Isolation. Lockdown. Social distancing. The last few months have been some of the most challenging any of us have lived through. The Buddhist practice of Metta, or ‘loving-kindness’, is more relevant than ever. What better moment to cultivate benevolence and compassion than now, when so many around us face difficulty, and we feel so much uncertainty in our hearts?

Although our normal program activities are still on hold, we will be holding a very special retreat event at New Life in order to practice offering Metta to ourselves, our loved ones, and all those who are suffering because of the current crisis and more. Individuals of all spiritual/religious backgrounds are welcome. It is not necessary to be a Buddhist or have any prior meditation experience. The language of the retreat is English.

Chiang Rai is a lovely and often overlooked place to visit within Thailand and in addition to its other benefits, the retreat provides a welcome change of scenery at a low cost while also benefiting the local village community. It will be a great chance to (re)connect with others in a safe and friendly environment and you are welcome to engage socially with others according to your comfort level. The retreat will help us make sense of some of the things we have felt and experienced in the past difficult few months through the lens of kindness and compassion. It will also be beneficial for those who wish to work on their personal or spiritual growth and improve personal relationships. For those who are in Thailand because you aren’t yet able to travel back to your homes, the retreat offers the possibility to learn some useful skills and practices during your time here and help navigate the path ahead.

The retreat will provide much-needed support to the local villagers of Baan Samanmit. Many of these villagers have lost their livelihoods as a result of the economic shutdown. Therefore, all profits will go towards helping the families who have been most severely affected. We will also temporarily rehire some of our former Thai staff members so that they will be able earn some income.

We are aware that many of you are struggling too, so we are offering a sliding scale payment structure so that retreat participants will be able to choose the contribution they can afford.

The retreat starts on the evening of Friday 17th July, and ends on the afternoon of Friday the 24th July. Participants who wish to do so have the possibility of staying on over the weekend until Monday morning, 27th July. During this weekend we will offer delicious meals and community activities such as badminton, movie night, pool time, yoga, massage, putting the food boxes together to offer to the villagers, one-on-one sessions with Chris and Pui, an additional free workshop with Pui, and more (further details and schedule forthcoming). For the entire duration of the retreat and the following weekend, Noble Silence will be held each evening from 9.00 pm until 9.15 am the next morning.

We will be following strict health and safety procedures in order to protect our staff and participants, including temperature checks, disinfection and sanitisation, and other recommended guidelines.

As of the time of this announcement, international travel into Thailand is still not possible, so the retreat will only be open to individuals currently residing in Thailand. However, we are working on finding a way to offer the retreat online, so that those of you who aren’t in Thailand can join in, too!

All profits will go towards Baan Samanmit villagers severely affected by the economic shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our staff and guests is of prime importance.

Retreat Information

May all beings be at ease.

Whatever living beings there may be;

Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none,

The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,

The seen and the unseen,

Those living near and far away,

Those born and to-be-born—

May all beings be at ease.

– The Buddha, ‘The Metta Sutta’

In this retreat, participants will practice, learn, and cultivate the beautiful, healing practice of Metta. Delivered in a secular, non-denominational fashion, the retreat will be easily accessible to all and is appropriate for beginner and advanced meditators.

We will be doing an in-depth study of several different loving-kindness practices spread over three traditions. The retreat runs for seven days and includes guided meditations and dharma talks.

The program will begin with check-in at 8:30 am – 4.00 pm Friday, July 17th. There will be orientation activities in the afternoon and an opening talk that evening at 7.30 pm.

The second day of the retreat will begin at 6:00 am with sitting meditation. After breakfast we will return to the Forest Hall for sitting meditation from 9.15 am – 11.45 am. After lunch, we will continue meditation practice (walking or sitting) until the 6:00 pm dinner break. After dinner, Chris will hold a dharma talk. There will be body movement sessions offered daily to help us energise after long days of sitting.

Day four will be a full day of silent meditation. We will also maintain Noble Silence for the entire day. The facilitator will ring the bell to mark starting and ending times for seated and walking meditation. There will be light body movement practice that evening just before the dharma talk.

The deadline for registration is Monday, July 13th.

Retreat Highlights

• Practice of different tried and true methods of cultivating loving-kindness

• Practice of cultivating and/or deepening a meditation practice

• Practice of embracing Noble Silence each evening and for the entire 4th day of the retreat

• Tech detox

• Practice of serenity

• Increased sense of wellbeing and connectedness

• Listening to the wisdom of the body through art and movement

• Increased sense of compassion

Participants can expect to leave this retreat with a much deeper understanding of Metta meditation and how we can use the skills cultivated in meditation to help us live a more loving, compassionate life.

Retreat Instructors

Christopher Luard

Christopher has been studying and practicing meditation for over thirty years. He has received formal training in Zen, as well as in Mahamudra and Dzogchen from the Tibetan traditions. He has also been formally trained in Vipassana and Vedanta from the Indian traditions, and from more modern American traditions such as Mindfulness and Shambhala.

After witnessing the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, unfold in New York City, Christopher dedicated his life to the wisdom teachings, so that he may be able to pass them on to others with the intention of bringing about a more peaceful, loving, and compassionate worldview. Christopher has taught extensively around the world since 2009, completing residencies in centres in the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Wales, Thailand, and USA. Please visit www.suchsweetthunder.org for more details.

Thanarat Pui

Thanarat is a movement-based expressive art facilitator. She was a retreat facilitator at New Life Foundation in 2019. Currently she is working at an addiction recovery center in Chiang Mai, Thailand, teaching mindfulness practice, expressive arts, and body movement. In this silent retreat, she will be a co-facilitator with Chris by creating a space for self-reflection and listening to the wisdom of the body through art and movement.

Retreat Program

Day 1 (Friday 17th July):

8.30 am – 4.00 pm: Arrivals, guided tour, registration

6.00 pm: Dinner

7.30 pm: Opening talk

9.00 pm: Noble Silence until 9.15 am the next morning

Days 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7:

6.00 am: Meditation

7.00 am: Mindful movement

8.15 am – 9.15 am: Breakfast

9.15 am – 11.45 am: Meditation

12.00 pm: Lunch

1.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Meditation

4.30 pm – 6.00 pm: Mindful movement

6.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Dinner break

7.00 pm – 8.00 pm: Silent meditation

8.00 pm – 9.00 pm: Dharma talk

9.00 pm: Noble Silence until 9.15 am the next morning

Day 4: Silent day of meditation

6.00 am – 8.15 am: Silent meditation

8.15 am – 915 am: Breakfast

9.15 am – 11.45 am: Silent meditation

12.00 pm: Lunch

1.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Silent meditation

4.30 pm – 6.00 pm: Mindful movement

6.00 pm – 7.00 pm: Dinner break

7.00 pm – 8.00 pm: Silent meditation

8.00 pm – 9.00 pm: Dharma talk

9.00 pm: Noble Silence until 9.15 am the next morning

Day 8:

6.00 am – 8.15 am: Meditation

8.15 am – 915 am: Breakfast

9.15 am – 11.45 am: Meditation

12.00 pm: Lunch

1.30 pm – 4.30 pm: Meditation

4.30 pm – 6.00 pm: Discussion, sharing, retreat conclusion

6.00 pm: Dinner and checkout