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
Exploring refuge and connection with Sumedha
Thursday 14 to Tuesday 19 of July 2022 • 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
Retraites à ekuthuleni
DEEP REST with Jaya Ashmore
Saturday 6 to Saturday 13 of August 2022 • In English
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.
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE TO ONE’S AS NEEDED
Retreats at ekuthuleni
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
Solitairy Retreats Together
Mon 31 january - Mon 21 Feb 2022
French and English
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 or four weeks as is possible for you (fixed changeover days each week to keep a stability for the group).
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE TO ONE’S AS NEEDED
New Year RetreaT - Online
Wednesday 29 Dec 2021 (evening) - Sunday 2 Jan 2022 (lunchtime)
with Sumedha and Noon. 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, plus group meetings and opportunities for one to one meetings with Noon or Sumedha. Offered via the zoom platform - keeping the tech side simple.
SILENT & GUIDED MEDITATIONS - DHARMA TALKS - Q & A - SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP
Fundraiser, Celebration and blessing (online DAY of Practice)
Saturday 1 May 2021
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!
Tuesday 20 - Sunday 25 July 2021
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
Friday 13th - Thursday 19th August 2021
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
Sunday 22 - Thursday 26th August 2021
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
15 - 30 September and 10 - 22 October 2021
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
Crackling Leaves: Solitary Retreats Together.
Friday 22 - Friday 29 October 2021
French & English
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
SILENT MEDITATION - NATURE - SOLO TIME - COMMUNITY - GUIDED MEDITATIONS & ONE TO ONE’S AS NEEDED
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
"If it isn't good let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good."
Ajahn Chah
past retreats - can give a flavour of the different styles of Ekuthuleni retreats