Ordinary Beauty

wabi sabi retreats

abhayaloka, finland 10-12 june - for the finnish sangha
abhayaloka, finland 15-24 june - an international women's retreat
rivendell, 21-28 oct - open retreat

wabi sabi square

wabi sabi events

bristol 26-27 march
norwich - tbc
nottingham 29-30 oct

Wabi Sabi is an aesthetic, which finds beauty and truth in our simple, ordinary experience. It originated in Japan in the 16th century when the term 'wabi' referred to poverty and 'sabi' to loneliness. At that time, while hermits were living this poor and lonely life, a cultural shift happened and this simplicity of living took the place of luxury as the highest aesthetic. The dharma teaches that samsara has three marks, things are impermanent, insubstantial and painful. Yet transforming our experience isn't about move away from life it's about going more deeply into it. It is in the depths of conditioned existence that we find the doorways to freedom.

If you'd like to read more about wabi sabi, the laksanas and the vimoksa mukhas have a look at this article and for some interesting links see below.

These wabi sabi retreats are about finding beauty and truth where we least expect them, in the softness of worn stone steps, the dents in an old tin plate, the scar on my knee, the lonely sound of the rain. Meditation and reflection retreats with teachings on wabi sabi, the laksanas and the vimoksa mukhas. All bought to life with poetry, film and an exploration of the world around us.

abhayaloka, finland - for the finnish sangha
10 12 june

This is a sangha retreat for the finnish sangha, contact Nagashila for details nearer the time.

abhayaloka, finland - international women's retreat
15-24 june

An international wabi sabi retreat for women from around europe. With Sraddhagita, Vidyalila, Manigarbha and myself. See here for more details - international wabi sabi for women.

rivendell
21 -28 oct

This retreat is for men and women, for bookings contact Rivendell Retreat Centre rivendell

wabi sabi weekends

For more details of the weekend retreats please contact the relevant buddhist centre -
Bristol Buddhist Centre
Norwich Buddhist Centre
Nottingham Buddhist Centre
wabi sabi square2

some comments

Here are some comments on a wabi sabi retreat which took place at abhayaloka in finland. there are a set of pictures from that retreat, taken by various people, on flickr.

I felt so inspired by the retreat, I just keep talking and thinking Wabi Sabi all the time. Sarah Bannock

It felt unusually like I would imagine a 'Dharmic Holiday' to be like, refreshing, different, engaged and nourishing! The retreat itself had real depth for me. Felt like I was 'experiencing the Dharma in many ways, seeing it, living it, '...walking the talk', as they say. Not just packing in all the info! A feeling of contentment and heart response, getting a clearer sense of what really matters; Dharma, nature, people, simplicity and peace. Gill Davies

Really enjoyed the retreat and pleased to say that life does look a little different post Wabi Sabi. It certainly reminded me of how much joy I got from allowing my more 'creative' mind to come to the fore. Have loved seeing things through 'Wabi Sabi eyes'. Very enriching experience. I really liked the Wabi Sabi cinema, the space and silence for reflection and the ways in which the themes were explored. Katharine Walker

my favorite wabi sabi book

wabi sabi book In fact not only is it excellent but there seem to be no other wabi sabi books worth reading... not that I have come across yet anyway, this is by leonard koren and it is worth checking out his website.

some wabi sabi links