The Way to the Beyond: AOWE Residential | Taraloka | Buddhist Retreat Centre For Women

Thursday, June 3, 2021 to Sunday, June 6, 2021

Retreat Team:

Maitrisiddhi

Retreat Type:

‘I will sing you the praises of the Way to the Beyond…’

What can we trust? What do we rely on? Where is our heart-connection with the Dharma? And when do we rely on the Buddha, and when on our own capacity to know and see? Sixteen brahmins go to see the Buddha, and ask heartfelt questions that resonate with passion, intensity and an existential need to know. And the Buddha’s responds with poetic clarity as he tries to express the inexpressible.

Such an amazing, passionate and beautiful text – come and explore themes from the ‘Way to the Beyond’ chapter of the Sutta Nipata. With presentations, personal talks, discussion groups, workshops, puja and meditation.

We hope to offer this event as a hybrid, both online and socially-distanced residential at Taraloka. This event is for IN-PERSON residential bookings. The main meditation space will be a marquee, and both indoor and camping spaces are available.

*Please read and ensure you are able to comply with Taraloka's COVID 19 policies including around travel BEFORE booking your retreat. This retreat is able to run with full social distancing in place if needed. If you are unable to attend this retreat due to Government Covid 19 laws we will offer a full refund.*

FOR THIS EVENT THE MAIN MEDITATION SPACE WILL BE IN A MARQUEE.

‘The Way to the Beyond’ AOWE Programme

Thursday:

20 – 21.00 Introduction and Opening Ritual (Mahamani)

Friday

7.00 – 7.50 Open meditation

8.00 – 8.30 Open meditation

10.30 – 12.45 Talk: ‘The Way to the Beyond: Faith or Wisdom' (Maitrisiddhi)

followed by discussion groups

15.30 – 17.00 ‘The stillness of the cup and the water in it’: writing workshop (Vishvantara)

17.15 - 18.00 Guided meditation (Mahamani)

20.00 – 21.00 Pali Canon Puja including Padmasakhi’s anagarika ceremony (Maitrisiddhi)

Saturday

7.00 – 7.50 Open meditation

8.00 – 8.30 Open meditation

10.30 – 12.45 Talk ‘The Way to the Beyond’ (Kusalasara)

followed by discussion groups

15.30 – 17.00 Mucky mark making workshop – no creative abilities needed! (Shraddhadipa)

With charcoal, ink and found mark makers and natural colours - materials provided.

17.15 - 18.00 ‘Teach me the way of peace’: Meditation with the Buddha as guide (Maitrisiddhi)

20.00 – 21.00 Puja including welcoming new Order Members (Sanghagita)

Sunday

7.00 – 7.50 Bodhicitta practice (guided)

8.00 – 8.30 Open meditation

10.30 – 11.15 Personal talks (Sanghagita and Mahamani)

11.40 – 12.30 Closing ritual

All times British Summer Time

Suggested donation (in addition to the booking fee): £150 waged / £60.00 unwaged

Booking Fee:

£50.00

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.

Suggested donations

Our suggested donations (in addition to the booking fee) for 2024-25 are (waged/unwaged)

Weekend retreats (£195 / 135)
Long Weekend (3 nights) (£225 / 160)
4 night retreats (£255 / 175)
5 night retreats (£285 / 195)
Week retreats: (£365 / 250)
9 night retreats (£410 / 290)
12 night retreats (£465/ 310)

There will be an opportunity to make your donation at the end of the retreat. Donations can be made by credit/debit card, cheque or cash.

Those who cannot afford our suggested donations are free to contribute what they can.

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