Echos from an Empty Sky – Meditation Retreat with Dónal Creedon
November 22, 2024 @ 6:00 PM - December 21, 2024 @ 12:00 PM SAST
“All things hang like a drop of dew
Upon a blade of grass.” ~ W.B.Yeats
This year we will continue to explore the human condition, particularly our common experience of disillusionment and disappointment in life. According to the Buddha, the source of trouble is self-grasping and in particular the afflicted mind (kliṣṭamanas).
The Sanskrit word klista has the connotations of “pain,” “affliction,” “distress,” “anguish,” “anger,” and “worldly trouble.” As long as the afflicted mind rules we are never out of trouble. The teachings on transience (anitya), self absence (anātman), dissatisfaction (duhkha), emptiness (shūnyata), and buddha nature (sugatagarbha) will form the background. In particular, our lodestar will be the teachings on Buddha nature which point to another possibility, beyond illusion, the other shore (Pāramitā) as it were.
These teachings form the basis for Mahamūdra. Our intention is to bring these extraordinary teachings out of the text and into our lives in a non-theoretical way. Why not give it a go? Take a leap into the deep end.
Ideally, it’s best to attend the whole retreat if possible. Nonetheless, it is acceptable to attend in part for a minimum of one week with entry dates on Friday 22 November, Saturday 30 November, and Saturday 7 December.
Conditions for Joining the Retreat
This is a Buddhist meditation retreat and is particularly suitable for those with some knowledge and experience. However, everyone is welcome. Each person should be committed to the programme and leave personal demands and agendas aside. This is essential. Ethical conduct based on Buddhist precepts and consideration for others is assumed. If you cannot fulfill these conditions please do not come.
About Dónal Creedon
Dónal Creedon is a Buddhist meditation teacher with many years of experience, loved and deeply appreciated for his warmth, openness, and sincerity. He studied and practiced with Buddhist masters of the Kagyu practice lineage in Europe as well as in India and Nepal. This involved many years of intense retreat. Dónal also spent a number of years at the Krishnamurti Centre in Varanasi as resident Buddhist scholar. Thus the radical inquiry of Krishnamurti informs his approach.
In 2017, he published ‘The Main of Light’, a study that examines the teachings of J Krishnamurti in the light of Buddhist teachings, specifically the teachings of the Mahamudra and Dzogchen lineages. The teachings of the Buddha and Krishnamurti both explore the most profound and fundamental questions of human existence. They directly address the questions of sorrow, fear, and death, as well as the deepest meaning a human life can attain beyond the travail and illusion of dualism. They point to the sources of sorrow and the ending of sorrow, to the possibility of living a life informed by intelligence and compassion. As Dónal says: “It is my hope that this study will serve as a modest contribution to what I feel is an immensely important area of human exploration. I hope it will stimulate questions not only in Buddhist and Krishnamurti students but anyone interested in the deep problems that affect our world so grievously.”
Cost
The costs include accommodation, all ova-lacto meals from supper on the first night to lunch on the last day, a supplement for teacher airfares, and an optional R60 environmental levy. There is a 5 % discount if you stay for 2 weeks, a 10% discount for 3 weeks, and a 15% discount for 4 weeks. These discounts are already included in the cost.
TRC members receive a further 10% discount if membership is paid up for 6 months before the retreat.
The cost excludes Dana (an offering of appreciation to the teacher), and staff tips.
| Accommodation: From Fri 22 November | 8 Nights | 15 Nights | 22 Nights | 29 Nights |
| Camping (own tent) | R5,200 | R7,900 | R10,300 | R12,400 |
| Camping TRC Tent/Cabin | R6,000 | R9,300 | R12,300 | R14,900 |
| Dormitory | R6,000 | R9,300 | R12,300 | R14,900 |
| Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing, per person) | R6,800 | R10,700 | R14,300 | R17,300 |
| Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing, per person) | R7,600 | R12,200 | R16,300 | R19,800 |
| Single room with shared bathroom | R8,400 | R13,600 | R18,200 | R22,300 |
| Single ensuite room | R9,200 | R15,000 | R20,200 | R24,700 |
| Single Rooms (Office Block) | R6,000 | R9,300 | R12,300 | R14,900 |
| Brown House en suite, shared | R7,200 | R11,400 | R15,300 | R18,600 |
| Brown House – single | R6,400 | R10,000 | R13,300 | R16,100 |
| Brown House – dorm | R5,600 | R8,600 | R11,300 | R13,700 |
| Accommodation: From Sat 30 November/Sat 7 December | 7 Nights | 14 Nights | 21 Nights |
| Camping (own tent) | R4,700 | R7,500 | R9,900 |
| Camping TRC Tent/Cabin | R5,400 | R8,800 | R11,800 |
| Dormitory | R5,400 | R8,800 | R11,800 |
| Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing, per person) | R6,100 | R10,100 | R13,700 |
| Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing, per person) | R6,800 | R11,500 | R15,600 |
| Single room with shared bathroom | R7,500 | R12,800 | R17,500 |
| Single ensuite room | R8,200 | R14,100 | R19,400 |
| Single Rooms (Office Block) | R5,400 | R8,800 | R11,800 |
| Brown House en suite, shared | R6,500 | R10,800 | R14,600 |
| Brown House – single | R5,800 | R9,500 | R12,700 |
| Brown House – dorm | R5,100 | R8,100 | R10,900 |
Please contact us for work-exchange options or payment plans.
Transport to/from TRC & Airport Shuttle
An airport shuttle will be available from OR Tambo to TRC on Friday 22, and Sat 30 November, and a return journey on Sat 21 December. Other shuttle trips may be organized on the change-over days, depending on number of participants.
The cost for the return airport shuttle is estimated at R1700 per person. This is an extra cost, and not included above.
TRC will help with carpooling where possible. It is also possible to travel on the InterCape bus from OR Tambo airport (leaving at 11 AM) to Groot Marico (around R350) and TRC can arrange a pickup to the Centre (R200). The InterCape bus leaves Groot Marico at about 9 AM, if you would like to return using the bus.
Please ensure that your flight arrives before 10 am (8 AM if you are using the InterCape bus), to give you time to collect your luggage and pass through immigration. On the return trip, the shuttle will depart TRC around lunchtime, to arrive at ORT by 5.30 pm. Please book local flights to leave after 7 pm, and international flights to leave after 8 pm.
To Book
Please use our online booking form, which can be completed easily on a phone or tablet. Bookings are open.
A 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation. You are also welcome to discuss a payment plan with us.
People who stay for longer periods will be preferentially allocated their choice of accommodation.