THE URBAN RETREAT

Be on retreat in the midst of your life

Sat 7 - Fri 13th September | In-person & Online

Free (with donations welcome)

In a world that’s changing constantly, the Buddhist response is uncompromising: we need to transform ourselves, transform our minds. This inner transformation is not just personal; it radiates outward, igniting profound change in the world around us.

During the Urban Retreat, join in a week of activities that will help to create space and stillness to help you start on this path of transformation. Be ‘on retreat’ in the midst of your daily life.

There will be three meditation sessions a day, a ‘total immersion’ day, and talks and rituals in the evenings. There will also be ‘fringe’ events including yoga, creative activities, and mantra chanting. Some of the events are also online for anyone outside of London. The programme is designed to fit around any schedule, and you can come to as much as you can.

The Mandala Café, next to the LBC, will be open throughout the Urban Retreat -- a relaxing space with delicious food and drinks. You’ll be able to enjoy cultural events hosted in the café, as well as opportunities to connect between sessions.

We’ll kick-start the retreat on Saturday 7th September at 2.30pm. Come along to as much as you can.

All levels of experience are welcome and events are free, with donations welcome. Sign up below to take part, and we'll send you reminders and details of the events.

Urban Retreat Programme

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Thu
12 Sep
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7:00 am
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8:00 am
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

Morning Meditation

Start your day meditating with others. Come in person if you can, or join online. The Mandala cafe will be open from 8.15am and offering tea, filter coffee, and bircher muesli by donation, with other offerings available to purchase.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person and online.
More info
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Thu
12 Sep
|
10:00 am
-
10:45 am
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

Chi Kung

Join Serene for an exploration of the harmony between stillness and movement. This session is the perfect morning perk to restore health, vitality, and balance.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Thu
12 Sep
|
1:00 pm
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2:00 pm
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

Lunchtime Meditation Toolkit

A progressive sequence of lunchtime sessions, giving you tools for developing a wiser, more loving mind. There will also be a beginner's class.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Thu
12 Sep
|
5:00 pm
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6:00 pm
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

How Poetry can save your life

with Maitreyabandhu

Maitreyabandhu will be running a close-reading of poems exploring the power or poetry. He says it will be "particularly good for people who don't like poetry or don't feel they 'get' it." Maitreyabandhu is a published poet. Do come along!
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Thu
12 Sep
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5:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

Going For Refuge and Prostration Practice

For GFR mitras who have learned the prostration practice, and Order Members.
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Thu
12 Sep
|
7:15 pm
-
9:30 pm
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Thu
12 Sep
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Thu
12 Sep

Transform World | Sugati

These evening sessions are the highlights of the Urban Retreat. Come to meditate and hear Sugati explore what it means to be a Bodhisattva in the 21st century, and a blueprint for a new world.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person and online.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
7:00 am
-
8:00 am
This is some text inside of a div block.
Fri
13 Sep
-
Fri
13 Sep

Morning Meditation

Start your day meditating with others. Come in person if you can, or join online. The Mandala cafe will be open from 8.15am and offering tea, filter coffee, and bircher muesli by donation, with other offerings available to purchase.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person and online.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
10:00 am
-
10:45 am
This is some text inside of a div block.
Fri
13 Sep
-
Fri
13 Sep

Chi Kung

Join Serene for an exploration of the harmony between stillness and movement. This session is the perfect morning perk to restore health, vitality, and balance.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
1:00 pm
-
2:00 pm
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Fri
13 Sep
-
Fri
13 Sep

Lunchtime Meditation Toolkit

A progressive sequence of lunchtime sessions, giving you tools for developing a wiser, more loving mind. There will also be a beginner's class.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
5:00 pm
-
6:00 pm
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Fri
13 Sep
-
Fri
13 Sep

Going For Refuge and Prostration Practice

For GFR mitras who have learned the prostration practice, and Order Members.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
5:30 pm
-
6:30 pm
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Fri
13 Sep
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Fri
13 Sep

Mantra Chanting

Chanting mantras can be a way to deepen and enrich our experience; evoking Buddhas and Bodhisattvas to shift our energies. All welcome and no experience necessary.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info
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Fri
13 Sep
|
6:30 pm
-
9:30 pm
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Fri
13 Sep
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Fri
13 Sep

Closing evening

We will come together to celebrate the closing of the Urban Retreat. Join in for meditation, ritual. In groups we’ll reflect on next steps with an activity to help remind our future selves of our intentions. By 8pm we’ll move into the Mandala for a feast, alongside stories from retreatants and live music.
Free (with donations welcome).
In person, just turn up.
More info