Buddhism & Meditation Weekend
The Three Transcendentals: The Heart of the Matter
'The meaning of life is to be found only beyond life.'
– Sangharakshita
Nietzsche once declared that ‘Belief in the Christian God has become unbelievable.’ Most of us nowadays would agree — but we are still trying to figure out the consequences. Many people now feel a sense of meaninglessness in an increasingly narcissistic, consumerist society, and it is becoming ever clearer that our secular world is not enough. We need a sense of something 'higher' than us that gives life meaning and purpose. With the help of an actual path of practice, Buddhism points us towards a Transcendental reality, above and beyond the binary of God or no-God.
On this long weekend we will explore the meaning of ‘Transcendental’ and why we need it so badly. Prajnamanas — recently back from leading the men’s three-month Ordination retreat in Spain — will give a series of talks, followed by discussion groups. Vandanajyoti, a former member of the women’s ordination team, will give the meditation input.
Click here to watch Prajnamanas talking about the theme of the retreat
What will the retreat include?
- Three seminars on the meaning of 'Transcendental', given by Pranjamanas
- Guided meditations to help us move towards it
- Ritual and worship to open up to it
Who runs the retreats?
Life on Retreat
A Buddhist retreat is a chance to escape the noise and complexity of modern life and deepen your experience of yourself and of the world around you. It’s not a holiday or a spa, however most people come away refreshed and inspired.
Retreat life is simple, with a daily programme to follow. There will be periods of meditation, talks on aspects of Buddhism and simple rituals as well as free time for rest and walks in the countryside. As the retreat progresses there will be more meditation and longer periods of silence to allow for reflection. On most retreats there will also be small groups led by a team member in which you can discuss your experience of the retreat. Our retreats are known for being friendly, inspiring and enjoyable.
Accommodation & Food
Living communally is an important aspect of being on retreat and you’ll be sharing rooms and meals with others, as well as practising together in the shrine room. It’s often a surprise just how warm the atmosphere of communal life can become on retreat and how supportive it can be for individual practice.
Our retreats are usually for up to 60 people, with most accommodation in shared single-sex bedrooms. We require couples to stay in separate rooms from one another so do let us know when you book if you’re coming with a partner.
We serve three tasty vegan meals a day. If you have dietary restrictions many of these can be accommodated if you let us know when you book. Toast, biscuits, fruit and hot drinks are available via self service at any point on retreat.
Living communally is an important aspect of being on retreat and you’ll be sharing rooms and meals with others, as well as practising together in the shrine room. It’s often a surprise just how warm the atmosphere of communal life can become on retreat and how supportive it can be for individual practice.
Our retreats are usually for up to 60 people, with most accommodation in shared bedrooms. We require couples to stay in separate rooms from one another so do let us know when you book if you’re coming with a partner.
We serve three tasty vegan meals a day. If you have dietary restrictions many of these can be accommodated if you let us know when you book. Toast, biscuits, fruit and hot drinks are available via self service at any point on retreat.
Living communally is an important aspect of being on retreat and you’ll be sharing rooms and meals with others, as well as practising together in the shrine room. It’s often a surprise just how warm the atmosphere of communal life can become on retreat and how supportive it can be for individual practice.
Our retreats are usually for up to 60 people, with most accommodation in shared single-sex bedrooms. We require couples to stay in separate rooms from one another so do let us know when you book if you’re coming with a partner.
We serve three tasty vegan meals a day. If you have dietary restrictions many of these can be accommodated if you let us know when you book. Toast, biscuits, fruit and hot drinks are available via self service at any point on retreat.
What people say
Anwar
Great location (less than 5 min walk from Baker St station), and spotless studio apartment with all the facilities you could ask for! Will gladly stay here again.
Holly
Great apartment centrally located-everything was easily accessible with the underground close by. There are many cute shops and restaurants in the area.
Tamille
The apartment is very great, excellent location, and have everything that we need. Beatrix is a very nice host, and thoughtful.
How to get there
For all retreats we provide an optional return coach from the London Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Green, which you can add for £50 when you book.
