Events

Love (metta) underpins the whole of Buddhist practice. Like a jewel it has many facets: patience, intimacy, interest and kindness. All these facets are ways in which we come into relation with ourselves and others. All are ways to live at peace in this fleeting, fragile world.

'It is crucial to keep the transcendental element in Buddhism in mind. If you lose sight of that, you lose sight of Buddhism itself.' - Sangharakshita How do we - in actual lived practice - open ourselves to 'the transcendental element' and let our mistaken stories of self and world fall away? Intensive meditation retreat exploring spiritual death, spiritual rebirth and spiritual receptivity.

The Dhammapada offers us direct teachings from the Buddha on the way of truth. Join us for this weekend retreat to hear and share inspirations from this text – mining its jewels whilst developing and deepening friendships with other women training for Ordination in the region. The weekend will also explore what it means to walk with the Buddha as a teacher, friend and guide. We look forward to sharing this precious opportunity with you in the beautiful realm of Taraloka. This retreat is for women who are training for ordination and live in the Mid West Region (Birmingham, Worcester, Nottingham. Leicester, Shrewsbury and North and West Wales). It will be led by Private Preceptors in the Mid West Region.

Tara.  Earth Goddess, Moon of Wisdom, Beautiful Queen, Midnight Star. This intensive meditation retreat will explore the many forms and qualities of Tara: her compassion, fearlessness and spontaneity. The week will be full of devotion, offerings and silent contemplation of the loveliness and fruitfulness of her realm in Autumn time.

Like a hare in open meadows, free to move in any direction, metta can reveal a point of freedom within us—a spontaneous movement beyond fear, habit, and self-concern. By turning towards our heart’s authentic responses with sensitivity and appreciation, we can find our own experience and path of metta.

Life is both precious and fleeting. It matters what we do, and yet much in life is outside our control. These are the The Four Mind Turnings or The Four Reminders. These are 'preliminary practices' that can take us all the way: releasing us from our bewitchment with what isn't stable, isn't reliable, can't give us ultimate satisfaction – and turning us wholeheartedly, with urgency, towards the magical open space of the Dharma life.

This weekend is suitable for newcomers and is an introduction to mindfulness: as a meditation practice, as a way of being and as part of a spiritual path. Mindfulness practices can help us develop a serene, alert, freer state of mind, in which we can listen to our deeper inspiration and wisdom.

'So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings; radiating kindness over the entire world….. outward and unbounded, free from hatred and ill-will.' - The Buddha, from the Metta Sutta Wouldn’t you love to stay confident, kind and calm, when that person cuts you up at the traffic lights? Or being able to step into self-compassion, rather than listening endlessly to your inner critic? Metta, a kindly, compassionate attitude towards ourselves and others, no matter who they are, lies at the heart of what the Buddha teaches, helping us develop stability of heart and mind to steer us during difficult times.

'You as a human being are the product of millions upon millions of years of evolution… You don’t have to justify your existence by being useful. You yourself are the justification for your existence.... All that you can really be said to be here for is to develop into some higher form of human life – to become a Bodhisattva, to become a Buddha.  So don’t be ashamed of sitting around and doing nothing. Glory in it. Do things spontaneously, out of a state of inner satisfaction and achievement.' Sangharakshita On this retreat we'll let Bhante's classic 'greater mandala of uselessness’ teaching take us deep into the mystery of life.

A joyful celebration of loving-kindness, through meditation, uplifting song, and heart-opening guided movement. In the peaceful beauty of Taraloka, we’ll come together to sit in stillness and share periods of silence. From this deep sense of connection, we’ll move gently into the landscape—exploring how our voices and bodies, just as they are, can become expressions of the harmony and love within us all. No musical experience or talent required.

The Satipatthana Sutta is the Buddha’s teaching on mindfulness in the service of liberation. To engage with its richness means entering a world of revelation - the world, oneself and others are not as we thought. An embodied approach, which emphasises grounding in direct, felt experience and leads to feeling more alive, awake and relaxed will help lift the veils of delusion and imprisonment, paving the way to clear seeing and the heart's release. Taraloka is the ideal setting with its natural beauty and depth of Inspiration. Come and see for yourself!

Engaging with the suffering of the world can be distressing, and we may turn away to avoid feeling powerless or overwhelmed. Drawing on the Dharma, living systems theory, and deep ecology, 'The Work That Reconnects' helps us respond with courage and compassion to global challenges. It invites a transformative journey, deepening our connection with ourselves, each other, and with life, strengthening our capacity to feel and act. We hope it will be a week of imagination, inspiration and adventure!

Loving kindness (metta) is a meditation technique as well as an attitude we can bring to every moment. By consciously wishing ourselves and others well, we can resource ourselves, bringing more ease, relaxation, and delight into our lives, and transform our relationships. Come and discover this transformative practice!

Become a warrior with a soft and open heart! How do we cultivate wisdom – seeing things as they really are; and compassion – allowing our hearts to break open with love for self and others? Drawing on both Satipatthana mindfulness teachings from early Buddhism and Lojong mind training Bodhicitta teachings from later Buddhism, this is a retreat designed for our times.

Midwinter is a time for stopping, taking stock and asking what really matters. As the days begin to lengthen again, step out of everyday life and explore meditation and Buddhist practices in a spirit of openness and inquiry. No previous experience is needed—just curiosity. This is a wonderful opportunity to spend the festive period in a different way. We therefore ask you not to bring alcohol or piles of presents and to be willing to turn off mobile phones and similar devices for the whole retreat period.