Retreats & Programme
Rooted in the the buddhist teachings, especially the Forest meditation tradition of Ajahn Chah, we are inspired by nature, inner and outer. We offer meditation and eco retreats with many ways to explore and open.
Our retreats are holistic, helping us to be present and connected in body and mind. Re-minding us of our intimate links with the natural world, they are nourished also by sustainable living.
Retraites à ekuthuleni
Thrusday October 20th to Wednesday November 2nd, 2022 •
In English and French available • On site at Ekuthuleni with online option available
A time to share dhamma, to follow one's own schedule & a moment of log cabin community life. In silence with one on one's.
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE TO ONE’S AS NEEDED
Retraites à ekuthuleni
Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th of November, 2022 • In English and German
With somatic exploration. For more information visit: www.heartembodied.com/workshops_retreats.html
Biosphärenreservat Schorfheide-Chorin, BRANDENBURG, GERMANY • Retreat House Ananda
Retraites à ekuthuleni
Thurs Dec 29th (evening) to Mon Jan 2nd (lunchtime), 2022/23 • In English
A new year's meditation retreat to deepen in listening and presence as we enter the new year. Online and yet very connected - 3 guided live sessions a day, a sense of community and opportunities for one to one meetings with Sumedha. Offered via the zoom platform - keeping the tech side simple.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - DHARMA TALKS - Q & A - SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP
Retraites à ekuthuleni
Wednesday February 8th to Wednesday March 8th, 2023 • In English and French available
Solitary retreats together. A time to share dhamma, to follow one's own schedule & a moment of log cabin community life. In silence with one to one's as wished. Come for one, two, three weeks or the whole month, as is possible for you.
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE ON ONE’S AS NEEDED
Retraites à ekuthuleni
Monday 1st to Monday 8th of May, 2023 • In english, french translation as needed
Walking quietly together in single file: a meditation in itself. Pausing in the middle of nature for guided meditation or in silence, to share poems, to have lunch... Return to Ekuthuleni in the afternoon - taste the joys of living simply in Sangha. This retreat will be guided by Noon Baldwin
SILENT AND GUIDED MEDITATIONS - DHARMA TEACHINGS - CONTEMPLATIVE WALKS - SACRED POETRY - IN FULL NATURE
Please note: we are offering an online meditation every tuesday at 7.30PM French time
link to join : https://us04web.zoom.us/j/885573144
Meeting ID: 885 573 144
DEEP REST with Jaya Ashmore
With guidance from the teacher and our own willingness to discover what is really happening, we practice being ourselves. Just as rest allows the cells and mind to renew themselves, so easeful meditation drops us into direct and non-conceptual awareness. We practice letting go of what we are not, and allowing what is. Life beyond ideas leaves room for spacious joy and powerful shifts that make a real difference in our lives.
Find out more about Jaya : www.jayaashmore.org
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE ON ONE’S AS NEEDED
Exploring refuge and connection with Sumedha
Led by Sumedha in english • Retreat on site at Ekuthuleni with online option available
Looking always to find comfort outwardly, in ways that are more and more disconnected from our nature, and from living nature, we can see in our worlds, the results. This retreat will explore looking deeper within, supported by teachings, guided meditations, silence, community and beautiful nature. In our hearts, in our bodies and in nature to find a space of listening and embodied presence.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - DHARMA TALKS - Q & A - SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP
Fundraiser, Celebration and blessing (online DAY of Practice)
We will be gathering on Saturday 1 May 2021 for a fundraiser/ celebration and blessing of Ekuthuleni! Deep gratitude to all of the teachers who will be participating and also to all of you who wish to attend, bringing your presence and energy. A day of abundance! With Thanissara & Kittisaro, Jaya Asmore, Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta
GUIDED MEDITATIONS - SANGHA - DHARMA TALKS - SEE EKUTHULENI! - CONNECTING MEDITATION, ECOLOGY & SIMPLICITY
O Sweet Release!
with Sumedha & Noon English - at Ekuthuleni with online option available also
In this retreat, we'll look into & experiment with getting in touch with freedoms already in our heart-mind-bodies, practicing with the ‘Seven Factors of Enlightenment’, making friends with the natural qualities already present in us, giving ease, belonging & love some place to be. Becoming familiar with what it feels like to taste the absence of stress, anger, grasping...Not avoiding the difficulties but finding our steadiness that can then hold and meet them differently.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - DHARMA TALKS - ONE TO ONE’S - CONTEMPLATIVE WALKING - OPEN AIR
Still Forest Pools
A Sangha retreat with Sumedha and Noon • French & English
Solitary retreat in community. A time to share dhamma, to follow one's own schedule & a moment of log cabin/ open air community life. Finding one’s own practice, in community, with support as needed.
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE TO ONE’S AS NEEDED
Mud & Meditation
With Sumedha and Noon French & English
This retreat will offer a brew of: quiet times, meditations (guided & silent), dhamma talks, introduction to eco-building with mud, individual sessions with the teachers for sharings the joys & insights of spiritual practice, & receiving help to grow through the knots of life.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - SANGHA - MEDITATING & SERVING TOGETHER
Activity Retreat Period at Ekuthuleni
With Noon and Sumedha French & English
This informal retreat style is an invitation to participate in the practice and daily life at Ekuthuleni. We will share silent and guided meditations together, times of working (on the eco project) and quiet times in the beautiful nature here. An opportunity for practice alone and in supportive community, in stillness and in activity, in silence and also with speaking.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - ALONE TIME AND COMMUNITY - ONE TO ONES
past retreats can give a flavour of the different styles of Ekuthuleni retreats
"If it isn't good let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good."
Ajahn Chah
TEACHERS AT EKUTHULENI
Guided retreats are facilitated by Noon and Sumedha or by teachers who inspire and resonate with the vision of Ekuthuleni. In the last few years this has included especially nuns (and ex nuns) of the forest tradition and teachers from Nirodha in Finland, as well as Jaya from Open Dharma.
TYPES OF RETREATS
Scheduled guided retreats
Our retreats are silent apart from the activity retreats where there are times of speaking.
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sitting retreats
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contemplative walking retreats
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group activity retreats
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chanting retreats
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solitary retreat times in community
Throughout the season
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solitary practice: we now offer periods of 'solitary retreats together' - an opportunity to follow your own practice schedule and at the same time have support of community. See details here
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activity retreats for individuals: sharing in the daily routine of Ekuthuleni, including daily sittings, guided meditations and working together on eco projects. Offers the great possibility of integrating meditation and activity.
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locals: you are welcome to come and join our morning and evening meditations. You can also contact us about retreat days or weekends.
Spiritual influences
Also, rooted as we are in buddhist teachings, we are inspired by many different paths and invite participation from people of all faiths and spiritual leanings
Spoken language
Retreats are offered in English or in French with translation on certain retreats