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Taraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre

buddhist retreat centre for women

Mindfulness: A Direct Path to Freedom 2025

All | Introductory | Open | Triratna Regulars | Mitra Retreats | Going for Refuge | Order Retreats | Sangha

Mindfulness: A Direct Path to Freedom 2025

16 - 27 Jun 2025
Led By: Prasadavati, Maitrimala
For: Going for Refuge Mitras, Triratna Order Members

Maintaining steady, kindly awareness of changing phenomena is the essence of Satipatthana practice – the Buddha’s teaching on mindfulness in the service of liberation. Join us on a journey into open-hearted wisdom. Treat yourself to space, simplicity, beauty – inner and outer. Our main emphasis will be on body and heart/mind. We’ll become more deeply embodied and explore how to grow more aware of how we see, relate to, and “use” our bodies and heart-minds. Then we’ll open to a wisdom perspective on experience – the insight aspect of mindfulness as the Path to Freedom.

Please note that during this retreat a new office will be being built (on the opposite side of the carpark to the retreat centre). There will be some noise.

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Prasadavati writes…

Many years ago, after an intensive meditation retreat on the Satipatthana Sutta I decided to dedicate myself to studying and practising the richness of this teaching. Discovering how to practise embodied awareness in any situation, on and off the cushion, in daily life, in relationships, at work and at home through the four foundations of mindfulness: body, sensations, mind (thoughts/emotions), dhammas (reality) was revolutionary for me.

More than that it had the taste of freedom. Freedom from grasping, attachment and aversion, when the heart hardens, the mind narrows and we once again circle round in ignorance. Over time Satipatthana practice became a key to discovering the liberating truth of the Dharma in my own direct experience.

The other aspect that convinced me of the immense value of this practice was its connection to kindness and ultimately to compassion. We practice mindfulness with relaxed, receptive, non-judgemental, kindly awareness. I feel passionate about not letting Satipatthana become a dry, cold, analytical practice. If we are truly aware then the heart is open, there is connection with ourselves, with others and with the world around us. This is how we train the aware, compassionate responsiveness that will make a difference to life. At the same time cultivating a sense of wonder, play and lightness that treading this path requires. Last but not least, is the subtle joy and deep fulfilment of being present, available for life in this very moment.

Suggested donation (in addition to the booking fee): £465 waged / £310 unwaged

Booking Fee: £95.00

Single Rooms: No single rooms currently available on this retreat. Please email to go on single room waiting list.

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Paying for your retreat

Taraloka runs on generosity.

To book a retreat you pay a booking fee. This is the only charge made for coming on retreat. As far as possible, we don’t want anyone’s financial situation to stop them from coming to Taraloka.

At the end of your retreat, you have the opportunity to give money towards Taraloka. If you are able to donate, you are giving to another person who otherwise could not afford to come on retreat. And you are helping to give the gift of Taraloka to the women of the future.

We have suggested donations as these reflect the basic income needed to make a retreat viable. However, they are only suggestions. It is genuinely fine to give ten times these amounts, nothing, or anything in between.

Running on generosity is radical – thank you for being part of that.

For more information see what does it cost and a flow of generosity