The Three Peaks Challenge!
Climbing for something bigger
In less than a week, on Saturday 12th June, We're taking on one of the UK's toughest 24-hour mountain expeditions - The Three Peaks Challenge. We will strive to climb the three highest mountains across each country in Britain - Wales, England, and Scotland - in under 24 hours.
This means a collective distance of walking and driving over 500 miles - imagine doing the "North Coast 500" in Scotland, driving overnight, while climbing three of the biggest UK peaks, all in the same day... We've certainly got our work cut out for us!
Why are we taking this challenge on?
To support a crucial ongoing cause: building Scotland’s first Zen Retreat Centre. After three years of hard work fundraising, we’re actively searching for suitable locations and making this final push towards getting a place.
We are now working to fundraise £5000 - with less than a week to go we are just over halfway. This is amazing, and we're asking for your support in truly helping push us towards the finish line!
What is Zen Practice?
Zen Buddhism is about providing an opportunity to step back from the busyness of daily life and get a fresh perspective on our lives. This can help us respond more skilfully and effectively to the challenges we all face.
- In times of difficulty - related to growing reports of mental health challenges, increased stress, and seemingly greater divide across our communities - its more important than ever that people can find space for themselves, and those around them.
Why a Retreat Centre?
Going on a retreat allows us a real opportunity to step back and gain a renewed energy and fresh perspective. Yet, options in Scotland can be limited and expensive. A dedicated country facility, easily accessible from Glasgow, would be a wonderful way to offer people this opportunity.
Who does this aim to help?
Our aim is to establish a space where people come for meditation retreats, periods of residential living and a whole range of different courses and events. While we intend to use the space to offer a wide range of Buddhist retreats and courses, we also want to make it available to the wider public.
We'd want this not-for-profit centre to be open to other like-minded groups too, offering:
• Yoga,
• Tai Chi,
• Mindfulness, and related activities
... Supporting a diverse community from Glasgow and beyond.
What are we about?
At Cloud Water Zen, we have been offering meditation and Zen practice in a small space in Glasgow City Centre for several years:
• From offering meditation teaching and Zen practice, several hundred have come to the centre.
• Most recently, we have offering free mindfulness and yoga classes to asylum seekers, refugees, and those who normally struggle with the costs of commercial courses
This has helped provide people with the skills and practices for reducing anxiety while increasing relaxation - so we see people report greater connection and present-mindedness.
Why your help can make a huge difference
We want to continue expanding accessible, affordable opportunities for people. We're convinced that the retreat centre can make a real difference to people's lives. All donations - large and small - are gratefully received.
One day, Three Peaks, Endless Impact
From 500 miles on the road to 3,000m+ under our boots, your support helps us along as strive up and down mountains, across Britain, to help build Scotland first Zen Retreat Centre. Please click on the link to donate, and wish us luck!
For more information, please visit our page.
Co-organizers (2)
Oscar Thompson
Organizer
Scotland
Cloud Water Zen
Beneficiary
Anthony Carney
Co-organizer