Land of Joy

09/10/2026

A Visit to Our Neighbours at Harnham 🙏

Our Land of Joy volunteers recently spent a lovely day with our friends at Aruna Ratanagiri, Harnham Buddhist Monastery, just a short drive away across the Northumberland countryside.

Aruna Ratanagiri is a monastery in the Thai Forest tradition, part of the lineage of the late Ajahn Chah. The Sangha welcomed us warmly. We spent some time with them and were invited to explore the peaceful grounds. Along the way we passed a serene Buddha rupa set among the trees, the quiet lakeside, and one very photogenic resident peacock, who posed proudly among the roses.

Visits like this are a beautiful reminder that the Buddha's teachings flow through many streams. Different traditions share the same aspiration to wisdom and compassion, and it was a joy to sit together and celebrate our friendship as Dharma neighbours.

Our heartfelt thanks to whole Harnham community for their generous hospitality. We hope to someday welcome them to Land of Joy. 🙏

07/10/2026

Save the dates: our 2027 retreats 🌿

We're delighted to share the first four of our 2027 retreats. As these will be happening in January & February, we wanted to give you plenty of time to plan ahead:

21–24 January: Developing Our Capacity to Love, with Alison and Anna
29 January – 5 February: Mahamudra, with Roy Sutherwood
12–21 February: Medicine Buddha Retreat, with Phara Khenchen Rinpoche and Di Carroll
25–28 February: Awakening the Courage of the Bodhisattvas: Training in the Perfection of Patience, with François Schick
The full 2027 programme will be released on 25 October, and registration for all retreats opens on 1 November. Keep an eye on your inbox and on landofjoy.co.uk for details.

We look forward to welcoming you in the new year. 🙏

05/10/2026

🍂 Our September newsletter is here! 🍂

It's been a month of momentum at Land of Joy. Inside this issue:

🛖 Retreat hut update – our first hut is officially built, walls, roof and shingles! The second is rising among the birch trees, and there's exciting news coming soon about how you can help with the next phase 👀
📅 Save the dates for 2027 – our first four retreats are announced, with the full programme released on 25 October and registration opening 1 November
🙏 A visit to our Dharma neighbours at Aruna Ratanagiri, Harnham Buddhist Monastery (and one very photogenic peacock 🦚)
☸️ An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism with Phara Khenchen Rinpoche & Di Carroll, 30 Oct – 1 Nov. No experience needed!
🥕 From the kitchen: a warming Carrot, Orange & Ginger Soup
📖 Stories from Land of Joy: "The Hoover That Learned Humility" from volunteer Sandeep Krishnappa

Read the full newsletter here 👉 https://landofjoy.co.uk/resources/newsletter-archive/

💚 Thank you for being part of our community, whether you're here in Northumberland or holding us in your heart from afar.

02/10/2026

Retreat space now available 🌿

Due to a few cancellations, our private retreat huts have some availability over the next couple of months.

Tucked into the woodland above the valley, each hut gives you a quiet space for practice, with an altar and meditation area, a balcony overlooking the Northumberland countryside, and simple vegetarian meals delivered to your door.

There's no internet and no phone signal, just you, your practice and the land.
If you've been hoping to make time for a personal retreat this autumn or winter, this could be your moment. Stays run from one week to three months and are offered on our Generosity Model.

Check dates and book here: https://landofjoy.co.uk/personal-stay/private-retreat-hut/ 🙏

01/10/2026

🙏 An Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism

Friday 30th October – Sunday 1st November | Land of Joy
New to Buddhism, or simply curious? This gentle weekend retreat offers a warm, welcoming first step into the Tibetan Buddhist path — no experience necessary.
Over the weekend you'll explore foundational teachings like bodhicitta, the Four Noble Truths, karma, and impermanence, take part in guided meditations, and have space for questions, discussion, and quiet reflection. It's also a lovely refresher for anyone wanting to reconnect with the lam rim.

✨ Led by Phara Khenchen Rinpoche (Tulku-la) & Di Carroll
🏡 All meals, accommodation, workshops, materials & firewood included
💛 Generosity Model — donation only, whatever you can offer
📍 Onsite only, begins 7pm Fri, ends 4pm Sun

Come simply curious, and see what resonates.

👉 For more information and to book your place: https://landofjoy.co.uk/an-introduction-to-tibetan-buddhism/

Details: Date: Friday 30th October - Sunday 1st November Retreat Leader: Phara Khenchen Rinpoche (Tulku-la) & Di Carroll

29/09/2026

📬 Last-Minute Retreat Availability at Land of Joy!

A private retreat hut has just opened up: October 3rd–21st. Nestled in the woodland overlooking the valley, it's a quiet space to step back from the everyday and settle into your own practice — whether that's meditation, study, or simple rest.

✨ If you've been waiting for the right moment for a personal retreat, this could be it.

📅 Book here: https://landofjoy.co.uk/personal-stay/private-retreat-hut/

Private Retreat Huts Why is retreat important? In order for our spirituality, pure morality, wisdom, single-pointed concentration and insight to really grow, we need time and space. The normal twentieth-century environment does not give us this. It induces either distraction or sluggishness, and ret...

24/09/2026

📬 The September Spiritual Newsletter is here!

This month at Land of Joy: welcoming H.E. Jhado Rinpoche to the UK for the first time 🙏, muddy-boots progress on our retreat huts rising among the birch trees 🏡, a bumper late-summer harvest from the kitchen garden 🍅, and reflections from our Mindful Movement and Living with Integrity retreats.

Plus a look ahead to Introduction to Buddhism, Emptiness in Everyday Life, and our Kalachakra Six-Session Guru Yoga Nearing Retreat this autumn.

📖 Read the full newsletter: https://landofjoy.co.uk/resources/newsletter-archive/

Newsletter Archive Step into a treasury of wisdom, community news, and spiritual insights spanning the journey of our beloved retreat center. These archives represent more than just a collection of newsletters—they are the living chronicle of our shared path in Dharma practice, celebration, and gr...

21/09/2026

🏡 Retreat Hut Update from Land of Joy

Something is taking shape here in Northumberland. In our latest video, we walk you through where the retreat hut project stands now. Every hut will be a quiet place for practice, reflection, and rest, and seeing them come to life has been a joy for everyone here. None of it would be possible without our volunteers and the generosity of this community. Thank you for every donation, every hour of work, and every kind word along the way.
▶️ Watch the update, and let us know what you think in the comments.

18/09/2026

"Being a Buddhist means changing the way we see things." 🙏

In this short clip, the ever-direct Ven. Robina Courtin cuts straight to the heart of practice — it's not about ritual or belief, but about transforming our own mind and the way we relate to everything around us.

A perfect reminder for wherever you are on the path. 🎥👇

Thought of the day from Venerable Robina CourtinCaptions in Engli...

16/09/2026

🪵 Foundations for the Future — Retreat Hut Update!

Rain or shine, the work continues! ☔️➡️☀️ Our small but mighty team has been out on site through everything Northumberland's weather can throw at them, and the platform for the new retreat hut is now fully framed and decked.

From the joists going down in the drizzle to the sun breaking through for finishing touches — measuring, leveling, and securing every beam — this hut is being built with real care, one board at a time. And with the timber frame kit now on site (all wrapped and waiting under those tarps!), the next stage of the build is ready to begin. 🙏

Every screw driven and every board laid is thanks to the generosity of our community. We're so grateful for the hands and hearts making this space possible for the sangha.
Stay tuned as the walls start to rise! 🌲