Special Events

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2024 Talks & Retreats with Ven Canda, Ajahn Brahmali & Ajahn Brahm

 

  • Ven Canda: 8-Day Meditation Retreat 20th – 27th April 2024, Norway. Led by Ven Canda & Ajahn Nitho. Click HERE for more information about the retreat.
  • Ven Canda: "A Day of Practice" 11th May 2024 (in-person and online) with Oxford Insight ~ Book Here
  • Ven Canda: “Liberating Perspectives on Death and Dying” 18th May 2024, with Bristol Insight ~ not yet open for registration.
  • Ajahn Brahmali: "UK Tour 12th - 16th June" - see all talks and retreats below.
  • Ajahn Brahm & Ven Canda: "Wisdom of Silence" 18th- 20th June 3-day Online Retreat - see registration details below.
  • Ven Canda: "The Gentle Art of Patience" 4th – 7th July 2024, Ven Canda & Laura Bridgman, Gaia House UK ~ Book Here.

As we are unsure when the retreats will open for bookings, please keep an eye on the websites. Kindly DO NOT contact the centres in advance.

Ven Canda passphoto

Sat 11th May 2024, 10:00 - 17:00 BST 

A day of practice with Ven Canda, for Oxford Insight Meditation

 

Online and in person at Littlemore Village Hall, Oxford

 

The day will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, meditation instructions, dharma reflections and some time for questions. There will be a lunch break of about 1 hour. The day will mainly be in silence.

 

The retreat is suitable for beginners as well as those with experience of meditation practice. We ask that you commit to staying for the full day.

 

This event is organised by Oxford Insight Meditation. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Oxford Insight direct.

Ven Canda

Sat 18th May 2024,  09:30 - 15:30  

A Day Retreat with Ven Canda, for Bristol Insight Meditation: 

 

"Liberating Perspectives on Death & Dying"

 

Online & In person in Bristol. 

 

Perhaps you are witness to someone who is dying, have lost a loved one or have received a diagnosis you are grappling with? Or perhaps you are healthy and imagine death is far away - and that is the way you would like it to stay!

 

The Buddha recommended meditation on death for everyone, as a way of bringing a sense of immediacy to practice. Although it may initially sound unappealing, by gently turning toward the universal reality of death, we can learn tools for living a fuller life - a life of gratitude and love.

 

This retreat will invite us to contemplate and discuss the universal experience of death and dying, taking inspiration from Buddhist ideas as well as modern scientific research on near-death experiences, to find a greater acceptance and peace within.

 

The retreat is suitable for everyone and will include Dhamma reflections, guided meditations and an opportunity for sharing questions and responses.

 

This retreat will be organised by Bristol Insight Meditation. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Bristol Insight Meditation direct.

Ajahn Brahmali's UK Visit: 12th - 16th Jun 2024 (followed by an Ajahn Brahm & Ven Canda online retreat)

Ajahn Brahmali is back in England this June and we have the opportunity to host him at our new monastery, Anukampa Grove Bhikkhuni Monastery, on Boars' Hill, for the first time! During his brief visit, we will be packing in lots of Dhamma teachings; in London, Brighton, Oxford and Bristol - including a day-long retreat at the delightful Friends Meeting House, Oxford, with its quiet terraces and lawns.

 

Ajahn's joy-infused delivery and extensive knowledge and experience of Buddhist practice helps us to forge a closer relationship with the Buddha and his teachings, that speak straight to our hearts and our daily lives.

 

The teaching programme runs from the 12th to 16th June, and will be closely followed by a three-day online retreat with Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda from 18th to 20th June inclusive.

 

Register for Ajahn Brahmali's teaching events below.

Aj Brahmali

About Ajahn Brahmali

 

Born in Norway in 1964, Ajahn Brahmali felt a strong calling to Buddhism and meditation in his early 20’s after a visit to Japan. Having completed master degrees in engineering and finance, he began his monastic training as an anagarika in England at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries.

 

In 1994, after hearing a teaching by Ajahn Brahm, he went to Australia to train at Bodhinyana Monastery.  He took full ordination as a bhikkhu, with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor, in 1996.

