Four Foundations of Mindfulness led by Julian Briggs

'This is the direct path for the purification of beings, for the overcoming of sorrow and lamentation, for the disappearance of pain and distress, for the attainment of the right method, and for the realisation of unbinding - in other words, the Four Establishments of Mindfulness' Buddha Satipatthana Sutta

This retreat provides a structured and experiential exploration of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as taught in the Satipatthana Sutta. The day is dedicated to cultivating mindful awareness of body, feelings, mind states and mental phenomena - providing a clear and practical framework for Insight practice. Through alternating periods of guided sitting meditation, walking meditation and short Dharma talks we develop continuity of mindfulness and wise attention.

We emphasise observing experience directly, with curiosity and non-judgement allowing insight into impermanence, unsatisfactoriness and non-self to emerge naturally.

The retreat is suitable for both newer and experienced meditators who wish to deepen their understanding of core Insight meditation teachings in a focused accessible format.

We will observe Noble silence throughout the day, imcluding during the lunchtime, to support inner clarity, with opportunities for brief instruction and practice guidance (phones off please)

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

Chairs, mats, meditation cushions and hot drinks will be available. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

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

The event will take place on:

Saturday April 25th 2026 10.00am – 5.00pm

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

The venue has disabled access and toilets.

If travelling by bus - numbers 56, 81, 88, 218 take you to the bus stop outside Shirley House

If travelling by car there is ample on-road parking close to the venue but please do NOT park in the area immediately next to Shirley House.

Cushions, mats, biscuits and refreshments will be provided but you will need to bring your own packed lunch

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.

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

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 [email protected]

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