Beyond separation – online retreat

Early in life, a deep, unconscious view arises which comes to afflict our whole being.

If we could put it in words, it might be “I am separate”. It is a sense of being divided both from our own experience and from others. This sense of separation, even alienation, can be very painful in itself and underlies a great deal of our self-caused dukkha.

Yet, it an illusion – it is not what and how we really are.

Sangharakshita was very clear about this, saying that this delusion “may be there in the form of a belief in a fixed, unchanging self or essence or soul, but that is not there. It never was and it never will be”.

The Buddhist tradition has addressed this self-construct, its consequences and dissolution, in many ways. But all reflect the Buddha ’s fundamental teaching of anatta, ‘not-self’. This teaching isn’t suggesting that somehow we don’t really exist. Rather, it is pointing us back to directly seeing and knowing our original undivided nature – what we are and always have been.

Knowing directly that there is no separate self here opens us naturally to seeing that a separate other is not to be found either. Our reality is whole and undivided. With the collapse of this subject-object dichotomy, a great deal of the suffering bound up in this belief dissolves.

We’ll explore non-separation directly on the basis of both integration and positive emotion: calm, embodied, aware presence and unconditional love. From here, we’ll explore our immediate experience directly to see not only how we create and sustain the illusion of separation and a self-other divide but also how this illusion can dissolve, like a mirage or a dream.

Suitable for people with at least three years of regular meditation practice.

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The programme on each day will be (UK times):

8.00 – 10.00 practice, teaching and inquiry

15.00 – 16.30 ritual, chanting, meditation and the opportunity to join a breakout group to discuss your practice

19.00 – 20.30 – practice, teaching and inquiry

I won’t be able to offer one to one reviews during the retreat but if you would like to have one or more follow-up reviews (10 to 20 minutes), I’ll offer that possibility.

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This retreat and subsequent reviews or mentoring are offered on the principle of reciprocal generosity (dana). There is no charge, but your generosity in supporting my livelihood and work is greatly appreciated. If you are unable to afford anything at present, I would much prefer that you attend nevertheless.

To register interest in this online retreat, please email me at tejananda.online@proton.me I will acknowledge your booking and send out full details including zoom link a week or so before the retreat starts.