Freely Given Retreats are delighted to be able to offer an on-going series of single day meditation retreats.

Held in various beautiful locations, these single day retreats offer a chance to practice deeply for those of us with busy work and family commitments.
Upcoming...

March 8th - Harberton parish hall, Harberton, Totnes, devon

When. Sunday, March 8th. 10 am until 4.15 pm.  Please arrive between 9.15 and 9.45 to find your meditation spot in the Hall and settle in for a 10 am start. 

What. A 1-day meditation retreat. The teachings will be appropriate for everyone -  very much including those new to meditation.  For experienced practitioners, the day offers to be a vibrant refresher to help deepen your own practice. The day will include time for teachings, guided meditation, Q&A, silent meditation, walking meditation and time outside in the tree-full grounds. The day will be in silence until 4.15. Then a chance to chat and connect until 5 for those who wish.

Who. You and lovely others and our teacher for the day - Kirsten Kratz.  This retreat is open to anyone aged over 18.

Where. Harberton Parish Hall, Tristford Road, Harberton, Totnes, TQ9 7SE

Words on the day, from Kirsten:

'Heart Work'
The Liberating Beauty of Loving Kindness

"The path of meditative development and liberation described in the Buddhist teachings rests on the beautiful quality of boundless kindness and friendliness (Metta). Exploring and nourishing  the heart's capacity for kindness is a way of being that opens and heals the heart, freeing it from fear and contraction. We can dare to connect more fully  to  a natural care for ourselves, a boundless love for all beings and the empowering wish to serve and to share.
Loving kindness (Metta), as an essential aspect of freedom and awakening, will bring  forth compassion and joy and can transform the very way we perceive the world.
During the day we will explore some loving kindness practices, there will be  instructions,  guided meditations and reflections."

What to bring. We'll be in a large hall with a wooden floor - bring warm, comfortable clothes (probably best to throw on some layers - giving you the option to minimize when the hall gets warm). A shawl/blanket and thick socks or slippers. Water proofs (there will be an inside walking meditation area if rainy - but you might prefer to be outside). Your lunch, drinks and a snack for later if you fancy staying on for a chat. There's no food provided - there is a micro-wave, kettle and an equipped kitchen if you fancy bringing hot drink/food options. Freely Given Retreats will provide a bunch of mats and meditation cushions - we don't have enough for everyone so please bring your own if you can.

Warm generosity. Freely Given Retreats are powered by generosity. We are able to offer this retreat free of charge as all the organisers are volunteers and the costs have been covered thanks to the kind donations previous participants have made. There will be a pot available on the day to leave your own donations, should you wish to support this wonderful retreat-gifting economy :) All our teachers do not receive a fee for leading retreats, whilst giving enormously of their time and energy.  A further pot will be available for you to leave a donation for our teacher on the day.  

Interested? Please let us know if you would like to attend using our Contact Us page to reserve your place.  You can also simply turn up on the day, but please be aware that priority will be given to those who have reserved.

Find more info on Freely Given Retreats HERE.
Info on teachers...
Gavin Milne
Suvaco