Drawing Closer to Buddha - 24 - 26 April 2026 - Kadampa Meditation Centre Aberdeen

Drawing Closer to Buddha – A Tranquil Abiding Retreat at Portsoy 24 – 26 April 2026

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The perfect retreat getaway

Set in an idyllic retreat venue in tranquil surroundings facing the ocean. Between meditations you can enjoy walking by the sea and on the coastal path, sitting in the garden by the stream, relaxing in the outdoor hot-tub or wandering around the 17th Century historic harbour.

The power of silence

Normally we are constantly distracted by external objects, busy activities and scattered thoughts. Observing silence is a powerful method to disengage us from busyness and to deepen our contemplation and concentration. The retreat is silent and participants are asked to switch off their phones for the duration of the retreat.

The retreat

This weekend retreat led by Buddhist nun, Kelsang Yonchen, is an opportunity to experience the profound blessings of Buddha whilst training in Tranquil Abiding, or concentration.

Tranquil abiding is a concentration that possesses a special bliss of physical and mental suppleness that is attained in dependance upon completing the nine mental abidings. It is able to hold an object of meditation single pointedly for as long as the meditator wishes.

During this retreat we will learn how to overcome distractions and other obstacles to pure concentration by using the image of Buddha as our object of meditation. By practising in this skillful way we can draw closer to Buddha, develop special potentials within our mind, accumulate merit (good fortune) and purify negativities, at the same time as progressing through the different mental abidings.

There will be four guided meditation sessions each day, with plenty of time between sessions to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and delicious vegetarian food.

The majority of the retreat will be held in silence to deepen the peaceful experience, and participants are asked to turn off their devices for the duration.

It is amazing what can be accomplished over a weekend only, and participants consistently reflect on how refreshed, happy, and well they feel by the end of the weekend.

For those coming from further away, it is possible to get lifts from Aberdeen, and we can help arrange overnight accommodation in Aberdeen before and after the course.

Tranquil abiding is a superior state of peace which brings us great power to make progress in our spiritual journey.

The retreat begins on Friday with dinner at 6pm and first session at 7:30pm, and finishes at 4pm on Sunday.

More info

More info:

The course is available to join in person only.
Each session includes guided meditation and short teachings
The retreat is silent from going to bed on Friday until just before lunch on Sunday.
The retreat is run by volunteers and participants are expected to join as part of the retreat experience in with small jobs to help the retreat run smoothly.
The food is simple homemade vegetarian food and we can cater for vegan / gluten-free requirements if arranged in advance. We recommend bringing some of your own supplies if you have specific requirements.
1hr 20mins from Aberdeen and Inverness
All income goes to running the centre which is a registered charity.

Accommodation

Accommodation at the Sail loft in Portsoy – all rooms have sea views!

Please note – single rooms are extremely limited, we encourage people to share rooms, all of which are of a very high and comfortable standard. Sharing with other participants can enhance the retreat experience.

If your chosen accommodation is not available please email us at info@meditateinaberdeen.org to ask to be placed on a waiting list or there is accommodation available locally.

The accommodation is simple but of high standard. Solid individual wooden beds, with high quality comfortable mattresses and fresh bed linen. The dorms have very comfortable bunkbeds in them with individual lights and which are high enough to sit comfortably in bed. Camping is behind the Sail loft, by the garden and burn. Campervans can park in the carpark in front of the sail loft. 24hr access to indoor showers & toilets provided. There is a common living room with an open fire, a dining room, and outdoor garden.

For those thinking of organising accommodation away from the retreat centre there is a caravan park next door, as well as nearby hotels and holiday accommodation.

Single room £385

Shared room (2 – 3 single beds): £275 per person

Dorm (4 or 6 beds in bunks): £210 per person

Camping / camper van: £190 per person

Offsite including meals: £160

Offsite no meals: £130

Accommodation includes: 2 nights, all meals & refreshments and all the teaching & retreat sessions. All income goes to running the centre which is a registered charity.

If you wish to share with a specific person you should book all the places and send an email to let us know who is sharing. Please also let us know if you wish to book a twin room for mixed genders – this is possible if we have a full twin room available.

If you would like to pay in instalments please select to pay by standing order when you book and we will contact you to arrange payment of a deposit.

Cancellations up to 4 weeks prior to the course will receive a full refund minus a 10% admin fee, Cancellations up to 1 week before receive 50% refund. No refund for cancellations made in the seven days immediately prior to the retreat.

Schedule

Schedule:

The meditation sessions will take place in The Salmon Bothy, which is a short walk along the beach from the sail loft. For those with mobility problems you can drive and park easily at both venues.

It will be possible to return to the sail loft between sessions or to stay in the course room which also has tea and coffee facilities and toilets.

Each session will include essential teachings and a guided meditations. We will be in silence from waking until lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

There are breaks between sessions and in the afternoon to take walks in the beautiful surroundings.

Schedule:

Friday:

7.30 to 8.45pm Evening Intro

Saturday:

9.30 to 10.45 Session 1

11.45 to 13.00 Session 2

16.30 to 17.45 Session 3

19.30 to 20.45 Session 4

Sunday

9.30 to 10.45 Session 1

11.45 to 12.45 Session 2

14.45 to 15.45 Concluding Teaching and Q&A

Getting There

The Venue

The accommodation and meals will be at The Sail Loft Back Green, Portsoy, AB45 2AF

The meditation sessions are a short walk along the beach from The Sail Loft and will be held at The Salmon Bothy, Links Road, Portsoy, AB45 2SS

Getting There

1hr 20mins from Aberdeen (via Huntly is the best route)
1 hr 30mins from Inverness

Both Aberdeen and Inverness have airports and train stations and we can help organise onward travel or lift shares from there.

The nearest train station is Huntly

Kelsang Yonchen is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Aberdeen. She has been practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 14 years and was ordained as a Buddhist nun in 2023. Before moving to Aberdeen, she served as the Resident Teacher at Ganden Ling Kadampa Meditation Centre in Cornwall. Yonchen is known for her warm heart, practical wisdom, and clear, accessible teaching style that makes Buddha’s teachings easy to understand and apply in daily life.

Drawing Closer to Buddha 24-26 April
Price range: £130.00 through £385.00
Please make a booking for your preferred accommodation & pay the course fee. If you would like to pay in instalments please select to pay by standing order when you book and we will contact you to arrange payment of a deposit. If for any reason we are unable to offer you your chosen accommodation […]

"I enjoyed the peace and wonderful teachings that I will cherish and put into practice."

Portsoy retreat participant - Nov 2024 27th November 2024
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Drawing Closer to Buddha – A Tranquil Abiding Retreat at Portsoy 24 – 26 April 2026

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