Each Wednesday from 8th to 29th January 6PM to 7.30PM (ONLINE ONLY)

The course “Fundamental trainings to cultivate lasting happiness” is an introduction to the fundamental practices that Buddhism offers to cultivate the paths that lead to freedom from suffering and its causes. It concludes by presenting the possibility of awakening, the maximum expression of our potential. It is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on why is it that we feel unsatisfied, ethics, the development of attention, and wisdom.

With Geshe Thubten Sherab: Wednesday 15th January – Sunday 19th January (HYBRID)

The Eight Verses of Thought Transformation is one of the most important texts from a genre of Tibetan spiritual writings known as lojong (mind training). Verses one through seven point out seven skilful methods for developing the bodhicitta mind (relative bodhicitta); verse eight points out the wisdom of recognising the illusionary nature of reality (ultimate bodhicitta).

Teachings on the eight verses will alternate with sessions of guided meditation on 1) meditation on equanimity, 2) meditation on mindfulness and awareness, 3) meditation on letting go of self-grasping and appreciating the kindness of others, and 4) meditation on tonglen (taking and giving) by sending the kind mind of bodhicitta via the breath to suffering beings.

With Alison Murdoch & Anna Colao: Friday 24th January – Sunday 26th January (ONSITE ONLY)

Tibetan Buddhism proposes that our problems are a precious opportunity for personal growth. The question is: how can we transform everyday difficulties and discomforts such as aversion, stress and the ever-present inner critic into opportunities for self-compassion, insight and creativity?

If you’d like to explore these questions with a group of like-minded and mutually-supportive people, via a mixture of reflection, discussion and meditation – and a little bit of optional artwork – then please join us for this practical and straight-talking weekend, with the aim of bringing about a happier and more peaceful year for both ourselves and others. The course is suitable for anyone new to Buddhism, as well as more advanced students.

Each Wednesday from 5th – 26th February 6PM to 7.30PM (ONLINE ONLY)

The course “Wise paths to the heart” focuses on cultivating warmheartedness and prosocial attitudes, which are essential for human evolution, well-being, and flourishing. It presents the four immeasurable attitudes of loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity, as drawn from the Buddhist tradition, and explores the mind of awakening, which embraces all sentient beings. It is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on the nature and biological basis of altruism, empathy, compassion, and self-compassion.

With Francois Schick: Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th February (ONLINE ONLY)

Meditation is a wonderful tool, designed primarily to enhance the strength of our spiritual discoveries and more efficiently transform our mind. It provides two major ingredients enabling that transformation: a strong mental intensity, making everything we reflect on more vibrant, and a long lasting awareness, enabling us to remain in this state for a long time. And on the way, it brings many other benefits, in body and mind: from general well-being, to increased cognitive functions, to reduced stress and disturbing emotions.

As you will discover, in the Indo-tibetan tradition, meditation is far more than silent reflection or a mind with no thoughts. Over these two days, participants will have a chance to expand their understanding of meditation and deepen their own practice.

With Roy Sutherwood: Saturday 8th February – Sunday 16th February (ONSITE ONLY) (FULLY BOOKED WITH WAITING LIST PLACES AVAILABLE)

In the Tibetan tradition that will be presented in this course, one first concentrates on the clarity and awareness of the mind, a bit like a mirror becoming self-conscious, and then moves into a much deeper experience of freedom from our habitual patterns in which the mirror recognises its own emptiness.

This is a profound method to realise liberation and enlightenment. Like success in any venture, it depends upon following the steps laid out by those who have already realised it. From relative newcomers to advanced practitioners, all can benefit from this opportunity to deepen their meditation practice.

Each Wednesday from 5th-26th March 6PM to 7.30PM (ONLINE ONLY)

The course “The nature of perception” focuses on wisdom. It reflects on its meaning, relevance, and how it counteracts the causes of suffering. It goes deeper into the most profound aspect of wisdom: understanding the nature of reality. It concludes with the nature of mind which makes full awakening possible and it is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on wisdom and well-being and the process of perception.

With Paula Chichester & Lou Beaumont: Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd March (HYBRID)

We all know the wonderful feeling that comes when someone sincerely offers to help us with no expectation of return; or when we see people genuinely giving their time and money to make a better life for another person or a whole group of people.

