The Good Retreat Guide: Over 500 Places to Find Peace and Spiritual Renewal in Britain, Ireland, France, Spain and Greece [Paperback]

"I feel rested and refreshed after reading this calm, come-hither compendium" Christine Hardymen, Telegraph Magazine

"An inexpensive way of finding peace" The Guardian

"Spiritual Sustenance without being force fed" The Sunday Times

"Vital breaks for the pace of work" Time Out

"Stillness is as vital to well-being as regular aerobic exercise. It can help restore physical energy and emotional balance." Leslie Kenton

"Explains the differences and details the facilities and charges" Daily Express

"More and more people are visiting Britain’s retreat houses in search of civilised tranquillity and solitude" The Times --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

'Vital breaks from the pace of work' Time Out

'An eye-opening experience' Sunday Telegraph

The world's bestselling guide to retreats

Now in its sixth edition, The Good Retreat Guide is the definitive work on

where to find a retreat that suits you. This popular book is used by people

everywhere who need to find a place where the world will not intrude - a

place aside to nurture the spirit, heal the body and bring peace. Whatever

your beliefs, the world's most authoritative guide offers the greatest

choices of retreats, from monasteries to holistic holidays. It explains:

¦ the purpose of a retreat

¦ what you do on one and how to make the most of it

¦ the many different kinds, including Meditation, Yoga, Buddhist

& Christian Spiritual Practices, Healing & Wellness, Earth Walking,

Wilderness, Interfaith, Sacred Journeys, Painting, Eco-Spirituality,

Gardening, Spa, Music, Dance, Prayer, Singing, Tai-Chi, and Holistic

¦ the benefit of spiritual exercises for self-development and better health.

With a selection of retreats in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain,

Italy, other European countries, Asia and Africa - The Good Retreat Guide is all

you need to find a refreshing break and a renewal of mind, body and spirit

away from the demands of a hectic world.

'An inexpensive way to find peace' Guardian

Start your journey today with The Good Retreat Guide and give yourself a heart

full of hope.

www.thegoodretreatguide.com

Tel: 0845 458 4716
Fax: 020 8980 1960
e-mail: info@lbc.org.

Buddhist - Friends of the Western Buddhist Order

The Friends of the Western Buddhist Order (FWBO) strives to put Buddhism's essential teachings into practice in the West through identifying core Buddhist principles and values and making them relevant to men and women living in the modern world. The London Buddhist Centre is at the heart of a thriving spiritual community in the East End of London and an essential part of the international and rapidly expanding FWBO movement. Buddhist practices and classes are offered as well as retreats for people of all levels of experience and of all ages. Evening and lunchtime meditation classes are available. There is no residential community in London as such, so people can only visit by attending one of the organised retreats. You may, of course, call into the Centre for a brief visit. However, a sort of Buddhist village has evolved around the Centre. There are small shops and restaurants, which share common values and are run co-operatively. The Natural Health Centre, Bodywise (Tel: !
020 8981 6938), offers a wide range of yoga classes, alternative treatments and therapies. On the retreat side of things there is a wide variety of retreats and special spiritual events on the programme, which may include gay men's retreats; people of colour retreats; family retreats; parents and children's retreats; a summer open retreat of nine nights; a working retreat, which combines meditation, study and work; and seminars on ancient wisdom, which may include the Buddha's advice on relationships and the practice of the Dharma in everyday life. Regular retreats are held at Vajrasana, the retreat centre in Suffolk, all year around. If you are interested in Buddhism, this is a great place to get started. Highly Recommended.

Open: All year Monday to Friday, 10a.m.-5p.m. Receives everyone.

Rooms: Discuss accommodation with the Centre when you decide what interests you on the programme. Singles, doubles, dormitories and camping available depending on the retreat.

Facilities: Disabled, garden. Other facilities available at Vajrasana.

Spiritual Help: Personal talks, group sharing, spiritual direction, personal retreat direction, meditation, directed study.

Guests Admitted to: Everywhere.

Meals: Everyone eats together. Whole food, vegetarian, special diets.

Special Activities: Programme of events. Brochure available and information on FWBO.

Situation: In a city but very quiet. Other FWBO retreat locations outside London are also quiet and peaceful.

Maximum Stay: By arrangement.

Bookings: Letter, fax, e-mail, telephone 10.a.m.-5p.m.

Charges: Charges vary, but introductory meditation weekend retreat is about £95 or £55 concessionary rate. Longer retreats run at different rates, but there are concessionary rates for these too.

Access: Underground: Bethnal Green and then a walk. Buses: Nos. 253 and 8.

*

Ammerdown Centre
Radstock
Bath BA3 5SW

Tel: 01761 433709
Fax: 01761 433094
e-mail: centre@ammerdown.

Ecumenical

Ammerdown, which has now been operating for thirty years, is an outstanding retreat centre. It offers one of the most extensive and broadly spiritual ranges of retreats and courses on offer anywhere in Britain. Some of them may include A Taste of Buddhism, A Taste of Hinduism, Prayer Weekend, Circle Dancing, Dreams, The Four Faces of the Moon, Art of Living, Healing Breath Workshop and The Beatitudes and Colour. Among other subjects covered are ecumenical dialogue, interfaith dialogue, Christian ethics, Christian Jewish Bible study and meditation skills. The Centre also provides accommodation for those who wish to spend time alone on a prayer retreat. The Centre occupies various attractive old buildings in and around the stable-block of Ammerdown House, the private residence of Lord Hylton and his family. Some of the parklands and gardens are open to residents. While predominantly Christian, the governing body also represents other religious communities. For example, one of the governors has been the well-known Rabbi Lionel Blue. The Ammerdown Centre is an open Christian community dedicated to peace, reconciliation and renewal. It makes provision within a secure, welcoming and prayerful atmosphere with respect for all regardless of beliefs. There is plenty on offer for both the first-time private retreatant and for those who attend religious retreats regularly. Course leaders are experienced and informed and include such people as Dr Karen Jankulak from the University of Wales at Lampeter, Hal French from the USA, Gerald O'Collins, Joyce Rupp and Rabbi Mark Solomon from Leo Baeck College in London. Guests are welcome to join the resident community at prayer times during the week. Highly Recommended.

Open: All year except Christmas. Receives men, women, young people, families, groups, non-retreatants.

Rooms: 31 singles, 11 doubles (including 5 family rooms), 1 self-catering flat, also the self-catering Peace Cottage with various accommodations.

Facilities: Disabled - 2 ground-floor rooms, specially designed bathrooms, loop system. Conference rooms, garden, park, library, guest lounge with bar, TV, payphone (01761 433708), chapel, prayer room, religious bookshop, craft shop, woodland and parkland walks, heated summer swimming pool, various games such as badminton.

Spiritual Help: Personal talks, group sharing, meditation, directed study, spiritual direction, personal retreat direction, community prayer twice a day.

Guests Admitted to: Unrestricted access.

Meals: Everyone eats together at big tables - very jolly and friendly dining room. Self-catering facilities. Traditional food and there is always a vegetarian option. Special diets.

Special Activities: A very extensive programme - see brochure.

Situation: Very quiet, in the countryside, with access to large and lovely parkland.

Maximum Stay: By arrangement or by duration of course.

Bookings: Letter, fax, e-mail, telephone 9a.m.-5p.m.

Charges: Price range £36 to £51 per person per 24 hours. Each course is individually priced, so consult the programme for the current year. £80-£175 gives you some idea of range, but it can be less or more than this.

Access: Train: Bath Spa. Buses: to Radstock. Car: Centre is just off A362.