The Essence of Freedom
This is your invitation to a beautiful day at the stunning Dalhousie Castle enjoying uplifting heart-centred practices of freedom and a delicious gourmet lunch. As we face great challenges, individually and globally, it can be tremendously helpful to take time out to rediscover the very essence of freedom. Instead of just reacting to things out of habit, we can enjoy the benefits of responsibility - the ability to respond peacefully, joyfully and with critical awareness of what is going on. As we practice more and more, we discover a kind of inner strength and deepening compassion - for ourselves and others - that helps us surf the challenges that life offers us. Sound good? Everyone is welcome to join this special day retreat offered on a sliding scale to make it accessible.
Outline Programme
10:45 Arrive and settle
11:00 Welcome Circle
11:15 Heart Of Living Yoga Class
12:45 Space to share - observations, questions and discussion
13:00 Gourmet Veggie Lunch (vegan/gluten-free options available)
14:00 Guided Relaxation
14:30 Tea Break
14:45 Heart Of Writing Practice - heart meditation and free writing
15:45 Closing Circle
16:00 Time to explore the grounds, have a cuppa in the lounge or head off home
What Others Have to Say
“I had a wonderful time at the heart meditation morning on Sunday. As a newcomer to this type of meditation I can say I wasn't sure what to expect, but thoroughly enjoyed the whole session. Vishwam was so welcoming and created a wonderfully caring, considered, safe and nurturing environment. The group I was in felt filled with incredible, friendly and compassionate people which very much added to the experience too. I'd wholeheartedly recommend attending future sessions.” ~ Sally Eggeling
Arriving at Dalhousie Castle
Our retreat home is located on the outskirts of the village of Bonnyrigg, just south of Edinburgh. Travel to the castle can be arranged by taxi, a train to Newtongrange and then a taxi, or a bus to Bonnyrigg and then a walk or taxi. Please let us know if you would like any assistance planning your journey.
You are welcome to arrive before the start of the retreat to enjoy the atmosphere of the castle and grounds.
Your Host
Vishwam Gurudas Heckert is a Heart Of Living Yoga minister, teacher & teacher trainer living in the Shetland Islands. He is also a writer, permaculture teacher and learning support worker in a primary school. You can find his poetry and essays in Earth Pathways, Bella Caledonia, Reforesting Scotland and elsewhere. Before becoming a yoga teacher and the rest, Vishwam was an academic. Looking back, he can see his PhD thesis was really a 100,000 word long prayer asking “Who am I?” and “How do I be free?” The search has led him from the life of the mind to learning how to live in the heart. This isn’t the emotional heart but the spiritual one - what the Buddhists call the heart-mind. Shifting focus to the heart helps our natural wisdom and intelligence, love and joy, peace and compassion shine forth more clearly for the benefit of everyone - including ourselves. Vishwam loves to listen, laugh and learn from life.
Sliding Scale
Participation in the retreat is offered on a sliding scale to enable participation regardless of finances.
Unemployed or low wage: £25
Median income: £50
More than comfortable income: £75
Or if you would prefer to offer an amount inbetween these categories, that is also welcome. Half of this payment goes directly to support the charity work of the Heart Of Living Yoga Foundation who work with underprivileged children in Sri Lanka, Brasil, India, & the U.K. With the kind generosity of the castle owner (a friend of Vishwam’s) who is offering matching funds, 100% of what you give will go to help the the children.