Join David Rycroft in his drawing & painting workshop to explore how artistic activity and meditation mutually nourish each other!
This event is an invitation to explore our own creativity. In the inspiring environment of Lerab Ling and held in a warm atmosphere of mutual support, we will all have plenty of time and space to delve into the richness of our own creativity.
In this fourth edition, we will repeat some of the exercises seen in previous workshops, as well as explore new harmonies between art and meditation.
With the help of art exercises, one-to-one conversations and group sharing, and with references to both Buddhist philosophy and art history, we will enrich our capacity for artistic expression.
Grounded in meditation, we see if we can bring a natural ease, presence, and sparkle into our artistic activity. And if we notice how easy it is to become awkward and self-critical, we can play with that too!
A series of art exercisesinvite us to:
Look at the world in a fresh way, unencumbered by our usual concepts
Tap into our intuition and inner powers of inspiration
Meditation sessionswill give us the opportunity to:
Change our attitude towards self-critical thoughts and comments
Find relaxation, without losing clarity
By alternating art sessions with meditation sessions, we develop our confidence in our artistic activity and bring freshness and ease to our meditation.
Each day, several art activities will take place outside, where we can be directly inspired by the wonders of the natural world. There will also be plenty of space for sharing and connecting with each other.
All materials are included. All levels of artistic and meditative experience are welcome!
> REGISTRATION
Please register 36 hours before the event at the latest
> PRACTICAL INFO
START Saturday 18 May – 10am END Monday 20 May – 4pm
CHECK-IN AND PICK-UP BADGES / KEYS Friday 17 May: 2-6pm and Saturday 18 May 9-9.45am For arrivals after 6pm on Friday, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
CONTRIBUTION to the event - €168 (Does not include accommodation and meals)
David Rycroft is an international artist whose paintings celebrate the vitality, balance and naturalness of both the physical world and the human spirit. He has been teaching art and meditation for over 20 years. After exhibitions in Paris (UNESCO) and London, his most recent work, "Arbres de Lumières", can be seen at the Galerie Ancien Courrier in Montpellier. David has a Masters in Buddhist Studies and is co-founder of Mind With Heart, an international charity bringing tools for emotional health into schools.
PROVISIONAL SCHEDULE
Saturday 18 10.00am - Introduction, meditation 10.30am - Exploring the tool-box: some preliminary exercises 11.30am - Painting: exploring colour harmonies Lunch break 02.00pm - Abstract art and emotions 03.00pm - Compositions in nature 04.45pm - Sharing and meditation
Sunday 19 09.30am - Meditation 10.00am - Buddha images, zen calligraphy and tantric mandalas: exploring the power of art Lunch break 02.00pm - Meditation 03.00pm - Contemplative painting in nature 04.45pm - Sharing and meditation
Monday 20 09.30am - Meditation 10.00am - Masterpiece or master peace? Lunch break 02.00pm - Meditation 02.30pm - Pulling together and letting go 03.30pm - Sharing and conclusion
> FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Our commitment is for everyone who wishes to come to Lerab Ling, to have access to our programmes, whatever their financial circumstances. We offer different options for those who are unable to pay the standard contribution.
Does maternal love have anything to do with the construction of our inner world?
In this seminar, we'll explore together the mysterious universe of the feminine in its particular dimension of being at once earth, container, source of life, protection... and many other things. This mysterious universe speaks of love, maternal love, unconditional love too.
We all have a story about maternal love and unconditional love. A story full of humanity, pleasure or suffering, attraction and repulsion, fulfilment or lack. Most of the time, we run away from our inner world to avoid finding our deepest suffering.
Discovering buddhism, sharing lunch with the community and visiting one of the most beautiful Buddhist Temples in Europe
Come and discover a wisdom that is beneficial to everyday life, that of the teachings of Buddha and meditation. This day is an invitation to take a break and get in touch with yourself.
Discover meditation and Buddhism as a family, have lunch together and visit one of the most beautiful Buddhist temples in Europe.
Join us to explore new ways of communicating consciously and with kindness as a family, and discover the beneficial wisdom of the Buddha's teachings and meditation practice in the preserved and natural site of Lerab Ling.
Unite meditation, physical movement and conviviality
Dates: from 30 March to 1 April
This stay in a natural environment that promotes inner peace, will give you a deep experience of meditation and authentic instructions rooted in Buddhist teachings.
The mornings will be devoted to meditation practice and instructions. This time we'll cover the gradual steps from calm abiding meditation to the instructions for clear seeing meditation (vipashyana). No previous meditation experience is required.
The afternoons will be dedicated to the discovery and practice of several activities such as Yoga, walking, and Qi Gong, which will be taught by experienced teachers and will allow us to experience and integrate meditation in movement.
Offer your loved ones a unique and revitalising experience in an exceptional natural environment. You can choose between two ways of offering a stay at Lerab Ling to someone of your choice: a gift card or a "bon cadeau".