Universal weekends do not use buddhist terminology or philosophical ideas, instead focusing on non-religious tools which can help develop happiness, kindness, compassion and more in your everyday life. You therefore do not need to be Buddhist or interested in Buddhism to attend.

With Paula Chichester: Thursday 27th – Monday 31st March (HYBRID)

In this era of wars, climate crisis, epidemics of loneliness, anxiety and depression, Chenrezig appears as an antidote to our mental habits that cause harm to us and others. We need Chenrezig as a practice and we also need the being who inspires us to compassionate action: His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.

This chanting and meditating practice was written by His Holiness for his followers for the purpose of creating an indelible connection with His Holiness and also to promote his health and long life while we generate more compassion and love in our own hearts and minds.

Each Wednesday from 16th April-7th May 6PM to 7.30PM (ONLINE ONLY)

The course “Embodying warmheartedness and wisdom” focuses on how to bring our inner qualities into the world—and how to enhance them while living in it. It does so by presenting topics such as inner refuge, spirituality, and engaged compassion. It also includes helpful guidelines, such as the “six perfections,” or how to deal with difficulties and use them in our favor. In a way, it is a call for a revolution of compassion. It is complemented by references to current scientific understanding on prosocial skills, life satisfaction, well-being, and happiness.

With Olivia & Louise: Easter Weekend Friday 18th – Monday 21st April (ONSITE ONLY) (FULLY BOOKED WITH WAITING LIST PLACES AVAILABLE)

This is a chance for your family to spend precious time together while exploring ideas to develop positive thoughts and attitudes both within your family dynamic and beyond.

With Ven Mary Reavey: Friday 2nd – Monday 5th May

“The medicine of the Buddha Dharma:- a weekend exploring the Buddhas first teaching on the Four Noble Truths. This is the very foundation of all Buddhas teachings. It highlights how to apply Buddhist principles in our day to day lives. His Holiness the Dalia Lama has referred to these teachings as a “ How to live a life of human kindness” template.
Suitable for beginners and for those who wish to refresh/deepen their practice.

With Paula Chichester: Friday 9th- Tuesday 13th May (ONSITE ONLY)

With ritual, meditation and prayer, Tibetan lamas have the ability to alter the weather and harmonise the elements that support life on earth. Maybe we can do this too? We have methods for change that are beyond politics – why not use these too? And heal and empower ourselves whilst we have a good time!

With Ven Mary Reavey: 17th, 18th and 31st May – 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm each day (ONLINE ONLY)

How do you deal with the inevitability of Death? Many ignore, suppress or develop a flippant unrealistic attitude that pushes awareness of death to some distant event. How we deal with death, is an expression of our wisdom, courage and compassion.

With Charlotte Elliott: Friday 23rd – Monday 26th May (ONSITE ONLY)

This secular retreat offers an opportunity to explore meditation and mindfulness practices in a calm, peaceful and supportive environment. Meditation sessions will be led indoors in our beautiful meditation hall and outdoors, in nature, where we will combine mindfulness practices with walking and gardening activities. We will also be exploring the nature of our mind and the importance of ethics as a basis for meditation. These simple techniques can be applied to all activities in our daily lives, enhancing our ability to relax, de-stress and enjoy.

With Andy Wistreich: Friday 6th – Saturday 14th June (ONSITE ONLY)

This teaching and meditation retreat will centre on an oral commentary on Nāropa’s commentary on the Sekoddeśa, which is itself a commentary on the initiations section of the Kālacakra root tantra. Teaching sessions will be supported by meditations.

According to the eminent Kālacakra scholar Giacomella Orofino, the Sekoddeśa “is one of the most important sources of the Kālacakra tradition and consists of 174 stanzas. According to its literature this is the first text of the Kālacakra to have come down to us and contains the essential nucleus of its doctrines. It is, in fact, considered to be a section of the Paramādibuddha, or the Mūlakālacakratantra, the root tantra in twelve thousand verses, that was lost in Sanskrit and was not translated into Tibetan.”

Through study of this commentary on the Sekoddeśa by Nāropa, we may gain access to the roots of this tantric system. Although the text is structured around the initiations, it presents a basis for understanding the entire Kālacakra basis, path and result. It refers in depth to the great Stainless Light (Vimalaprabhā) commentary by Puṇḍarīka, the Kalkī King of Śambhala. All subsequent commentaries on Kālacakra are based on the Stainless Light.

