Explore practical meditation methods from the ancient Vigyana Bhairava Tantra, a timeless teaching that invites insight and presence into ordinary life. Composed more than 1,000 years ago, this text offers a simple yet profound path into meditation, helping everyday experiences become openings for awakening.
At the core of yoga is the invitation to insight: a deep inner recognition in which the veils fall away and we begin to perceive the true nature of being. The Vigyana Bhairava Tantra, a classical tantric text written over a thousand years ago in Kashmir, offers a direct doorway into that experience.
The meaning of its title reflects the teaching itself. Vigyana points to insight or direct knowing, while Bhairava refers to the underlying Reality, the timeless presence that supports all form and experience. Together, they point toward the lived experience of the infinite, here and now.
What sets this text apart is its remarkable practicality. It presents more than 100 meditation techniques that are immediately accessible and deeply transformative. These are not abstract ideas, but embodied practices that lead into stillness. They are not limited to isolated retreats or perfect conditions; they are meant to be woven into daily life. A breath, a sound, a moment of joy or pain, a glance, a heartbeat — all of it can become a doorway to awakening.
This course offers a rare chance to encounter the direct teachings of the Vigyana Bhairava Tantra in a supportive and immersive setting. Each day, selected practices from the text are explored through meditation, hatha yoga, chanting, yoga nidra, and kirtan. The focus remains on returning again and again to presence, using these practices as tools for continuous inner awakening.
Rather than emphasizing complex philosophy, this immersion centers on direct experience. The approach is subtle, intimate, and potentially life-changing, opening a new relationship with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us.
This immersion is designed for those with an established practice, as well as sincere seekers ready to go deeper into the subtle dimensions of tantric meditation. Whether you are revisiting these teachings or encountering them for the first time, you are warmly invited to explore what it means to live rooted in presence, where every moment becomes the practice and every breath holds the possibility of awakening.
All courses are guided by senior teachers with nearly 100 years of combined yoga teaching experience.
General Retreat Timetable
Mouna
Mouna refers to periods of silence, during which we continue our yoga practice and daily activities without speaking. It is an important part of ashram life.
At the ashram, mouna is observed every day from 9pm until breakfast the next morning, for the first half of lunch and supper, and for longer periods during some courses and resident retreats.
Karma Yoga
Karma yoga is an essential part of retreats and ashram life. It means doing work in a spirit of service and with awareness. While often overlooked, it is a fundamental aspect of yoga and can be deeply transformative.
On a practical level, this includes tasks such as gardening, cooking, housework, and maintaining the buildings — whatever needs attention at the time. On a deeper level, karma yoga means being fully engaged in the task while remaining connected to inner being.
Some visitors arrive at the ashram after time spent in other ashrams or spiritual communities. For others, it is a completely new experience. In either case, we recommend coming with an open mind and a willingness to make the most of your time here.
If you are planning to visit the ashram, there are several practical details to consider, including travel, what to bring, food and drink, ashram rules and regulations, and more.
Although every effort is made to keep the ashram as safe as possible and to make retreats accessible to as many people as possible, by taking part you accept responsibility for your own health and safety.
Please make sure that you are fit and well enough to participate in yoga practice. If needed, you should seek medical advice before undertaking any yoga practice, including asana, meditation, pranayama, Yoga Nidra, and related sessions.
As part of the booking process, you will be asked to inform us of any physical or mental health circumstances that could be affected by the practices in your chosen course. Mandala Yoga Ashram accepts no responsibility for injury resulting from failure to follow the teacher’s instructions or from non-disclosure of medical conditions, injury, or physical impairment.
If you are in any doubt, please obtain specialist or professional advice from your doctor before participating, as we are not qualified to judge whether you are fit to safely take part in any sessions.
Three payment options are available for our courses, allowing us to meet our costs and continue thriving while remaining accessible. We rely on the honesty of our visitors to choose the tier that best suits them.
Benefactor – for those with the financial means and generosity of spirit to pay a little extra for a retreat, helping support others in a less secure financial position.
Standard – the standard tier, calculated to ensure the ashram meets the essential costs of running the institution year after year.
Supported – for those who genuinely need support to attend a retreat and therefore pay a lower cost.
This is a new change in 2024/2025.
All deposits are non-refundable. As a result, any cancellation of a course or stay booking will result in the loss of the deposit paid. Cancellations may be made by phone, email, or in writing.
At their discretion, the course director or operations manager may waive this policy in exceptional circumstances. Details and reasons must be provided at the time of cancellation and will then be considered accordingly.
A Spiritual Sanctuary
As one of the few authentic ashrams outside India, the ashram offers a living connection between the teachings of the yogic sages and sincere modern seekers. Founded in 1986, it has become a place of profound learning and transformation for thousands of people from many walks of life.
Set in the green hills of Wales, UK, the ashram is a natural sanctuary — a peaceful haven where the teachings and practices of yoga can be explored in depth within a quiet, safe, and nurturing environment.
Join Us To Embrace Meditation In Every Moment
At Our Unique Spiritual Sanctuary In The Heart Of Wales
These residential retreats offer a rare opportunity to go deeper into the mysteries of yoga in one of the few authentic ashrams outside India, guided by experienced teachers and supported by community, natural beauty, and focused spiritual energy.
Testimonials
Swami SatyaDaya
Price
£720.00
Tue, Sep 29 – Sun, Oct 4