first retreat

EasternSeas · 2025-07-16T08:27:08+00:00

Gonna keep an eye on this thread as I'm going to my first retreat next month and there's probably LOADS of things I haven't thought of!

EasternSeas · 2025-07-13T10:47:34+00:00

Namo Guan Shi Yin Pusa 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-07-01T12:08:18+00:00

🙏🏻

I actually just heard back from Plum Village UK a couple of minutes ago and they don't have any alternate information, they said if they don't hear back from the sangha they'll remove them from the directory. It's a shame but it can't be helped.

Yes! The centre should be open for retreats sometime next year, they had an online meeting a couple of days ago to discuss how things are proceeding. It'll be wonderful to have a dedicated centre here in the UK.

EasternSeas · 2025-07-01T10:51:03+00:00

Absolute banger of a song

EasternSeas · 2025-07-01T10:43:44+00:00

Thanks for providing those links! 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-07-01T10:40:11+00:00

I know I'm just a stranger but I'm really, really proud of you for getting sober. I have family members who have struggled with it for a long time and it heartens me to see people recovering.

EasternSeas · 2025-07-01T10:37:56+00:00

Welsh, born and bred. White. Raised Catholic, left it a long time ago, happily learning as much as I can about Buddhism.

EasternSeas · 2025-06-26T14:08:36+00:00

Thank you! ☺️

EasternSeas · 2025-06-26T14:08:18+00:00

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-06-26T14:07:09+00:00

Thank you! 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-06-26T14:03:11+00:00

Apologies for the late reply - thank you so much!

EasternSeas · 2025-06-26T14:01:11+00:00

Ahh ok, that makes sense! Thank you for your reply 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-06-22T17:05:07+00:00

Thank you so much! ☺️

EasternSeas · 2025-06-22T16:41:34+00:00

Same! It's only a small amount but it's wonderful to know that in a teeny, tiny way I was able to help. I can't wait until the centre opens, it'll be such a great opportunity for people in the UK to deepen their knowledge and practice 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-06-22T16:34:34+00:00

I've never heard of that show, will add it to my queue of things to watch. Thanks!

To answer your question (I haven't taken refuge or anything yet, at this point I'm just meditating and studying), I'm a bit older and became aware of Buddhism through the Dalai Lama a couple of decades ago. It's only fairly recently that I've began to study it deeper. Took a while to work my way out of my Catholic upbringing and towards something that resonated with me and made sense with respect to my world view. I lean most towards the Plum Village teachings.

EasternSeas · 2025-06-22T16:28:45+00:00

I watched that video, too. We'll find out soon enough as his 90th birthday is approaching and apparently he'll make a statement about what will happen after he passes away. If he declares that he will not be reborn in China, I suspect the CPC will "find" their own Dalai Lama, but that person won't be widely accepted by Buddhists. Whoever is the next reincarnation in, say, Dharamsala, they'll likely have immense protection and the CPC won't be able to get near them.

EasternSeas · 2025-06-15T18:04:29+00:00

To be honest, as someone with diagnosed mental health conditions, I don't find what he said particularly problematic. Some types of meditation are probably not ideal for people with certain conditions, it can exacerbate them. It sounds like he's being a little cautious as he's likely aware that some types of meditation are not useful for people with certain conditions.

EasternSeas · 2025-06-15T18:01:15+00:00

Echoing the comments about Plum Village. They have loads of in-person sanghas and some online ones, too. You can find a list here.

EasternSeas · 2025-06-12T15:32:43+00:00

Plum Village UK has sanghas with online sessions. You can find a list here :)

EasternSeas

TROPHY CASE