Meditation in Portrush & Ballycastle

2pm – 5pm | Sat 19th Jul 2025 | £16 | Kadampa Meditation Centre, 54 Peters Hill, Belfast BT13 1BA

Click on eventbrite.co.uk/e/1091657499969 to book your place.

Session Times

• Session 1: 2pm – 3.15pm
• Refreshments (30min)
• Session 2: 3.45pm – 5pm

We’ve probably all heard the term ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’. Over the course of our lives we, consciously and subconsciously, label those around us; friends, enemies, strangers, which in turn affects how we treat others and our day to day experiences. We tend to treat one group with kindness and love, the next with anger and resentment and the latter with neutrality or disregard..but what if we removed these labels and treated everyone as friends? It might seem impossible at first, or maybe even unnecessary…

In this half day course, guided by Buddhist Teacher Rebecca Dempsey, we’ll explore why this is both very possible and necessary. On the face of it, we don’t see the connection between how we treat others and the quality of our day to day experiences, or our own happiness. Through ditching these labels and discovering Buddhist perspectives on karma, cherishing others and developing a good heart, we can see how improving our relationships with others is a key aspect of a peaceful mind and a happier life.

Everyone is welcome. The retreat is suitable to those new to meditation as well as experienced practitioners. No special clothes are required and seating is provided in chairs and meditation cushions.

There is free on street parking on Peters Hill just outside, with easy access from Westlink Divis St/ Millfield exit, and we are just 15 min walk from City Hall and Belfast Grand Central Station.

Click on eventbrite.co.uk/e/1091657499969 to book your place.

Friday 15th – Monday 18th August, 2025 | Ardaluin, Newcastle

Click on MeditateNI.org/Aug-2025/ to book your place.

In this retreat we will explore Buddhist Meditations that reflect the transition from summer to autumn, the abundance of the land and our interconnectedness with all life.

We’ll be exploring and meditating according to the advice of a 10th Century Indian Buddhist Master called Atisha, who was responsible for reintroducing pure Buddhism into Tibet.

Appreciating the kindness of this precious Lama and the abundance of wisdom we have inherited, we will have space to let the wisdom of this great Sage percolate in our mind and reap the harvest of our own inner wisdom and realistations. We will foster our own inner power, the power to create a peaceful mind and life, through exploring the ancient text Advice from Atisha’s Heart.

We will also explore Atishas close connection to the female Buddha Green Tara and engage in the chnated prayers called Liberation from Sorrow, praises and requests to the 21 Taras.

Guiding 3 sessions and giving the Introductory Talk and Meditation on Friday evening, Gen Chitta from the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Belfast has the ability to guide you through the practices and meditation gently and clearly, and in a way accessible to all levels of experience. Ian McGlade, also guiding 3 sessions, from Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist in Derry Londonderry, shares ancient Buddhist practices and meditations with humour and relatability.

Everyone is welcome to attend this retreat. Each session will include guided breathing meditation, short Buddhist prayers, a talk and guided meditation practice. No experience or special clothing is necessary, seating will be in your choice of chairs or meditation cushions.

It is your time to take a break from daily life and immerse In a positive experience. The retreat venue is Ardaluin House In Newcastle. This beautiful old house is nestled in its own mature woodland inhabited by a family or deer. It’s just 10 min walk from the Tollymore forest and boasts views of both mountain and sea. Accommodation is in beautiful spacious dorms, or camping in the walled garden or forest. Delicious Vegetarian food will be catered by local Newcastle caterers. This rare three night retreat at the height of summer is a great opportunity to take something truly meaningful and uplifting into the autumn and winter.

Retreat Schedule
Schedule for the silence periods, meditations and meals.

Friday
1730 Arrival & Registration
1800 Supper
1930 Introductory Talk and Meditation

Saturday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 1
1130 – 1245 Session 2
1300 – Lunch
1630 – 1745 Session 3
1800 – Supper
1930 – 2045 Session 4

Sunday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 5
1130 – 1245 Session 6
1300 – Lunch
1630 – 1745 Session 7
1800 – Supper
1930 – 2045 Session 8

Monday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 9
1130 – 1245 Session 10
1300 – Lunch

Click on MeditateNI.org/Aug-2025/ to book your place.

Click on MeditateNI.org/Sep-2025/ to book your place.

