The perfect retreat getaway
Enjoy a restful and uplifting weekend retreat on the Moray coast at the beautiful Sail Loft in Portsoy, a wonderful place for peace and reflection. In this tranquil setting, within easy reach of Aberdeen and Inverness, you can enjoy a profound and peaceful meditation retreat and develop inspiring new insights on life.
The retreat
In this weekend meditation retreat, Buddhist nun, Kelsang Yonchen, will guide profound meditations from Buddha’s wisdom teachings, in particular looking at the ultimate nature of our own mind.
“All phenomenon that appear to my mind are the nature of my mind. My mind is the nature of emptiness”
Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Modern Buddhism
When we deeply investigate how everything appears to us only within our mind, and how our mind itself does not exist from its own side; then we can come to realise that everything is like an illusion.
With this understanding we stop grasping so tightly, learn to live life lightly, and create the foundation for meditating on the ultimate nature of all phenomenon, emptiness. Through perfecting this meditation we become permanently free from suffering and experience only the peace and happiness of nirvana or full enlightenment.
During this retreat, Kelsang Yonchen will give essential instructions and guide meditations on this most profound topic.
This retreat is best suited to those with some experience of Buddhist meditation and concepts
Practicalities
There will be 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.
Between meditations you can enjoy walking by the sea and on the coastal path, sitting in the garden by the stream, or wandering around the 17th Century historic harbour.
More info:
- The course is available to join in person only.
- Each session includes guided meditation and short teachings
- The retreat is mainly held in silence
- 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 requirements if arranged in advance. We cannot guarantee gluten-free due to risk of contamination. 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.
Kelsang Yonchen is the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Aberdeen. She is an experienced teacher and has been practising Kadampa Buddhism for over 14 years. 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.



















