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SanghaSeva | Meditation in Action: Upcoming Events


Being Peace Weekend Retreat
Meeting the conflict with peace and understanding in Israel and Palestine
2 - 4 May, 2024
Humanity in Action: Supporting a Safe Haven
in Calais, France
29 May - 2 June, 2024
Earth Care Day
A day of working in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park: an inner-city jungle in London, UK
13 July, 2024
Being Peace
Being the change we wish to see by opening to the age old conflict in Israel and Palestine
16 - 27 October, 2024
Being Peace: Evening Meeting
Joining remotely to listen with peace and understanding in Palestine Online
31 October, 2024
Earth Care: Tree Planting
in Devon, UK
13 - 19 January, 2025
Other retreats led by SanghaSeva facilitators

 

Upcoming Events

On this page we have a brief explanation of our next retreats with links to get more information. For the long retreats we have more information on the site, for the shorter (day or weekend) events please register your interest for more information via email.

In addition to SanghaSeva's own retreats we are also listing events we wish to promote that closely share our vision of an integrated practice. They are being offered by independent organisations we resonate with, and/or run by SanghaSeva facilitators. To make this as clear as possible they are listed under the heading SanghaSeva Supports. These are not adverts, and no money or favours have changed hands in creating this expanded listing.



 

Being Peace Weekend Retreat, Israel and Palestine
2 - 4 May, 2024

“Be the change you want to see” - Mahatma Gandhi

This retreat lovingly flows through the walls of separation that have been built up between Israelis and Palestinians; physical walls, but also those built within our hearts.
The aim of this retreat is to cross the real and imagined border between these countries; so close and yet often so far apart.
By not allowing ourselves to be limited by the constructed roles we have been taught to play, we can directly express our human goodness ourselves.
This is a chance to experience the situation more directly; beyond stereotypes, media images and fearful projections.

Being Peace

We have been running this retreat since 2006, and over 15 years of Being Peace we have established a relationship of trust and friendship in the villages and communities we work with. To support us all in opening to this complex situation with peace and intimacy we will be spending a few nights in a Palestinian village. While there we will meet and work with Palestinian families in the olive harvest, and hear how life under occupation is affecting them.

Picking the Tree

Our wish is to bring support and understanding to all those living in this conflict, and to make the meeting of Jews and Arabs, Israeli and Palestinian, a reality.
We hope to bring more understanding, more compassion and more peace, both to the moments of the retreat and to the situation as a whole.

This is a shorter version of the Being Peace retreat that normally happens at this time of year. This weekend retreat is primarily aimed at people who are already living or spending time in the region.

The retreat will be facilitated by Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde.

If you are interested in exploring what it is to "Be Peace":

להרשמה ולקבלת מידע נוסף על סופהשבוע בעברית

Register your interest for this Being Peace Weekend retreat to receive more information in English.

 

Humanity in Action: Supporting a Safe Haven in Calais, France
29 May - 2 June, 2024

“Refugees are going to continue to come, and the only question is what we are going to do to help them.”
- Davan Yahya Khalil

An opportunity to embody our humane response to crisis, and take the chance to care for others.
To embrace our shared humanity and see the person beyond the label 'refugee'.
To open to this painful reality and make a difference by helping create a safe haven for those who have seen the worst of humanity.

refugee1

We will be helping NGOs created to support refugees who are experiencing real hardship. This is essential work that continues even though the Calais camps were shut down towards the end of 2016. Our time there will be an act of solidarity and contribute to a real difference for those who truly need help.

The Humanity in Action retreat will combine this positive action with meditation, discussions, and group processing.

Picking Olives

We will be working with grassroots organisations formed by volunteers that came to support the crisis before the camps were demolished and residents evicted.

It is not possible to know ahead of time exactly what we will do nor what is needed to support the noble humanitarian work, but we aim to find work suitable for all ages and energy levels. Our morning work will probably be in the warehouses where we may be sorting donations, and preparing food and other necessities into parcels for distribution. In the afternoon we may engage with the distribution, and offering other services: like hot drinks, sewing, hair station, games… to those in need.

If you are touched by this project but cannot join us, you could also help by sponsoring someone else to go. If you would like to, please donate to the assistance fund.

The retreat will be facilitated by Nathan Glyde.