As the year shifts from the warmth of summer to the cooler embrace of autumn this retreat invites us to reflect on balance and gratitude, and to begin a process of drawing more inwards with an increasing sense of peace and tranquillity.

As the day and night find balance we will use Buddhist teachings and meditations to bring balance within, shifting from a state of mind that seeks happiness outside ourself, to a wisdom that genuinely finds it within. Shifting from a state of mind that feels disconnected and strained to one that feels fortunate, hopeful and connected.

Buddhist teachings and guided meditations offer methods, tried and tested for millennia, that bring about such inner transformations with gentle ease. We will learn to work skilfully with the inner imbalance, turbulence and pain we so often experience and embark on a life changing spiritual journey.

Guiding 3 sessions and giving the Introductory Talk and Meditation on Friday evening, Gen Chitta from the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Belfast has the ability to guide you through the practices and meditation gently and clearly, and in a way accessible to all levels of experience. Ian McGlade, also guiding 3 sessions, from Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist in Derry Londonderry, shares ancient Buddhist practices and meditations with humour and relatability.

Everyone is welcome to attend this retreat. Each session will include guided breathing meditation, short Buddhist prayers, a talk and guided meditation practice. No experience or special clothing is necessary, seating will be in your choice of chairs or meditation cushions.
It is your time to take a break from daily life and immerse in a positive experience.

Retreat Schedule
Schedule for the silence periods, meditations and meals.

Friday
1730 Arrival & Registration
1800 Supper
1930 Introductory Talk and Meditation with Gen Chitta

Saturday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 1 with Ian McGlade
1130 – 1245 Session 2 with Gen Chitta
1300 – Lunch
1630 – 1745 Session 3 with Ian McGlade
1800 – Supper
1900 – 2015 Session 4 with Gen Chitta

Sunday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 5 with Ian McGlade
1130 – 1245 Session 6 with Gen Chitta
1300 – Lunch

Click on MeditateNI.org/Sep-2025/ to book your place.

Friday 14th – Sunday 16th November, 2025 | All Inclusive £260 | Dromantine Retreat Centre

Click on MeditateNI.org/Booking-Nov-2025/ to book your place.

In this retreat we will explore Buddhist Meditations that reflect entering the winter of the year, a time to reflect on the Impermanence of things, including ourself. As the days grow darker we can reflect on the darker aspects of ourselves. Those that we must acknowledge to be able to abandon. We will also engage in the age-old practice of meditating on the truth of our mortality. Reflecting and meditating on the certainty of our death, and the uncertainty of its time, brings about a new lease of life. Facing and embracing these undeniable truths, which we normally hide and ignore, opens the door to the Spiritual Path, the realm of working with the mind, to make every moment of our life meaningful and liberating.

Guiding 3 sessions and giving the Introductory Talk and Meditation on Friday evening, Gen Chitta from the Kadampa Meditation Centre in Belfast has the ability to guide you through the practices and meditation gently and clearly, and in a way accessible to all levels of experience. Ian McGlade, also guiding 3 sessions, from Lamrim Kadampa Buddhist in Derry Londonderry, shares ancient Buddhist practices and meditations with humour and relatability.

Everyone is welcome to attend this retreat. Each session will include guided breathing meditation, short Buddhist prayers, a talk and guided meditation practice. No experience or special clothing is necessary, seating will be in your choice of chairs or meditation cushions.

It is your time to take a break from daily life and immerse In a positive experience. The retreat venue is Dromantine Retreat Centre, a beautiful and grand building and location which is nestled in ancient woodlands and overlooks a spectacular lake. In the breaks between sessions we can walk in nature and gain experience of carrying the meditative experience into our life. The rooms are all ensuite and are hotel standard, and the venue chefs prepare wholesome and delicious vegetarian meals.

Retreat Schedule
Schedule for the silence periods, meditations and meals.

Friday
1730 Arrival & Registration
1800 Supper
1930 Introductory Talk and Meditation

Saturday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 1
1130 – 1245 Session 2
1300 – Lunch
1630 – 1745 Session 3
1800 – Supper
1900 – 2015 Session 4

Sunday ( Silent until 1245 )
0800 Breakfast
0900 – 1015 Session 5
1130 – 1245 Session 6
1300 – Lunch

Click on MeditateNI.org/Booking-Nov-2025/ to book your place.