Reading Buddhist Priory
		176 Cressingham Road, Reading RG2 7LW

Weekend Meditation Retreat

In the Buddhist Soto Zen tradition (Serene Reflection Meditation).

Hourne Farm Steel Cross CROWBOROUGH East Sussex TN62SR

Friday July 25^th - Monday July 28^th 2008

(with the option of leaving on Sunday July 27^th.)

and optional Tuesday 29 + Wednesday 30^th, (informal work schedule

to help with maintenance of the Hourne Farm property.)

This retreat will be led by Master Olwen Crookall-Greening a senior monk in the Order of Buddhist Contemplatives.

The retreat (Friday – Monday) will be suitable for people who are new to meditation, or who have not attended a retreat before, as well as for those with experience in this practice. There will be seated meditation interspersed with working meditation, ceremonies and times for quiet contemplation. Talks and group discussions will enable people to look afresh at aspects of life’s unfolding movement of giving and receiving and in coming together with others we widen out, express and make real the bigger life in which we live - the Sangha here now. Individual spiritual counseling and guidance with posture will be available for those who wish.

On Monday afternoon, Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the schedule will be relaxed and informal, based around practical shared tasks to help with the maintenance of the grounds and buildings of Hourne Farm. This is an opportunity to support Hourne Farm in it’s work and give expression to our gratitude for the generosity of its founder Peter Rendel, and those who continue running Hourne Farm with this generous dedication. The running costs are significantly underwritten so as to enable others to benefit spiritually from visiting. These work days will also provide an opportunity to spend time with others following the Buddhist path and so provide an opportunity to get to know or renew contact with the Sangha.

Hourne Farm is a retreat centre in the beautiful countryside of the Sussex Weald, near to Ashdown Forest. No longer a working farm, it has been converted to provide accommodation either in double or single rooms and there are walks nearby and magnificent views.

What you need to bring for the retreat

As usual we shall be doing some outdoor working meditation, so work clothes, gloves and sturdy shoes will be needed. Clothes suitable for painting may be needed, especially by anyone staying on. Those who need lighter work, or who for health reasons may need to rest during some scheduled activities, are very welcome to join in group events as they are a

able. Please bring as much as possible of your own meditation equipment, if you have any, including meditation mat (zabuton) if you use one. It will also be helpful if you could bring any spare equipment to lend to someone else.

This retreat is self-catering, and will be basically vegan, with the option of cows’ milk or soya milk in drinks and on cereals etc.

Please bring your own sheet, duvet cover, pillowcase and towel. If you are unable to bring your own, bedlinen can be hired from Hourne Farm at a charge of £7.50; please order this when you book .

Transport

By Rail

From London Bridge to Eridge Station, about 1 hour 15 minutes - if you let us know the time of your train in advance, we can arrange a lift from the station.

By car

We are keen to promote car sharing, to help reduce our carbon footprints, and are very grateful to those who offer to share transport in this way. It is suggested that the cost of the journey be shared fairly, that passengers offer, and drivers accept, a contribution of 36p. per mile, divided between the number of people in the car.

The booking form enables you to offer and ask for lifts in this way.

Map;

Go to www.multimap.com. and input the address, Hourne Farm Crowborough. (use Hourne Farm rather than post code for Sat Navs).

Booking for the retreat;

As usual this retreat will be run on the basis of donations according to individual means, so as to enable as many people as possible to attend. In recognising that not everyone is able to give the same financially, we are suggesting somewhere from £45 to upwards of £90 for Friday – Sunday, and from £60 to upwards of £120 for Friday – Sunday. However, these are only suggestions and are by no means intended to limit or restrict people who wish to come. Those able to give more will be enabling others to participate who would otherwise not be able to.

There will be no charge for accommodation for those staying for the Tuesday – Wednesday work groups; offerings to cover the cost of food will be welcomed.

Please send a £20 deposit, (cheque payable to Reading Buddhist Priory) with your booking form.

Please print the booking form from the website and send it, with your deposit, to Virginia Lee,

97 Micheldever Rd WHITCHURCH Hants RG287JH.

tel. 01256 892567, e-mail virginia.j.lee@btinternet.com

If you are unable to print your own booking form, paper copies can be obtained from Virginia Lee or from Reading Buddhist Priory.