A weekend Retreat with Heike Griffin and Pádraig Cotter [Residential & Online]

This retreat is an opportunity to connect with what’s truly important to us.  Drawing upon the teachings of the Buddha, the retreat will feature an emphasis on the gladdening and settling of the heart (samādhi) as well as the liberation of the heart from discontent and dis-ease (insight/wisdom).

 

The retreat is suitable for both newcomers and experienced practitioners alike.

 

It is possible to attend the retreat as an on-site resident or as an online participant via Zoom

 

Atmosphere

We will attend together under the protection of the 8 precepts which establish the ethical boundaries of the retreat, making it a safe and trustworthy container, suitable for practicing with others.  Those attending online are encouraged to integrate these guidelines into their daily routine. 

 

The retreat will be in noble silence.  It will feature periods of sitting meditation, walking meditation, standing meditation, chanting, reflections & questions.

 

Coming on retreat

 

More details about what to expect on a retreat at Sunyata can be found here.

 

Please note that a retreat is a serious undertaking and not to be taken casually. If you are undergoing or have recently undergone (in the past year or so) a period of mental or emotional upheaval, significant trauma or psychiatric illness, serious anxiety or depression,  suicidal thoughts, or much physical sickness, then attending a meditation retreat may not be appropriate for you at this point in time. A context with more emphasis on interpersonal engagement may be more suitable at this time.   If you are unsure about attending a retreat please do not hesitate to contact the centre in confidence before applying for a retreat. 

 

Hybrid Format

 

The retreat is a hybrid retreat which offers the opportunity to attend either in person on-site or online via Zoom. Please read the guidelines for online attendance here.

Booking and Participation

 

Beginning on Friday evening at 6:00pm and ending Sunday lunch time.

Booking (by filling out the booking form) is essential as there are limited number of spaces available.

To participate it is necessary to attend the entire retreat.

This retreat is offered on a Dana (donation) basis

Dana

Dana is a Pali word (Pali is the language of the original texts of the Buddha’s teachings) that can be translated as the cultivation of generosity.

All of the retreats / events at Sunyata are offered on a dana basis; there is no charge to attend and the teachings are freely offered. This means that retreats are accessible to all, irrespective of financial circumstances.

At the end of each retreat, retreatants are given the opportunity to offer a voluntary financial contribution to the centre if they wish to support it.

Sunyata is sustained by the efforts of a group of volunteers. The organisation and management of retreats, the preparation of meals on retreats, the general day-to-day maintenance of the centre, and all the other tasks that are involved in the upkeep of the centre are taken care of by volunteers. In this respect, generosity is the currency of the centre.

All donations received go towards the ongoing running costs of the centre.

Donations can be made in person in a foyer of meditation hall or on our website.

When given the opportunity to make a contribution to the centre one might reflect upon the following:

This retreat has been made possible by the generosity of others who have attended previous retreats.

Rather than ask oneself “how much was this retreat worth to me? ” or “what did  I get out of this retreat” one might consider “how much would I like to  give (within my means to give)  in order to support others in receiving the same gift that I have received?”

All donations are made anonymously and are graciously received.

We are asked sometimes for guidance regarding donations towards the centre and we calculate that €55 per person per day meets the running costs of the centre for all of our retreats throughout the year. If one wishes to give more than the guided amount,  then one is welcome to do so.

Bios:

Heike Griffin has been meditating for nearly 30 years, the last 10 years following the Thai Forest tradition. She became involved with Sunyata Centre in 2012, and has been a member of the Sunyata Board since 2014. Since 2018 Heike has been involved in leading retreats.

 

 

Pádraig Cotter : “I came into contact with the spiritual path over twenty years ago. Over the years I have attended many retreats at centres and monasteries throughout Europe and Asia.  I have practiced within various spiritual traditions and frameworks including Christianity, Advaita Vedanta, various schools of Buddhism,  as well as the Insight Meditation tradition, all of which continue to influence my explorations.  Since 2009, I have been a volunteer at Sunyata Buddhist Centre where I was manager in 2011-2012.  I was asked  to share dharma teachings in 2016,  an endeavour I find to be a joyful challenge. “