Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the Middle Way Society has had to pause its programme of face-to-face retreats, and has not been able to hold one since October 2019. However, online retreats are becoming an increasingly popular alternative as a way to set aside a space for thought, reflection and practice without having to leave your home. Although the level of connection with others on an online retreat can never be the same as on a face-to-face retreat, there are other advantages: it is very flexible, it doesn’t matter where you are located, and there are considerably fewer costs involved. We will now be offering our first online weekend retreat, using Zoom.
Dates and times: 7pm GMT on Fri 22nd Jan to 4pm GMT on Sun 24th Jan, 2021
What will we be doing? A combination of meditation, talk, discussion, and arts activities, following the society’s emphasis on three interdependent levels of practice (desire, meaning and belief) We will also arrange some periods for informal group chat to try to recreate the informal friendliness of a retreat environment as much as possible. We suggest that you try to use the rest of your time during the weekend as quietly and reflectively as possible, but you can fit the retreat around your other commitments, and do not have to attend all the events on the programme. There will also be plenty of spaces in the programme, so you will not be sitting at a computer all day.
Theme: living in uncertain times Robert will give a talk on ways that the Middle Way can be applied to the difficulties many people face in the world we currently live in, with Covid, climate change, Brexit, economic problems and political instability. We will also be meditation led by several different experienced meditators, yoga led by an experienced yoga instructor, and a free form dance session. There will also be scheduled time to enable more informal social interaction.
Programme:
FRI 22ND JAN
7-7.30pm Welcome (Robert M Ellis)
7.30-8pm Meditation session (Robert M Ellis)
8.15-9.15pm Informal social time using carousel of breakout rooms
SAT 23rd
8am-9am Meditation (Peter Morgan)
10-11am Talk: The Middle Way in Uncertain Times (Robert M Ellis)
11.30-12.30 Discussion groups
3.30-4.30pm Zoom space open for informal chat
4.30pm-5.30pm Yoga (George Glen)
5.30pm-6pm Meditation (George Glen)
7.30-8.30pm: Short talk and discussion: The Arts in Uncertain Times (Robert M Ellis)
8.30pm-9.30pm Free Form Dance (Lorna Edwards)
SUN 24th
8am-9am Meditation (Vijaya)
10am-11am Talk: Critical Thinking in Uncertain Times (Robert M Ellis)
11.30-12.30 Discussion groups
3.30-4.30 Zoom space open for informal chat
4.30pm Short meditation (Jim Champion)
5-5.30pm Informal social time using breakout rooms
5.30-6pm Feedback/close
Additional regular event: [8pm-9pm Reading Group: Provisionality (Jim Champion)]
Cost: Members of the Middle Way Society can join the retreat free. Non-members are welcome, but are asked to make a donation to the society in accordance with what they can afford. Please see the ‘donate’ button on the right of this site.
To participate you will need to be 18 years old or more, and have a genuine interest in practising meditation and other integrative practices, as well as learning about the Middle Way. A specific level of experience is not required, but please tell us about your level of experience when booking.
To book your place on the retreat please fill in the form below.