Gaia House

Gaia House
West Ogwell
Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 6DY
England

Group Retreats

Gaia House offers a year round programme of week-long and weekend group retreats led by experienced teachers. The week-long retreats mainly focus on the practice of Insight (vipassana), Loving Kindness (metta) and Zen meditation. Weekends serve as either introductions to these forms of
meditation or opportunities to reflect on the nature and purpose of personal meditation practice.

All retreats share the common aim of Buddhist contemplative traditions to free the mind and heart from confusion, selfcentredness and anguish. They allow us the opportunity to cultivate moment-to-moment awareness that nurtures inner stillness and peace, insight into the nature of one's experience and the fostering of emotional resources with which to respond more fully to suffering.

Apart from personal and group meetings with teachers, retreats at Gaia House are held in complete silence. A typical day starts at 06.00 in the morning and finishes at 21.30 at night. Most of this time is spent in meditation practice, either sitting in the spacious hall or walking in the grounds. The teachers give daily meditation instructions as well as evening talks. The schedule, silence, group support and comprehensive instruction combine to create an atmosphere of exceptional sensitivity, mindfulness and stillness.

2006 and 2007 Programmes
Send for the programme of guided retreats

Personal Retreats

For those with group retreat experience of the kind offered at Gaia House, an extended period of solitary meditation is an excellent way to refine one's practice, deepen one's understanding and foster greater self-reliance. Gaia House offers a rare opportunity to undertake a personal retreat in a supportive environment with regular guidance from teachers. As well as training in Insight Meditation, depending on teacher availability, it will be possible to undertake training in Samatha practice and the Brahma Viharas. The Hermitage Wing at Gaia House is dedicated to those undertaking personal retreats of one week or longer. Meditators can choose to practice either in their own room or in the wing's separate meditation hall. Potential personal retreatants need the agreement of one of the Teacher Council at Gaia House before embarking on a retreat of more than two weeks. Additionally solitary meditators must agree to meet with a teacher at least once a week. Personal retreats can be undertaken throughout the year for any length of time, although for practical reasons stays of less than one week are only possible between group retreats.

Work Retreats

Gaia House welcomes five people to stay at any one time on work retreats - from a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 3 months. A work retreat emphasises the integration of meditation practice with daily life activities.The work directly contributes to the well-being of everyone at Gaia House and helps to keep the daily rates as low as possible.

Before coming on a work retreat, it is essential to have previously completed a minimum of two one-week teacher led Insight Meditation/Vipassana retreats in silence (not necessarily at Gaia House). Work retreats often involve work that is strenuous and demanding, consequently prospective work retreatants need to be physically fit with the capacity to live and work in silence (with instruction from Managers). A work retreat consists of five hours of physical work and 4 periods of meditation per day.

Accommodation: 70 Bedspaces
Events Types: Guided Group Retreats, Personal and WorkRetreats
Spiritual Orientation: Buddhist/Vipassana
Subject Specialities: Meditation and Enquiry
Suitability: Adults
Directions: By train from London Paddington to Newton Abbot and then by taxi (approx 2 miles).

Contact: Gaia House, West Ogwell, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6EN Tel: 01626 333613 Fax: 01626 352650     www.gaiahouse.co.uk