Maitrisara, secretary of the UK’s Network of Engaged Buddhists, writes with news of a new event to be held at EcoDharma, a Triratna retreat centre high in the Spanish Pyrenees. To be held in May, it’ll be EcoDharma’s first women's retreat and is titled ‘bodies of earth: beyond me and mine’.

She says - “Through an intimate mindfulness of our own body and our wider body, the earth, we can realise Buddhist insights more deeply. The natural expression of these insights is a care for all life. May is a stunningly beautiful time to be in the Catalan Pyrenees. It’s my favourite time there with wild flowers in all directions and the most amazing butterflies. This is a transforming place to be and a deeply connecting way to live. It’ll be suitable for women for any level of experience, with teaching in English.”

Another member of the team, Dayajoti writes “It'll be an in-depth exploration of some of the core wisdom teachings of Buddhism - the laksanas - through mindfulness of body and nature ...there'll be plenty of silence, and time to really enjoy the stunning landscape and travel deep within, individually and as a group”.

Padmadarshini will be offering yoga and sees this retreat as time to “ 'invite' the landscape deep into our being”. Jutika with her experience of Focusing completes this experienced team. They invite women of any level of experience to join them and discover what emerges when women, wild nature and an ecological and sustainable lifestyle are brought together.

Dates are 5-19th May. For information and booking see the EcoDharma website. Book soon (to make the most of cheaper train tickets) by emailing EcoDharma or Maitrisara at Maitrisara1@gmail.com.