Shamatha retreat with Ven Mary Reavey

8 day Shamatha retreat
with Ven. Mary Reavey

8–15 October 2026

8 day Shamatha retreat

with Venerable Mary Reavey

8–15 October, 2026

Retreat leader: Ven. Mary Reavey

Language: English with possibility for translation to Swedish

BOOK HERE

Prices in the booking system include accomodation and venue. Teaching and food by donation/dana.

The word Shamatha is Sanskrit and is derived from two roots. Shama meaning peace or quietude and Tha meaning `to dwell` or `to remain`. Together they describe the practice which can mean tranquil abiding or peaceful presence.

It is the practice of calming the mind to serenity, clarity and unification. In other words bringing it back to its natural state.

It is also the development of attention and awareness which enables us to focus on a chosen object without distraction, agitation and dullness. Shamatha is the clear mind that provides us with the right mindfulness and power of focus to positively transform our minds for ourselves and others.

As Lama Alan Wallace describes, training in Shamatha allows us to radically shift the way we experience life. Furthermore, in the Dharma teachings it is stated that without the Paramita of right meditative concentration(Samma Samadhi), it would be impossible to realize the nature of mind.

Shamatha provides the clarity and focus needed to

Still the mind

Uproot negativ habits.
Open the door to Vipassana; insight into the true nature of mind.
Cultivate Bodhicitta(the compassionate mind of awakening).
Transform our relationship with our selves and the world around us.
Promote joy
Balance emotions

The nine stages

Shamatha uses sometimes the allegory of the nine stages of taming the elephant, the elephant representing the mind. Slowly as the practitioner ascends, the elephant (Mind) is tamed with the hook of vigilance and the rope of mindfulness. The rabbit represent laziness and the monkey restlessness. The fire represents passions which also comes under control.

Venerable Mary will be using the four to five first stages of the nine stages.

What will be offered?

During this retreat you will be guided step by step through the practice of Shamata in a supportive and productive way. The programme includes:

Teachings on the stages of Shamata and their application in daily practice.
Many short 24 minutes meditation session to steadily train attention.
Learning opportunities through teachings, group work, Q and A and meditation.
Opportunity to participate with The Five Tibetans (physical exercise) in the afternoon personal time.
Vegetarian and vegan food with gluten free options.

Qualification

We all need to start where we are so no matter what our level of meditation might be, you will find amazing benefit from training in Shamatha.

About the teacher

Born in Dundee, Scotland, Venerable Mary was a staff nurse when she first encountered Buddhism at the monastery Kopan, in Nepal in 1978. It was her love of adventure and trekking that led her to Kopan. Ven Mary attended a month long course taught by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa who emphasised the importance of meditation and taking complete responsibility for your own actions and their effects. In 2001 Ven Mary took ordination as a nun with Lama Zopa Rinpoche, then until 2012 taught meditation and Buddhist philosophy at many different centers and also hospitals and prisons. Ven Mary went on to take full Bikshuni (Nun) ordination in 2015.

Over the years Ven Mary has undertaken and led many meditation retreats. She completed a one year solitary retreat in 2014 and completes a three month personal retreat each year. She continues to regularly teach for Jamyang Buddhist Centre Leeds, Jamyang Liverpool and in Land of Joy UK.

Venerable Mary has also trained extensively with Lama Alan Wallace, a great renowned Tibetan Buddhist practitioner, author and buddhologist. The training has included many long retreats and a one year solitary retreat under his guidance on Holy Island.

Resources

It would be beneficial for students, but not compulsory, to become familiar with the book of Alan Wallace, The attention revolution. Venerable Mary will refer to it during the teachings. This book is available in hardback, kindle and audio.

Retreat Boundaries

To help create the best conditions for meditation practice, this retreat will be held within a supportive framework:

Silence – This retreat is not totally silent. However there will be periods of silence during the day to encourage calm and inward focus. Complete silence for the entire course is optional.
Technology-free space – You will be encouraged to switch off phones, laptops and other devices for the duration of the retreat, except for reading texts and other dharma related material.
Respecting the schedule – Participants are asked to attend all sessions on time, as consistency supports both personal practice and the group environment.
Mindful living – Meals and daily activities will be approached with awareness, becoming part of the retreat practice itself.

These boundaries are not restrictions but supports — creating a safe, focused space in which the mind can settle and deepen.

Practical information

Price for accomodation
Single room with private bathroom: SEK 8120
Single room with shared bathroom: SEK 7420
Part in double room with private bathroom: SEK 6720
Part in double room with shared bathroom: SEK 5320

Part in triple room with private bathroom: SEK 5670

Part in triple room with shared bathroom: SEK 4270

Sleeping alcove (behind curtain): SEK 3780

Camper van (bring your own camper van/caravan): SEK 2520

Tent spot (bring your own tent): SEK 2520

Donation/Dana

The teacher and the volunteers are conducting this retreat based on traditional non for profit. Meaning we who arrange the retreat pay for food, the teachers travel from the UK and other expenses whilst Mundekulla stands for accommodation and venue. We are therefore 100% dependent on donations for the teachings, food and the management of the retreat.

You are therefore invited after the retreat to give in donation what you can to your ability as an appreciation for the teacher and organizers of the retreat and food expenses through swish or cash. There will be a traditional offering to Venerable Mary of a kata (traditional Buddhist silk scarf), thank you card and donation.

Food

The food served will be healthy vegetarian and vegan food with gluten free options. Options for allergics. There will be breakfast, lunch and soup with bread for evening. Participants may choose to skip evening meal as may be the tradition.

Booking and payment

Prices in the booking system include accomodation and venue. When booking, 50% of the total amount is charged. The remaining fee is paid on site, at check-in.

Booking terms & conditions

See our Booking policy here.

Information on accomodation and practicalities

All participants shall register at the reception upon arrival and pay the remaining fee.
Bring your own sheets and towels. Can also be rented at reception for SEK 200/set.
Participants clean bedrooms after the course, or buy this service for a cost of SEK 350/bedroom. For room cleaning not carried out by participant a fee of SEK 500 will be invoiced.
It is not allowed to use candles in the rooms.
Pets are welcome but must be supervised. They are not allowed in the course rooms, dining room or other common areas. Please let us know in advance and we will arrange the best possible accommodation. A cleaning fee of SEK 500 will be added. Also, do check with the course organizer whether pets are allowed at your particular event.
It's good to bring clothes for nature walks.

Travel to Mundekulla
We are at beautiful Mundekulla in Southern Sweden. Only 3 hours by direct train from Copenhagen. Click here for information on how to get to Mundekulla.

Carpooling
Welcome to join our carpooling group on Facebook where you can request or offer a ride to a specific event at Mundekulla.

Kursen är fullbokad men det finns en väntelista. Skriv till info@mundekulla.se, eller ring 073-503 89 19, så sätter vi upp dig på listan.

FULLBOKAT

Kursen är fullbokad men det finns en väntelista. Skriv till info@mundekulla.se så sätter vi upp dig på listan och meddelar dig om/när det finns en ledig plats.