With Dr Liza Weber: Friday 27th – Sunday 29th June (ONSITE ONLY)

Aimed at all levels, this course is meant as an introduction to a series of Tibetan yoga exercises and massage techniques that will guide participants on a journey to deep relaxation. Suitable for beginners and experienced yogis alike, the course upholds Tarthang Tulku’s teachings that there is no one or ‘right’ way to perform the exercises. You do not need to be able to touch your toes, but you do need to be able to touch the feelings and sensations that will arise in your body from this simple, but no less profound, form of yoga.

With Ven Mary Reavey: Friday 11th – Saturday 19th July

Are you curious about Buddhist practice, but don’t know where to begin? Have you attended Buddhist teachings and feel they could be useful for you but don’t know how to meditate on the subjects you’ve studied or how to apply them to your life?

This retreat will answer these questions and more.

With Wendy Ridley: Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August

Feeling overwhelmed by global crises, work, family, or personal challenges? Seeking practical tools for positive change and emotional resilience? This experiential weekend retreat is designed for you.

We will explore embodied mindfulness and universal ethical values in this Level 1 of the 16 Guidelines for Life Program developed by the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom (FDCW). The program offers a simple yet profound framework for reflecting on how we think, act, relate to others, and find meaning. Through mindfulness, self-inquiry, and ethical reflection, we will gain tools to foster well-being, purpose, and inner strength.

With François Schick: Friday 8th – Sunday 10th August

Generosity goes far beyond the mere act of giving, it actually refers to the wish to give and the actions motivated by that wish. Taken to be the first perfection, the first to be accomplished, the easier to master, it is central in the Mahayana tradition and a source of deep joy. During this week-end, you will cultivate the strength and the motivation to better integrate this training into your daily lives, including the various forms of generosity.

Tuesday 12th – Sunday 24th August

Many students have the commitment to complete the nine Ngöndro, or preliminary practices, associated with Vajrayana practice or have been given some or all of them to complete by their teacher. Among these is the practice of offering 111,000 water bowls.

Water bowl offerings, as with the other eight preliminary practices (prostrations, Vajrasattva, refuge, mandala offerings, guru yoga, Dorje Khadro, tsa-tsas and Samayavajra), are an extraordinary way to accumulate merit and to purify negative actions in order to quickly generate realisations on the path. Offering them helps to generate a mind of generosity and is also a specific antidote to miserliness.

With Linda Noble: Friday 22nd – Monday 25th August

The ancient practice of Yoga unites body and mind in harmony so humans can fulfil their full potential. This weekend will focus on yoga postures with gentle somatic movements to release deeply trapped stresses and traumas which are stored in the mind and deep tissues

With Ven Amy Miller: Friday 29th August – Wednesday 3rd September

This beautiful practice will be the foundation for a retreat focused on experiential meditations that will introduce the green tara sadhana and mantra recitation. In doing this practice, inner and outer obstacles can be eliminated to help us develop our minds and accumulate the positive conditions needed to attain enlightenment.

With Geshe Rinchen: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th September

This retreat is a collaboration between Jamyang Leeds and Land of Joy, and is led by Jamyang Leeds’ resident teacher Geshe Rinchen.

Aimed at Geshe Rinchen’s students, it is open to all students with a solid grounding in the Lam Rim. It will offer an immersive experience in the Lam Rim, combining meditation, contemplation, and discussion based on Lamrim teachings. It provides a unique opportunity to integrate the knowledge gained throughout the year into a cohesive practice.

With Ven Mary Reavey: Friday 10th – Saturday 18th October

Shamatha is the development of attention which enables us to focus our attention on an object without agitation or dullness, eventually reaching the clear mind of. Shamata (calm abiding) is the clear mind that provides us with the focus we need to positively transform our minds for ourselves and others.

We all need to start where we are so no matter what our level of meditation might be, you will find benefit from training your attention.

With Ven Thubten Wangchuk: Friday 7th November to Sunday 7th December. Those who complete the retreat will also be invited to join a Yamantaka Solitary Hero self-initiation on the 8th and 9th December. (ONSITE ONLY)

Ven Wangchuk has kindly agreed to return to lead a one month Yamantaka Nearing retreat, his fourth at Land of Joy. Ven Wangchuk has studied with many great masters of this and the previous generation, as well as having studied many commentaries. His teachings on the practice are both clear and reliable. Those who complete the mantra count will have the opportunity to complete the self-initiation on the 8th & 9th December.