 

Ajahn Brahmali is a powerfully effective teacher of meditation, who draws direct inspiration from the Buddhist texts. He also teaches the Pali language and the monastic training rules to monks at Bodhinyana Monastery, and to bhikkhunis in Perth and beyond. Ajahn Brahmali also played an instrumental role in ordaining Theravada bhikkhunis and was recently awarded an honorary PhD for his translation of the Vinaya from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.

 

As a Dhamma teacher, Ajahn Brahmali makes the teachings of the Buddha relevant and accessible through his lucid and inspiring talks. Here is some feedback from an 8-day online retreat that he taught for our community in 2021, alongside Ven Canda:

 

"I feel so lucky and grateful to have had the chance to participate in this retreat and to be in touch with your teaching. The path has never seemed so clear and beautiful to me! I feel that I am in contact with the best approach for my practice and for my daily life. Ajahn Brahmali's enthusiasm for suttas is contagious, I really want to read some from now on!" ~ by A.V.

 

Ajahn Brahmali Ven Canda at Kagyu

Wednesday, 12th Jun 2024, 19:00 - 20:45

Ajahn Brahmali: “There Is No Bad Meditation!“

 

Dhamma Talk at Kagyu Samye Dzong, Bermondsey, London.

 

How often do you get up from your meditation thinking, "What a waste of time that was!"? What if that wasn’t the case? Perhaps there is another way of approaching our practice that makes every meditation experience worthwhile.

 

In this enlightening talk, Ajahn Brahmali will delve deep into the essence of meditation and unravel some of the misconceptions around it. He show us a fresh approach to meditation guided by wisdom and compassion. Together we will explore how we can integrate our so-called "bad" meditations into the Noble Eightfold Path, so that every experience becomes part of our journey to peace.

Ajahn_Brahmali_lotus

Thursday, 13th Jun 2024, 18:45 - 20:30

Ajahn Brahmali: “What Is & Isn't A Jhana“

 

Dhamma Talk at Community Base, Brighton

 

The Buddha spoke about jhana, the most profound stages of meditation, as being essential to the path towards Enlightenment, but are these states attainable in this day and age? How do we know if we, our teachers, or our friends have experienced a jhana and more importantly, if we are heading in the right way?

 

In this talk, Ajahn Brahmali, a senior student of meditation master Ajahn Brahm, will compare the word of the Buddha to some of the misconceptions of jhana today and share tips for putting the causes in place for jhana to happen in a way that leads to wisdom.

LWA Seating Wolfson

Friday 14th Jun 2024,  19:00 - 20:45

Ajahn Brahmali: “Making Peace With Your Inner Critic“

 

Dhamma Talk at Leonard Wolfson Auditorium, Oxford.

 

Is there a little voice inside you, telling you that you are not good enough or that you got it wrong again? This voice of the "inner critic" can torment us, reminding us of our insignificant flaws and making us blind to all our wonderful qualities and strengths.

 

In this talk, Ajahn Brahmali will help us learn how to recognise the voice of the inner critic and undermine its power to sap our joy. Through the skillful use of perception and thought, we will learn to make peace with ourselves and nurture our potential for Awakening.

Aj Brahmali

Saturday, 15th June 2023, 10:00 - 17:00 pm 

Day retreat with Ajahn Brahmali:

"Sila, The Foundation Of The Path"

 

Day retreat at Friends Meeting House, Oxford Quakers, Oxford. 

 

 

We sometimes struggle with our meditation practice, but have we looked carefully at the well-structured teachings of the Buddha? He describes the stages of the path to Enlightenment clearly and it all begins with sila, ethics.

 

The Buddha said that stillness founded on virtue is of great fruit and benefit:

"Sila paribhavito samadhi, mahapphalo hoti mahanisamso."

~ DN16 Mahaparinibbana Sutta.

 

Drawing on the early Buddhist texts and his own extensive experience, Ajahn Brahmali will describe how to develop beautiful qualities such as generosity, kindness and harmlessness that give rise to blameless bliss. Empowered by these qualites the mind becomes so energised and bright, that meditation happens naturally in a way that leads to freedom.

