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 or on the coastal cliff paths, sitting in the garden by the stream, relaxing in the outdoor hot-tub or wandering around the 17th Century historic harbour in peaceful village of Portsoy in North-East Scotland.
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 has periods of silence and participants are asked to switch off their phones for the duration of the retreat.
The retreat
“There is no greater method for experiencing peace of mind and happiness than to understand and meditate on emptiness” – Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, How to Transform Your Life.
Emptiness is the actual nature of reality. Because we do not understand emptiness, we create all our own problems by getting angry and engaging in negative actions.
When we have the knowledge of emptiness we can begin to reduce our problems, eventually overcoming all of them permanently and then we can live in harmony with the actual nature of things. We can live our lives lightly and joyfully.
This weekend retreat led by visiting teacher Gen Kelsang Tubchen, is an opportunity to embark upon and deepen our understanding about emptiness and discover that things do not exist outside of the mind but are just mere appearances, like dreams.
This is Buddha’s most profound and transformative teaching; emptiness – the true nature of reality. With this knowledge, we can solve all our problems, find freedom from all limitations, and be of the greatest benefit to the world.
The retreat begins on Friday with arrival from 4pm, dinner at 6pm and first session at 7:30pm, and finishes at 3:30pm on Sunday.
More info:
- The course is available to join in person only.
- Each session includes guided meditation and short teachings
- The retreat includes some silent periods in the mornings
- 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.
Gen Kelsang Tubchen is the Resident Teacher at KMC Dumfries and we are delighted to invite her back to the North of Scotland to guide this retreat. An inspiring and gifted teacher, she is loved for her clear, powerful and practical teachings. She has 20 years of experience of engaging in, teaching and guiding retreats and has taught in both the Nordic region and the UK.