Beauty and Insight - A retreat on perception

This retreat is an invitation to look closely at how experience takes shape—how we see, feel, and make meaning of the world around us. Drawing on the Buddhist teaching of the Five Skandhas, we’ll explore perception not as a fixed or neutral window onto reality, but as an ongoing, interactive process—woven from sensation, memory, habit, and a sense of self that’s always in motion.

One way we speak of insight is as ‘seeing things as they really are.’ But this phrase—yathābhūtadassana in Pali—doesn’t mean seeing the world without interpretation. Instead, it invites us to notice how perception actually works: as a living, dynamic relationship between ourselves and the world. We shape the world, just as it shapes us.

When we begin to see the extent to which we are creating our world, we can begin to choose—consciously and creatively—to shape a world of beauty and meaning.

The programme

The arts offer us new and surprising windows on the world. Alongside Dharma teachings and meditation, we’ll be exploring what art, film, poetry, and music can reveal about the nature of perception. To support our explorations, there will be long periods of silence each day, and two or three days of complete silence in the middle of the week.

Vajradarshini is known for her down-to-earth approach to Dharma practice. She draws widely on the Buddhist tradition, as well as on contemporary art and culture, weaving them together to create engaging and enjoyable retreats.

Website – Red Ladder Studio – https://www.redladderstudio.com/

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RETREAT CATEGORY:TRIRATNA

This retreat is suitable for those who have a regular meditation practice and who regularly attend retreats, a centre or a group within the context of the Triratna Buddhist Community. You will also need to be familiar with, and happy to participate in, Triratna Buddhist devotional practice and ritual (puja), be comfortable with extended periods of sitting meditation and the possibility on some retreats of periods spent in silence.

Please read our booking and cancellation policies and FAQs before booking.