Name: Gaia House
Item: Gaia House
Rating: 5
Author: Cherry Traynor-Cox

Gaia House is a Silent Meditation Retreat Centre – a sanctuary of contemplative calm set amongst the gentle hills and quiet woodlands of South Devon.

Buddhist Meditation Retreats are an opportunity to explore and develop serenity, wisdom and compassion through meditation and mindfulness practice in a supportive environment.

We offer an extensive Group Retreat Programme with meditation instruction and teachings drawn from a variety of Buddhist traditions, with emphasis on Vipassana or Insight Meditation.

Group Retreats are led by experienced Dharma teachers from around the world. Beginners are very welcome, as are more experienced meditation practitioners wishing to deepen your practice.

We also offer Personal and Work Retreats, which are suitable if you have previous experience of silent retreats and an established meditation practice.

All retreats are held in silence, with the exception of the annual Family Retreat.

A registered (non-profit) charity founded in 1983, Gaia House is run by a Board of Trustees who are committed to preserving, protecting and enhancing emotional, psychological, physical, and spiritual health through meditation. Gaia House Meditation Retreats are open to all. To benefit, all that is needed is an interest in inner exploration and development.

Gaia House offers Insight Meditation retreats in the Buddhist tradition.

Our aim is to help people awaken to the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths:

Fully knowing suffering
Letting go of the craving that causes suffering
Experiencing the cessation of such craving
Cultivating the Eightfold Path that leads to the end of suffering

Our environment is one of silence, rural tranquillity, simplicity of lifestyle, sensitivity to the needs of others, and a commitment to ethical behaviour, compassion, loving-kindness and generosity.

We offer a year-round programme of weekend and week-long group retreats. Additionally, we cater for long-term solitary meditators and work retreatants.

As an Insight Meditation centre, we are affiliated to the ‘Vipassana’ (Insight) movement that began in the Theravada schools of Buddhism at the beginning of the twentieth century. As it has evolved, the Vipassana community has embraced other styles of Buddhist practice and other traditions in seeking to establish a culture of awakening in our contemporary world.

To teach our retreats, we invite teachers primarily from the Vipassana/Insight Meditation tradition, but also from other Buddhist backgrounds and traditions, who are committed to realising our purpose and respecting our practice environment.

We encourage and support the development of meditation and study groups both locally and nationally, and seek to establish harmonious relations with like-minded communities and organisations worldwide.
We are open to all, irrespective of religious or political beliefs, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability. We do not seek to convert others to our vision or to discriminate against those who hold differing views. We are committed to supporting the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being of all who reside and work in Gaia House.

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Cherry Traynor-Cox

Overall Experience

My experience of a recent 5 day silent retreat was that it was profound and life changing, The teachers were knowledgeable, kind and patient; their teachings were thought provoking and life enhancing.

The co-ordinations and all the staff were most helpful.

The days were spent in silence and with that brought inner reflection and exploration.

The walking mindfulness was a joy in the beautiful grounds of Gaia House .

The meals provided by the cooks were delicious so much that I eagerly purchased the Gaia House recipe book on the final day and can’t wait to try them myself.

I am now practising mindfulness meditations with peace and joy in my heart. I hope to return to Gaia House next year.
6 years ago
Jennamccartney@Hotmail.Com

Overall Experience

I just returned from a 3 day retreat at Gaia House with Suvaco. I feel sad.. Almost like “after holiday blues”. I miss this group of people, stranger’s who no longer feel like strangers, we bonded, we respected each other’s space. Ate together. Enjoyed the dawn and the dusk together… shared our intentions. The intimate parts of our minds. Vulnerability. We listened and learnt from our teachers. In this amazing monastry run for 100 years with kindness and like clockwork. A comprehensive tea collection, lots of tea. Delicious food. So much calm. Personalities but no egos. Communication but no words. Kindness. Humaness. I thought I might find self reliance and independence in this silent retreat. And I did, I walked alone, sat alone, slept alone but I never felt alone. It was my home for the weekend and now I feel curiously homesick. Now I feel alone. I miss the voice of my teachers and the anonymity of my existence in that space, combined with an intriguing closeness that I have with all those people. 50 of them 20 men 30 women, from 27-70 years old. Spending 8 hours of our day, together in silence. So much history. All with their own stories and hurts. I care about them and I’ll never see them again. I miss them. I recommend this retreat to everyone and anyone. Profound. Relaxed. Wonderful.
9 years ago
Rob Horsfall

A Fantastic place to meditate and really recommend it to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

Lovely teachers who spoke in a very down to earth and gentle way.

The retreat has just the right balance between structure and relaxation.

Food was delicious and very nourishing. Definitely plan to go back again soon.

Thank you!
10 years ago

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What does the price of the retreat cover?
Delicious vegetarian meals, refreshments and simple, shared accommodation are included.
Gaia House is a non-profit organisation and the Standard Retreat Rate reflects just the basic costs of providing the facilities, managing and maintaining the centre. About Retreat Rates

In the Buddhist tradition of Dana or generosity, all teachings at Gaia House are offered freely. Teachers are not paid for their time and energy, so at the end of your retreat you will be given the opportunity to offer financial support to the teachers who have guided your retreat or practice. Before you come on retreat please read About Dana.
Are there opportunities or space for other activities?
Mindful movement, such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong, may be practised outdoors at any time, so long as the space of other retreatants is respected. Indoors: please practice only at the designated times and in the designated places – these will be explained on each retreat.

Please refrain from other activities such as playing musical instruments, art and craft work, juggling, acrobatics etc. anywhere on the premises or grounds of Gaia House.

In the spirit of simplicity and silence, Group Retreatants are asked to refrain from reading and writing during your stay here.

Personal Retreatants may read to support your retreat, however you are encouraged to do so with moderation, and only in the library or your bedroom.

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