Meditation Retreat
Liberating Prayer – Refuge Retreat
Sat 18th – Sun 19th May
at Vajrapani Centre, Huddersfield
Retreat schedule:
Sat 18th & Sun 19th May
Session 1 – 9.15am-10.45am
Session 2 – 11.30am-1pm
Session 3 – 3.30pm-5pm
Session 4 – 5.45pm – 7.15pm
(The retreat finishes with session 3 on Sunday)
Cost – free for all Standard and Benefactor Members
£30.00 for full retreat Sat – Sun
£15.00 for individual day
‘The Liberating Prayer is not an ordinary prayer – It is like a text and has profound meaning. All Lamrim teachings – renunciation, bodhichitta, and correct view of emptiness are included in this prayer. I can say very few people understand the Liberating Prayer. It definitely needs verbal commentary by a Teacher. If we understand and contemplate its meaning – it is the best method to develop faith in Buddha and his teachings, which is our spiritual life and the root of all Dharma realizations.’
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The Liberating Prayer is recited before every teaching, meditation and puja in our tradition and for Kadampas, this practice is extremely precious. It was composed by Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for modern people to make a close connection with Buddha Shakyamuni.
In this weekend retreat we will be guided to meditate on the meaning of each verse and gradually come to know from our own experience the deep inner peace and protection that comes from our faith and receiving Buddha’s blessings.
Suitable for all levels of practitioner. Everyone welcome
Venue:
Vajrapani Kadampa
Meditation Centre
Wheathouse Terr,
Huddersfield.
Memberships
If you attend classes and courses on a regular basis, our Memberships are a convenient way of covering the cost and a great way to support the Centre.
About our classes
- Our classes consist of guided meditations and a talk covering a different aspect of meditation & positive thinking, offering practical advice from the Buddha’s teachings for a happy and meaningful life.
- You’re welcome to drop-in to weekly classes or pre-book for a whole series.
- You can join the weekly classes at any time, you don’t have to wait for the start of a series.
- Please book in advance for Weekend Courses & other events online or by phone.
- Classes are suitable for everyone.
Benefits of Meditation
- Even a simple breathing meditation practise can bring many benefits
- When our mind is calmed by focusing on the breath we will feel refreshed and experience some mental peace and calm.
- Through this practise we can develop an inner happiness and contentment.
- This inner peace can reduce the stress and tension that we normally experience in our life.
- We will find difficult situations easier to deal with and we can even improve our relationships with friends and family.
- You don’t have to be a Buddhist to practise and benefit from meditation. Everybody is welcome to join a class at any time.
FAQ's
Why is there a charge for the classes?
We are a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, and not for profit. The funds we receive are used to pay for our venues, operating expenses and maintenance of the centre building. Although there is a charge for the classes we want to make them accessible to all, so If you are struggling with the cost of classes or courses, please speak to us about that, no one will ever be turned away for lack of funds.
Do I have to book online?
Please try to book online for weekend courses and other events. For weekly classes booking online is useful, but you can just turn up and pay on the door. You can also get a discount on all our weekly meditation classes by buying a Series Ticket online.
Do I have to wait for the next series of classes to begin?
No, please feel free to drop in whenever you like. Attending the entire series of classes is highly beneficial, as each class builds on the next. However, each class is taught in such a way that if you only attend one class, you will derive benefit from it.
Will I have to sit on the floor?
Although some classes do have the option to sit on the floor, there are always chairs available. However, If there is a special reason why you need to sit on the floor please let us know and we can reserve a mat for you.
What should I wear?
There are no dress requirements, please wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
We do ask that you remove your shoes when entering the meditation room.
What if I am not religious or practice a religion other than Buddhism?
Everyone is welcome to attend. Anyone can learn basic meditation and experience the benefits. Buddhism is a non-evangelical religion. Buddhists respect all people and are happy to help anyone regardless of whether they subscribe to another faith or to none. We make Buddhas teachings available to everyone with the belief that they are practical methods to solve daily problems.
I have never meditated before, are these classes suitable for me?
Yes, classes are open to everyone regardless of experience. Instructions on how to do the meditations are provided by the teacher who will also guide you through the meditation. If you do struggle with the meditation you can always just sit there and relax for a while!
Our self-grasping ignorance is an inner poison that causes far greater harm than any outer poison.
