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Danaloka a retreat cabin, a million miles and 40 minutes from London |
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Visitors Book - Here is the feedback... all submissions included uncut! I spent one month at Danaloka on solitary retreat; it was the most worthwhile, healing, profound and challenging thing Ive ever done! I felt completely held and safe there. The animals around the cabin became my companions, the little robin, the noisy crows, baby rabbits and squirrels. My little friend Squirrely was always running around on some crazy mission and often reminded me to laugh after a particularly intense meditation, sitting on Buddhas head under the tree munching a mushroom! I saw deer most days and was quiet enough to have a few close encounters with those gentle graceful creatures. I feel they cast an air of magic about the forest. I found a beautiful field of long grass and wild flowers to watch sunsets, had fires outside some evenings listening to the sounds of the woods, lovely naps on the (very comfy) sofa, deep rest, joyful song and simple living which by no means diminishes. I felt truly connected to myself and nature in a way we often dont in our busy complicated lives! I feel very grateful to have had this wonderful opportunity and that there are people providing and caring for a place where we can go and reconnect with whats truly beautiful. Blessings Emily 17/7/10 At the end of the road is a dirt track. At the very end of the dirt track when you can travel no further: that is Danaloka. To say it is about living simply is a necessary fact and is in no way a criticism. On the contrary, this cabin shows evidence in every way that for both the owners and everyone who stays there that this is a special kind of haven which is maintained with care and attention and every thought given to whoever may be the next occupant. Some of my highlights included, standing in the garden with a morning cup of tea and listening to the relentless call of the cuckoo; watching rabbits race across the garden; as night fell seeing 6-8 fallow deer quietly grazing as they passed by the garden gate at the edge of the woods; walking in the ancient woods where I stared at a deer who stared back at me. Above all I have valued my stay at Danaloka as it is pervaded by a sense of tranquillity and where there is every encouragement and no obstructions to meditate, sit, read, walk and to enjoy a sense of illumination and mindfulness. I look forward to returning. David M - May 2010 ' I had a great retreat and really loved Danaloka. What a magical place! Feeling sad to not be there still.' Subhamayi - April 2010. My Buddhafield training came in handy! Sorry , I missed the bit about the paraffin heater..worth letting the next person know (that it goes under the water tank tap to stop it freezing! Ed). Trees were beautiful with the snow. Yes, saw a lot of deer: Roe and Munjack, they seem to like it near the cabin, especially when it snowed. Some interesting bird life too, I wish I’d brought a bird book.(We have one now - Peter 04/10) Enjoyed the wood burning stove, and the daily process of going into the woods, finding cut timber and sawing it up in front of the Buddha tree. Sorry didn’t have a camera with me. Andy. Dec/Jan 2010 The retreat at the cottage was lovely for many reasons, some of which are the chance to have some space to myself and to re-visit the art of using a felling axe. I only got into the swing of things (on all levels and
energies) on the last few days and could have happily enjoyed another week or more there.
Deer were spotted most days, which was rather nice in the snow. The lack of water due to the freezing up of the tap was solved through breaking the ice of the blue water-butt and decanting it from there. I'll remember to take more drinking water with me next time ....the trip brought back memories for me from long ago. Our stay there was incredibly peaceful and pleasant – amazing what a few days away from all the hustle and bustle will do for you! I have attached a few photos that we took of the garden, unfortunately we didn’t manage to take any of the deer. With metta, Raphael 28/11/09 I had a wonderful time at the cabin - i even went for a swim....! (No! There is not a pool!-PC) Very grateful for the opportunity. And yes, I did cycle there. It was really easy and such a nice way to travel. All the best for christmas and the new decade ahead. Dan - October 09 My stays at Danaloka have given me
so much. Spending periods of introspection, meditation and reflection
on what is important to me, not only does it leave me with space for
self friendship but a renewed and deeper receptivity to share the trials
and tribulations of friends, family and strangers. Danaloka is an ideal
place for poets, writers or people who just enjoy nature, beauty and
the often overlooked virtue of simplicity. From the stars in the black velvet night, to the early, dewy mist before the sun gets bright, I loved my stay so very much. - Such a pretty, mysterious and meandering place, I gained more time as I cut my pace. What an enchanting weekend I had. SM 28/9/9 It
