A wabi-sabi retreat in the Netherlands. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic, which finds beauty and truth in our simple, ordinary experiences. The Dharma teaches that everything changes, nothing is ever complete and real satisfaction seems always out of reach. These are the harsh truths of human life. And yet… there is a beauty in being human.

Rivendell Retreat Centre, UK - Enlightenment is the state of 'being awake'. But how exactly do we wake up from our own illusions? The Buddha referred to these illusions as 'fetters', and described how they bind us to suffering. He also showed us that we, like him, could see through them, one by one.

Rivendell Retreat Centre, UK - Enlightenment is the state of 'being awake'. But how exactly do we wake up from our own illusions? The Buddha referred to these illusions as 'fetters', and described how they bind us to suffering. He also showed us that we, like him, could see through them, one by one.

Rivendell Retreat Centre, UK - The Buddha taught the dharma for one reason only: the alleviation of suffering. His first teaching we now know as ‘The 4 Noble Truths’. That in every life there is suffering, the cause of suffering is desire, that it is possible to put an end to this suffering here and now and, finally, that there’s a path for us to follow. On this retreat, we take those 4 Noble Truths as our dharmic framework.

Rivendell Retreat Centre, UK - The path of meditation is not for everyone. A far more significant practice for me has been that of reflecting on everything that happens in the light of the Dharma.

There are 24 hours in a day, and for most of us will dedicate less than one to meditation. If we’re not practising wholeheartedly for the other 23 hours, how will awakening really be possible’?

A Wabi-sabi Weekend - Manchester Buddhist Centre

Wabi-sabi is about finding both beauty and dharmic truths in our ordinary everyday lives. Often we escape to the countryside to be on retreat, but this weekend retreat we’ll be searching for wabi-sabi in the city. We’ll have a programme of multi-media presentations, meditation and time for discussion. By the end of the weekend, I hope you’ll have, as the Red Ladder tagline says, ‘fallen in love with life again’. 

Dhanakosa Retreat Centre, Scotland - Fall in love with life again. A Retreat on the Art of Perception.

Dhanakosa Retreat Centre, Scotland - Wabi-sabi is an aesthetic, which finds beauty and truth in our simple, ordinary experience.

Rivendell Retreat Cantre, England - The root of suffering is clinging. Non-clinging is the means to freedom. But how to realise this radical ‘letting go’ in our own lives?

Metta Vihara Retreat Centre, Netherlands - The root of suffering is clinging. Non-clinging is the means to freedom. But how to realise this radical ‘letting go’ in our own lives?