1 – 10 jun | Led by Vessantara + Vidyamala
Loving-kindness is freedom of heart – it glows, it shines, it blazes forth.
Opening the Bodhi Heart is a retreat dedicated to exploring loving-kindness and compassion, qualities that can open out into the boundless and radiant qualities of the awakened heart (bodhichitta). You will be offered tools to help you access these qualities directly, as living experiences that can radically transform your mind, your life and your world.
Most of the retreat will be in silence, and each day will include periods of meditation instruction, devotion, ritual and teachings that bring the Dharma to life. You will also have opportunities for one-to-one and group meditation reviews to support and refine your personal practice.
Whether you are newer to loving-kindness practice (metta bhavana), or seeking to renew and deepen an existing connection, you’ll be guided into a direct experience of the warmth, clarity and blazing power of the bodhi heart – a heart that embraces both joy and suffering with grace and wisdom.
Ordained in 1995, in 2001 Vidyamala co-founded the mindfulness organisation Breathworks which is recognised by the NHS and health boards globally. She is also the author of three books and was awarded an OBE in 2022. A private preceptor and Kalayana Mitra to many, she moved to be close to Adhisthana soon after it opened.
Vessantara has assisted the development of several Buddhist centres, including retreat centres in England, Wales, and Spain and has extensive meditation experience, having gone on a three year retreat. He has written several books, among them ‘Meeting the Buddhas’, as well as some beloved pujas such as the ‘Midnight Star’ puja to Tara.
Reception is from 4pm on the day of arrival, with the retreat beginning with supper at 6pm.
While you’re here you will be participating in communal life. This includes meditating with everyone on site in the main shrine room in the morning, taking part in daily tasks and at the end of your retreat you will help us to prepare the retreat centre for the next group to join us.
With this in mind, the retreat will finish after the clear-up, so if travelling on public transport, please book a train after 11am.
For: All levels of experience
Start date: 1st Jun 2026
End date: 10th Jun 2026
कार्यक्रमाचा प्रकार: निवासी
किंमत: Standard £370 | Concession £295 | Financial Assistance £240
Please note that the payment includes a non-refundable and non-transferrable deposit of £100.
Bursary Fund: Help those who can't afford to come on retreat
You're invited to donate to enable individuals experiencing financial hardship to attend events with bursary places.
Go to our Bursary Fund page