General

The monastery offers retreats with the accommodation we have (about twenty+ beds) available for those wishing to stay at the monastery with the option for people to come during the day – or part thereof – and return home in the evening. Those who commit to the full retreat time or who are traveling some distance to the monastery are given priority for accommodation.

Please note the difference between these structured, group retreats and coming to stay as a guest.

We aren’t able to offer self-guided retreats.

If you wish to stay at the monastery overnight, either as a guest or retreatant, please read the guest information

Retreat Guidelines:

The idea is to create a stable, structured, silent space for the study of the mind, in the context of the Buddha’s teachings. Maximum benefit is gained by being a committed, integral part of that. Considering the busyness of many people we allow the retreats to be relatively open so you can come for all or part of the scheduled time; a day or part day.

If you are coming just for the day please be sensitive to those who are already here when you arrive and join the Noble Silence. If there is a sitting meditation in progress it is best if you wait until it has finished. The end of that period would be a good time to introduce yourself to the monk leading the retreat.

Accommodation may be available for just part of a retreat. The level of interest in retreats means that most spaces are shared; usually two.

• There is no set charge for retreats. You are welcome to make a donation.
• Remember that there is no evening meal at the monastery.
• We have our daily meal at 10.30 and you would be welcome to join us for this.
• If we are meditating in the hall please wait until the session finishes.
• If there is a talk or discussion in place you may enter the hall and quietly take a seat.
• The standard for everyone at the monastery is the eight precepts

The pervading, underlying theme in the monastery is one of restraint and renunciation. The maintenance of silence, both group and personal, is important so please leave phones, tablets, laptops and any other distracting things at home. Even books… we will be reading from the book of the heart. An area of special practice is the kitchen. As alms mendicants we take only what is offered. There are no special diets, we don’t help ourself to things in the pantry or fridge and beverages are only available at set times.

Beginners.

Teachings and guidance is given throughout the retreat and there are opportunities to meet with the teacher. The schedule allows some free time but is structured to create a relatively full day of sitting and walking meditation. We maintain silence during the retreat – discussions and interviews being the exception – so there is no social interaction. The silence, the schedule and the precepts allow very little scope for distraction so what you are largely left with is your own mind; the investigation and understanding of which is the work of meditation. This can be unfamiliar, even uncomfortable, for some. Patience is also a useful quality to bring to a retreat. If you are quite new to meditation and this monastery you are encouraged to give some time to studying this tradition and its teaching and, ideally, to make a visit and meet with monastics before the retre