If you are interested read more information and register your interest for this retreat.

 

Earth Care Day, London, UK with London Insight Meditation
13 July, 2024

leaves

This is an opportunity to spend a day outdoors together, working gently with the earth as an expression of our hearts.
The day will be framed by periods of meditation and contemplation cultivating greater awareness in a daily life setting.
Bringing positive action and spiritual practice together gives us an opportunity to express our care and love for our planet, while also offering an opportunity to meet and connect with like minded people.

We will be working at and with the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, participating in wildlife and habitat conservation work.

This could include weeding, pruning, brambling, habitat creation, path repairing etc.
No skills or previous experience required; everyone is welcome.

Times: 9:30 to 17:00

Cost: £12 to cover organisational costs.
There will be the possibility to offer dana to the facilitators at the end of the day.

The retreat day will be facilitated by Zohar Lavie, Nathan Glyde, and James Blake.

This event is run jointly with London Insight Meditation.

If you are interested to receive more information please register your interest for this day retreat.

 

Being Peace in Israel and Palestine
16 - 27 October, 2024

See text below for joining for shorter periods

“Be the change you want to see” - Mahatma Gandhi

An opportunity to open your heart to the complex situation in Israel and Palestine.
To connect directly with the people and their pain beyond media reportage, views and opinions.
To develop our ability to be with difficulty, conflict, and blame.
To stay steady with strong emotions and expand our capacity for peacefulness, kindness and care.
To meet and be inspired by those who choose peace when all around them pushes towards conflict.

Outlook

We will be spending time both in Palestine and in Israel, meeting Palestinians and Israelis whose lives are directly affected by the conflict. We will harvest olives with Palestinian villagers who have difficulties accessing their olive groves due to the Israeli army and settlers.

Picking Olives

The aim of this retreat is to bring love, compassion, and an openness of heart and mind to a place of pain, suffering and confusion.

We will be working with both Palestinians and Jews dedicated to a non-violent transformation of their lives. Our wish is to bring support and understanding to all those living this conflict and its effects. There will be silent days of meditation and reflection, and group explorations into being with our experience.

If you are touched by this project but cannot join us, you could help by sponsoring someone else to go. If you would like to, please donate to the assistance fund.

If you would like to join the retreat but require financial assistance please contact us.

The retreat will be facilitated by Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde.

If you are interested read more information and register your interest for this retreat.

If you are already in the area you could join us for a long weekend either 11-14 or 18-21 October. Please, also read more information and register your interest for a partial time.

להרשמה ולקבלת מידע נוסף על סופהשבוע בעברית
The link above will take you to a google form to complete, other ones use our own private web service.

 

Being Peace: Evening Meeting
Joining remotely to listen with peace and understanding in Palestine Online
31 October, 2024

A chance to visit Palestine for the evening and meet a student who is seeking an education despite the impact of occupation. An opportunity to practice compassionate listening, and to build bridges over barriers of separation, and participate in our shared humanity.

This event is co-run with Spring Up Foundation. Read more and sign up for this freely offered event

 

Earth Care: Tree Planting in Devon, UK
13 - 19 January, 2025

“The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now” - Anon

This retreat is an opportunity to touch the earth and lay down roots of peace and restoration;
A time for supporting inner and outer growth in and for nature;
This is a chance to aid greater diversity, range, and plenitude for the wild places of the planet.

Moor Land View

The aim of this retreat is to gather in community around Moor Trees' mission to restore native woodland. Then while we work in the land, we will deepening our connection to ourselves and to nature.

We will stay near Dartmoor in the beauty of Eden Rise, where we will have space and time for meditation and community.

The retreat will comprise four days of tree planting. These days will not be hard work, and we will adapt to the abilities of the group. But please be aware that tree planting does require bending and working in the wild outdoors. In the middle day of the retreat we will have a restful day of meditative silence, reflection, and inquiry.
We hope this event will support community, positive action, and support our meditative practices.

Picking the Tree

The retreat will be facilitated by Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde.

If you are interested in exploring what it is to express "Earth Care" with some meditative tree planting, please read more and register your interest for the Earth Care retreat.

 




Other retreats led by SanghaSeva facilitators

Read more about SanghaSeva's facilitators.


Visit DependentOrigination.org for more information about Zohar and Nathan's silent retreat schedule.