The Middle Way approach can both arise out of meditation experience, and help us to shape meditation practice. There is probably no better way of recognizing how absolute assumptions lie in wait for us at every turn than to meditate – for every distraction, every hindrance, assumes an absolute viewpoint. We think we have the whole story as long as we are possessed by the distraction, whether it is fuelled by craving, hatred, or lack of confidence in our capacities. But it is also no good swinging to the opposite – screwing ourselves up to ‘concentrate’ on the object of meditation. Meditation constantly challenges us to return to experience without over-reacting to our failures, which is exactly what the practice of the Middle Way is all about.

In this retreat, Robert M Ellis will draw on about 30 years’ practice of meditation practice, as well as his writings on the Middle Way, to suggest ways that reflecting on the Middle Way can help us meditate, and ways that meditating can help us practice the Middle Way. The retreat will require some basic previous experience of meditation (at least the completion of an introductory mindfulness course of some kind, or equivalent experience). Although we will focus primarily on meditation practice, there will also be discussions, mindfully framed music and poetry, and plenty of free time for reflection. Unusually for retreats at Tirylan House, there will be some substantial periods of silence.

For more information on cost and booking this retreat, please go to our costs and booking page.

Picture credit – Eugenio Hansen (Wikimedia Commons)