A retreat for people of colour, exploring the Brahma Viharas, a Buddhist teaching on the everyday practice of meditation

This retreat is aimed at experienced meditators and those with at least 3 months experience of the metta bhavana and mindfulness of breathing meditation practices.

at the

Suryavana Retreat centre Near Valencia, Spain www.suryavana.es

see Suryavana in English for information about the venue

with Bodhilila, Karunadhi, Maitrinita and Paramachitta (members of the Triratna Buddhist Order)

The retreat costs £290 but £250 if you can pay by the end of May.

The Brahma Viharas – Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, Equanimity. 

On this retreat we will bring kindness (metta), compassion (karuna), sympathetic joy (mudita) and equanimity (upekkha) to whatever mental states arise both on and off the cushion. We will explore the Brahma Viharas as sources of inspiration, combining this with a practical, down to earth approach, being honest about where we are in our spiritual practice (not where we think we should be). Through cultivating these qualities in our meditation and our everyday lives we develop our capacity to respond to whatever we encounter in the world (and in our mind) with equanimity, rooted in compassion and insight. And we open our hearts to joy….

Here is some information about the retreat leaders

My name is Bodhilila. I am mixed race, with a Chinese mother and an Afro-Carribean father, though my adoptive parents were Russian and German Jews. Having previously worked as a classical musician, counsellor, massage therapist, primary school teacher and nursery manager, I am now Chair of the West London Buddhist Centre where I teach meditation, Buddhism and mindfuness-based pain management. 

I have been meditating for 30 years and was ordained in 2010. The Brahma Viharas have been a  pivotal part of my practice for many years. Although I have sometimes found the Metta Bhavana a very challenging practice, it has been key in helping me to transform feelings of self-hatred and to let go of long-held resentments. Through developing Karuna (compassion) I learned self-compassion and how to be compassionate towards others. Mudita (sympathetic joy) challenged my negative, cynical worldview and brought joy back into my life. Upekkha (equanimity) has given me a wider perspective of reality, helping me to cope with life's difficulties without losing sight of it's positive potential. Practising the Brahma Viharas has changed my relationship to myself, others and the world so I am delighted to have the opportunity to co-lead this retreat.

My name is Paramachitta. I am of Indian heritage, growing up in London. I discovered Buddhism at the London Buddhist Centre and was ordained in 1990.  In 1992 I went to Spain to help set up the Valencia Buddhist Centre and it is where I still live and work. During that time I have taught meditation and Buddhism and led many retreats.  I am now both a public and private preceptor, the main focus of my work being to help women in their preparation for ordination.

My name is Karunadhi.  I am half English and half Indian (Sikh background) so I am a bit of a mixture.  I have lived in India for 9 years previously.  Currently I am living in Wales at a women’s retreat centre Tiratanaloka and have been for the past 3 years.  Its a retreat centre supporting women training for Ordination.   

I was Ordained into the Triratana Order in 2009.  I have lead a number of retreats supporting women deepening their Buddhist practice and feel very passionately about that.  I feel very interested in the theme of the Brahma Viharas, four sublime abodes to explore our gateways into awakening and practising together in the 21st Century.

My name is Maitrinita. I was ordained in 2017. I have a a 10 year old daughter and work part time in the NHS.