Weekend Meditation Retreat (Autumn)

A warm welcome to The Meditation Surrey Centre Whether you are new to the concept of meditation or have meditated before, our centre is the ideal retreat where you can escape from the stresses of the world and discover inner peace.

In the busy world we live in, we can all at times have to deal with different forms of stress, including negative thoughts and emotions which can affect our health and our quality of life. Whatever problems life throws at us, the practicing of meditation has been proven to have significant benefits with improving our feelings of calm, happiness and of well-being.

We regularly welcome people from all walks of life and ages to our centre, where they practice Dhammakaya meditation- a Buddhist meditation technique with an ancient history.

In this retreat you will learn about the Dhammakaya meditation technique. Its simplicity, originality and effectiveness has made the Dhammakaya method greatly cherished in its native Thailand and is also growing fast in popularity internationally.

This 2024 year plan of Weekend Meditation Retreat is as below:

1. Spring Meditation Retreat: 15 - 17 March 2024 (General Retreat)

2. Summer Meditation Retreat: 15 - 19 July 2024 (General Retreat)

3. Autumn Meditation Retreat: 20 - 22 September 2024 (Buddhist traditional Retreat)

General programme schedule

Friday

18.00     -      Registration

19.00     -      Induction

19.30     -      Introduction to Meditation

20.30     -      Request of 8 Precepts

21.00     -       Rest

Saturday

6.00      -        Morning meditation

6.45      -        Exercise

7.30      -         Breakfast

9.30      -         Meditation learn and practice 1

10.30    -        Break

10.45    -        Wisdom Talk

11.30     -        Lunch

13.30    -         Silence meditation

14.30    -        Break

14.45    -        Meditation learn and practice 2

15.45    -        Experience sharing

16.30    -        Yoga lesson and free time

18.30    -        Evening meditation

19.30    -        Meditation learn and practice 3

20.30   -         Candle light meditation

21.30    -        Rest

Sunday

6.00      -        Morning meditation

6.45      -        Exercise

7.30      -         Breakfast

9.30      -         Meditation learn and practice 4

10.30    -        Break

10.45    -        Wisdom Talk

11.30     -        Lunch

13.30    -         Silence meditation

14.30    -        Break

14.45    -        Meditation learn and practice 5

15.30    -        Ending ceremony

Note

Please prepare polite clothes (long trousers, skirt and white shirt are recommended)

Should you have any food allergies, please specify in the application form.

Participant is required to preserve 8 precepts. The 8 Precepts of Buddhism are ethical guidelines for lay followers to follow in order to progress on the path towards spiritual improvement. These Precepts are:

1. Refrain from taking life (not killing any living being).
2. Refrain from taking things not freely given (not stealing).
3. Refrain from sexual activity.
4. Refrain from false speech (not lying or saying pejorative term).
5. Refrain from intoxicants that lead to carelessness.
6. Refrain from taking food at improper times (not eating after noon).
7. Refrain from dancing, singing, music and watching improper shows.
8. Refrain from using high or luxurious beds.

These Precepts are not laws or commandments, but rather ethical guidelines for Buddhists to follow voluntarily as part of their spiritual practice. The observance of the Precepts is meant to help one develop virtue, concentration, and wisdom, and to cultivate a peaceful and harmonious mind. The level of strictness with which individuals follow these Precepts may vary, but it is generally encouraged to follow them as closely as possible to support spiritual growth.