Sutra of Life, with Donal Creedon

Overview

We live in a world where there is tremendous pressure and speed. Violence and fear are everywhere. We are like driftwood, caught in a torrent. Rarely is there a moment of stillness and silence. There is very little space and time to discover what it actually means to be a human being and live naturally and gracefully. Yet it need not be so if we take the time to listen, think and meditate, and to understand ‘the Sutra of Life’.

We have to learn who we are, what we are, where we are and what it means to be a human being. We need to see the truth directly for ourselves. The main point of our retreat is to explore both surfaces and depths of our life, using the maps of mind-heart provided by the Buddha. It involves looking into the shadow lands of the human psyche and as well rediscovering our true nature, our true home.

‘Everyday is a journey and the journey itself is home’.
Bashō

The retreat is particularly suitable for those with some experience who wish to further their practice and understanding. However, beginners who don’t mind jumping in the deep end are welcome. Participants should commit to 4 hours group sitting each day. There will be time for personal practice and study.

Retreat Leader

Dónal Creedon is a Buddhist meditation teacher with many years 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 which 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.”

 Conditions for joining the retreat

Each person should be committed to the full programme and leave personal demands and agendas aside. This is essential. Ethical conduct and sensitivity to others is assumed. Activities such as offering various therapies etc for money is not permitted, however it is fine to help others if needed.

Retreat Options

Those who wish to do part of the retreat will be able to attend for a week, a fortnight or the full 19 night period. The weeks should correspond to the dates below. Less than one week is not acceptable (except for the 5 day secular retreat, over New Year). Participants should be fully committed to the programme, leaving behind personal demands and agendas.

The weeks are as follows:

Bookings

Please use our online booking form, which can be completed easily on a phone or tablet. Click here.

Retreat Costs

The retreat fee includes accommodation (including bedding and towels), three ovo-lactarian meals a day, teas and snacks, a contribution towards the retreat leader’s flight costs and a environmental levy. TRC members receive a 10% discount on all length retreats (if they have been members for 6 months already).

Dana (a donation) will be accepted by the retreat leader in appreciation of his teachings.

A 50% non-refundable (but transferable) deposit will secure your place. Please book early as Donal is a very popular retreat teacher and this retreat is expected to be fully-booked. You may not be able to get your first choice of room. Please be as flexible as possible, and we will do our very best to help.  Single occupancy of a twin room will only be possible if the retreat is not full as TRC’s primary wish is for as many people as possible to benefit from these retreats.

Click here to book.

The retreat starts at 6pm on the first day, and ends at lunchtime on the last.

Although it is not guaranteed, group transport or car pooling is often organised by TRC, depending on demand. On 14th December, the minibus will leave from OR Tambo at 12 noon, so please ensure that international flights arrive before 10am, to give you time to collect your luggage and pass through immigration. On 2nd January, the minibus will depart after lunch, to arrive at ORT by 5.30pm. Please book international flights to leave after 8pm.

For the weeks in between, it is unlikely that there will be enough people for the shuttle, but TRC will help with car pooling where possible. It is also possible to get the Intercape bus from Park Station to Groot Marico (around R250) and TRC can arrange a lift to the Centre for R100.

For more general retreat information, please click here.