to make a dana offering to the teachers at the end of each event.
May our practice serve the welfare, happiness, and safety of all life.
RESIDENTIAL
Residential retreat: A Path of Wisdom and Love
With Zohar Lavie and Jake Dartington
Saturday, 4 December – Wednesday, 8 December (4 nights)
The practice of Insight Meditation helps us to connect with what is happening in our own hearts and minds and to sense our innate potential for wisdom, love, openness and freedom. We will also explore ways to creatively respond to the patterns, habits and obstacles that appear to obscure these beautiful qualities. Our exploration will be supported by meditation instructions, dharma talks and meetings with the teachers.
All levels of experience are welcome.
This retreat is now full with a long waiting list. We are no longer taking bookings for this retreat.
ONLINE
Online Meditation Day: Depth, rest and stillness. Practicing beyond life and death
with Leela Sarti
12 December
This is the fourth day in the series of day retreats, Timeless presence in the midst of daily life, which can be booked as a series or as standalone days.
There is a momentum in life; we rise, live as best as we can and fall asleep. We go through life stages and a multitude of challenges. We remember, regret, our lives now shaped by life gone by. We plan ahead, hope, fear and dream of what is yet to come. There is no stopping of this incessant stream, and yet a day of retreat offers a sacred territory to simply stop. To pull the breaks, to enter the still point and linger there. Beyond the momentum of life there is timeless presence, there is profound stillness and we can incline our heart, mind and spirit to that still point and let ourselves be unburdened.
Retreat open to all, but most suitable for those with previous meditation retreat experience.
RESIDENTIAL
Residential retreat: The Courageous Heart
With Laura Bridgman and Kirsten Kratz
Friday, 17 December – Monday, 20 December (3 nights)
Practice invites us to inquire into what may be possible for this human heart. This potentially transforming and liberating exploration requires, among other qualities, kindness, compassion, curiosity and courage; a courage that can be seen as a willingness to stretch beyond limiting perceptions of self, other and the world.
This retreat is open to all, including beginners and those with experience. There will be meditation instructions, guided practices, reflections and opportunities to meet with the teachers.
This retreat is full with a long waiting list. We are no longer taking bookings for this retreat.
RESIDENTIAL
Residential retreat: New Year’s Retreat
With Kirsten Kratz and Jenny Wilks
Tuesday, 28 December – Monday, 3 January (6 nights)
This retreat is an opportunity to practice for a sustained period over the New Year, dedicated to cultivating a heart rooted in calm receptive insight. The retreat follows a similar outline to Insight Meditation retreats at Gaia House with instructions in Insight and Loving-kindness meditation, daily talks and meetings with teachers.
To join this retreat you need to have attended at least one week’s previous residential Insight Meditation retreat. Please commit to attending the whole of the retreat.
This retreat is full with a long waiting list. We are no longer taking bookings for this retreat.
ONLINE
Online: Live streamed New Year’s Retreat
With Kirsten Kratz and Jenny Wilks
Tuesday, 28 December – Monday, 3 January (6 nights)
We are excited to offering the opportunity to attend our beautiful New Year Retreat as an online participant.
This retreat is an opportunity to practice for a sustained period over the New Year, dedicated to cultivating a heart rooted in calm receptive insight. The retreat follows a similar outline to Insight Meditation retreats at Gaia House with instructions in Insight and Loving-kindness meditation, daily talks and meetings with teachers.
To join this retreat you need to have attended at least one week’s previous residential Insight Meditation retreat.
Join us through a window into Gaia House to mark the turning of the year!
To view our 2022 programme, please click here.