Middle Way Society retreats at Tirylan House all combine a mixture of interdependent practices to help you relax, focus, reflect and develop along the path of the Middle Way. These typically include meditation, the arts, critical thinking, and discussion. Discussion is concerned with the intersection between practical life, philosophy and psychology.
The Middle Way, as understood in Robert’s work and in the Middle Way Society, is a universal and provisional path of judgement constantly informed by experience, avoiding both positive and negative dogmas. Middle Way Society retreats are open to people working in any tradition or none (for instance Buddhism, Christianity, any science or academic discipline), to help them make helpful judgements that cultivate inspiration but avoid dogma in that tradition. There are no gurus or appeals to tradition as an unexamined source of authority, but we also seek to engage positively with the resources offered by various traditions.
Middle Way Society retreats usually have a focus on a particular topic and activity, but this is also put in the context of wider individual practice. They will follow a relaxed but clear daily programme, usually including elements like meditation, discussion, sharing of inspiration from the arts, and free time when you can go for walks and make friends. They are usually led by Robert M. Ellis, sometimes in collaboration with someone else.
Here is our upcoming programme of retreats, linked to further details:
Mindfulness and Gardening: 7th-12th April 2026
Walking, Meditation and the Middle Way: 17th-23rd August 2026
Practising the Arts: 26th-31st October 2026
To book on any of these retreats, please read ‘Being on Retreat at Tirylan House’, then go to ‘Costs and Booking’.