5-Day Silent Meditation Retreats

Led by senior certified MBSR instructors Live & Online (Zoom).

5-Day Retreats qualify as one of the prerequisites for MBSR, MBCT, MBRPT, and Mindful Self-Compassion Mindfulness Teacher Training.

Upcoming Retreats

Check out so you can really Check in

  • Expand your understanding of mindfulness and experience the benefits of a meditation retreat
  • Explore your inner landscape and reconnect with your essential nature
  • More gracefully handle challenges, improve your mental health, and inspire those around you
  • Return recharged, more at ease, and with new perspectives

Do I qualify to attend? 

5-Day Silent Meditation retreats are not appropriate for those new to meditation. To qualify to attend you must meet one of the following criteria: 


Testimonials

Alfonso Fernandez

Anne Allen

Dr. Dennis McLeod

Dr. Marnie Aylesworth

Schedule at a Glance (US ET Times)
(subject to change at teachers discretion)

Pre-Retreat Evening Orientation

  • 7:00 - 9:00 pm: Opening

Day 1

  • 8:30 - 9:00am: Mindful Movement
  • 9:00 - 10:00am: Meal (informal practice)
  • 10:00 - 12:00pm: Guided Practice
  • 12:00 - 1:00pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 1:00 - 4:30pm: Practice
  • 4:30 - 5:30pm: Lesson and practices
  • 5:30 - 6:30pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 7:00 - 8:30pm:  Optional Evening Practice

Day 2 

  • 8:30 - 9:00am: Mindful Movement
  • 9:00 - 10:00am: Meal (informal practice)
  • 10:00 - 12:00pm: Guided Practice
  • 12:00 - 1:00pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 1:00 - 4:30pm: Practice
  • 4:30 - 5:30pm: Lesson and practices
  • 5:30 - 6:30pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 7:00 - 8:30pm:  Optional Evening Practice

Day 3

  • 8:30 - 9:00am: Mindful Movement
  • 9:00 - 10:00am: Meal (informal practice)
  • 10:00 - 12:00pm: Lightly Guided Practice
  • 12:00 - 1:00pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 1:00 - 4:30pm: Practice
  • 4:30 - 5:30pm: Lesson and practices
  • 5:30 - 6:30pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 7:00 - 8:30pm:  Optional Evening Practice

Day 4 

  • 8:30 - 9:00am: Mindful Movement
  • 9:00 - 10:00am: Meal (informal practice)
  • 10:00 - 12:00pm: Lightly Guided Practice
  • 12:00 - 1:00pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 1:00 - 4:30pm: Practice
  • 4:30 - 5:30pm: Lesson and practices
  • 5:30 - 6:30pm: Meal (informal practice)
  • 7:00 - 8:30pm:  Optional Evening Practice

Day 5

  • 8:30 - 9:00am: Mindful Movement
  • 9:00 - 10:00am: Meal (informal practice)
  • 10:00 - 12:00pm: Practice and Closing

Next 5-Day Silent Meditation Retreat

Orientation: Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM US ET | Convert to my time
Dates: Wednesday, March 29th - Sunday, April 2nd
Instructors: Piero Falci & Knellee Bisram

Note: 5-Day Retreats qualify as one of the prerequisites for MBSR, MBCT, MBRPT, and Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Training.

Price: $599

Need-based scholarships available Click Here

Register Now

We stand behind our work and unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with your purchase. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply email us one day before the Pre-Retreat Evening Orientation for a full refund minus a $25 application fee. 

Incredible Value

  Get the benefits of going on retreat from the comfort of your home. Experience world-class MBSR instructors without the cost of travel and accommodations. Return energized and recharged, ready to more gracefully handle challenges and difficulty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are retreats open to beginners?

Our retreats are not appropriate for people new to meditation. There is some meditation guidance and teachings, however, we will not teach you how to meditate. If you are a beginner and want to learn silent meditation techniques we suggest signing up for the MBSR 8-Week Course.

What platform will retreats be hosted on?

Retreats will be hosted on Zoom. Zoom information will be sent to you prior to the retreat.

The format of our programs allow you to receive all the benefits of retreats without the need to travel to a center. You will get the benefits of meditation from the comfort of your own home.

How long is the retreat?

Retreats run for either one day or five days. Five-day retreats start with an orientation session the night before. Participants will meditate as a group for most of each day. There will also be opportunities to talk with meditation instructors individually and in small groups. 

When will the next retreat be?

We will announce the next retreat to our mailing list when registration begins. Sign up for our mailing list below to be notified about our upcoming MBSR offerings. We offer several meditation retreats throughout the year.

Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied?

We put a great deal of effort into packing incredible value into this program and our retreats. We stand behind our work and unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with your purchase. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply email us up to the first day of the meditation retreat and we will give you a full refund.

Does this retreat fulfill a prerequisite to become an MBSR teacher?

Yes, the five-day retreats do. While this retreat does not authorize you to teach MBSR nor does it substitute for the MBSR 8-Week Course, it does fulfill the minimum retreat prerequisite to begin teacher training with Brown University, the Global Mindfulness Collaborative or UCSD. If you are intending to take the retreat for this purpose, attendance at all meditation sessions is essential.

What are the best benefits of a retreat?

