Tag: retreat

Bristol Buddhist Centre

what you really love

By jvalamalini on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 14:04

Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love
It will never lead you astray
Rumi

Bristol Buddhist Centre

live like a river flows

By jvalamalini on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 14:02

I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding
John O'Donohue

Bristol Buddhist Centre

Day 3: Metta and Aksobhya day

By jvalamalini on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 13:59

By jvalamalini on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 13:59A damp grey Monday morning outside and the warmth of the Sangha and colour of the mandala in our shrine room.

Today we’re exploring metta in the brahma vihara realm and allowing Aksobhya’s qualities to draw us.

We did metta exercises in pairs, looking at each other with metta, and describing ourselves as our best friend would, then Ratnavandana gave a lovely short introduction to the metta bhavana which she led. She talked about not ‘doing’ the practice...

Bristol Buddhist Centre

Day 2: Guided Meditation - Just Sitting (With Amitabha Mantra)

By Centre Team on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 13:24

Ratnavandana lead us through a meditation where we just try to be present with our experience in the context of the mandala of the Five archetypal Buddhas. Today we are invited to sit in the “heart’s natural state” of metta (loving kindness) and to visualise the great tree of the Brahma Viharas.

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Bristol Buddhist Centre

Day 1: Sevenfold Puja (With Readings)

By Centre Team on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 11:02

A full puja with some great readings to close the first full day of the retreat. Complete with Ratnavandana’s introduction to ritual as an important element of sitting with the archetypal Buddhas, and a short guided meditation.

View all posts from ‘Living In The Mandala’

Bristol Buddhist Centre

Day 1: Introduction to the Brahma Viharas (With Guided Meditation)

By Centre Team on Mon, 16 Mar, 2015 - 10:44

A beautiful introduction by Ratnavandana to the Brahma Viharas as an integrated set of practices flowing from metta - loving kindness. Her central image is that of a tree, deep rooted and spreading its canopy wide as she evokes a profound, personal connection to the cultivation of the ‘sublime abodes’: loving kindness, compassion, joy with others, and equanimity.

Ratnavandana also leads a guided meditation on cultivating a connection to the Brahma Viharas.

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Bristol Buddhist Centre

Mandala Shrine Photos

By jvalamalini on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 22:04

Mandala Shrine Photos

By jvalamalini on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 22:04

Bristol Buddhist Centre

Day 1: Guided Meditation - Just Sitting In the Mandala (With Akshobhya Mantra)

By Centre Team on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 15:44

Ratnavandana lead us through a meditation where we just try to be present with our experience in the context of the mandala of the Five archetypal Buddhas. With an introduction and the mantra of Akshobhya, the blue Buddha of the east…

View all posts from ‘Living In The Mandala’

Bristol Buddhist Centre

quote about will

By jvalamalini on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 13:25

we should never underestimate the role of will in the spiritual life. It is not enough to have feeling for the Buddha. We have to will to be like the Buddha. One might even say there is no spiritual life without will. Indeed, the spiritual life could be defined as the constant willing of the good in all circumstances.
Sangharakshita

Bristol Buddhist Centre

Urban Retreat Tips – The Power of Intention

By jvalamalini on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 09:59

Urban Retreat Tips – The Power of Intention

By jvalamalini on Sun, 15 Mar, 2015 - 09:59What is your wish for this retreat?

Spend time forming a clear, simple wish – eg “I’d like to be more friendly”, “I’d like to stay more soft and open”, “I’d like to be emotionally honest with myself”
The essence of practice is to remember this wish, and to ‘stop and real-ise’ – connect – with your body, with what’s going round your head, with your heart. Where are you in relation to your wish? Where are you in relation to

Tag: retreat

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