Details:

Date: Friday 17th until Sunday 19th May

Retreat Leader: Lynne Knight

Requirements: Everyone is welcome

Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (via the donation form at the bottom of the page; no suggested amount).

Format: Onsite

Start Time: The retreat starts at 7:00 p.m. on the 17th of May. Please arrive at the centre, if attending onsite, by 5 pm as supper will be served at 6 pm

Finish time: After Lunch, mid-afternoon.

Accommodation: Land of Joy wishes for everyone who visits the centre to feel welcome, accepted, safe and secure. Our accommodation options are very limited, with mostly single-sex shared accommodation and only one single room (which is sometimes needed by volunteers). This means single accommodation can only be offered to those who need it the most, but still won’t always be available. Camping can be an option at certain times of year if you have your own tent but space is very limited. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.

About the Retreat

“If you want others to be happy, practise compassion. If you want to be happy, practise compassion.” HH Dalai Lama

None of us wants to suffer. We want to experience fulfilment, health and genuine happiness. We want to live in a peaceful, just and stable society, in a beautiful and flourishing world. And yet difficult, painful situations arise, causing mental and physical suffering in our lives, in our communities and in our world.

Is there an answer?

According to the ancient teachings of Buddhism, there certainly is – it is compassion. It may seem to be in short supply, but they tell us it is possible for each of us to nurture and expand our experience of compassion, for ourselves and others.

Imagine the impact on our world if we could do that – if everyone could do that. I don’t believe HH Dalai Lama is exaggerating when he describes it as the new radicalism and calls for the ‘mother of all revolutions’.

This is what we will be examining in this retreat. We will explore:
◦ what do we mean by compassion?
◦ what difference can it make to my life, to my communities and to the world?
◦ practical methods for nurturing and developing our compassion for self and others

“A human being is part of the whole called by us ‘the universe’, a part limited by time and space. They experience themselves, their thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest – a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us.

Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening the circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” Albert Einstein

About the Teacher

Since first meeting the Buddhist teachings about 40 years ago, I have always been impressed with just how practical the advice is, and how it impacts my daily life in a positive way. I have especially valued the instruction, from the Buddha himself, to check everything carefully against one’s own intelligence and experience.

In my journey along this path I have been extremely fortunate to receive teachings from some wonderful teachers, and to engage in several retreats.

It is therefore my great joy to share whatever experience I have with others, in a way that connects with our everyday life.

A Way to Say Thank You

To Land of Joy…

Our generosity model means we do not charge for any teachings, accommodation or food. We are therefore 100% dependant on donations to help us cover our £90,000 a year running costs.

You are therefore invited to give what you can as a thank you for the organisation and hosting of the retreat, including the food and accommodation provided if you stayed onsite.

You may also like to make a regular contribution to the centre by becoming a Branch of Joy. This kind of support gifts us a steady and ongoing income, which in turn provides the confidence and means for us to continue to flourish for many years to come.

Everything given will ensure Land of Joy continues to be offered as a precious place for retreat.

To The Teacher…

Teachers and retreat leaders practice generosity by freely offering their time to Land of Joy. We cover their travel expenses but do not pay them for the teachings they give.

You are therefore invited to make an offering to the teacher as a thank you for the time and knowledge they share.

To The Volunteers…

Our retreats are supported by our wonderful team of volunteers, some of whom you will meet during your time at the centre. Those who live onsite offer their time, expertise and dedication in return for food and accommodation. They do not receive a wage or stipend. Unfortunately, we are only able to accept offerings for them in cash, so if you would like to thank them for their service, please do so by bringing cash with you to the centre and placing it in the volunteer collection pot.