West London Buddhist Centre

‘Beyond Limits ‘ Weekend Retreat – Othona, Bradwell

Published in Buddhist Events & Festivals, Calendar for all events, Meditation Events, Retreats, Sangha Events

  • Fri Jul 15th 2022
  • Sun Jul 17th 2022
  • 7:00 pm
  • 3:00 pm
  • Booking required
  • £240 full price/£180 concessions

This is another opportunity to join the WLBC Sangha at the lovely coastal venue of Othona, Bradwell-on-Sea, where earth, sea and sky come together to support our practice.

The title of this retreat is, ‘Beyond Limits…’ inspired by these lines from a poem by Shakbhar,

Without an inside, without an outside,

Awareness arisen of itself, as wide as the sky,

Beyond size, beyond direction, beyond limits –

This utter, complete openness:

Space, inseparable  from awareness.’

So often we are limited by our habits and views, by the conditions we experience around us and within us. During this retreat we will be reflecting on the whole of Shakbhar’s poem (see below) as we try to go beyond our habits and views and all the ways we limit ourselves.

We will also take advantage of the beautiful natural setting of Othona to support our practice and to develop more spaciousness in our hearts and minds.  As we connect with the open landscape, the open sea and the open sky, maybe we will also experience ‘a luminous expanse of awareness’ and find that, ‘As far as the sky pervades, so does awareness. As far as awareness extends, so does absolute space’.

A retreat is a great opportunity to take a break from our regular routine and create more space in both our inner and outer lives. Spending time in the countryside we can connect with nature and enjoy the positive conditions that arise as we come together as a community, practising together, sharing meals, sharing talks and sharing walks with others on the retreat.

We are delighted to be returning to Othona after a very enjoyable and inspiring weekend retreat in May. Othona is a retreat centre in a beautiful, peaceful setting on the Essex coast, just a 5 minute walk from the sea, amid salt marshes, woods and wildflower meadows. Accommodation is simple but comfortable with some single rooms available and with delicious vegetarian and vegan meals cooked by the friendly and welcoming Othona community.

The retreat begins with supper at 7pm on Friday, 5 July and ends at 3pm on Sunday, 17 July.

The programme will include talks, meditation, reflection and discussion as well as some chanting and ritual. Weather permitting, we will also do some meditations outside, including periods of walking meditation and standing meditation. There will be plenty of free time to go for walks or chat over a cup of tea with others on the retreat.

 

Without a centre, without an edge,

The luminous expanse of awareness

That encompasses all –

This vivid, bright vastness:

Natural, primordial presence.

 

Without an inside, without an outside,

Awareness arisen of itself, as wide as the sky,

Beyond size, beyond direction, beyond limits –

This utter, complete openness:

Space, inseparable from awareness.

 

Within that birthless, wide open expanse of space,

Phenomena appear – like rainbows, wholly transparent.

Pure and impure realms,

Buddhas and sentient beings are seen,

brilliant and distinct.

 

As far as the sky pervades, so does awareness.

As far as awareness extends, so does absolute space.

Sky, awareness, absolute space,

Indistinguishably intermixed: immense, infinitely vast –

The ground of samsara, the ground of nirvana.

 

To remain day and night in this state –

To enter this state easily – this is joy.

EMAHO!

Shakbar

(from ‘Journey to Enlightenment: the life and world of Khyentse Rimpoche’)

Bodhilila and Prajñānītā

Booking

The easiest way to book is online - just click the button below.

Please make sure you have read all the details of the event, have made sure you are eligible to attend (eg for 'going deeper' events) and are willing to make any commitments that are required.

Bookings are fully refundable up to 7 days in advance. After that we cannot usually offer refunds.

Book Online

You can also book in person at the Centre, or by sending a cheque payable to West London Buddhist Centre along with your name, email and phone number and the name and date of the event to:

The West London Buddhist Centre,

45a Porchester Rd,

London W2 5DP

Please include your name, email and phone number with your booking.

If you would like to come on the retreat but can’t manage the concessionary rate, please contact the wlbc on info [at] wlbc [dot] co [dot] uk. There are a limited number of reduced price bursaries available..

Bookings are fully refundable up to 7 days in advance. After that we cannot usually offer refunds.

Reconnect to your inner world with The Art of Dreaming workshop. More info here. Book here.

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