Friday Oct 29^th – Sunday Nov 28^th

Supported by  Lorraine de Raay  and Pippa Cope

Our internal environment is dominated by unseen habitual patterns which obstruct growth & keep us trapped in egocentric grasping & the suffering that this causes. We will follow progressive stages of training beginning with thorough grounding in mindfulness; then insight training where we will explore the internal environment, learn to recognise subtle thought processes & identify subliminal reflex, the keys to freedom from habitual patterning. We will learn to experience ourselves directly instead of through ideas, & so cross the boundary between consciousness & awareness.

During the retreat there will be the opportunity to deepen awareness and understanding of the natural  elements surrounding  us and learn  how we affect and are affected by the balance of elements externally, in ourselves and in others.

• Noble silence.

R8500/30 days … or R3700 for 1^st 10 days…..R370 per day

Euros 1000/30 days  or Euros 440 for first 10 days… Euros 44 per day

Bookings: 

Rob Nairn Retreats

Fri 24^th – Sun 2^nd Jan

Supported by Choden

We are running a step by step training in compassion drawing upon both the depth of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition and the latest developments in psychological research into self-compassion. This training programme will commence in Tara Rokpa Centre this year and will be followed by further training modules at dates yet to be decided. This training will be modelled on the one year training in compassion presently being run in Scotland.

The focus will be on finding an authentic path of compasssion that is grounded in our experience, and which is then a basis for genuine compassion for others.  Rob Nairn will present teachings on obstacles to compassion , common roots of compassion in daily life, working with preference, developing kindness and acceptance.

Drawing on the pioneering work of Prof. Paul Gilbert, Choden will present an overview of evolutionary psychology explaining how we just find ourselves in the flow of life with a complex brain we did not design and life circumstances we did not choose.  He will then identify the three emotional regulation systems in the brain and show how western society is locked into drive and threat systems resulting in high levels of stress, whilst the activation of the contentment and soothing system is the doorway to compassion.

We will follow a format of lecture sessions, breaking into tutorial groups for sharing, enquiry and discussion, and silent practice sessions.

The idea behind the training is to equip people with the skills to incorporate compassion into both their professional and working lives, and it can be seen as a further level of training for those who have undertaken secular mindfulness training.

No previous experience needed

Partial noble silence

Opportunities to relax and enjoy Xmas  and New Year

Families with independent children welcome

R2750/ Euros 275   or R310/ Euros 33  per day

bookings: 

Rob Nairn Retreats

2011 Fri 4^th February – Sunday 27^th February

Supported by – Alan Muller

The Buddha’s teachings on dependent origination form the hub from which most Dharma teachings arise.

The retreat will offer a combination of practical training in mindfulness, optional Ngondro instruction & practice, & lectures covering the twelve links of dependent origination.

There will be particular focus on the five skandhas, the eight consciousnesses, & the psychological mechanisms that cause contact to develop into grasping, involvement, & the perpetuation of samsaric existence & suffering.

Noble silence

R6800 for 24 days .. R3700 for 1^st 10 days .. R370 per day

Euros 800 for 24 days … Euros 440 for 1^st 10 days .. Euros 44 per day

bookings: 

Rob Nairn Retreats