Taming the Tiger

What if the obstacles you've been struggling against could become your greatest teachers? Taming the Tiger is a transformative weekend meditation retreat that invites you to fundamentally shift how you relate to difficulty, resistance, and the inner tigers of fear, anger, and doubt. Held at the sacred Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery in Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, this September 25–27, 2026 retreat offers a rare opportunity to study Buddhist principles of self-transformation under the guidance of Dr. Brion Sweeney, a retired psychiatrist and seasoned student of Tara Rokpa Therapy whose decades of clinical and contemplative experience weave seamlessly together.

This is not a retreat designed to help you escape what is difficult. Instead, it invites you into a gentler, more courageous practice: meeting what arises with kindness, acceptance, and curiosity. Whether you're drawn to meditation for healing, spiritual growth, or a deeper understanding of freedom and compassion, Taming the Tiger offers a contemplative container where real transformation becomes possible. You'll explore the timeless Buddhist insight that to change the world, we must first change ourselves—and discover what that actually means in your own life.

What to Expect

Over the weekend, you'll participate in guided meditation sessions, dharma teachings, and reflective practice designed to illuminate your relationship with obstacles and resistance. Dr. Sweeney weaves Buddhist wisdom with practical psychology, creating an accessible bridge between ancient philosophy and modern life. The retreat atmosphere is grounded, supportive, and deeply spacious—the monastery setting itself becomes part of the teaching. By the end of the weekend, you'll have experiential tools for working skillfully with difficulty, a clearer sense of how tolerance and compassion grow in meditation, and a renewed understanding of freedom as it actually lives in the body and heart.

Venue & Logistics

Kagyu Samye Ling Monastery in Eskdalemuir, Dumfries and Galloway, is one of Scotland's most respected Buddhist centers, set within beautiful countryside that naturally supports contemplative practice. The retreat runs Friday through Sunday, September 25–27, 2026. Wear comfortable, warm layers suitable for the Scottish climate and meditation practice. Accommodation and meals are typically provided on-site; check the event details for specific logistics, accessibility information, and any dietary accommodations available.