The Amida Centre is a small farmhouse set in 8 hectares (20 acres) of rural old France between the rivers Cher and Allier. It is a Buddhist retreat offering long and short stays for people interested in finding a quiet spot for mindful living, meditation, therapy, dharma study, Zen practice, creativity, closeness to nature, working and non-working retreats, tranquil holidays and personal replenishment. Lifestyle The main emphasis at the Amida Centre is upon participating in a community lifestyle rooted in mindfulness. The life of the community iscentred outdoors. We grow much of our own food. We eat outside under the walnut tree. We share the daily tasks and there are more substantial work projects for those who wish to participate in this way. More intensive retreats as well as create and therapy workshops may sometimes be offered and in the past we have made earth sculptures, weaving, jewellery, art, music, drama, yoga, massage and voice work. There is also a private retreat hut away from the main house in the wood. We ask visitors to keep the Buddhist precepts while at the Amida Centre, respecting the wildlife, eating vegtetarian food, avoiding sexual misconduct, sharing and co-operating with one anotherand not consuming alcohol on the campus. Daily Schedule We mediatate together before breakfast, midday and evening. Dharma teachings are given each day when David is at the Centre. Generally there is a work period in the mornings and free time in the afternoons. Every few days there is a "lazy day": with no scheduled events or meditation. Seasons In the summer period (July and August) the Centre is continuously occupied and the full programme operates. In general, Jly is more oriented to Dharma practice and work, while August is more relaxed, but much depends upon who is present and it is possible to cater for a variety of purposes. At other time of year, the Centre is only occupied intermittantly. Winter and spring visitors who are familiar with the Centre and/or with the mindfulness practice are welcome by arrangement. Often this provides and excellent opportunity for a low cost private retreat. The locality Amida is off the beaten track, in Berry, the heart of France, yet an area hardly know to tourists with gentle farmland, oak forests, small lakes for swimming and many beauty spots. The villages have medieval features, castles, gardens and old abbeys. It is agood area for cycling, walking and relaxing. In summer ther are village festivals and we make trips out. There is a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in the vicinity too. Facilities There are shared bedrooms in the house, smaller rooms in out-buildings (only suitable in summer), and plenty of room for camping. We have indoor and outdoor spaces for meditation and workshops. We have facilities for creative work with art and craft materials. Families are welcome. Small children will need supervision as there are always some dangers in the countryside. Generally, we suggest families camp, though other options are possible. The earlier you book, the easier it is to make suitable arangements. Cost Amida is run on a non-profit basis. Any surplus (rare) is used to improve the facilities. Guests are asked to make a donation between 70FF and 170FF per day in the summer period. Please take into account how much you want to support our work, how much you can afford, and the contribution you make in other ways to Amida. If you are coming as a working visitor you probably pay less than if you come for a holiday. IF you pay more that we suggest, then, of course, this helps others. Travel By car, the Amida Centre is an easy drive from Dieppe -- we will send you directions. By public transport, you go to Paris by coach, train or airplane and the by rail 3 hours to St. Amand Montrond Orval where we can collect you. Sometimes we can offer lifts from the UK or put poeple in touch to share the driving. Recent News about Amida Centre This year (1997) the Centre will be open in June, July, August and September and may well be open throughout the spring period from Easter onward and into the autumn too. David and Caroline will visit from time to time through this winter. If you are interested in going out for a spell off season do contact us. The Centre is a very nice place to go for a retreat and we hope you will also want to contribute in practical ways to its development which is an on-going project. We have recently had a new roof put on the formerly derelict barn and thus created a meditation hall. This has also freed up the large upper room in the main house as a sitting room which we found very useful this summer. Brendan Breen very kindly installed an upper floor in the old "ecurie" building, which has created more living space, and erected a retreat hut in our woodland at the far side of the Champ de Ville au Roi - another very valuable addition to the facilities. We need gardeners for the spring. There will be a different lead facilitator each month as follows: June: Sally Ridgway; July: David Brazier; August: Caroline Brazier; September: David Brazier. The programme will be slightly different from month to month. August will be most relaxed and holiday like (best time for children). Sally will include Yoga in her programme. David's periods will be a little more disciplined (best time for working visitors and retreatants). The whole summer period will offer opportunities for zen practice, gentle holidaying, working breaks and pleasant community. Do get in touch to discuss your plans to visit. We are currently in process of negotiating the purchase of five small fields which will add an extra area of wodland to the property and make it even more secluded than before.