Alfoxton Park - Under the Rose Apple Tree

Under the Rose Apple Tree

Prescence , Embodiment and Imagination

4th - 7th June 2027

Before the Buddha’s awakening beneath the Bodhi Tree, he experienced a profound turning point that led to what was to follow. This experience was an insight that led him to turn away from the unprofitable, wilful and harsh path that he had previously been following. In that moment, he recollected a childhood memory of sitting beneath a Rose Apple tree where he had experienced a deep contentment and spontaneous joy.

We will explore this crucial episode in the Buddha’s journey together through experiencing being fully present and deeply connected to ourselves, others and the world around us through a vibrant contentment and the gift of the imagination. All essential components of the Buddha’s own experience beneath the Rose Apple tree that ultimately led him to awakening.

Our practice on the retreat will be being present to the breadth of our experience through reflecting on the Buddha’s Dharma, meditation and ritual, coupled with images, story, being in nature, and periods of silence, (plus some magic!). We will also create a community of practice and share our own experience and learn from, and support others, in a group context.

Suitable for those with an experience of meditation within The Triratna Buddhist Community.

Facilitation Team

Nagasiddhi

Nagasiddhi was ordained in 2002. He helped run Rivendell Retreat Centre for nearly 20 years where regularly led and supported retreats. He is now a hospice chaplain. He is known for the sense of humour and creativity he brings to his communication of the Dharma. In particular, he helps others make connections between the Dharma and their own lives by using stories and images. His own artwork can be viewed at nagasiddhi.com.

Mandarava

Mandarava was ordained in 1997 and is an artist, puppet maker, and storyteller who creates immersive settings for enactments and ritual. She has a background working in professional theatre/opera, as a puppeteer and maker. As well as her interest in working creatively, she has trained more recently in the ‘healing arts’ and is now working as a ‘Somatic Experiencing and Focusing Practitioner’. Both are body-oriented approaches that help bring about more aliveness and vitality inherent in our bodies and release what has been blocked or stuck in our lives. She is inspired by a holistic approach to practice.

Timings & travel

Timings

Please arrive between 3pm and 5pm on the first day. Dinner is served at 6pm. The retreat will finish by midday on the last day.

Travel

The nearest railway stations are Bridgwater and Taunton. We are about 1h 15min from Bristol by car.

The 15 bus leaves Bridgwater at 16:50 during college term dates and stops at the Plough Inn in Holford. We are a 15min walk from there.

Please get in touch for further advice with public transport, or for help arranging lifts / carpools.

Make sure to put "Coach House 2, Alfoxton Park" into Google Maps. Other variations will take you to Alfoxton House nearby which is not us. Otherwise use grid reference 51.165187, -3.220080.

The What3Words for our car park are ///soup.candy.huddling

Accommodation & Food

Accommodation

This is a camping retreat - bring a tent or live-in vehicle. Toilets, showers and a sauna are available. Warm and waterproof clothing are advisable, along with gloves and boots or wellies. You may also wish to bring a torch and hot water bottle.

We have limited accommodation indoors for those with specific needs. Please let us know when you book if this is the case for you.

Food

We serve a vegan menu using mostly organic fruit and vegetables, from Riverford and our own walled garden. We are able to cater for most general food intolerances, such as gluten free, but not for all diets. See 'Accessibility and Special Diets' below.

Accessibility & Diets

We are committed to Alfoxton being a fully accessible venue and are working hard to achieve this. However, while the renovation work continues, visitors with specific mobility or accommodation needs may experience barriers to accessing all areas of the building and land. Please get in touch about any significant accessiblity requirements.

It is not possible to cook for people with highly sensitive allergies: if you are a coeliac or have any other medical condition which could seriously jeopardise your health or your experience then please get in touch to discuss a potential self-catering plan with our Kitchen manager.

Please contact us about either of these before submitting your booking request.

Costs

Alfoxton Park is a charity and works on the principle of Dana or a 'gift economy'. Read more about Dana here.

A £108 deposit will secure your place on this event. You will be invited to make a donation to Alfoxton when you attend.

If you are an Triratna Order member and need financial support to pay a retreat deposit, you can apply for a grant from the Abhayaratna Trust.

Technology, Alcohol & Drugs

All of our events are alcohol and drug free.

During the meditation retreats we ask you to turn off your mobile phones and other devices and not contact people outside of the retreat.

For all other events and workshops we ask you to be mindful of the use of devices and stay present, in order to make the most of your time here.

Any Questions?

Check our FAQ page or send us an e-mail at events@alfoxtonpark.org.uk

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