In recent years the practice of mindfulness has become increasingly widespread and been shown to have many benefits for health and wellbeing. However, this also means that ‘mindfulness’ has become such a common term that its depth and transformative potential may be underestimated or misunderstood.

The Buddha’s teaching on establishing mindfulness (for example in the Satipatthana Sutta) invites us to cultivate the willingness and capacity to turn toward all aspects of our experience with an attitude of kindness, curiosity, and non-reactivity. With sustained practice, this mindful awareness becomes, as the Buddha described it, a ‘direct path to awakening’.

This day retreat offers an opportunity to enhance our experience and understanding of mindfulness practice. There will be meditation guidance, silent practice, and opportunities for inquiry and dialogue. Newcomers and experienced meditators are equally welcome.

Jenny has practised in various Buddhist traditions since the late 1980s, and has an MA in Indian Religions. She has taught for several years at Gaia House, the Barn Retreat near Totnes in Devon UK, and local meditation classes. She trained in clinical psychology and works as an MBCT (Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy) therapist and trainer at Exeter University.

What to expect

Each one-day retreat will be a day of sustained meditation, supported by an atmosphere of silence. All the retreats are suitable for beginners as well as those with experience of meditation practice. The retreat is led by a teacher, and the structure of the day can vary. Typically the day includes periods of sitting and walking meditation, a dharma talk, and guidance on meditation provided by the teacher. Opportunities are provided to ask questions.

Below is a typical schedule for the day, we ask participants to stay for the whole day:

9.30 Arrival

10.00 Introduction

10.30 Sitting

11.00 Walking

11.30 Sitting

12.00 Walking

12.30 Lunch

13.30 Sitting

14.00 Walking

14.30 Dharma talk, Q&A

15.30 Walking

16.00 Closing session

What to bring

Cushions: Please bring anything you will need to be comfortable sitting, meditation cushions, pillows, a mat to sit on, a blanket etc. There are chairs available if you would like to sit on a chair.

Lunch: We also ask you to bring a vegetarian dish to contribute to a shared lunch, which is held together and in silence. Cutlery and plates are available at the venue.

Mug: It would be really helpful if you could bring your own mug as that is one thing the venue is short of.

Dana: Dana translates as generosity, in this spirit the teachers offer these teachings for free. As students we are also given the opportunity to practice generosity by offering financial contributions to the teachers. The livelihood of most teachers depends wholly, or to a large extent, on the generosity and voluntary contributions from retreatants who value their guidance and wish to support the ongoing teachings of the Dharma. There will be a chance for you to donate to the teacher at the end of the day. Please bring money for this. There are no guidelines to what you should donate.

Where to find us:

Frome Steiner Academy, Park Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 1EU.

There will be signs pointing you in the right direction once you arrive.

Who can come?

All the retreats are suitable for beginners as well as those with experience of meditation practice. We warmly welcome people of every age, ethnicity, cultural heritage and religious background, socio-economic group, ability, sexual orientation and gender identity to join us.