This retreat offers a structured and experiential exploration of Metta Bhāvanā — the cultivation of loving-kindness

About the Retreat

The event will take place on: Saturday 31st October 2026, 10am-5pm

Venue: Shirley House, 31 Psalter Lane, Sheffield, S11 8YL

This retreat offers a structured and experiential exploration of Metta Bhāvanā — the cultivation of loving-kindness — as taught within the Insight Meditation tradition. The day is dedicated to opening the heart through the systematic development of goodwill: towards oneself, loved ones, neutral people, difficult people, and, ultimately, all beings without exception.

“Monks, when the awareness-release through goodwill is cultivated, developed, pursued, given a means of transport, given a grounding, steadied, consolidated and well-undertaken, eleven benefits can be expected. Which eleven? One sleeps easily, wakes easily, dreams no evil dreams. One is dear to human beings, dear to non-human beings. The devas protect one. Neither fire, poison, nor weapons can touch one. One's mind gains concentration quickly. One's complexion is bright. One dies unconfused.” — Buddha, Metta Sutta

Through alternating periods of guided sitting meditation, walking meditation, and short Dharma talks, we explore how metta supports and deepens insight practice — softening the ground of awareness so that mindfulness can meet experience with warmth rather than mere observation.

We will emphasise a gentle, non-forcing approach: metta is not manufactured or willed into being, but uncovered and allowed to arise naturally through patient, kind attention. This is balanced with the direct, honest seeing that is central to Insight practice.

The retreat is suitable for both newer and experienced meditators who wish to deepen their capacity for loving-kindness and explore its place within a broader Insight Meditation practice.

We will observe Noble silence throughout the day to support inner clarity, with opportunities for brief instruction and practice guidance. (Phones off!)

To help build sangha (community), we encourage everyone to stay at the end of the retreat for conversation over tea.

About the Teacher

Julian has been meditating since the mid 1980s, practicing Insight Meditation since 2000. He is a co-founder of Sheffield Insight Meditation and a Gaia House Community Dharma Leader (CDL)

About the Venue

Please bring a packed lunch, and reusable cup with a lid, if you have one.

Sheffield Insight Meditation provides

Cushions & Mats

Refreshments

Shirley House provides

Meditation room

Walking space: inside and outside (St Andrew’s Church grounds)

Teas, coffee, biscuits

Disabled access & toilet

Ample parking nearby, and buses 56, 81, 88 and 218 stop outside Shirley House

Booking

Bookings for this retreat are accepted on the basis of a commitment to join for the full day of practice

Your eventbrite ticket covers retreat expenses including room hire and refreshments.

We request that people book places for themselves. If you are booking for yourself as well as somebody else you will need to make a separate booking for each person, with an associated email address for each one.

Dana

In the closing talk we will invite Dana (donations) for the teaching. We follow the Insight Meditation Tradition: the teacher receives no fee - the booking cost covers retreat expenses only.

Dana can be translated as cultivating generosity or giving. The teachers who lead our retreats receive their travel costs and ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses but do not receive any payment for their teaching. However they are happy to receive voluntary contributions from participants in the events they lead. These offerings are traditionally called dana. Most of our teachers depend on dana for most or all of their livelihood.

Our teachers are following an ancient tradition, offering teachings freely just as they received them freely from a previous generation of teachers. In this way the dharma (the teachings of the Buddhist tradition) is not made an object of commerce, and the relationship between teacher and student is based upon trust, freedom, and mutual generosity.

If you attend one of our events and appreciate what the teacher has offered, we warmly invite you to make whatever contribution you feel appropriate. If you do so, you will be making a vital contribution to their livelihood and helping them to continue teaching on this generous basis, particularly in situations where people cannot afford to pay anything.

Dana can be offered to the teacher, Julian, during and after the retreat

More information

Cancellation and Refunds refunds will be offered for cancellation up to the day before the event. Tickets can be cancelled automatically through Eventbrite (The eventbrite fee will not refunded). If you find that you are no longer able to attend, please cancel as soon as possible, to free up a place for someone else. Thank you.

For any queries please contact sghsg2009@gmail.com

Description supplied by the event organiser.