Join us for a long-weekend of hiking, Zen ink painting, Zen meditation and yoga in the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park
25th September to 28th September 2020 (from £365)
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Based out of a renovated vicarage in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, we will spend a long weekend together walking in the countryside and exploring Zen practice through meditation and Sumi-e (Zen ink painting).
Each morning we will start the day with Zazen (Zen meditation) before heading out for a beautiful morning walk in the rolling Howgill Fells. After a few hours walk, we will return to our cosy home for lunch and an afternoon of Sumi-e painting. Each day concludes with a relaxing Yin Yoga practice and meditation.
This retreat is perfect for those who want to begin or deepen their meditation practice and learn the art of Sumi-e painting.
Included in the Retreat
- 3 nights ensuite accommodation
- Guided walks with international mountain leader, Jen Stretton
- Yin yoga classes
- Twice daily meditation
- Sumi-e classes (Japanese ink painting)
- All materials for Sumi-e
- Healthy vegan meals each day and snacks
Not Included
- Transport to the retreat
Learn the beautiful art of Sumi-e Painting
Sumi-e literally translates as ‘black ink’ and has been practiced by Zen monks in Japan for centuries. Whilst painting, practitioners focus on their posture and breathing and enter a concentrated state, similar to during meditation. Each element in sumi-e is painted with a single brush stroke meaning that corrections cannot be made and so the practitioner must remain present in each moment. In order to paint in a natural and fluid way, all mental activities that complicate the painting (and your life) must be given up.
In this concentrated and aware state we are able to overcome our sense of being a ‘separate self’ and the limits of our ego.
By the end of the weekend you will have painted your first bamboo and perhaps have even found a lifetime practice.
Begin a life-long meditation practice
The goal orientated society we live in is constantly telling us we are not good enough – that we need to work harder, get fitter, earn more, be more intelligent – in essence that we need to be someone else. In contrast, there is no object in Zen meditation, it does not pursue any particular goal. It is about paying full attention to whatever is unfolding in the body and mind without engaging with it. It is about deepening our awareness of the moment and repeatedly bringing our attention back to the breath and the posture each time the mind drifts away. This practice can begin to bleed into our everyday lives and help us become more aware of what is arising in each moment and live that moment fully.
“The most important thing is to forget all gaining ideas, all dualistic ideas. In other words, just practice zazen in a certain posture. Do not think about anything. Just remain on your cushion without expecting anything. Then eventually you will resume your own true nature. That is to say, your own true nature resumes itself.”
―
Accommodation
Our beautiful home for the weekend is located in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales in the village of Sedbergh. The garden has incredible views across the rolling Howgill Fells and is a lovely place to relax after painting. There are two cosy sitting rooms for you to unwind in and a spacious yoga studio for us to practive Yin Yoga and meditate together.
All of the rooms are twin ensuites and shared with one other person. However you can book an entire room for yourself if you would prefer to stay on your own (for an additional price).
See the booking page for room options and pricing.
Room options
Our home for the weekend has 5 twin rooms with one having a bunkbed for you to dream the night away in. All ensuite, with showers to make life easy after all those walks in the Howgill Fells. The beds can be made up as doubles on request also. If you would like to share a room with your friend or partner, please both individually complete the booking form and choose the twin bed option for the room you would like to stay in. In the additional comments box at the bottom of the page write the name of the person you would like to share with.
Namaste Room
Namaste is a serene twin room with ensuite shower and a single window view.
£395 for a twin bed (share with one person)
£680 to have the room to yourself
Mackintosh Room
Mackintosh is a twin room with large ensuite shower and double window view over the garden and Howgill Fells.
£410 for a twin bed (share with one person)
£700 to have the room to yourself
De Montford Room
Smaller bunkbed room with ensuite shower and single window view over the garden and Howgill Fells
£365 for top bunk and £375 for bottom bunk
£680 to have the room to yourself
Marrakesh Room
Marrakesh is a twin room with ensuite shower and double window view over the garden.
£410 for a twin bed (share with one person)
£700 to have the room to yourself
Montverde Room
Monteverde can be a double or a twin room with ensuite shower, bath and double window view over the garden.
£410 for a twin bed (share with one person)
£700 to have the room to yourself
Food
The retreat includes all meals from welcome snacks and dinner on the first day to breakfast on the final day. All food served on the retreat is delicious, wholesome vegan food cooked by our host and chef Tania. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served each day and snacks will be provided in the afternoon between our painting sessions. There will always be tea, coffee and fruit and biscuits available for you throughout the day.
While we always try our best to cater for any dietary requirements, please note that as all of our food is cooked in one kitchen, we are unfortunately unable to cater for those with serious food allergies.
Detailed Itinerary
The itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather. You are welcome to join in with as much or as little of the activities as you would like – it’s your retreat!
