Details:

Date: Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May

Retreat Leader: Charlotte Elliott

Requirements: Everyone is welcome

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

Format: Onsite at Land of Joy

Starting & Finishing times: Starting with supper at 18:00 on the first day and finishing after lunch on the last day. A more detailed schedule will be released closer to the time.

About the weekend

Tired, stressed and need to reconnect with yourself and with nature?

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. Mindfulness will be cultivated through awareness practices using the breath, the body, listening and feeling. 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.

This retreat is suitable for beginners who want to learn more about mindfulness practice as well as for more experienced meditators who want to deepen their practice with the support of the Land of Joy community.

Please bring suitable outdoor clothing, e.g. wellies/walking boots and wet weather gear, as well as gardening gloves and your favourite pair of secateurs, if you have them. Gardening barrows and tools will be supplied by Land of Joy. Also, if walking or heavy gardening isn’t possible for you, then please let us know – you are welcome to do as little or as much as you wish!

We look forward to welcoming you to Land of Joy.

About the Facilitator

Charlotte Elliott has been an FPMT supporter and student of Geshe Tashi Tsering since 1999.

With a background in computing and corporate training, she assisted with the implementation of the first ‘Experience Buddhism’ retreat/pilgrimage at the Root Institute,
Bodhgaya (2011, 2012), has been a long-term Board Trustee for Land of Joy, and a Facilitator for the FPMT Foundation Service Seminars.

Continually inspired by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa, she has led several meditation retreats and offers weekly secular mindfulness meditation sessions.

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.