Main image Sunset at Shallowford House
For members of the Community of Interbeing (Join the COI).
A retreat focusing on the Three Earth Touchings – exploring this precious and profound practice.
We will enjoy noble silence for more than half of each day to cultivate our inner stillness and stability.
This is an opportunity for deep looking, healing and transformation.
My dear friends, this practice is the practice of emptying ourselves in order to make life possible.
We have in us ideas, notions.
We have attachment.
We have anger.
We have discrimination.
We have all these things in us.
And when we bow down and touch the earth, we empty ourselves of all these notions, these attachments, these hatreds.
It is in the act of bowing down that we give up all notions.
— Thich Nhat Nanh
Practical Information
Content and Suitability
The retreat is suitable for those with an established understanding of mindfulness and a regular meditation practice. It will include:
- Guided and silent sitting meditations, walking meditation, mindful eating and noble silence
- Learning from others through Dharma sharing and exploration
- Dharma teaching from UK Dharma Teachers
Attending on Zoom
There is the option of attending the retreat online via Zoom.
You will be able to join Dharma talks, Dharma sharing and practice activities during the day and evening with all the retreatants. For the initial morning and final evening practice each day, there will be sessions with others online.
We invite you to create a retreat atmosphere at home – planned meals, a quiet corner for meditation, some time away from being online.
We are aware that some retreatants may have family or other caring commitments and fully support your need to take care of such responsibilities. We suggest sharing a copy of the programme with your household so that they can support you for the sittings, the talks and the Dharma sharing.
Schedule
Fri 22 Aug 4:30 PM — Arrival
Fri 22 Aug 6 PM — Start
Mon 25 Aug 3 PM — End of retreat
Photo of chapel at Shallowford House
Location
Shallowford House is a stunning 19th century building set within 9 acres of secluded gardens, woodland and meadows in the Staffordshire countryside. Located just 3 miles from the M6 (Junction 14), it is easily accessible from all parts of the country.
Accommodation
Accommodation is in single ensuite rooms, with two of the ground floor rooms being wheelchair accessible. All bedrooms have a wardrobe and desk, tea and coffee making facilities, and towels and soap are provided.
Food
All food will be vegan. If you have other essential dietary requirements, you can specify these when booking.
Dana
The payment for the retreat does not include a fee for the teachers who offer a great deal of time, love and experience in delivering their teaching. There is an opportunity to offer dana (generosity, giving) in support of the continuation of this work during and after the retreat.
Cost
The tickets for this three day full board residential retreat range from £345 – £470 with variations visible by clicking the Book Your Place button.
Supported places are for those who have been practising wih us for at least 12 months and are in financial difficulty. They are offered on an honesty and first come first allocated basis.
The cost if joining via Zoom is £125.
Any surplus, after administrative costs, will be donated to our charity Plum Village UK.
Refunds
We can offer a full refund minus the booking fee for cancellations made up to two weeks before the retreat. After that no refund is available other than in exceptional circumstances – please contact the organisers if you feel this applies to you.
What further information will I receive?
You will receive a confirmation email on booking. Two weeks beforehand you will receive a list of attendees who are offering or who are looking for lifts and taxi shares. A week beforehand you will receive a retreat schedule and other information. Please check your spam folder if this does not arrive.
Organisers
The retreat is organised by the Community of Interbeing. We are a growing network of people in the UK who practise mindfulness and aspire to develop peace and happiness in ourselves and in the world by living according to the teachings on global ethics of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (“Thay”).
His teachings, which can be followed by people of all ages and any religion or none, are notable for their emphasis on joy, engagement in the world, and integrating the practice of mindfulness into daily life. We are a registered charity which offers a programme of courses, retreats and events, and which encourages and supports local groups that meet to practise mindfulness.
