We hold various types of retreat at Tirylan House. What all of them have in common is the opportunity to get away and focus on integrative practice in a beautiful place with a supportive community. All our organized retreats will include some meditation, with some study or discussion, and very often some practice of the arts. There will also be plenty of free time to reflect, make friends, and walk in the countryside.
Middle Way Society Retreats These will all be led by Robert (at least for the moment), and are open to anyone, from any tradition, interested in understanding and practising the universal Middle Way (see the Middle Way Society website for more about its aims). See this page for more details of our currently scheduled Middle Way Society Retreats.
Triratna Buddhist Retreats These retreats will be broadly in the Triratna Buddhist tradition, and may be led by Viryanaya or by other leaders. They may have very different focuses – for example, critical thinking, permaculture, or creative writing. Some of these retreats will be open to beginners, and others only for people experienced in the Triratna context. See this page for details of our currently scheduled Triratna Retreats.
Working Retreats Please see this page
Independent Group Retreats We are also happy to host independent self-catering retreats for small groups focused in the annexe. Up to 5 people can sleep comfortably in 2 shared sleeping areas in the annexe (7 at a squeeze, and with possible camping in addition). There is also a self-catering kitchen, bathroom, and large flexible living area. See this page for more details.
Solitary Retreats We also offer solitary retreats in the annexe at times when there are no group bookings. Although the annexe is not very isolated, it is generally quiet and we will leave you undisturbed. Solitary retreatants need to be here to follow a programme of some kind of solitary practice, not just for a holiday. Please see this page for more details.
Individual Independent Retreats and Volunteering You can come and stay with us as a paying guest or as a volunteer, both outside the times of scheduled retreats and also possibly during them (subject to negotiation). If you come as a volunteer, you can stay for free in return for an agreed number of hours of work each day (probably around 5, but responsive to your needs), most of which will probably be in the forest garden (for instance, planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting, creating paths). If you prefer to be a paying guest without working, Tirylan House could be a place for you to practise and reflect on your own schedule. It could also be a place to focus on a study or writing project you need to work on, with use of our library with around 3000 books. By arrangement, Robert and Viryanaya could also offer tuition or study support in the areas we are experienced in, such as practically-oriented philosophy, critical thinking, religious studies (especially Buddhism and Christianity), practically-oriented psychology, and English (including English as a foreign language). Please contact us if you are interested in coming as a volunteer, or for an independent retreat as a paying guest.