Mid-Summer Silent Meditation Retreat
5-night Residential Retreat
7:00pm Saturday 28th June to
10:30am Thursday 3rd July 2025
Leader: Alysun Jones and Juliet Hackney
Venue: Shawbottom Farm, UK
Booking: Book now
This silent retreat is based on the Buddha's early teachings on mindfulness. It is suitable for beginner and experienced meditators alike. It will encourage you to develop your awareness through focussing on different aspects of mindfulness (including the body, feelings and mind).
Practising meditation may help to clarify and settle your habitual reactions. This leads to a more direct appreciation of the here and now and the possibility of experiencing greater freedom in everyday life.
Rising early each day the retreat will include teaching on Buddhist principles, meditation instruction, silent and guided meditation. There will also be mindful movement practice (from a qualified Tai Chi Movements for Wellbeing instructor), and individual meetings with the teachers for personal guidance.
Covid precautions for retreat
Please read our Covid plan which will apply to this retreat (unless we update it in the meantime). It requires some commitments from you, and some actions by you before the retreat, so please read and consider it before making your retreat booking.
Fees
- Understanding fee options
- Standard Fee: £365
- Login to view availability of Supported Places
Booking
Before you can book you will need to register and then login and return to this page.
If you are already registered, click the "Book online" link below. That will take you to login, then redirect you to the booking page to make the booking.
Places available: 4 or more:
Essential Reading
- General Information on Retreats
- Booking and Cancellation conditions
- Retreat Centres
- Daily Schedule
- Preparing for Retreats
- Covid precautions for Retreats
Leader: Alysun Jones and Juliet Hackney
Alysun Jones has been meditating in the Western Chan tradition for over 30 years. John Crook was her first Teacher and continued as her Teacher all his life. She also practised in the Soto Zen and Tibetan traditions.
Alysun has been leading a WCF local meditation group for the last eight years and has also led some online and day retreats. She is a qualified clinical Psychologist, currently working part time in the NHS. In her spare time she loves to grow organic vegetables and fruit, and care for her chickens and bees.
Juliet Hackney has practised meditation since 2004 in a variety of Buddhist traditions. She has practised with WCF since 2009 and led a WCF local group since 2011. She works part time as a GP and is training to become a counsellor.
Shawbottom Farm
Shawbottom is a 23 acre (9 hectare) farm property nestled within a wildlife corridor connecting two nature reserves in the Peak District National Park. The buildings have been modernised and converted to provide group accommodation and it is an ideal property for isolated rural meditation retreats.
It is secluded, being accessed via a private track which does not lead to any other properties.
It is not open to casual visitors, only for pre-arranged visits.
Accommodation
Upstairs there are four large bedrooms, which are used as small dormitories. There are also three bathrooms, providing three toilets and three showers.
On the ground floor there is a bedroom designated as an accessible bedroom but which can also be used as an ordinary bedroom for two people. There is an accessible wetroom, and two more toilets and one more shower.
Also on the ground floor there is a large kitchen-diner which can accommodate 25 people though we will usually accept fewer than this for residential retreats.
All of the bedrooms offer long views across the surrounding countryside.
The building has been fully renovated and modernised with insulation exceeding current standards, and with underfloor heating.
Location Map and Directions
Please visit the directions page on the Shawbottom website, which also has a photo gallery
Electric Vehicle Charging
There is a Zappi v2 EV charger, with a tethered Type 2 cable, which (subject to availability and operating condition) you may use to top-up your electric vehicle. If your car is older and needs a Type 1 connector you will need to bring a Type2->Type1 adaptor with you.
Charging is currently at standard daytime tariff rates. Terms and conditions for use of the charger are subject to change without notice.
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The articles on this website have been submitted by various authors and the views expressed do not necessarily represent the views of the Western Chan Fellowship.
