Sadhana Convention 2026

Sadhana is a rich, deep and multi-faceted form of meditation practice that can help us contact and deepen the qualities of all six perfections. There are many ways of approaching it, suitable for different types of practitioners and levels of experience. Once we make it our own, it can become the cutting edge of our practice and a source of guidance and support for life.

For this third Sadhana Convention, we’re again inviting all of you who practise sadhana — or would like to revive your practice — to a gathering of the sadhana clans: an opportunity to meet with other Order members to share experiences, learnings, difficulties and enthusiasms, questions and inspirations.

To add to this rich mixture, Vessantara will explore some of the principles and practicalities of sadhana and yidam practice through presentations and guided meditations. An experienced team will also be on hand to discuss any aspects of sadhana you wish to explore — from mantra to Madhyamaka.

We aim to make this an event that gives you fresh inspiration, understanding and insight to take into your sadhana practice, as well as making or strengthening your links with other people who practise the same sadhana or sadhanas.

Photos

Day 1

Session 1

Vessantara gives an introduction to the retreat ahead. We have a dedication ceremony followed by a period of open meditation.

Day 2

Session 1

Vessantara says a few words setting the tone for the retreat, and how to orient ourselves in Sadhana – Awakening the imagination to re-enchant the world. We spend some time in meditation exploring different qualities of the blue sky.

Session 2

A period of open meditation with a brief introduction from Advayasiddhi.

Session 3

The first in a series of led Sadhanas – Shakyamuni.

Day 3

Session 1

A talk starting from the idea of having confidence in the practice of Sadhana by putting in the right kind of relaxed effort, and ending with three misunderstandings on emptiness. We end on the idea that sadhana isn’t “just in our imagination” before coming out into the “real world”.

Session 2

Unlead, open meditation.

Session 3

Guide through the Green Tara sadhana with Advayasiddhi.

Day 4

Session 1

Vessantara starts with a teaching on relating to the yidam, on allowing oneself to be “enchanted” by them, and re-enchanting our world through sadhana. He answers questions in the second part of the session.

Session 2

Unled, open meditation with Advyasiddhi.

Session 3

Amitabha sadhana led by Paramartha, a reading by Amoghavajra, and ending with Amitabha mantra chanting.

Day 5

Session 1

Lightly led meditation, Amitabha mantra chanting, ending in Q&A with a focus on mantra.

Session 2

Unled, open meditation with Paramartha.

Session 3

Avalokiteshvara sadhana as puja, led by Saddhaloka.

Day 6

Session 1

Vessantara talks on the receiving of blessings in sadhana practice, then leads an open sadhana meditation. After the break, he discusses the nature of the blue sky and the form of the yidam, answers a few questions, and leads a meditation.

Session 2

Unled, open meditation with Advyasiddhi.

Session 3

Padmasambhava sadhana led by Vessantara, followed by mantra chanting and offerings.

Day 7

Session 1

Vessantara picks up on and elaborates on some themes from the week, on dissolution, and the period of Just Sitting at the end of a practice. He ends on the theme of carrying aspects of the sadhana into our everyday life.

Session 2

Unled, open meditation with Paramartha.

Session 3

Bodhicitta puja, based on the Bodhicaryavatara, led by Shubhavyuha.

English (UK)