Anapanasati - meditation retreat with Mahasraddha and Gunaketu

The Buddha discovered the path to enlightenment by paying attention to his breath. This simple yet profound practice is the most common form of meditation. At our drop-in classes, we teach this practice and continue to deepen our understanding of it. During this retreat, we will explore, unpack, and delight in being with the breath and all that it can teach us. We will base our teachings on the Anapanasati Sutta, a classic Buddhist text.

As we focus on the breath, we will also explore the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to help deepen our practice. They are: mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquillity, concentration, and equanimity. We will contemplate things as they really are and learn how to be present in the moment.

The retreat will be led by Mahasraddha and Gunaketu. They got to know each other during the ordination process into Triratna Buddhist Order and were both ordained in 1996. Their friendship has steadily grown since then and they delight in every opportunity to practice and teach together. They will be helped by a team from the Oslo Buddhistsenter. (the picture is taken from a retreat they led together long ago...)

Mahasraddha was a Leader of a Research Group at an international Research Centre . He left his research career to become Director of  the Manchester Buddhist Centre in the UK and subsequently, the director of the Abhayaratna  Trust which helps Order members in hardship anywhere in the world. In 2001 he moved with his partner  to Scarborough on the north-east coast of the the UK to start a new Buddhist Centre. He is also the president of the Oslo Buddhistsenter.

Gunaketu worked at  the Manchester Buddhist Centre (which became one of the largest urban Centres in the UK) which he helped to convert. In 2000 he moved to Oslo to start the Oslo Buddhistsenter where he still teaches. He since trained and works as a gestalt psychotherapist, organisational consultant and teacher in Social Work at OsloMet University. In 2024 he was appointed as the  General Secretary of the Buddhist Federation of Norway.

The retreat is suitable for anyone who has been introduced to meditation and Triratna Buddhist community (if you haven't take the opportunity to make a visit :-) or let us know if that is difficult), with at least 1-years’ experience of regular meditation. If you are unsure about this, or have mental health concerns contact us so we can find out what is most appropriate for you.

Cost: We ask for NOK 5.300 to cover cost for food, lodging and transport from Kjul or Oslo, and we have 3 spaces for NOK 3.800 available. Ask us for one of those if you need it.

To reserve a place, we ask for a non-refundable deposit of NOK 500.

The rest will be paid directly to the account of Oslo Buddhistsenter, account no: 1254.05.10421. From outside Norway you can pay to NO3512546240728. BIC/SWIFT er: CULTNOK1 og routing BIC: DNBANOKK, or to PayPal to: post@oslobuddhistsenter.no

If you have questions, please send an email to oslobuddhistsenter@gmail.com.