Retreats are a way of stepping away from our busy, daily life and reducing our distractions so that we can focus on our meditations. This can just be for half a day, one day, a weekend, or longer if you have the time.
On meditation retreat we stop all forms of business and extraneous activities in order to emphasize a particular spiritual practice.
Our meditation retreats are presented in three categories, depending on experience and necessary experience.
Please Note: Retreats are in-person only.
Vajrasattva Retreat
Sun 7th Dec 10am – 3pm
On this retreat day Gen Chogma will guide three sessions focussing on the powerful purification practice of Buddha Vajrasattva. Discover four opponent powers that when used in combination with Vajrasattva’s powerful mantra can prevent future suffering and purify our mind. Through this practice we can remove the inner causes of our problems and sufferings, and create the cause for peace and happiness.
Timetable:
10 – 11am Retreat Session One
12noon – 1pm Retreat Session Two
2 – 3pm Retreat Session Three
4 – 5pm Wishfulfilling Jewel with tsog offering puja (this session is free – everybody welcome)
£5 per session or £12 per day
Free for Monthly Members
Please note: this retreat is in person only.
Suitable for those with some experience of Kadampa meditation. Please email us at info@meditationindarlington.org if you would like to attend this retreat or have any questions.
Amitayus Retreat
Sun 8th Feb 10am – 3:30pm
This annual retreat is an opportunity to focus on the meditation practice of Amitayus, the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, which is a special method for increasing our lifespan, wisdom and merit.
Timetable:
10 – 11am Retreat Session One
12noon – 1pm Retreat Session Two
2 – 3:30pm Retreat Session Three
4:30 – 5:30pm Wishfulfilling Jewel with tsog offering puja (this session is free – everybody welcome)
£5 per session or £12 per day
Free for Monthly Members
This retreat is not guided so is suitable for those with some experience of Kadampa meditation. Please email us at info@meditationindarlington.org if you would like to attend this retreat or have any questions.
Refuge Retreat
Sun 8th Mar 10am – 3:30pm
This retreat provides a special opportunity to explore and deepen our mind of refuge, which is our actual protection from pain and problems.
Our actual refuge is the medicine of Buddha’s teachings, which prevents the sufferings of our body and mind. Buddha is the doctor who provides us with this medicine and encourages us to take it, and the Sangha are our pure spiritual friends who assist us in our practice. These are the three jewels of refuge, to which we turn for both temporary and ultimate protection.
Through practicing refuge, we gain confidence and strength to make authentic spiritual progress. Through this we build stable peace, joy and freedom within our own heart that we can then share with others.
The retreat will be guided by Gen Kelsang Chogma.
Timetable:
10 – 11am Retreat Session One
12noon – 1pm Retreat Session Two
2 – 3:30pm Retreat Session Three
4:30 – 5:30pm Wishfulfilling Jewel with tsog offering puja (this session is free – everybody welcome)
£5 per session or £12 per day
Free for Monthly Members
This is an in-depth retreat so is suitable for those with some experience of Kadampa meditation. Please email us at info@meditationindarlington.org if you would like to attend this retreat or have any questions.
Nyungnay Purifying Ritual Practice
Tue 14th & Wed 15th Apr
Nyungnay is one of our most precious Kadampa Dharma jewels and as a centre practice it comes around just once a year – on Buddha’s Enlightenment Day.
We can spend two days with thousand-armed (eleven-faced) Avalokiteshvara – ‘Mahakaruna’ – the nature of our Guru’s great compassion, making exquisite offerings, praises and prostrations and thereby accumulate huge merit, purify vast negativity for ourself and others and receive the most powerful blessing to propel ourself swiftly along our path to enlightenment.
Wrapped within the practice of Mahayana Precepts, it involves fasting and making three sessions of prostrations, with the sadhana ‘Drop of Essential Nectar‘, over two days. Usually the second day is accompanied by a full fast, although strongly recommended, this is not compulsory. Everyone is welcome to join us for this special retreat.
This is an intermediate level retreat – some experience of Kadampa Buddhism is advised.
Cost: £24 for the whole retreat. (does not include donation towards Precepts lunch)
This retreat is free for Monthly Members.
Timetable
14th April
6:30-7am Mahayana Precepts (you must attend this session in order to attend any other sessions that day)
7:15-8:30am Session one
10-11:15am Session Two
12:30pm Precepts Lunch (prebooked only)
4-5:30pm Session Three
15th April
6:30-7am Mahayana Precepts (you must attend this session in order to attend any other sessions that day)
7:15-8:30am Session one
10-11:15am Session Two
4-5:30pm Session Three
6:30-8:15pm Offering to the Spiritual Guide puja
To book please email reception at info@meditationindarlington.org
Countryside Weekend Retreat
Fri 24th – Sun 26th Apr
at Madhyamaka KMC, Pocklington (near York)
Do you feel the need for a true break — one that restores both body and mind? Do you need space to reset emotionally and spiritually? Treat yourself to a guided meditation retreat in the peaceful surroundings of the Yorkshire countryside — a weekend designed to leave you refreshed, rejuvenated, and inspired.
This retreat offers more than just a temporary escape from life’s challenges. It provides tools to transform them — showing how even our most difficult experiences can become part of the path to genuine peace and happiness.
Between sessions, take time to unwind — stroll through beautiful grounds, relax in the cozy lounge, or connect with like-minded people over a coffee in the café. Whether you’re looking for quiet reflection or warm conversation, there’s something here for everyone.
What’s Included:
• Guided meditations and teachings
• Time for rest, nature, and connection with like-minded people
• Delicious vegetarian meals
• A supportive and peaceful environment
Come as you are, and leave renewed — with actual experience of how acceptance can bring lasting peace.
Suitable for all levels of experience.
Offering Our Faith Retreat
Thu 4th Jun
Celebrating Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
A special day of retreat at Atisha KMC
Every day we remember the extraordinary kindness of Venerable Geshe-la, our root Guru and Founder of the New Kadampa Tradition.
But on the auspicious day June 4th, which is both Turning the Wheel of Dharma day and Venerable Geshe-la’s birthday, at Kadampa centres around the world, with minds of rejoicing and gratitude, we offer him our faith through using the special prayer Request to the Holy Spiritual Guide Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso from his Faithful Disciples and collecting our Guru’s name mantra in a one-day retreat.
The sadhana or prayer booklet used for this day will be Hundreds of Deities of the Joyful Land according to Highest Yoga Tantra
Available at Atisha KMC and in the Tharpa Bookstore Online
Everyone is welcome to attend this retreat – please note that it is not guided.