Retreat Information
Below you will find details about our meditation retreats.
On the left you can find links to the different types of retreats we provide.
Although the format of each retreat is similar, they do vary in specific course content. This is largely due to Burgs’ teaching methods, which allows him to respond to the particular group in front of him at that time. This is why many students still continue to come back and ‘sit’ the Usada healing retreat over and over again. There is an ever increasing depth of understanding and experience as you further your practice with this meditation.
Code of Conduct on Retreats
Timetable
Pricing
Location
Code of Conduct
The basic foundation for the successful practice of meditation is sīla (moral conduct). This is the basis for the development of samādhi (concetration) and paññā (insight) as described by the Buddha.
We aim to provide an environment which enables the student to develop and deepen their practice whilst on retreat, above and beyond what is capable of being acheived in their daily lives . As such, each student is asked to observe a few simple rules whilst on retreat so that they, aswell as their fellow meditators, can develop their practice to the best of their abilities and get the most out of their time. These are listed below:
- The 5 precepts, traditionally observed as part of Buddhist meditation practice are as follows: to abstain from killing any living being (all meals will be vegetarian during the week); to abstain from taking what is not given (all basic requirements will be provided for during your stay); to abstain from sexual activity (male and female students will have seperate rooms for sleeping accomodation); to abstain from lying (noble silence will be observed for most of the retreat); to abstain from all intoxicants (no smoking, alcohol or other drug use will be permitted unless medically prescribed – please inform us of any prescribed drugs you will be using whilst on retreat).
- Noble Silence – Noble Silence is another key part of the practice whilst on retreat. Traditionally it means silence of body, speech and mind. Talking to or distracting other students whilst on retreat is not permitted during noble silence. The more subtle aspect to this is to allow the internal mindfullness within the student to develop. Physical contact with anyone is not permitted as this disturbs all parties involved. Noble Silence will be observed throughout the first 6 days of most retreats. You will be able to speak to the teacher or any of his assistants at appropriate times to clarify any aspects of the practice, or deal with other practical issues during your stay.
Please don’t worry too much about being in such an environment; many people find it one of the more rewarding aspects of the process. You will be constantly engaged in learning and practising the techinques taught, so there is plenty for you to be occupied with during the week. - There is no reading or keeping of journals permitted during the retreat. This serves as a distraction from your practice and you will find that you will not fully develop your practice because of it.
- Students will be asked to hand in their mobile phones during the initial registration upon arrival. If there is a need to be contactable due to special circumstances such as family illness etc. then an emergency phone number can be provided. Please discuss this with the assistant upon arrival.
- All retreats will follow this code of conduct unless otherwise stated.
Timetable
An example of a day on a Usada meditation retreat consists of 30-40minute meditation sessions, followed by 20 minute breaks. There are exercise sessions at least twice a day along with a 2 hour lunch break to go walking to soak up the countryside and fresh air. Discourses explaining the teachings being offered along with opportunities to ask questions are also included. Instructions are regularly re-iterated throughout the day. Below is an example day on retreat.
6am Wakeup Bell
6.30am Morning Meditation
7am Morning Exercise (Chi Kung)
7.30am Breakfast
8.30am Morning session (instructions given)
11.30am Exercise session (chi kung or yoga)
12.30pm Lunch
2.30pm Afternoon session
5.30pm Exercise session (chi kung or yoga)
6.30pm Soup
7.30pm Evening Discourse
8.30pm Bedtime
How Pricing for the retreat is structured
We have finally reached our long term goal of being able to provide our meditation retreats on a donation basis. The Gift of Dhamma is a wonderful thing to be able to provide, and with the support of the people around us aswell as those who have attended retreats before, we are now in a position to do this with their help. Below are a few guidelines to explain how this will work.
- As this is our first venture into providing retreats on a donation basis, we are not sure how things are going to work out. A donation of £250 is suggested for 7 day retreats, and a donation of £170 for 4 day retreats, which will hopefully be enough to cover our running costs for room and board. This amount should be able to provide a place on retreat for the another person to come and learn to meditate. In its essence our commitment is to provide the Dhamma for free, as it has always traditionally done in Asia, and hopefully with your help we’ll be able to do this.
- Teachings form Burgs are also given on dana (donation basis). Dana is an ancient eastern tradition still used today. You will be invited to give dana to the teacher at the end of the retreat (anonymously if you so wish). Dana is a way of expressing your gratitude for the teachings that you have received, and a way to support the teacher and the teachings so that they can carry on being given to others. It is an important part of the retreat, as it is upon your own reflections that you attribute a value to what you have learned and so give accordingly.
- We ask anyone attending a meditation retreat to send a £100 cheque as a deposit to guarantee your place. If you can not afford to contribute this amount towards your donation, then please do contact us and we will do our best to sponsor a place for you on retreat.
- We will provide sponsored places on each retreat for those who really are in financial difficulties. Please mention this at time of booking and we will do as much as we can to help you come on retreat.
- Only the meditation retreats are available on donation. Other healing retreats and workshops are available at the advertised pricing.
- Please be aware that in our efforts to allow as many people as possible to come and learn meditation for the first time, we will only be able to support an individual once per year to come on any of our meditation retreats. We encourage all those who have been inspired by the practice of this meditation to make as much effort as possible to save up for themselves (at least the suggested donation to cover room and board for the retreat) and come on retreat again. This is in response to the large volume of enquiries we have been receiving recently.
- To make a booking please contact us at bookings@theartofmeditation.com and let us know which retreat you would like to attend.
For information about how to make the deposit payment which reserves your place on retreat, please see the Contact Us/Payment page. Deposits are £100 for all retreats, and are non-refundable within 3 weeks of the retreat commencing except for special circumstances such as a family emergency.
Location
Poulstone Court (Herefordshire)
7 day retreats
£250 Suggested Donation for shared rooms
£550 for single room
Teachings are offered on Dana (donation)
Poulstone Court (Herefordshire)
4 day Art of Happiness retreats
£170 Donation for shared rooms
£320 for single room
Teachings are offered on Dana (donation)
Beacon Bank
4 day Dream Yoga retreats: £325 (fixed price shared accommodation)
7 day Detox: £550 inclusive of supplements (fixed price shared accommodation)
A limited number of single rooms are available at a supplementary price of £150. Please ask for details when booking.
Teachings are included in the prices for these retreats.