was everything I thought it would be and more, and was the perfect retreat
for me to get back into my meditation practice. Having arrived back
home, I've set up a small shrine as a reminder that I want to keep up
my practice. I was sad to leave the place, but if meditation has taught
me anything, it's that everything comes and goes and it does us no good
to cling to things. Still, Danaloka will be fondly remembered. Thank
you once more and perhaps our paths will cross again. Sep 2009 Absolutely wonderful, everything was perfect! Just finished chores and time for a final contemplation and cuppa before heading home.Tony, Sep 2009 I couldn't believe it... as we arrived there were deer grazing on the green at the edge of the woods. It was as if someone had phoned ahead and just so surreal being so close to London. Absolutely stunning setting. Breathtaking. Aug 2009 It rained on my face and there was a small deer, right there. We stood and looked at each other. I cried and the deer tilted it's head as if it understood. Mitra @ LBC 'Absolutely stunning and within hours I forgot I was even in England let alone near London. I will book again as soon as I get back'. J. Schoolteacher from Kent "I love the feeling of seclusion here: being able to watch the forest and its graceful movements from bed, whilst waking with a cup of tea, or whilst reclining on the sofa with a book of poetry! On the first morning I saw a whole family of deer pass through the forest; the garden too is intimate with squirrels, birds and rabbits. I managed to get on with writing, which is what I came to do. I will definitely be back! - Padmacandra" I slept until 11am - first time in 20 years Andy S at the LBC: The cabin is so comfortable and well resourced with everything you'd ever need or want that it felt more like stayingh in somebody's own home! At the same time though, the surroundings are so private, peaceful and beautiful that it feels like a magical place. Padmacandra - 10 day solitary. It is like Piccadilly circus here what with deer, jays, wrens, missell thrushes, and foxes all encroaching on my natural habitat. On one occasion there was a squirrel, two rabbits and a pigeon all busying themselves on the lawn at once. The pigeon looked particularly pleased with itself. Nevertheless I have had a delightful and productive time, with lots of meditation. I recommend bringing a copy of Ryokans poems if you come. I particularly thought of him today as I wheeled a barrow load of leaves over the little wooden bridge to return them to the forest. I loved the wood burning stove, although I began having more sympathy for Bhante's friend who viewed the tree with him. Eating pierced potatoes wrapped in foil and thrown into the back of the stove one evening was a treat. I enjoyed the awareness opportunities of simple tasks about the place such as chopping wood, fetching water, raking leaves. Thank you to Peter, Srivati and the Parnham family for their generosity. I hope the creatures of the forest will allow me to visit them again, and that the merit gained by my practice in the cabin will go back into the world to bring benefit to beings. May all who visit here be blessed! I just wanted to drop you a line to say that I had a lovely stay at the cabin, beautifully peaceful, just what I needed… it really is a beautiful place to retreat. I so enjoyed the tranquillity and my walks through the woods, not to mention the simple pleasures of sawing wood and building a fire in the evenings. Thank you for sharing this lovely piece of paradise. I enjoyed my time there so much, I don't doubt I shall be back again at some point in the future :) Claire B. Danaloka is really a magical little place and so accessible from London. The autumn colours in the garden were fantastic as well. I had a great little break, so thanks once again. Andy G Roland and family: Most of friends know about our second visit to Danaloka and how much we enjoyed it. I still can't believe that there is a place like that actually inside the M25 and so near to home. Danaloka has this kind of charm about it that makes it so easy to forget everything on the outside world. While we were there, we never missed anything on the outside of that forest. Now we are on the "outside" we miss Danaloka. Thanks for making it happen. I'm sure we will be back soon. Prasannavira: 'Refreshing and recuperating to spend valuable time alone amidst a gentle green world meeting deer, foxes, jays and white-bobbed rabbits – to leave London with its toil for ease, and to return in the blink of any eye was an unexpected treat – 9 days very well spent but not long enough! John B - I have been 3 times. The cabin is very warm and comfortable and feels secluded, with
quick and easy access by car from London. It was also great to be next
door to a large area of ancient woodland, ideal for a little friendly
'deer stalking'!
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Danaloka is a small, privately owned, non profit making organisation which just runs a Retreat Cabin. The owners are associated with the FWBO, Friends of the Western Buddhist Order © 2010 |
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