A BPOC retreatant writes...

A participant on our Black and People of Colour retreat Refuge & Belonging - hosted at The Barn - shares her experience.

I’m Selah, a queer, Black woman of Jamaican heritage, single-parenting a neurodivergent teen. As a trauma therapist, creating space for deep rest, reflection, and reconnection to my spirituality on retreat is one of the sacred ways I nourish myself. While I don’t identify as Buddhist, I find immense value in the sangha community and dharma principles. 

Before I share specifically on the Sharpham Barn retreat, I want to address an important question I often hear: "Why are people of colour (POC) retreats necessary? Why can’t we all just gather together and learn from each other?" While this aspiration of unity is well-meaning, it often overlooks the current lived realities for POC navigating systems of racism and oppression.

Here’s why these spaces are so essential for my racial wellness:

• There’s a psychological safety in knowing that I don’t have to explain or justify my Black experience. As my body and nervous system settles, I can fully embrace being present.

• The inclusion of cultural conversations that honour POC lineage help to reclaim the autonomy often erased by the daily weathering of oppression.

• Dharma talks and mindfulness tools are framed with a racialised lens, making them more relevant to the POC experience.

• I can share my truth without the emotional labour of worrying how it could trigger white fragility and caretaking, allowing for deeper authenticity, exploration and vulnerability.

• Shared histories create an unspoken understanding around the impact of oppression, strengthening the resilience and solidarity among participants.

With this understanding, I’m thrilled to now share why the Sharpham POC retreat was such a beautiful space.

Facilitators Viren and Lucy held the space with incredible generosity and care. Their heart-centred, compassionate approach nurtured a safe container to explore racial vulnerabilities, which deepened the connection to ourselves and each other.

The countryside is stunning, and The Barn has a rustic, homely charm. Having my own room was wonderful when I needed solitude, but I also loved the communal aspect, helping with cooking, cleaning, gardening and caring for the animals. My inner child was delighted to look after the two cats (one which snored loudly during meditation!) and the chickens I fed and tucked in each night.

While the mornings were nippy, watching the sunrise over the hills during our Qi Gong movement sessions was worth it. The library was another gem filled with books on Buddhism, which include writers of colour. 

One of the most powerful moments was building an ancestral altar circle. Each of us brought something that represented our ancestors, and we lit candles within it at every gathering. This practice allowed me to honour my identity and spirituality while embracing the sangha in a way that felt culturally aligned. The dharma talks with questions and answers balanced Buddhist wisdom with real-life experiences, making the teachings applicable to my reality.

If you’re a person of colour looking for a safe space to explore your practice within the context of race, this is a wonderful place to start. Your melanated mind, body and spirit deserve it!