From the end of June to the middle of October, I had the privilege – of inclination, time and financial resources – to have gone on a number of retreats. For those for whom this is unfamiliar, going on retreat is a way of dedicating some time and space to practice something.

This year I have been practicing mediation, exploring Buddhism or learning more about the ‘imaginal’ or ‘formless realms’.

Each retreat has been nourishing to body, mind, spirit and interconnectedness with nature.

29 June to 5 July Deep Ecology Camping Retreat. I was co leading this retreat with two other Order Members and it was heartening to share teachings and practices that can empower and inspire us are we face the Climate Emergency using Buddhist teachings.

This retreat was ‘well timed’ in many ways, including because I had just completed Level 1 of a City and Guilds Horticultural Course. I did the course with Organiclea and was delighted to learn lots about Organic Gardening, including soil types, companion planting, weed identification etc. I was so inspired and deeply feel that this is a way to feel empowered in the light of the climate catastrophe that I am now doing the Level 2 training – this time the focus is on Practical Horticultural skills.

28 to 31 July 2022: Into the Wild Retreat with James Low. I went on this camping retreat with my partner. We both engaged in the approach of openness, clarity and sensitivity of direct-seeing into the ‘nature of reality’ – a bright, fresh awareness emerges in each moment that is scintillatingly refreshing!

17 to 21 August 2022: Combined UK/Ireland Are Order Convention. This was an inspiring event and deepened an experience of connection to the Triratna Buddhist Order – and in case you missed it, I was ordained in July 2021. It was heartening!

I enjoyed meeting so many Order Members and felt deeply appreciative and part of an inspiring community – the teachings were heartfelt and I was especially delighted to be lead through the Vajrasattva Sadhana by Suryagupta, the Chair of the London Buddhist Centre, who also lead the POC retreat (see below).

I also camped, and packed my tent, sleeping bag and roll up mat into the front bag of my Brompton and carried my clothes in a rucksack on my back. So I was able to cycle to the venue with everything that I needed for the event. It was fun and something with lots of potential.

25 August to 2 September 2022: A retreat for People of Colour (POC) at Vajrasana with the Triratna Buddhist Community. I was on the team for this retreat – and came a day earlier so we could reflect upon and review the experiences of the POC team over the last year or so.

Then the retreat began and I found that being with other POC people, evoked a spirit of openness, appreciation and vibrant connection. There is a freedom in POC spaces – and a resultant deep embodied sense of joy and friendliness.

The theme was on the Wisdom of Equality, evoked through the spirit of the Buddha Ratnasambhava. There were periods of silence on the retreat and this offered an opportunity to connect deeper into the mystery of being and the realms of embodiment and formlessness.

2 to 5 September 2022: The Spirit of the Drum retreat with the Sacred Trust. This profound and inspirational retreat plunged into the depths of the arupaloka – the formless realms – and it was deeply transformative.

9 to 18 September 2022: Taraloka Retreat on Ritual and the Imagination in which we explored the mythic dimension of rituals and the imaginal realms. It was lead by Order Members – Punyamala, Moshalila, Singhcandra and Samantabhadri.

It was tremendously beautiful to plunge into this retreat so soon after the previous one. I appreciated the opportunity to invoke and ‘work with’ the magic and majesty of various Bodhisatva figures – also within the formless realms – in the ‘homeland’ of Triratna.

I also had the pleasure of drumming during the rituals and that was a transformative experience, enabling beings from the formless realms to be evoked, welcomed and appreciated.

Once I returned, I was blessed to be able to lead another puja at the North LOndon Buddhist Centre and this time, I was inspired to dedicate it to Akshobya – there is an Akshobya pond at Vajrasana that may have connected me to this. This Buddha figure is a majestic blue-black in colour. I wanted to evoke the darkness and beauty of the midnight sky and celebrate the Mirror-like Wisdom of Water and the depths and values that this can bring. I also brought drumming into this ritual and the feedback was positive.

7 to 14 October 2022: Buddhist Retreat for those in the Nissaya period. The Nissaya period is the first five years after ordination. It was lead by the Tiratnaloka Ordination Team and I was in a group lead by Dharmadassin.

This retreat was the first of its kind for women order members, focused on aspects of ‘weaving oneself in to the Order’. The Order, of course being Triratna Buddhist Order and as I was ordained in July 2021, this was just the kind of retreat that I needed for this stage of emerging as an Order Member.

There were talks on relevant topics such as Being in a Kula and How to give Feedback – it was practical and supportive. There was also time to practice ethics – through ‘confession practice. This is where we bring awareness to how one or more of the ten precepts (undertaken at ordination) may not have been followed close enough. We practice awareness, remorse and resolve to change. It is a healing and life affirming practice that leaves one feeling lighter and liberated.

So now I am back and enjoying being back home again – and on another retreat, this time online, called the Mandala of Awakening. it is happening live at Vajraloka and I am honoured to to set recordings each day and be able to join a group of other Order Members to follow the practices and teachings. It has been illuminating.