Why is retreat important? In order for our spirituality, pure morality, wisdom, single-pointed concentration and insight to really grow, we need time and space. The normal twentieth-century environment does not give us this. It induces either distraction or sluggishness, and retreat can take us beyond both. As human beings, we have the potential for unlimited growth, for limitless compassion and wisdom, bodhichitta and the six perfections. So retreat is very important in expediting this.

– Lama Yeshe.

Using Land of Joy’s Retreat Facilities

Land of Joy is a wonderful environment for retreat. Our semi-rural location offers quiet, spacious and beautiful grounds which can be explored during your breaks whilst the retreat facilities provide a private space that will support your practice. Our three private retreat huts are in a part of the woodland close to the main house overlooking the valley.

Occasionally private retreat rooms in the Coach house are available for shorter (minimum 3 nights) retreats. To enquire about that please email our booking manager via bookings@landofjoy.co.uk

Requirements for Using the Retreat Huts

• To stay for a minimum of one week and maximum of three months.

• To be comfortable being on your own for however long you plan to stay, including not being able to use the internet or a mobile phone.

• Have an established daily practice such as daily meditation or buddhist practices.

• Have the intention and ability to create and engage in a structured daily schedule of study or practice for however long you are planning to stay.

• Be clear what type of retreat you will do, create a schedule and gather any resources needed before you arrive at the centre.

• Have the support of a teacher or senior student to help set up, maintain and complete your retreat.

• Be confident you can work through any personal or physical difficulties that might arise (such as lung or back pain) and arrange support from a qualified teacher or experienced friend who you can turn to for help if needed.

• To be happy to settle all travel arrangements, calls, emails etc before arriving at Land of Joy so you can focus on doing your retreat.

• As a relatively new centre who only recently started offering personal retreats, we are currently unable to sponsor personal retreats ourselves. Therefore, you must be able to cover the costs of your retreat or find your own sponsor.

Retreat Hut Facilities

The retreat huts are equipped with:

• A spacious practice and sleeping space

• An altar, meditation area and space to perform full prostrations (a prostration board can be provided on request)

• A desk and chair

• A small kitchenette with a sink, hot plate and kettle for making breakfast, drinks and heating up pre-made food. Please note, for insurance reasons you CANNOT cook meals in the hut, other than just heating something up.

• A toilet and shower room

• A balcony with views of the surrounding countryside

• Please note the retreat huts DO NOT have internet access or mobile phone signal. If you require access to the internet you can visit the community room in our coachhouse outbuilding.

We also provide:

• Three light vegetarian meals a day – we can cater for serious food allergies, however, you will need to cover any additional costs this creates.

• A lunch and supper delivery service which is left in a box a short distance from the hut at a designated time.

• Please note, if you complete a longer retreat it will be difficult for us to provide strict precept appropriate food as we have to cook for all retreatants staying with us at the same time. However, we will do our best to find a solution that suits you and the centre.

• Access to a well stocked dharma library (in the main house) – only after two weeks self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Mediation cushions, boxes, water bowls and other retreat supplies

• Friendly staff who will respect your retreat silence and be available to provide logistical support is required.

• Laundry service during longer retreats

• Assistance with shopping for essential supplies during longer retreats

• Assistance with fire pujas if required. Please note this MUST be discussed before you arrive and we will request a £108 donation to cover the costs.

Guidelines for Behaviour

We need your support to create and maintain a supportive environment that is harmonious and pleasant for all retreatants.

During your stay we ask that you AVOID:

1. Killing (any sentient being including flies and spiders)
2. Stealing (if something has not been offered to you, please refrain from taking it)
3. Lying (only speak what is true and do not spread gossip)
4. Sexual activity.
5. Taking intoxicants (please do not drink alcohol, use drugs, or smoke cigarettes within the grounds of Land of Joy)

As Land of Joy is a spiritual environment, we also request that you follow your retreat schedule and do not leave the centre’s grounds as much as possible for the duration of your retreat.

Thank you for your cooperation. Please note that the centre reserves the right to ask you to leave if your behaviour is felt to be detrimental to the centre.

Personal retreats come under our Generosity Model so you can choose how much to donate. However, we request that you please be mindful of how much your stay will cost the centre (i.e. the food and electricity you will use), and make a donation that will cover those and also help us with our annual running costs of £90,000 if you can. Please use the form below to offer your donation.

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.

Thank you for your generosity.