Alternatively you can read about other ways to get to Vajrasana below.
Travel by Car
Vajrasana has car parking facilities which can be used for the duration of a retreat. Please note that we do not have electric vehicle charging stations on site.
Address: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Walsham le Willows, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 3AR United Kingdom
Travel by Train
Regular trains run from London Liverpool Street to Stowmarket station. If you are travelling from outside of London, it may be more convenient to get a train into Thetford or Bury St Edmunds. You will then need to get a taxi from the station to Vajrasana. (Please note that although Elmswell is the nearest station, it has no bus link to Vajrasana and taxis will have to come from one of the bigger towns)
Taxi options
We recommend booking taxis with plenty of advance notice as there is often limited availability.
Address: Vajrasana Retreat Centre, Walsham le Willows, Bury Saint Edmunds IP31 3AR United Kingdom
Stowmarket
There is Stowmarket Taxis, costing £25: 01449 677 777 (they have a taxi office at Stowmarket station.)
Or alternatively, Gold Star Taxis: 01449 676 767.
Elmswell
Elmswell is the nearest station, about 4.5 miles from Vajrasana, but it is not easy to get a taxi from here. Call one of the above Stowmarket companies well in advance and don’t get off the train here unless you have a taxi pre-booked.
Thetford
Taxis from Thetford cost £40.
21st Century Taxi Co.: 01842 764 576
A2B Taxis: 01842 755 222
Bury St Edmunds
A1 Cars: 01284 766 777
Travel by National Express Coach
Local Buses
Things to know
Practical Information
Practical Information
We will ask you to turn off all electronic devices and not contact anyone outside the retreat
We will provide a number which you can give to anybody who might need to contact you in an emergency
No alcohol or recreational drugs are allowed
We will ask that you don’t bring news media with you or work to do
Smoking and vaping is allowed only in designated places
We will provide further information when you book, including a list of the things that we suggest you bring with you
Mental Wellbeing & Accessibility
Mental Wellbeing & Accessibility
Please bear in mind that all of our retreats feature extended periods of silence and the challenge of engaging with our minds, our habits and the big questions of life and death. Although it is a very supportive environment, we cannot offer any therapeutic help, so if you’re currently experiencing mental health difficulties, grief or any other strong or upsetting states of mind, please consider if a retreat is right for you at present and whether there are other supports you need in your life. If you’re unsure, please email or call us directly before booking.
Vajrasana caters for most accessibility requirements, with disabled access rooms which can be allocated upon request. If you have any particular access needs for a retreat please read more information below and feel free to get in touch to discuss how we can accommodate you.
Payment & Cancellations
Payment & Cancellations
If money prevents you from booking on a retreat then we’d like to try and help. There are a number of ways we might do that including a bursary fund.
Our retreats are not refundable or transferable. If you cancel your retreat place more than a month in advance, then the amount paid minus a £100 cancellation fee will be returned to you.
If money prevents you from booking on a retreat then we’d like to try and help. There are a number of ways we might do that including a bursary fund.
Our retreats are not refundable or transferable. If you cancel your retreat place more than a month in advance, then the amount paid minus a £50 cancellation fee will be returned to you.
If money prevents you from booking on a retreat then we’d like to try and help. There are a number of ways we might do that including a bursary fund.
Our retreats are not transferable or refundable, however if you cancel your place on a shorter retreat (up to 4 days) more than a month in advance, then the amount paid minus a £50 cancellation fee will be returned to you. If you cancel your place on a longer retreat more than a month in advance, then the amount paid minus a £100 cancellation fee will be returned.
About the London Buddhist Centre
The London Buddhist Centre is at the heart of a varied and vibrant community of Buddhist practitioners in East London.
We teach Buddhism and meditation in a way which is relevant to contemporary life.
We host regular classes and courses at our centre in Bethnal Green as well as retreats at Vajrasana in rural Suffolk.
See our full schedule.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions about our retreats, you can email bookings@lbc.org.uk or call us on 02087099978 (10am-5pm weekdays).
