Spending several days in silence, surrounded by others in a shared field of stillness, can become a deeply moving and potentially life-changing experience. With sustained meditation practice, there is space to meet each moment as it is and to allow whatever arises — whether feelings, thoughts, or long-held memories — to be felt with honesty and care. Over time, that same silence often reveals something subtle and beautiful: a quiet sense of recognition between participants, a welcoming atmosphere of acceptance, and an unspoken connection not only with one another, but also with the surrounding landscape of mountains, trees, water, birdsong, clouds, and open sky.

How to prepare for the retreat

A week of intensive silent meditation is both demanding and deeply rewarding. You will benefit most if you arrive prepared, though if that is not possible, the following suggestions may help you settle in more easily:

Begin meditating
We will be sitting together for 6-8 hours each day, so we strongly encourage you to start a daily practice as soon as you can. This will help your body adjust to the posture.
Read about meditation
Recommended books include Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki and Opening the Hand of Thought by Kosho Uchiyama.
Plan to be offline
Your phone will not be taken away on arrival, but we recommend keeping it switched off or in flight mode throughout the retreat. Reading news and messages can interrupt concentration and make it harder to maintain Noble Silence.
We also suggest informing work, family, and friends in advance that you will be offline for a week, so you can fully enjoy this rare break from everyday distractions.

How do my family contact me in an emergency?
If family or friends need to reach you urgently during the retreat, they may contact the retreat centre manager in case of an emergency.

A note on silence

This is a SILENT MEDITATION retreat, which means we will practice meditation extensively and observe silence throughout our time together. Noble Silence is an essential and non-negotiable part of the retreat, and everyone is expected to respect it.

If you need anything during the retreat — such as an extra blanket, toilet paper, or assistance with your room — there will be a place to leave notes for the retreat host. If you are experiencing emotional difficulty and would like to speak with the retreat facilitator, you may also leave a note to arrange a meeting time.

The daily schedule

Day 1
12pm-2 pm: Arrival
3:30 - 5 pm Opening ceremony and orientation
5 - 5:30 Break
5:30 - 6:30 Zazen
6:30 - 7 pm Gather around the bonfire
7pm: Dinner

Day 2 - 5
6am: Wake up
630am - 815am: Zazen (meditation)
815am: Breakfast
9am - 1030am: Yin yoga
11am - 1245am: Zazen (meditation)
1245pm - 3pm: Lunch and rest
330pm - 430pm: Mindful walk (those who wish to meditate more can stay behind and practice during this hour)
5pm: Tea and snack
530pm: Talk given by the retreat facilitator
630pm: Gather around the bonfire
7pm - 8pm: Dinner
8pm - 945pm: Zazen (meditation)
10pm: Sleep

Day 6
6am: Wake up
630am - 815am: Zazen (meditation)
815am: Breakfast
9am - 1030am: Yin yoga
11am - 1245am: Group discussion (continued after lunch if necessary)
1245pm - 3pm: Lunch and rest
330pm - 430pm: Mindful walk (those who don't want to come for a walk, can do an extra meditation here)
5pm: Tea and snack
530pm: Talk given by the retreat facilitator
630pm: Gather around the bonfire
7pm - 8pm: Dinner
8pm - 945pm: Zazen (meditation)
10pm: Sleep

Day 7
6am: Wake up
630am - 815am: Zazen (meditation)
815am: Breakfast
930am - 1030am: Zazen
1030am - 12pm: Closing ceremony and break silence
12pm: Fire purification ceremony with a Balinese Priest
1pm: Lunch
3pm: Leave the retreat centre

How to get to Yogi's Garden, Payangan, Bali

By plane
Bali’s international airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport. From Europe, the most economical and convenient route is often to fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur before continuing to Bali.

Getting to Yogi's Garden
Transport from the airport or from Ubud to the retreat centre can be arranged by the retreat centre for an additional fee, payable directly to the retreat centre. A shared document for transport coordination will be provided about a month before the retreat through the shared WhatsApp group.

Offsetting your carbon emissions
If you are flying, please consider offsetting your carbon emissions. Ripple Africa is recommended for carbon offsetting.