Retreats offer safe space and time to cultivate and deepen a mindfulness meditation practice away from everyday distractions. Longer meditation periods also allow participants to develop their concentration and discipline. The meditation retreats can help relieve stress, improve your mental state, and center yourself with mindfulness. A retreat can be very helpful for restarting a regular meditation practice after a hiatus.

How long are meditation periods?

Most sitting meditations last about 30 minutes, followed by shorter periods of mindful movement. Participants will engage in many forms of mindful exercise, including sitting meditations, lying down meditations, mindful walking, mindful moving, and standing meditations. 

Are most meditations guided?

At the beginning of the retreat, most meditations will be guided by a meditation instructor. Guidance will lessen throughout the retreat. Some meditation periods will be done in silence. 

Will there be dialogue between instructors and participants?

Yes, during small group sessions participants will be able to talk to instructors but not to other participants. 

What if sitting on a meditation cushion is too difficult or painful for me?

Participants are encouraged to practice meditation in a position that works best for them, whether sitting in a chair, lying down on the floor, or standing. If you would like to discuss meditation accommodations, please contact us in advance of the retreat.

What should I have available to have the best experience during my retreat?

  • Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
  • Blanket
  • Meditation cushion or a straight-back chair
  • Yoga mat

These resources will help you get the most from our meditation programs.

Should I prepare specific meals?

Please consider using healthy, well-sourced foods for meals throughout the day.

Do I have to be silent the whole time, even during meals and breaks?

Yes. We do understand that you are doing the retreat from home and may occasionally have to break your silence. However, we ask that you coordinate with others in your household in advance to ensure you have the time and space necessary to practice and can remain silent for as much of the retreat as is possible. 

How do I reach out if I have a problem or need something during the retreat?

If you need to reach an instructor during the retreat, you can chat with them privately on Zoom. Instructors will not check their phones or email regularly during the retreat. 

Am I allowed to read or write while on retreat?

We recommend you do not read, journal, or write during the retreat to enhance your meditation experience and get the most from the retreats. A day without external input is rare.

Can I use technology during the retreat?

We ask that the only technology you use is the computer or tablet you connect with. Please do not use your phone, another device, or the device you connect with for any purpose outside of the retreat for those five days. It is good to take a break from technology. We recognize that the temptation is there, but please be present with your instructor and fellow participants throughout the retreat.

Can I miss any part of the retreat?

No. It is important to the meditation instructors, and to others in the retreat that you attend all the formal practice sessions and that you arrive at the scheduled times. If an emergency comes up, inform the instructors as soon as possible. If you know in advance that you will not be able to make it to the entire retreat, please wait and sign up at a later date.

Is it best to take some time to transition at the end of the retreat?

We recommend not planning anything afterward and allowing yourself time to transition and reacclimate after your meditation retreat. This is because noise and too much social interaction can be overwhelming after spending time alone and in silence.

Is the retreat trauma-sensitive?

The retreat is trauma-sensitive and instructors have trauma-sensitive mindfulness training. If there is a specific concern or request that you would like to make please include it in the participant questionnaire during the registration process.

Are the retreats secular?

Mindful Leader courses and retreats are MBSR-Based and lead by MBSR instructors. Similar to MBSR, retreats are secular and adhere to research and evidence-based meditation practices. Little to no religious language will be used during the retreat.

Can I do the meditation retreat with a partner?

We encourage you to invite others to join you at the retreat, whether it’s with your partner, friend or colleague! Each participant is required to purchase a separate ticket and it is best that each participant joins on their own device, to avoid confusion for the instructor. A good portion of the retreat will be silence and practice and with inner exploration. Therefore, a retreat participant would have to limit communication to the times designated by instructors, even with a partner or any friends that join. 

Can I participate in the meditation retreats more than once?

Yes, you can participate in our meditation retreats more than once! Many people participate in meditation retreats as a way to refresh their practice on a semi-regular basis, or as a way to keep in touch with their meditation practice after finishing an MBSR course. Others will use a meditation retreat as a way to re-commit themselves to mindfulness after a break or hiatus. Additionally, if you’ve completed a one-day retreat but would like a more intensive experience, a five-day meditation retreat can be a good next step. Those training to become MBSR facilitators are often required to complete multiple five-day meditation retreats as part of their programs. Coming back and participating in another retreat can also be a way to recharge after a stressful life event, or to prepare for challenges to come. 

How can I keep practicing what I've learned from the meditation retreat?

Continued practice after the meditation retreat is ideal! If you’re looking for a place to drop in regularly for group meditation, sign up for Meditate Together, which hosts 30 - minute silent meditation and guided reflection sessions 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. Meditate Together is free, and has a thriving community of meditators and volunteers. If you’re looking to cultivate a regular mindfulness practice, consider taking the MBSR 8-Week Course with Mindful Leader. MBSR is a science based, inclusive, and highly effective program for those new to mindfulness and experienced meditators alike. Your retreat instructor will likely be leading an 8-Week MBSR Course soon. Of course, you can also take some time after the retreat to reflect on which practices you found the most effective. Try slotting each practice into its own time in your weekly calendar, to create a holistic meditation routine. During this time of reflection, it may be helpful to journal about how the retreat has affected you. You can then return to these journal entries to help you remember the retreat, it’s practices, and any feelings about it you may have had.