Refuge Retreat

Refuge Retreat
Unguided Retreat
Sat 18 to Sun 19 July 2026
9am to 6.30pm
At Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre, Golders Green
By going for refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, we enter Buddhism and start to establish a sanctuary of refuge from suffering in our heart. Through this regular practice, we gradually become permanently protected from suffering by establishing irreversible Dharma realizations of wisdom and compassion in our mind.
Going for refuge is one of the four great preliminary guide retreats in which we gain precious experience of this practice, building the faith and confidence we need to conquer our ordinary fears and delusions and make swift progress on the path to enlightenment.
There will be four sessions a day and the practice is accomplished within the sadhana Essence of Good Fortune.
- Session 1 - 9am - 10.30am
- Session 2 - 11.30am - 1pm
- Session 3 - 2.30pm - 4pm
- Session 4 - 5pm - 6.30pm
This unguided retreat is part of the Teacher Training Programme and is suitable for those with some experience of Buddhist meditation and practice, but everyone is welcome.
Please email us at epc@meditateinlondon.org or phone 07949 916 144 or 0208 455 7563 for more information.
Free, donations welcome.
Free, donations welcome.
Available live-streamed on Zoom for Silver, Gold and Platinum members
Upcoming Courses & Retreats

Upcoming Courses & Retreats
2026-10-23 Post Fall Festival retreat (23-25 Oct)
Post-Fall Festival Retreat – Our Real Heart Jewel
Fri 23 – Sun 25 Oct 2026
Book nowAt Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre, Golders Green
With Kadam John McBretney
The first session on Friday is an introduction, so no festival attendance is needed
2026-10-31 A Buddhist Perspective – How to Stay Kind When Others Aren’t
How to Stay Kind When Others Aren’t: A Buddhist Perspective
Sat 31 Oct 2026, 10.30am–12.30pm
Book nowAt Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre, Golders Green
With Kadam Ai Peng McBretney
2026-11-07 Letting Go of Hurt (Sat 7 Nov)
Letting Go of Hurt
Sat 7 Nov 2026, 10am–3.30pm
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Kadam John McBretney – Why we take things personally, and how to let go.
2026-11-21 Being Kind to Yourself
Being Kind to Yourself
Sat 21 Nov 2026, 10am–1.15pm
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Richard Batty – A Buddhist Approach to Self-Criticism
2026-12-05 Calm in the Christmas Rush (Sat 5 Dec)
Calm in the Christmas Rush
Sat 5 Dec 2026, 10am–1.15pm
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Kadam Ai Peng McBretney – A Buddhist Approach to a Peaceful December
2026-12-13 How to Have a Happy Christmas (Sun 13 Dec).
How to Have a Happy Christmas
Sun 13 Dec 2026, 11am–1pm, followed by Christmas lunch
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Kadam John McBretney – Buddhist meditations for a joyful festive season, followed by Christmas lunch
2026-12-19 The Peace You’ve Been Looking For (Sat 19 Dec)
The Peace You’ve Been Looking For
Sat 19 Dec 2026, 10am–1.15pm
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Guest Teacher Kadam Lucy James – Resident Teacher of KMC London
2026-12-31 New Year’s Eve Celebration (Thu 31 Dec)
New Year's Eve Celebration
Thu 31 Dec 2026, 7.30pm–12.10am
Book nowHeruka KMC, Golders Green
With Kadam John McBretney – A peaceful, alcohol-free way to see in the New Year
Public Talks with Gen-la Dekyong, 8 May 2027
Public Talks with Gen-la Dekyong
Sat 8 May 2027
Book nowLogan Hall, 20 Bedford Way
London, WC1H 0ALWith Gen-la Dekyong