Details:
Date: Saturday 30th October – Saturday 6th November
Retreat Leader: Ven Mary Reavey
Requirements: Everyone is welcome
Cost: Generosity Model – Donation only (by clicking the ‘Donate Here’ button below). Land of Joy provides: All meals, accommodation, workshops, materials and good firewood for soulful nights.
Format: Onsite only / Retreat begins: 7pm on the 30th October / Retreat ends: with lunch on 3rd October
Recommended arrival: 3pm – 5pm on the 30th October to join for supper and get settled into the space
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 a very limited number of single rooms. Single accommodation can therefore only be offered on a priority basis. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.
About the Retreat
This week-long retreat offers the space to step away from a fully guided programme and spend sustained time exploring your own practice within the supportive environment of Land of Joy.
With guidance from Ven. Mary Reavey, the retreat will begin by setting the foundations for the week — considering how to structure your time, establish a rhythm of practice and approach a period of individual retreat.
The majority of the week will then be self-guided, giving you the freedom to practise independently, explore what emerges and find a rhythm that works for you. Ven. Mary will offer occasional guidance and opportunities for reflection as the retreat unfolds.
The intention is to provide enough structure and support to feel held, while creating genuine space to develop greater confidence and self-sufficiency in your practice.
As this retreat is primarily self led, please bring the following with you:-
- A Lam Rim topic that you wish to meditate on
- Material related to that topic which will support your practice e.g. explanatory texts (you are also welcome to use books in Land of Joy’s library).
- Any supporting practices such as Lam Rim prayers you would like to use
- Pen and paper etc.
What Will be Offered?
The retreat will include:
- Initial guidance on structuring your individual retreat
- Support in establishing a rhythm and focus for your practice
- Substantial periods of self-guided individual practice
- Space to explore and respond to what emerges
- Occasional guidance and input from Ven. Mary
- Opportunities for reflection and questions
- A supportive environment in which to experience a longer period of personal retreat
Who is This For?
This retreat is for those who would like to spend a longer period in individual practice without following a fully teacher-led programme.
- It may be particularly helpful if you:
- Would like to become more confident and self-sufficient in your practice
- Want to explore what it is like to undertake your own retreat
- Would value having space to explore your practice and what emerges
- Feel ready for greater independence while still having some teacher support available
- Would like to build confidence for undertaking periods of retreat independently in the future
You do not need extensive experience of individual retreat, but you should be comfortable spending significant periods practising independently.
Why Attend?
This retreat offers the opportunity to step away from a fully guided programme and experience a longer period of individual practice, while still having the support of an experienced teacher.
It offers space to:
- Develop greater confidence and self-sufficiency in your practice
- Discover your own rhythm rather than following a fully prescribed programme
- Explore what emerges through sustained individual practice
- Learn to respond to your practice as it unfolds
- Receive occasional teacher guidance and support when helpful
- Build confidence for undertaking your own individual retreats in the future
- Step away from everyday demands and give your practice sustained time and attention
Retreat Boundaries
To help create the best conditions for meditation practice, this retreat will be held within a supportive framework:
- Silence – Silence will be observed outside of group sessions during some periods of the day to encourage calm and inward focus.
- Technology-free space – You will be encouraged to switch off phones, laptops and other devices for the duration of the retreat, except for reading texts and other dharma related material.
- Respecting the schedule – Participants are asked to attend all sessions on time, as consistency supports both personal practice and the group environment.
- Mindful living – Meals and daily activities will be approached with awareness, becoming part of the retreat practice itself.
These boundaries are not restrictions but supports — creating a safe, focused space in which the mind can settle and deepen.
About Ven Mary Reavey
