The Boundless Freedom of Views

About this event

Ushering in a sense of spaciousness and ease with Mark Ovland As human beings, we possess a remarkable capacity — one we often overlook. In any given moment, we can choose how we relate to our experience. We can shift perspective, alter our attention, and take up any number of different views. Humble as this may seem, its significance is nothing less than world-changing: Buddhist teachings show us that the way we relate to our experience actually shapes what we see. This understanding can open a doorway to the most profound sense of freedom in life, and to the boundless capacities of the heart to open in joy and in wonder. On this retreat we’ll explore this insight more fully, drawing on Rob Burbea’s “ways of looking” framework. We’ll experiment with ways of relating to our experience that soften grasping, gladden the heart, and usher in a sense of spaciousness and ease. As well as playing with these ideas in meditation, we’ll also look at how different ways of relating can enrich and transform our ordinary daily lives. During the day we'll practise in both stillness and movement. There'll be meditation guidance, dharma reflections, and opportunities for questions and sharing. Outside of these times the day will be held in companionable silence. Everyone is welcome, and the retreat will be livestreamed for greater accessibility (zoom link will be sent 2 hours before event - registration for online must be before this time) Mark will be assisted on the day by Wah Isaacs, a graduate of the Community Dharma Leader programme run by Gaia House Mark offers all of his teaching on dana, there will be an opportunity to offer Mark dana during the day. Mark Ovland Mark began practising meditation in 2008 and spent the following four years living and working in retreat centres and monasteries around the UK and Asia. Motivated to make the precious teachings he’d received more widely accessible and available, in 2013 he co-founded Freely Given Retreats and soon afterwards pioneered taking mindfulness courses into UK prisons. In more recent years Mark has been especially engaged with environmental campaigning and climate action. He was a close student of the late Rob Burbea. See Mark’s website for more: markovland.uk