Details:

Date: Friday 19th – Sunday 21st January 2024

Retreat Leader: Alison Murdoch & Anna Colao

Requirements: Everyone is welcome

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

Format: Onsite only.

Start Time: Friday 19th January, 7 pm. Please arrive at Land of Joy by 5 pm, supper will be served at 6 pm.

Finish times: Late afternoon on Sunday 21st January.

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. Please read the relevant sections of the booking form carefully.

About the Retreat

Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck – The Dalai Lama

We all face problems, big and small – it’s an inevitable part of human life.

The pressing question is: how do we choose to respond to them? Is it possible to avoid aversion, stress, blame and shame, and instead see everyday difficulties and disappointments as opportunities for self-compassion, insight, creativity and even humour? What steps can we take to embrace reality in a more wholesome, wise and compassionate way?

The aim of this retreat is to strengthen our capacity for happiness and peace in the year ahead. The Tibetan Buddhist tradition of thought transformation proposes that we can gradually learn to recognise our problems as a precious opportunity for personal growth, leading to a happier and more peaceful life both for ourselves and for the people around us.

Drawing on ancient wisdom such as Geshe Langri Tangpa’s Eight Verses of Thought Transformation as well as the contemporary methods of Universal Education, this will be a mutually supportive weekend of meditation, reflection and discussion.

About the Teachers

Alison Murdoch is the former director of Jamyang Buddhist Centre (London) and of the Foundation for Developing Compassion and Wisdom, and for many years was a regular Buddhist contributor to BBC Radio. She is a graduate of the FPMT Basic Programme and the lead editor of the book and web app Lamrim Year, published by the Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive. In 2018 she founded The Good Heart, an award– winning centre for exploring kindness in Frome, Somerset.

Anna Colao is a practising Buddhist of over 25 years whose goal is to bring meditation, values and internal transformation to a variety of audiences in an authentic, fun and accessible way.
She is currently employed by Common Purpose, a global not-for-profit in the leadership development space, and has previously worked for organisations such as Crisis, Kids Company and The School for Social Entrepreneurs.

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.