Putting Buddhist teachings into practice
At The Barn, the noble eightfold path came alive for me. Beyond mindfulness, I began to explore ethics, wisdom, and meditation - the threefold training. Bhikkhu Bodhi describes the path as something to practice, not merely understand, and The Barn embodies this philosophy.
What sets The Barn apart is its ethos of experimentation, or ehipassiko—"come and see for yourself." Instead of rigid structures, I was invited to explore what worked for me: whether resting when needed, adapting meditation postures, or bringing mindfulness to everyday activities like brushing my teeth. This flexibility made the teachings deeply personal and transformative.
Ethics in Action
Community and ethical living are at the heart of The Barn.
Guided by the Five Precepts, we practised gentleness, kind speech, and mindful living. Tasks like cooking, gardening, and shared chores created opportunities to give and receive support, fostering connection and gratitude. Knowing the heating came from fallen trees and the water from a borehole on the Sharpham Estate added a deeper sense of care for the land.
The schedule means that there are lots of opportunities to give and receive support in community – we cook lunch for each other, complete tasks each morning, and in the garden we pick and plant crops, receiving the generosity of previous retreatants and contributing to feeding future retreatants.
Wisdom Through Connection
The teaching sessions at The Barn gave me unprecedented access to different teachers over the course of the week.
The small group sizes allowed rich teaching sessions where I could ask questions about how Buddhist teaching could help me meet my grief and suffering.
The courage of others to face their vulnerabilities also inspired me to do the same and this sense of shared humanity created a safe space for deep emotional work.
Meditation & Heart Practices
Alongside other Buddhist teachings, my first retreat introduced me to the Brahmaviharas, or "heart qualities," especially cultivating loving-kindness.
These practices reshaped how I relate to others - extending kindness to not only loved ones but also those I struggle with, and even strangers.
Walking meditation, contemplating impermanence and loving-kindness practices have also not only deepened my meditation and mindfulness practice, but have permeated and reoriented the way I live my life.
Giving Back to The Barn at Sharpham
Since that first retreat, The Barn has become a sanctuary - a place to reconnect, grow, and be nourished. Now, as a Volunteer Retreat Coordinator for three months, I feel privileged to support others in their transformative journeys.
What remains constant is The Barn's ability to foster warmth, safety, and a sense of belonging - a testament to its 40-year legacy of care and the role it plays in The Sharpham Trust's commitment to creating a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally-sustainable world.
