Buddhist meditation retreat for men at The Barn at The Sharpham Trust

Being in Brotherhood: 6-night meditation retreat for men at The Barn

Summary

6 Reviews
6 nights - Annually
Any meditation experience
Single
Short periods of silence
Max. Spaces: 11

Overview

This version of our popular 6-night retreat is for men only, providing an ideal space to begin, maintain or kick-start a mindfulness practice.

The Barn offers a respectful space for meditation practice, reflection and a sense of community where men (as self-identified) can experience a sense of brotherhood - supported in their own practice within a circle of men.

 

  • You want to experience a retreat in the Buddhist tradition
  • You are prepared to live and work in community, working in the gardens
  • You would like to experience some periods of silence
  • Are aged 18 and above
What is Mindfulness?
  • be living in community with like-minded people, sharing experiences and tasks, including cooking and eating together and helping in our gardens
  • experience guided meditations and periods of silence and quiet contemplation
  • community sharing
  • mindful movement
  • finding connection with nature
  • have a single-occupancy room and your own space in which to rejuvenate, with free time to deeply rest and reconnect with yourself
  • have access to 24-hour hot teas, coffee & infusions in the kitchen
  • be able to explore the beautiful Sharpham Estate, set within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to nature, amid breath-taking scenery on the banks of the River Dart
Buddhist meditation retreat for men at The Barn at The Sharpham Trust

Craig discusses his experience leading the men's retreat at The Barn retreat centre

An 18-minute meditation from former Barn coordinator Craig Malpass:

If you decide to stay with us, we’ll send you a list of what you need to bring for this retreat in your Welcome Letter that we send out after you've booked.

You can also find out more about staying with us on our Frequently Asked Questions page, including:

  • accessibility information
  • why we encourage you to come on your own and not with partners or friends
  • what the difference is between our retreats
View our FAQs

Schedule

The weekly schedule provides opportunities for both individual reflection and group meditation.

It is important that you are willing to participate in working on the land as part of your mindfulness practice (we can easily find suitable tasks for people with health difficulties) and that you can commit to all the scheduled activities during the week. This includes three 30-40 minute meditation sittings each day.

Note that we hold silence from 9pm to 9am each day, and all day Wednesday.

Sunday

Afternoon
2.00pm to 4.00pm – Your arrival
4.30pm – Welcome talk, introductions and tour
5.30pm –  Guided meditation
6.30pm – Evening meal. Then settling in
8.30pm – The Barn goes into silence until 9.00am the next day
 


Monday to Friday:

Mornings Afternoons
6.20am – wake up 1.00pm – lunch
6.50am – meditation 2.00pm – personal time
7.30am –  household tasks Optional afternoon activities include yoga, therapies (shiatsu, etc), reading, walking...
8.00am – breakfast 5.00pm – Teaching by visiting teachers 
9.00am – silence ends, house meeting (except Wednesday) 6.00pm – Supper prepared individually or in groups
10.30am – mindful gardening 7.00pm – Meditation (guided Tuesday & Friday)
12.20pm – meditation (guided on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday)  9.00pm – Barn moves into silence until 9.00am the next day

Saturday:  As above until 8.00am - silence ends at breakfast.

Then clear rooms and depart between 9.00am and 10.00am

Reviews

Ten men I never met before. By the end of the retreat it was as though we have been friends for ages. The whole experience was unforced; there was no pressure to be any more or less involved than I needed or wanted to be in any moment. There was time for community, time for solitude, time for chat and time for silence

Men's retreat participant

There was something mysteriously satisfying about a group of mindful men being together, held in the loving embrace of The Barn. Delightful and positively challenging

Men's retreat participant

It struck me early on that I was with a group of gentle men who were able to be courageous and vulnerable with their feelings. I experienced a lot of respect, sensitivity and active listening within the group.There was a lot of cooperation, honesty and no posturing or desire to be the dominant character. It was a very cohesive and compassionate group of men

Men's retreat participant
See all Reviews

People in a ring outside The Barn Retreat at Sharpham

The Barn Retreat Centre

Our popular meditation retreat venue in the Buddhist tradition is where up to 11 people join together living in community for weekly retreats, including a variety of themed retreats - scroll on to see them all.

You'll be staying within a friendly atmosphere of fellowship, sitting together in daily meditations and mindfully tending our organic vegetable gardens.

You'll have your own single room, you'll get to eat produce from what's grown on the land here and you'll also get time to explore the wonder of the beautiful and contemplation-inspiring Sharpham Estate.

Get Directions View Venue

Leaders

Barn Coordinators
Barn Coordinators Read more +

Costs

Participants at The Barn can select which rate they pay according to need:

Supported Rate £425

The Sharpham Trust is committed to ensuring that retreats at The Barn are accessible to all - regardless of income. The Trust therefore offers a heavily subsidised Supported Rate for those unable to pay the Standard or Benefactor Rate.

Standard Rate £475

Paying the Standard Rate means you will be contributing towards our running costs, supporting the work of Th

e Barn and helping retreatants of lower incomes to access our retreats.

Benefactor Rate £565

If you are able to pay the Benefactor Rate, that means that you'll be supporting others who cannot afford to benefit from a Barn retreat on The Sharpham Estate. Your choice to pay this rate will help us with the running costs of The Barn, enabling us to continue our charitable work connecting people to nature and fostering mindfulness and wellbeing, as well as caring for the land, wildlife and wider estate.

DANA

Dana is the Pali word for generosity or donation. The volunteer coordinators are receiving only a small payment for expenses whilst living at The Barn and are generously giving their energy and understanding to us all. If you are able donations are welcome.

There will be a maximum of 11 participants on this retreat.

All rooms are single occupancy, giving you your own space in which to relax.

Book easily and securely online or by phoning 01803 732542

Terms & Conditions

Please click here to see our booking and cancellations policy

Room Types

Click here for more information on our types of bedrooms and facilities.

All rooms are comfortable single rooms, with a shared bathroom. All rooms are randomly allocated, unless you have medical needs relating to your room allocation. If you have such a need, let us know on your booking form before the retreat begins. 

Bursaries

Limited 50% bursaries offering reduced-price retreats are available for those experiencing financial hardship. Please contact the Programme Administrator at least 4 weeks in advance if you wish to apply.

Our bursary fund relies on donations. If you’d like to help another to go on retreat here through our bursary scheme, you can give online quickly and easily by clicking here

 

Thanks to the generosity of the Hollick Family Foundation we are able to offer up to two 75% bursaries for 18-25 years olds experiencing financial hardship on this retreat. To find out more and apply please contact [email protected]

Hollick Family Foundation logo

Available dates

2025 03 Aug

The Barn: Meditation Retreat for Men (6 nights)

With Barn Coordinators