Saturday 29 August 2009

Autumn Retreat at Buckden Towers 16th -Sun 18th October 2009

'Going for Refuge to the Three Jewels....what does it mean?'.

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder that we have our Autumn Retreat coming up at Buckden Towers with Friends from FWBO Letchworth.

The dates will be Friday 16th -Sun 18th October. We will start at 6pm on the Friday and finish at around 3pm on the Sunday. If anyone wants a lift from Hertford or Ware, ask Rob.

What’s a Retreat?
It’s a chance to get away from the hurly burly of everyday life, to spend more time with Buddhist Friends, meditating in beautiful surroundings, practicing and sharing in community living. It‘s open to anyone interested in meditation and who wants to find out more about Buddhism. The Retreat will be led by Aryadhara, a member of the Western Buddhist Order. On the Retreat, we will have a chance to explore what it really means to be a Buddhist, and how we can put it into practice in our lives. We share together in meditation practice, walks in the beautiful grounds, discussion, reflection and cooking. All food is vegetarian. If you have a special diet, please advise.

There will be one talk on the Saturday morning, as well as opportunities for group discussion, silent reflection, reading and, of course, meditation and puja.

The cost of the weekend is £80 /£60 concessions. The fee covers the hire of the premises and the purchase of food. An advance deposit is requested, the remainder is payable on arrival.

Buckden Towers is the ancient and historic castle of the Catholic Bishops of Lincoln. We will be staying in the castle keep. Sleeping accommodation, accessed by ascending the stone spiral staircases, consists of two double bunk dormitories, one for men and one for women. The dungeon has been converted to a large kitchen/dining room and on the first floor is a large meeting room, which will be our shrine room for the weekend.

Buckden Village is located on the A1 about 32 miles north of Stevenage. For more about the history of Buckden Towers, see http://www.buckden-village.co.uk/


We expect that it will be a vibrant and refreshing weekend for all.

For more information, please contact me, Rob Mew.
Email: hertfordsangha@aol.com
Mobile: O7754 - 930902

Monday 17 August 2009

Poetry is Awareness

Do you love visiting the woods? Do you catch a moment of mindfulness, just watching the leaves?

When All Thoughts

When all thoughts
Are exhausted
I slip into the woods
And gather
A pile of sheperds purse.

Like the little stream
Making its way
Through the mossy crevices
I, too, quietly
Turn clear and transparent.


Ryokan Taigu 1758 - 1831


for more, Google 'Ryokan'

Wednesday 12 August 2009

Date Correction

Sorry folks! Yes, we will resume on Tuesday 1st September, same time and place.
See you there!

Saturday 8 August 2009

August Holiday Break

We are taking a holiday break in August. We are not meeting on Tuesdays 18th and 25th August but will resume weekly meditation meetings on Tuesday 2nd September, at the usual time and place - that's 7.15pm, at 33 The Vaults, The Wash, Hertford, SG14 1PT.

See you there!