Friday 25th September
2pm: Check in
230pm: Welcome circle and drinks/snacks
3pm: Yin Yoga
430pm – 630pm: Introduction to Sumi-e painting
7pm: Talk – ‘What is Zen?’
730pm: Dinner
830pm: Introduction to Zazen (Zen meditation)
9pm: Zazen (Zen meditation)
930pm: Tea and evening relaxation time
Saturday 26th September
7am: Tea
730am: Zazen
8am: Breakfast
9am – 12pm: Walk in nearby hills
1230pm: Lunch
2pm: Talk – ‘History of Sumi-e’
230pm – 4pm: Sumi-e painting
4pm – 430pm: Tea/coffe and snacks
430pm – 530pm: Sumi-e painting
6pm – 7pm: Yin yoga
730pm – 9pm: Dinner and free time
9pm: Zazen
930pm: Tea and evening relaxation time
Sunday 27th September
7am: Tea
730am: Zazen
8am: Breakfast
9am – 12pm: Walk in nearby hills
1230pm – 230pm: Lunch and free time
230pm – 4pm: Sumi-e painting
4pm – 430pm: Tea/coffe and snacks
430pm – 530pm: Sumi-e painting
6pm – 7pm: Yin yoga
730pm – 9pm: Dinner and free time
9pm: Zazen
930pm: Tea and evening relaxation time
Monday 28th September
7am: Tea
730am: Zazen
8am: Breakfast
9am: Closing circle
10am: Check out
When is check in and check out?
Check in is from 2pm on the first day and check out is at 10am on the last day of the retreat.
How many hours will we walk for each day?
We will hike for two to three hours on the second and third day of the retreat. We will take plenty of time along our way to enjoy the natural beauty of the fells and find quiet places to relax in nature.
Is the retreat suitable for beginner meditators?
Yes, full guidance will be given on the posture and technique required for meditation. The type of meditation we do is called zazen (‘seated meditation’) which comes from the Zen Buddhist tradition. In zazen we simply sit in silence and observe any thoughts that come into the mind without becoming tangled up in them. The technique is simple, but will you be surprised how many thoughts arise during the practice.
‘In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the experts, there are few.’
(Shunryu Suzuki)
I have problems with my back/knees - do I have to sit cross legged for meditation?
Whilst we encourage participants to try the seated posture, it is not a requirement for meditation. The most important thing is to sit with a straight back and so if you are unable to sit on the floor on a cushion, then you can also sit in a chair. We will work with you to find the best posture for your body.
I've never painted before, will I be able to do Sumi-e?
There is absolutely no requirement to be artistic of a painter in order to practice Sumi-e. Sumi-e is completely different to any other art form and the most important thing is the attitude that you bring to the practice.
What is yin yoga?
Yin yoga is a style of yoga in which postures are held for several minutes, rather than moving quickly between postures. Rather than stretching only the muscles, yin yoga stretches and targets both the deep connective tissues between the muscles, and the fascia throughout the body. Yin yoga can be viewed as a moving meditation in which we become aware of any restrictions in our body.
What is Zazen (Zen meditation)?
Zazen is the meditation style practiced in the zen buddhist tradition, but you certainly do not need to be buddhist to practice Zazen.
Zazen is the practice of silent seated meditation. There is no object in this practice, it does not pursue any particular goal. It is about paying full attention to whatever is unfolding in your body and mind without engaging with it. What is practiced is an heightened sense of awareness, attention and presence to whatever arises in body and mind without interfering with that process. It is about deepening our awareness of the moment and repeatedly bringing our attention back to the breath and the posture each time the mind drifts away.
What do I need to bring to the retreat?
We provide yoga matts, meditation cushions, blankets and all painting materials required for Sumi-e.
We suggest you bring:
- Loose comfortable clothing for meditation and yin yoga
- Dark clothing for Sumi-e (the ink washes out but may not wash out easily from light coloured clothing)
- Walking boots/shoes and walking clothes for the morning walk on day 2 and 3 including warm layers and waterproof jacket
- Rucksack to carry extra layers and water bottle for the walks
- Slippers to wear inside the house
- A note book and pen
- Personal toileteries
- Any snacks or tea bags you particularly like (we do provide tea and snacks but know that everyone has their favourites)
Do you serve alcohol on the retreat?
So that everyone feels fresh and energetic for the next day, we don’t serve alcohol on our retreats. On the last night we will serve wine for those who want it.
Our Sustainability Commitment
Whilst governments are failing to seriously tackle environmental issues, individuals and organisations must lead the way. We have signed the UN’s carbon neutral pledge and are committed to reducing our carbon footprint as much as possible. We offset any unavoidable emmissions through Ripple Africa’s carbon offsetting scheme and donate 10% of our profits to fight climate change. You can read more about our sustainability committment here.