The Alchemy of Liberation - Working Retreat

This is a unique event in the Buddhafield calendar. Over the two weeks of this retreat, we will form a spiritual community to work together while immersing ourselves in practicing the dharma. Together we will prepare the Frogmill site for Buddhafield’s open retreat, take part in this retreat, and then work to take down and pack away the structures and return the land to its human-free state. 

As we do this, we will be looking at the Buddhist path through the lens and poetry of alchemy with a view of comparing traditional Buddhist teachings with pagan traditions that have grown around us for thousands of years. The Hermetic art of alchemy speaks of transformation, of lead into gold, the base into the radiant. Of course, this was never only the work of heating and transmuting chemicals, but also a mirror of the inner path — the transformation of the three poisons of greed, hatred and delusion into compassion, wisdom and liberated energy; the awakening of the heart’s release. 

In the middle of this two-week retreat we will have a four-day focus on the Celtic calendar. 

The Wheel of the Celtic year, which marks time not as linear, but as cyclical: a great turning of birth, fullness, decline, and renewal. This ancient wisdom of natural rhythm will be felt as a shared experience as we dismantle the mandala that had been so lovingly built, and our Buddhafield retreat season comes to an end, even as the quiet seeds of renewal may be discerned already stirring beneath our feet. 

In this way, we will rediscover the profound and simple teachings of the dharma, reflecting on how all phenomenon are empty by nature. The structures we dismantle, the community we form, the rituals we share — all are transient, without fixed essence. Yet, there in, lies the magic and meaning of the ordinary and profound dharma life. 

Expect Dharma talks, meditation, ritual and fireside chats; all centred around the dismantling of Buddhafield structures, moving the kit off-site and developing insight into the true nature of our experience. 

Please note: because of the nature of this event, the boundaries of our temporary community will be somewhat different to Buddhafield’s other retreats – a handful of key team members may need to come and go from the site during the retreat. We will ensure this is done with consideration to the retreatants. 

This working retreat includes participating in the The Wheel of the Year open retreat led by Akashadevi, Vidyasakhi, Sara Riley and Alobhin. 

Who is this working retreat for? 

To get the most out of this project, you will be an adult of any age with a keen interest in community living, being outdoors and soaked in nature, an interest in the concept of work as practice, and a sincere wish to understand the Buddhist teachings and how to put them into practice. You will have some experience of Buddhafield, the wider Triratna community, or other Buddhist traditions, and be familiar with meditation.  

What time and work commitments are involved? 

We are asking all participants to arrive by 4pm on Sunday, 16 August, and be available to work until 12.30 pm on Monday, 31st August.  

This working retreat will have three phases:  

1. Preparing the site for The Wheel of the Year retreat, including taking down some structures.  
2. Participation in The Wheel of the Year retreat as a retreatant, this will include participation in the daily work period, which will be approximately 1 hour.
3. After The Wheel of the Year retreat is finished, take down the remaining structures and transport everything off-site.  

In the first and third phases, you might work 6-7 hours a day. An average day during these phases might be: 

7.30am – meditation
8.15am – breakfast
9am  – morning circle and check-in
9.30am – 12.30 pm – work period, with breaks as needed.
12.30pm – meditation
1pm – lunch
2pm – reconvene for work period, with breaks as needed.
5.30pm – meditation
6pm – dinner
8pm – shrine activity or talk

The work may include, but is not limited to:  

• setting up structures and facilities 

• helping in the kitchen 

• chopping wood and associated work 

• caring for the shrine and shrine tent 

This list is not meant to be exhaustive but to give you some idea. Check-ins and support will be available. We will ensure that you also get time to experience parts of the retreat.  

We ask that you commit to adhering to retreat conditions while you are here. This may include periods of silence and adhering to the five precepts.  

The Exchange 

We ask for:  

• Your work and participation in all activities 

• £60 deposit to cover food expenses 

• Any Dana (donation) you feel you can offer at the end of The Wheel of the Year 

In exchange, we offer:  

• Dharma teaching, check-ins and support throughout your time with us 

• Participation in The Wheel of the Year 

• Any vehicle passes that you need plus camping or live in space 

• Three vegan meals per day for the duration of your stay 

• The chance to be part of the temporary retreat community and all the joy that brings 

How do I apply? 

You can apply for a place by clicking the ‘Apply Now’ button.  

We aim to get back to you within 2 weeks of your application. We’ll let you know whether you have been successful, or we may arrange a call to discuss your application further. 

If you are offered a place, you will be sent a payment link for the deposit. Once you have made payment, you will be sent confirmation of your place on the Alchemy of Liberation and The Wheel of the Year.  

If we send you an offer for a place, please accept only if you are confident you can commit to attending the retreat. We know that life happens, and unforeseen circumstances may leave you unable to attend. However, it does put a significant strain on the retreat team if you cannot attend at short notice, and we cannot replace you. Thanks for your understanding.  

FAQS 

What do I need to pay to take part in this working retreat?
We ask for a non-refundable £60 deposit to secure your place and contribute towards your food costs.

What food is provided? 
3 organic vegan meals a day, plus snacks and drinks.

Do you cater for restricted diets? 
We can offer a restricted range of food to support medical dietary needs. The full list of food that we offer over the course of an event (not at every meal) is here. We’ll have gluten-free porridge, gluten-free cereal, and fruit for breakfast.

Unfortunately, we may not be able to cater for all complex needs due to restrictions on our resources and the unique challenges of cooking for an outdoor retreat with no refrigeration and limited storage.

It is tricky to work in a field with dietary restrictions, and this can create a level of understandable stress. However, please check the list, plan to bring your supplies if the items on there are not enough and check with us via our contact form if you are unsure. We’d like to ask that any food that you do need to bring for yourself, and that you plan to eat in public areas, is vegan. If you need anything outside this, please cater for yourself discreetly and away from public areas.

The kitchen team on-site cannot make changes or offer anything outside of the given parameters.

We cannot accommodate last-minute changes or preferences outside medical needs. If you can eat the general food, then please do so to reduce strain on the kitchen team.

Please note that most meals are gluten-free so apart from a few exceptions, anyone who follows this kind of diet will be able to eat the main meals. Ingredients of each meal are provided in the servery so you can check at each sitting if you can have the food.

Are you open to those with accessibility needs? 
Yes. If you disclose your needs on your application form, we can have a conversation about how the program could work for you.

Will I need to provide my own accommodation? 
Yes, a tent or van, plus your own bedding.

Will I have any duties during The Wheel of the Year retreat? 
You will be able to participate in the Wheel of the Year retreat as a full retreatant, which will include participating in the daily work periods. We will ask everyone to work on Wednesday, 23rd to prepare the site for the retreat.

During The Wheel of the Year retreat, the support team will consist of a team of volunteers with experience of supporting Buddhafield retreats.

Do I need to stay for the whole period? 
Yes, we are asking all participants to stay for the whole period.

Are there any behavioural agreements when taking part in the retreat? 
Yes. No drinking alcohol or taking drugs while taking part. Also, no fish or meat on any of the sites or events.

The aim of the project is to create a temporary spiritual community together, and we will be working with the 5 Precepts (These are: I undertake the training principle of abstaining from taking life. I undertake the training principle of abstaining from taking the not-given. I undertake the training principle of abstaining from sexual misconduct. I undertake the training principle of abstaining from false speech. I undertake the training principle of abstaining from intoxication.)

Can I bring my pets? 
Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate pets.

Can you accommodate children? 
We will take it on a case-by-case basis.