INTERNATIONAL URBAN RETREAT WEEK - 20-27th June 2009.
This is a very exciting opportunity for us to practise together from all over the world, but in our ordinary, everyday lives at the same time. Starting and ending with a day retreat at the centre each Saturday.
As Vajrahridaya put it:
Last eight years, I have lived in different Buddhist Retreat Centres, mainly in the remote rural setting both in India and UK. During those days, I always wondered how it would be to have a retreat environment in the cities, in everyday life and work. Going to a remote Retreat Centre, away from the hustle and bustle of the city does help and creates a supportive atmosphere, especially in the midst of nature and beauty. There is a sense of “leaving behind” the busyness of everyday life and just relaxing into the nature, different meditation practises and meeting interesting people.
However when we finish the retreat, we are back to the city, back to our busy lives. The inspiration stays for few weeks and then we are taken over by the stress and strain of everyday living. Later, that inspiring retreat satys as a memory in the background of our mind, until we make time, effort and money to go on another retreat. So, I thought, how about bringing a retreat into the city? How about integrating the retreat into the day to day busy life? How would that affect us? That is something I am trying to do since I have moved to Edinburgh last year. It is challenging yet effective and something which is transforming my everyday living.”
More details of the events of the week will follow shortly - watch this space.