Give yourself time
It is recommended that you arrive in Bali well before the retreat so you can rest properly. Staying an extra day or two after the retreat is also encouraged, giving you time to integrate the experience and ease back into daily life. It can also be a lovely chance to connect with the people you have shared silence with.

What is and what isn't provided

What's provided
All meals from dinner on the first day of the retreat to lunch on the final day
Yoga mats and props
Meditation cushion (if you have a preferred cushion for meditation, we recommend bringing your own)
Accommodation and bedding
Instruction on meditation technique
Meditation and yoga each day
Dharma talk each day

What's not provided
Flights
Transfers to retreat centre
Massages: Massages are 250k Indonesian rupee for one hour Balinese massage. You can book as many as you want during the retreat.

What to expect - activities

Meditation
We practice Zazen, a Zen Buddhist meditation practice. During Zazen, you sit on a cushion facing a wall and place your attention on posture and breathing. There are 5 hours of meditation each day, divided into three sessions of 1 hour and 40 minutes each. We strongly encourage attendance at all other sessions to deepen your practice and support harmony within the group.

Each meditation block includes three seated periods and follows this structure:
25 minutes of seated meditation (zazen),
10 minutes of walking meditation (kinhin),
25 minutes of seated meditation (zazen),
10 minutes of walking meditation (kinhin),
25 minutes of seated meditation (zazen).

All meditation is silent and unguided. Full instruction for seated and walking meditation will be provided on the first day.

Yoga
The yoga practice is yin yoga: gentle, slow, and held for several minutes at a time. It will be led by a qualified and experienced yoga teacher. You will receive a form in advance so you can share any injuries with the teacher. Yoga mats and props are provided, though you are welcome to bring your own.

Mindful walks
Each day includes a silent mindful walk through the village and nature near the retreat centre, lasting about one hour. If you prefer, you may use this time for extra meditation instead.

Balinese cultural activities
The retreat is designed to offer a meaningful introduction to Balinese culture and spirituality through the opening introduction, daily walks in a traditional village, and the two purification ceremonies.

Free time
There are also periods of free time throughout the retreat for rest, yoga, nature walks, reading, writing, or simply enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Writing and reading are allowed, though we encourage you to choose material related to meditation.

Massage
One-hour Balinese massages are available for 250k Indonesian rupees each, and you may book as many as you wish during the retreat.

Food
Breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, and dinner are served daily. Fruit and tea are also available in the kitchen throughout the day. All food is organic and vegetarian, with most ingredients sourced from the garden.

Accommodation options

Several room types are available at different prices. All rooms are cleaned daily and include towels and bed sheets. Sheets are changed every three days, and towels every two days.

"The Taj" twin and private rooms
The Taj is Yogi Garden’s main guest residence, with 8 rooms and an Indian design influence. All rooms have jungle views and windows facing Mount Agung. Accommodation options include:

1 person shared twin room ensuite: Spacious deluxe shared twin ensuite room with private veranda, private toilet and shower. Amenities include a refrigerator, hot water kettle with tea/coffee, shower stocked with soap and shampoo, hairdryer, A/C, and fan.
2 persons private room ensuite: Spacious deluxe private double ensuite room with private veranda, private toilet and shower. Amenities include a refrigerator, hot water kettle with tea/coffee, shower stocked with soap and shampoo, hairdryer, A/C, and fan.

"The Taj" dorm rooms
1 person in a dorm room: Four guests per room, with shared toilets and showers in the hallway. These upgraded bunk beds include air conditioning, a fan, a hot water kettle with a coffee/tea station, and locking cabinets for each guest.

"Gladak"
The Gladak features three rooms in a Javanese design-inspired wooden house, surrounded by garden views. Each room has a private bathroom.

1 person shared twin room en suite
2 persons private double room en suite

"Little Sweets"
A spacious single room with a beautiful jungle view. These units have shared bathrooms and toilets in the corridor and are equipped with a ceiling fan. The rooms have high ceilings and come with a fan.

1 person single private room

Packing list

Toiletries
Swimming clothes for the water purification ceremony and for the swimming pool
Comfortable clothes for meditation and yoga
Waterproof jacket
Comfortable

Silent/quiet retreat in Kabupaten Gianyar

Silent/quiet retreat in Kabupaten Gianyar