1. GIFT CARDS – CONTRIBUTE TO A STAY AT LERAB LING!
The gift card you offer will contribute to the event the person chooses (retreat, course, meditation break, etc.). They can use it at the end of the registration process.
This option allows them to choose the event they want from our programme. They will be able to choose the event, the dates and the accommodation.
Please note - The gift card is valid for 1 year, and can be used for our entire programme except for courses, discovery days, heritage days, or a temple visit.
2. BONS CADEAUX – OFFER A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE!
Only for meditation breaks, the "bon cadeau" allows you to offer a complete gift.
Please note - The “bon cadeau” packages are for 2 nights and 3 days on site, but it is entirely possible to have a longer stay. For this, please contact us by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The serenity getaway weekend at Lerab Ling is a rejuvenating break, with no constraints, in a unique spiritual environment. You'll be immersed in unspoilt nature, surrounded by forests, meadows and hills. Naomi, your hostess, will tell you the amazing story of Lerab Ling, show you around the temple - one of the most beautiful in Europe, an authentic masterpiece of Tibetan sacred art - guide you in meditation and take you for walks in the surrounding area.
THE PLACE
Lerab Ling is one of Europe's leading centres for the study and practice of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Lerab Ling is a living monastery, home to a community of monastic and lay members. The temple is also home to unique Tibetan art, including a 7-metre-high statue of the Buddha.
Lerab Ling is ideally situated in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, close to the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park. Since its creation in 1991, the Lerab Ling community has been taking care of the flora and fauna, making Lerab Ling a unique place where nature is preserved over 140 hectares.
MEALS AND ACCOMMODATION
On the evening of your arrival, you will share a meal with Naomi. Other meals are taken in the dining room, which is shared with the community. The cuisine is simple, mainly vegetarian, with a vegan and gluten-free option. Whenever possible, produce is sourced from Lerab Ling's own vegetable garden or from local producers. Most are organic and in season.
As far as accommodation is concerned, we offer two types of accommodation close to the temple. The choice is yours. Bed linen and towels are provided.
The studios, with their spacious rooms and views of the temple, lake and valley, include a private bathroom, and a kitchenette.
The forest roomsare located in three small 3-storey wooden towers. The rooms are comfortable, and a bathroom may be shared with another room.
> REGISTRATION
Dates March : 29-31 April : 5-8, 12-15 May : 7-9 June : 31 May - 2 June Other dates coming
Please register 36 hours before the event at the latest
> PRACTICAL INFO
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TIMES Arrival on the 1st day, between 2.30 pm and 7 pm (check-in and pick-up badges and keys) Departure at your convenience the afternoon of the last day
CONTRIBUTION all inclusive + taxes
For one person Forest room: €192 Studio: €262
For 2 people Forest room: €316 Studio: €404
For 3 people Forest room: €508 Studio: from €606
For 4 people Forest room: €632 Studio: €808
LANGUAGES French, English, German
NAOMI, YOUR HOSTESS
Naomi will be your hostess throughout the weekend and will be happy to make your stay at Lerab Ling as enjoyable as possible. She will adapt to your needs and answer any questions you may have.
Naomi is a writer, long-time meditator and Rigpa teacher. She trained extensively with Sogyal Rinpoche, author of the spiritual classic 'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying'. Naomi grew up in Innsbruck, Austria. She studied physics and mathematics and obtained her doctorate from Northeastern University in Boston, USA. In 1997, she moved to Lerab Ling and has been working ever since, translating and relaying ancient Buddhist wisdom to the Western world. She is passionate about transmitting the teachings on incorporating the activities of daily life onto one's own spiritual path, called 'Practical Wisdom’.
PROGRAMME SCHEDULE
Friday
14:00 - 19:00 - Arrival, pick-up of keys, settling into your accommodation
20:00 - Dinner with your hostess, in a small group
Saturday
07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast
10:00 - 11:30 Visiting the temple and learning about meditation
11:30 - 13:00 Lunch
Afternoon at leisure
From 17:30 - Dinner
Sunday
07:30 - 09:00 Breakfast
10:00 - 11:30 Walk in the forest, accompanied by your hostess
11:30 - 13:00 - Lunch
Afternoon at leisure
Departure at your convenience
4 GOOD REASONS TO SPEND A SERENE GETAWAY AT LERAB LING
A weekend to weave and deepen the links between Nature and our Inner Nature
Being in touch with the forest, the earth, natural cycles and biodiversity transforms us and connects us to the heart of the Living and the Sacred.
In the same way, meditation helps us to contemplate life and cultivate gratitude and wonder. This connection puts us in touch with our most authentic and intimate Inner Nature.
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Lerab Ling, under the patronage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, is one of the main centres preserving the authentic study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1991...