Silence and Calm: Vipassana Retreat

Vipassana is often translated as “insight” or “clear-seeing,” and this retreat offers a quiet space to support exactly that: a calmer body, a steadier mind, and the conditions for deeper awareness to emerge through meditation, mindfulness of breathing, and silence.

This is a rare invitation to step away from distraction and constant activity. By switching off your mobile phone, entering into silence, and settling into contemplation, you are encouraged to let the mind become still enough to see what lies beneath the surface.

Please note: this retreat follows the Thai Forest Tradition. Eye contact with others is permitted, and a smile in greeting is considered acceptable. However, if two or more friends attend together, extended communication with one another is not permitted. Most guests attend solo.

Friday

• 6.30 pm Dinner
• 7.15 pm Meditation and introduction with Tim
• Mantra meditation using the Mani mantra of Tibetan Buddhism and the Krishna maha-mantra of the Atharva Veda, practiced in japa style as a murmuring sound and in silence
• 9.00 pm Silence

Saturday

• 7.45 am Silent mindfulness walk with Tim
• 8.30 am Qigong and mindfulness of body and breathing with Fiona Gracey, including an introduction to meditation posture for comfortable sitting, plus a brief introduction to the anatomy of the breath
• 10.00 am Breakfast
• 11.30 am - 1.30 pm Meditation and mindfulness of breathing (Anapanasati) with Fiona, including two 45-minute sitting meditation periods and a 30-minute walking meditation period in between
• 1.30 pm Lunch
• 2.20 pm Forest bathing and nature experience, departing on foot to the Reilly and Gole Forest; please bring walking boots, wellies, or a spare pair of shoes for an off-track wilderness section
• 4.00 pm Return from the walk and break time
• 5.45 pm Yoga, followed by a short discussion on how ethics, routine, and simplicity can support meditation practice
• 7.00 pm Dinner
• 7.45 pm A short relaxation meditation
• 8.20 pm Time for contemplation, walking meditation, or optional therapies

Sunday

• 8.30 am Qi-Gong and meditation with Fiona
• 9.45 am Breakfast
• 10.45 am Relaxation, closing comments, and emerging from silence, with space to reflect on the retreat experience and set an intention for returning to everyday life
• 12.00 pm Option 1: relax in the Retreat House at your own pace. Option 2: visit Krishna Temple, walking to the jetty and crossing to Inish Rath Island, where guests may chat and relax freely
• 12.30 pm Kirtan music chant for 30 minutes in the temple, or use this time for personal meditation in the island woodlands
• 1.00 pm Talk on Vedic wisdom and philosophy, open to the general public
• 1.45 pm Kirtan chant music in the temple, or option to depart by rowing boat
• 2.30 pm Lunch, the Sunday Feast, followed by ferry departure at 3.30 pm

What to bring: Walking boots or wellies, and a bottle of water for the Saturday walk.

All prices include:

• Two nights’ accommodation
• Vegetarian meals and complimentary herbal teas every day
• All classes and workshops

Fees for this retreat:

• £250 or €290 for a single room from Friday until Sunday
• Twin room: £225 or €260 per person
• £160 or €185 with no accommodation provided

Stay Sunday night for £45

Massage therapies: [list and prices]