Ajhan-Brahmali-Sutta-retreat

Sunday, 16th Jun 2024, 16:00 - 18:00

Ajahn Brahmali: “Equanimity vs. Passivity“

 

Dhamma Talk at Queen's Building, University of Bristol, Bristol.

 

Equanimity is a profound quality and its near enemy is passivity. How do we recognise we have fallen into this dangerous deviation and overcome it? How can we know when to act and when to stand back and let go?

 

Drawing on the word of the Buddha, Ajahn Brahmali will delve into the true meaning of equanimity as an accepting and expansive state of mind developed in meditation. Together we will explore how we can discern the difference between wise, balanced action coming from an even mind, and passive resignation.

Ajahn Brahm
Ven Canda

Tue 18th - Thu 20th Jun 2024 UK Time

Three Day Online Meditation Retreat

with Ajahn Brahm & Ven Canda: 

 

"Wisdom Of Silence" 

 

 

"Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda create a really safe, supportive and nurturing environment. It softens the heart. The teachings are wise and profound but delivered in a way that is funny, sensitive and warm hearted. They lead by example in how to act through love, acceptance and compassion. I am glad I have found such teachers."

~ Patricia, a participant in Ajahn Brahm & Ven Canda's "Bliss Upon Bliss" online retreat, November 2020

 

 

Silence is what we develop through stillness. It is not merely the absence of noise; silence is a gateway to profound insight. When we are still, the mind becomes tranquil and we move beyond the boundaries of conventional knowledge. As we learn to trust the silence and release the clamour of the five-sense world, the mind energises and becomes blissful and bright. In deep, meditative stillness, the Dhamma ~ timeless truth ~ reveals itself and you see things as they truly are.

 

 

In this retreat, our wise and compassionate guides will gently lead us into the heart of silence.  Like skilled gardeners, they will tend to the soil of our minds, nurturing seeds of happiness and peace. The retreat will include guided and silent meditations, engaging Dhamma talks and opportunities for questions and responses. It is suitable for every level of experience and requires that you have a reasonably quiet and safe place to stay and practice where you can caringly tend to your body and mind. Ven Upekkha will be present and may hopefully offer some Dhamma as well!

 

 

Tentative Daily Schedule (Time zone BST):

 

Tuesday 18th June:

08:00 – 10:00  Dhamma Talk, Precepts & Guided meditation  (Ajahn Brahm)
10:00 – 12:15  Walking meditation & Lunch break
12:30 – 14:00  Guided Meditation & Q&A  (Ajahn Brahm)
14:00 – 16:30  Personal practice period (encouraging walking and sitting meditation)
16:45 – 17:30  Silent Meditation
17:30 – 19:00  Tea break or snack
19:00 – 20:30: Short talk, guided meditation and Q&A (Ven Canda)

 

 

Wednesday 19th June:

Change: 06:15 – 07:00  Morning Silent Meditation & Metta Sutta Chanting with Ven Upekkha
Change: 08:30 – 10:00  Dhamma Talk & Guided meditation (Ajahn Brahm)
10:00 – 12:15  Walking meditation & Lunch break
12:30 – 14:00  Guided Meditation & Q&A (Ajahn Brahm)
14:00 – 16:30  Personal practice period (encouraging walking and sitting meditation)
16:45 – 17:30  Silent Meditation
17:30 – 19:00 Tea break or snack
19:00 – 20:30: Short talk, guided meditation and Q&A (Ven Canda and/or Ven Upekkha)

 

 

Thursday 20th June:

06:15 – 07:00  Morning Silent Meditation & Metta Sutta Chanting with Ven Upekkha
08:30 – 10:00  Dhamma Talk & Guided meditation (Ajahn Brahm)
10:00 – 12:15  Walking meditation & Lunch break
12:30 – 14:00  Guided Meditation & Q&A  (Ajahn Brahm)
Change: 15:00 – 15:45 Silent Meditation
Change: 16:00 – 17:30 Closing Session ~ Talk, meditation and Anukampa discussion (Ven Canda)

 

 

Check the retreat schedule against your country time zone here.

