Dharma Training Programme Retreat - February 2024

Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash

January 23rd 2024 Update

Please note that all single-bed rooms have been filled and we now only have beds on shared rooms available.

The retreat will be led by UK Dharma Teachers Mhairi (Vari) McLuskie and Theresa Payne at Purley Chase Retreat Centre in the beautiful North Warwickshire countryside. It will also be available on Zoom for those who prefer that or who are unable to attend in person. We will explore the wisdom and related teachings of the discourse on The 5 Ways of Putting an End to Anger to understand how to cultivate true wisdom in our lives for ourselves, for others and for the earth.

”When you say something really unkind, when you do something in retaliation your anger increases. You make the other person suffer, and he will try hard to say or do something back to get relief from his suffering. That is how conflict escalates.

Thich Nhat Hanh Anger: Wisdom for Cooling the Flames.

The retreat is suitable for those with an established understanding of mindfulness and a regular meditation practice. The retreat will include:

• Opportunities to practice guided and silent sitting meditations, walking meditation, mindful eating and noble silence;
• Opportunities to learn from others through dharma sharing and exploration;
• Dharma teaching from UK Dharma Teachers. We encourage people to have a look at the Discourse on The 5 Ways of Putting an End to Anger in preparation for the retreat.
  
  We ask everyone coming on residential Dharma Training retreats to be a member of the Community of Interbeing (see our website at Join Us ).

The residential retreat

The residential retreat will run from 6:00pm on Friday February 9th 2024; please arrive from 4pm onwards. The retreat will finish at 3.00pm on Sunday February 11th. Please organise your plans to allow you to be present for the whole retreat. Details of the timetable for the retreat will be available one week before it starts.

There are a number of twin and triple bedrooms and some dormitory accommodation, as well as a smaller number of single rooms. The single rooms will be allocated on a "needs-responsive" basis, with the opportunity to explain any specific needs you have when booking.

Participants of this residential event must comply with any Covid-19 precautions which will be sent to ticket-holders one week before the start of the event.

The retreat on Zoom

There is the option of attending the retreat online via Zoom. Those attending on Zoom will be able to join meditation sessions, Dharma talks, dharma sharing and other activities. You can fully participate in the programme; it can be a wonderful opportunity. Start time will be at approximately 7pm on February 9th - we will inform all ticket holders of the exact timing a week beforehand.

We invite you to create a retreat atmosphere at home – planned meals, a quiet corner for meditation, some time away from being online. We are aware that some retreatants will have family around them and we fully support your need to take care of responsibilities. We suggest sharing a copy of the programme with your family so that they can support you for the sittings, the talks and the dharma sharing.

To book the online retreat, scroll down to the end of the “Tickets” list, and choose ‘Donation’ ticket.

Organisers

The retreat is being organised by the Community of Interbeing. We are a growing network of people in the UK who practice mindfulness and aspire to develop peace and happiness in ourselves and in the world by living according to the teachings on global ethics of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (“Thay”). His teachings, which can be followed by people of all ages and any religion or none, are notable for their emphasis on joy, engagement in the world, and integrating the practice of mindfulness into daily life. We are a registered charity which offers a programme of courses, retreats and events, and which encourages and supports local groups that meet to practice mindfulness.

Other Information

Location

Purley Chase is a retreat centre and event venue set in the beautiful North Warwickshire countryside. Originally a gentleman’s residence, Purley has been extended to offer spiritual retreats in a hospitable environment, serving simple and delicious vegan food. If travelling by car, the centre is just over 2 miles south of the A5 near Atherstone. It can be approached from all points of the compass via the motorway network, using M1, M6, M42 or M69, for example. The nearest railway station is at Nuneaton, about 8 miles away. Both Nuneaton and Atherton are served by various bus and coach services.

Accommodation

The majority of the bedrooms are ensuite twin or double bedrooms, plus some dormitory accommodation. There are also a few single rooms. Purley has full disabled access, with a lift, and adapted ensuite accommodation. Accommodation is allocated on a needs-responsive basis. Please indicate any specific accommodation needs in the booking form.

Diet

Purley will be providing a simple vegan diet for this retreat. Please confirm any additional special dietary requirements in the booking form.

Dana

The fee for the retreat does not include a fee for the teachers who offer a great deal of time, love and experience in delivering their teaching. There is an opportunity to offer dana (generosity, giving) in support of their continuation of this work at the end of the retreat.

Cost

The standard cost of residential retreat ranges from £250-310 (reflecting 2024 retreat centre price rises) with variations visible by clicking the "Tickets" button. The Online retreat tickets are sold for £125. Any surplus, after administrative costs, will be donated to our charity Plum Village UK.

Supported places

The supported places on the residential retreat are intended for people who have been practising for at least 12 months with the Community of Interbeing and who are in receipt of state benefit or who are in financial difficulty. Supported places are offered on an honesty basis (first come first served).