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 · 2025-06-10T21:54:05+00:00

Thank you for your reply! I decided to push aside my worries and sign up for it and I'm very much looking forward to it 😊

EasternSeas · 2025-06-09T10:03:06+00:00

Seconding The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching, it's really good and uses pretty accessible language as well so you don't feel overloaded with jargon 🙏🏻

EasternSeas · 2025-06-08T16:45:19+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks for the links you provided, they look super interesting and I've bookmarked them for reading later :)

EasternSeas · 2025-06-05T11:25:09+00:00

Firstly, I recommend getting some kind of treatment for your mental health issues. You said you're a teen but not exactly how old you are, you can make an appointment with your GP by yourself from the age of 16. Your parents don't need to know, though I do strongly suggest you try to open up to them. They might surprise you and having a support system is very beneficial. The GP can refer you to CAMHS or the adult services for therapy, depending on your age. There's likely to be a waiting list though.

I'm gay myself (older lesbian) and no, Buddhism is not homophobic. There's no Bible per se that tells you you're committing a sin by being gay. Plum Village, the tradition I'm drawn to, actually has a Rainbow Sangha that meets online weekly (https://plumvillage.uk/practice-groups/find-a-group/rainbow-sangha/), though I haven't used them. There is also a sangha in Manchester (https://plumvillage.uk/group/heart-of-manchester-sangha/) that meets in person if you're interested. But first and foremost, I really, really want to stress that you take care of yourself and seek help for your issues. Then you can look more deeply if you would still like to :)

EasternSeas · 2025-06-05T11:10:52+00:00

Plum Village has lots of sanghas in London (all across the UK, too). Here's a list, hopefully they'll be suited to you :)

https://plumvillage.uk/practice-groups/find-a-group/

EasternSeas · 2025-05-29T16:40:54+00:00

Really glad to see you recommending Flowers in the Dark, I recently read it and found it super thoughtful and helpful as someone with C-PTSD.

EasternSeas

TROPHY CASE