Amitavati could be said to be in permanent 'retreat mode' where a pattern of activities takes place and visitors can come and go, join in or do their own thing.
There might be four or five people living here at any one time.
One of these could be undertaking a solitary retreat for which facilities will be available shortly.
From time to time however, groups of up to 14 are organised (see programme) and retreats are run along more specific lines:
Click on the links below for more information.
Come and help us harvest our 250 olive-laden trees here this December, and find refreshment and inspiration living simply in a place of natural beauty and peace. There will be:
- About 5 hours of work a day, mainly olive picking (with the possibility of a little light building work, gardening, painting, firewood collection).
- We will offer two meditations a day, with instruction as required for beginners.
- From 1-4pm there will be free time for you to spend as you want - there are beautiful walks in the hills and pine forests that surround Amitavati.
- In the evenings there will be a range of creative and practise-based activities, including discussions on meditation and spiritual practice, free time, poetry readings, improvised percussion - and ritual or mantra chanting as we all want.
This is an opportunity to live as a community during this working retreat, sharing meals and basic chores.
There is comfortable sleeping accommodation in the house in shared rooms (we also have 2 single rooms). It is also possible to camp but be aware the temperatures drop at night!
So, come and enjoy the lovely hills of the Serrania!
- Programme outline:
- 7.00 Rise
- 7.30 Meditation
- 8.30 Breakfast
- 9.30 Work Period
- 11.30 Tea-break
- 12.00 Work Period
- 1.00 Lunch
- Free time
- 4.00 - 6.00 Work Period
- 6.30 Meditation
- 7.30 Supper
- from 8.00 Personal time or other creative or practice-based activity
Remember, this is a working retreat, and that you need to consider yourself fit and well enough to do the work! (If unsure please talk this over with us before booking).
Cost: 70 euros for the week (80 euros for a single room)
We can be flexible on this, as well as on minor adjustments of dates. For travel to & from Amitavati see "Getting There".
A Meditation & Focussing Retreat led by Suryacitta
May 16-23th, 2012
On this retreat we live as a community - and mainly in silence. Over a day, there is the opportunity to meditate for up to 4 hours broken down into roughly half-hour sessions. This includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, with Just Sitting/Pure Awareness as the main meditation practise. Suryacitta will be introducing this, as well as introducing and leading through some Focusing sessions. There will be short talks by Suryacitta, question & answer sessions and he offers one-to-one meditation interviews and for Voice Dialogue and Focusing on request. See 'About' on Suryacitta's website for more information on these, or contact him directly. There will be a few optional evening rituals led by Vidyasri.
The basic household chores will be shared by us all - washing-up, preparing vegetables for the cook etc., perhaps spending 1-1&1/2 hrs a day in this way - which enhances the nourishing experience of community-living and helps us ground our meditation experience. There will also be free time each day to enjoy the beauty of the pine-covered & olive-tree terraced hills
The accommodation is mainly in shared bedrooms (either 2 to 4 people per room). There are 2 single bedrooms, and we offer a camping option.
About Just Sitting, the main meditation practise of this retreat:
Just sitting meditation is not about striving for a certain state of mind. It isn't about waiting for some "spiritual experience" in the future. It isn't about trying to change our desires or getting rid of them. Just sitting meditation is giving ourselves space for having a passionate, authentic experience of ourselves as we are, right here and now. In this space we can "see" how the "self" is re-created moment by moment through thought
Please see Suryacittas' website for more information:
Cost: Sharing a room - 335 euros; Single room - 385 euros; Camping - 295 euros
Usually 10.30 - 5.00 either at Amitavati or at the river in Valencia. A programme of about 3 hours drumming workshop each day - African djembe playing, with percussion. There is free time in which you can do what you want: go for walks, swims, relax. No need to bring drums as we have plenty. Please bring food to share. We may be able to arrange a lift for you but there is a bus from Valencia to Villar-del-Arzobispo. You can bring children if they can play amongdt themselves and you provide food. If they want to take part in the drumming there is a charge of 15 (or 10) euros per child.
Please make reservations with Vidyasri or Suratna:
Tel: 96 2134428 or 659401036 or email vidyasrila@gmail.com
Retreats exploring, deepening and celebrating our relationship with nature and ourselves, using the ancient practise of 'shamanic journeying', rituals with the elements: earth, water, fire and air, and some traditional Buddhist meditation practices.
A programme of optional morning and evening meditations, with periods of painting in different mediums, such as oil, water-colour and acrylics led by experienced and professional artists; and sculpting in stone and wood. For both beginners and those with experience. Also free time to do as you wish - enjoy walks, swims, relaxation.
