5-Day Silent Meditation Retreats

To attend our retreats, you must meet one of the following criteria: have completed an 8-week MBSR course, attended a meditation retreat before, or meditated regularly for three or more months. If you're completely new to meditation, we recommend signing up for the MBSR 8-Week Course.

Retreats are hosted on Zoom, and the necessary information will be sent to you before the retreat.

No, our program format allows you to experience the benefits of a retreat without the need to travel to a center. You can meditate comfortably at home.

The retreat will last five days. There will be an orientation session the night before the retreat starts. During the retreat, participants will meditate as a group for most of the day, with opportunities to talk with meditation instructors individually and in small groups.

We offer 4 - 10 retreats monthly and are constantly listing new retreats on this website. We also announce upcoming retreats to our mailing list when registration begins. Check back on this website or sign up below to stay informed of our upcoming MBSR offerings.

We offer an unconditional satisfaction guarantee and will provide a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase. You may request a refund by emailing us up to the first day of the retreat.

For those who are interested in becoming an MBSR teacher, attending the five-day retreat will fulfill the minimum retreat prerequisite to begin teacher training across all MBSR teacher training institutions. However, it's important to note that this retreat does not authorize you to teach MBSR, nor does it substitute for the MBSR 8-Week Course. To meet the prerequisite, it is essential to attend the entirety of the retreat.

 Retreats offer a safe space and time to cultivate and deepen your mindfulness meditation practice, free from everyday distractions. Longer meditation periods help develop concentration and discipline, relieve stress, improve your mental state, and center yourself with mindfulness. Retreats are also helpful for restarting a regular meditation practice after a break.

Most sitting meditations last about 30 minutes, followed by shorter periods of mindful movement. Participants engage in various forms of mindfulness practices, including sitting, lying down, walking, and standing meditations.

Most meditations at the beginning of the retreat are guided by a meditation instructor, but guidance decreases as the retreat progresses. Some meditation periods will be done in silence.

Yes, during the retreat, there will be opportunities for dialogue between the instructors and participants. Participants will have the opportunity to check in with instructors individually or in small groups.

Participants are encouraged to find a comfortable position that works best for them, such as sitting in a chair, lying down, or standing. 

We recommend having comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, a blanket, a meditation cushion or a straight-back chair, and a yoga mat for the best retreat experience. We also recommend preparing your meals in advance to reduce any potential distractions and having water nearby to stay hydrated.

Yes, we ask that you remain silent as much as possible during the retreat. We understand that you're participating from home, but we encourage you to coordinate with others in your household to ensure you have the necessary time and space to practice.

You can privately chat with an instructor on Zoom if you need assistance during the retreat. Instructors will not regularly check their phones or email during the retreat.

We advise against reading, journaling, or writing during the retreat to fully immerse yourself in the meditation experience and enjoy the rare opportunity of a day without external distractions.

We request that you only use the computer or tablet you connect with for the retreat and refrain from using any other devices or technology for any purpose outside of the retreat for the duration of the five days. Taking a break from technology is recommended to fully engage in the retreat and connect with your instructor and fellow participants.

Attendance at all formal practice sessions and adherence to scheduled times is crucial to the retreat experience for both the instructors and other participants. If an emergency arises, please inform the instructors immediately. If you know in advance that you cannot attend the entire retreat, please wait and sign up for a later date..

Yes, it is recommended that you take some time to adjust and transition back to your daily routine after the retreat. We suggest avoiding any plans immediately after the retreat to avoid feeling overwhelmed by noise and social interaction after spending time in solitude and silence.

Our retreats are MBSR-based and lead by accredited MBSR instructors, which adhere to evidence-based meditation practices. The retreats are secular, and inclusive of all beliefs.

You are welcome to invite others to join you at the retreat, including your partner, friend, or colleague. However, each participant must purchase a separate ticket and use their device during the retreat to avoid confusion with the instructor. Most of the retreat will involve silence and individual practice, even if attending with others.

Yes, you may attend multiple meditation retreats. Many participants use these retreats as a way to refresh their practice or recommit to mindfulness after a break. Some use the retreats to recharge after a stressful life event or prepare for future challenges.

Continued meditation practice after the retreat is highly recommended. It will help you integrate the benefits of meditation into your daily life. Our global community of practice, Meditate Together, is one option that participants have found helpful. We offer 30-minute sessions with 20 minutes of silent meditation and 10 minutes of guided reflection. You can sign up for free here: Meditate Together. You can also consider taking our MBSR (mindfulness-based stress reduction program) 8-Week Course, the most trusted and scientifically researched mindfulness meditation training program. Our MBSR courses like our retreats are taught by accredited MBSR instructors, you can find more information about our upcoming MBSR 8-Week Course.