 

 

Full attendance is ideal to make the most of your retreat. Please apply only if you can give yourself the very best opportunity for developing the beauty of silence!

 

Ven Canda & Buddha Statue

Thu 4th - Sun 7th July 2024  

Residential Retreat with Ven Canda & Laura Bridgman, for Gaia House: 

 

"The Gentle Art of Patience"

 

 

The Buddha described patience as the highest spiritual quality, yet many of us find it challenging, even unappealing.

 

Modern society so often emphasises immediate gratification through an act of will. We then bring this pressure to our meditation practice and use too much force, making the path harder than it needs to be. On the contrary, the Buddha encouraged us to focus on the causes for happiness and peace – the careful laying down of conditions that allow beautiful qualities of the heart to ripen, in their own time.

 

Developing such a patient, kind and gentle attitude enables us to stay with experience long enough to discover its beauty and depth. We learn to find contentment here and now, instead of being caught in restless seeking.

 

This retreat is organised by Gaia House. If you have queries regarding this particular retreat, please contact Gaia House direct.

Regular Events

 

Ven Canda

Zoomi Bhikkhuni:

 

Fridays - Sutta Discussion Group with Ven Canda:

Fridays: 18:45 – 20:00pm UK Time (via Zoom) 

 

Next sessions:

March 1st, 8th, 15th and 29th;
April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th;
May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st;
June 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.

This is a wonderful way to delve into the Buddha's Teachings and apply them to our own life and practice, through discussion with the Ven Canda and our peers. Together, we go through Bhikkhu Bodhi's anthology of the Buddha's teachings on "Social & Communal Harmony," in an attempt to answer the question: "In a world of conflict and strife, how can we be advocates of peace and justice?"  

 

You are very welcome to drop in as you wish! We are now on the last chapters of the book and newcomers are welcome.

 

N.B. We will begin a new series of sutta studies after we end this book!

 

JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.

N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.

 

VCZoom

Zoomi Bhikkhuni:

 

Saturday's Guided Metta Meditation and Sharing Group with Ven Canda:

Saturdays: 09:00 – 10:00am UK Time (via Zoom)

 

Next sessions:

March 2nd, 16th, 30th;
April 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th;
May 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th;
June 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.

 

What better way to start the weekend than expanding our heart with the powerful, sublime practice of loving kindness and a gentle check-in with friends? This group will help us bring the benefits of metta into our lives in a truly transformative way.

JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.

N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.

 

Buddha drawings

Zoomi Bhikkhuni:

 

Tuesday & Thursday Silent Sitting Group

Every Tuesday and Thursday 19:15 - 20:00 UK Time via Zoom - peer hosted by Matthias.

 

"Since December 2021 we have had a regular group of about 20 people coming to meditate in silence together, and people have said that they find it very supportive in developing and strengthening a regular practice. It never fails to amaze me how strongly connected we can be from afar, without even uttering a word - especially when we unite in wholesome (non) action!" ~ Ven Canda

 

Please be aware that this is NOT a guided meditation session but is intended for those who are looking for a virtual community with whom to sit silently in meditation together.

 

Please join early so Matthias can let you in before he starts meditating! 

 

JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.

N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.

 

Ven Canda

Zoomi Bhikkhuni:

 

Pali Chanting & Blessings Group ~ Karaniya Metta Sutta

Every Wednesday 17.30 - 18:00 UK Time - Held Ven Canda, Ven Upekkha or Manori 

 

This is an uplifting opportunity to share loving kindness and good wishes with your loved ones - or anyone you know of who could benefit from the powerful teachings and blessings of the Buddha. We begin by collecting the names of those you'd like to dedicate the chanting towards. The host then recites the Karaniya Metta Sutta and invites you to join in from the comfort of your home.

 

Click here: Karaniya Metta Sutta for Text in English and Pali language.

 

JOINING LINK: click archive newsletter here.

N.B You will need to be signed in to your personal zoom account to access all meetings. Please refer to our easy guidelines here: Joining Zoomi Bhikkhuni.

 

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