Spiritual Heart Silent Meditation Retreats

• A participant is eligible for 100% refund of a deposit if Samyama is notified at least 120 days prior to the retreat start date.
• A participant will be eligible for 50% refund of a deposit if Samyama is notified at least 90 days prior to retreat start date.
• There will be no refund of deposit if participation is cancelled less than 90 days prior to retreat start date.
• Date change without loss of deposit is possible if Samyama is notified at least 30 days before the retreat start date. We allow one date change to save your deposit. Deposit must be used for a retreat offered within the next 12 months.
• If we’re notified about a date change less than 30 days before retreat start date, a re-booking fee of USD$50 is required to move the dates.
• In all circumstances, when a refund is made, transfer charges will be covered by the participant, not Samyama. This means Samyama will deduct the transfer charge from the total refund sent.
• A participant is eligible for 50% refund of the total retreat fees if Samyama is notified at least 7 days prior to the retreat start date.
• There will be no refund of deposit or retreat fees for cancellations made less than 7 days before the retreat start date.
• If a participant must cancel after paying in full and cancellation is made more than 7 days before retreat start date, the participant may use their balance (total retreat fees – deposit) to book another course at a later date that starts within 12 months. This means, the participant will need to pay another deposit to compensate for the last minute cancellation.
• There will be no refund of deposits or retreat fees paid for no-shows, unless major incidents such as death or natural disaster. Force majeure incidents are at the discretion of Samyama management.

• No special discounts are applied on early bird or flash sale prices.
• Please note that we have limited residential spots and usually no residential spots are left for last minute booking.

Please inform the retreat coordinator that you would like to share a contact number with your family. He/she will give you the number to use. Please pass this number on to anyone whom you would like to hear from in case of emergencies. In urgent cases the coordinator will communicate with you via notes and you can determine whether it is necessary to break your silence.

All participants will be in silence regardless of whether or not they are doing this retreat as part of a certification program.

You will find detailed guidelines for this retreat in the email you receive upon booking. The guidelines are very important for you to receive the full benefits of the retreat and to respect the others in the group. We seek to replicate a solitary cave experience with very limited communication - through written notes only when necessary. There are no devices, no outside reading, no music, etc. We do encourage keeping a journal, but not as a means of distraction. We want to avoid external distractions as much as possible in order to focus more clearly on our inner world.

• The first most obvious benefit is the noticeable relaxation of the mind and our state of being when we are no longer using energy to communicate. This often brings about a certain level of clarity and presence. With less mental chatter, small moments feel much more rich and an effortless state of tranquility is more tangible.
• Deeper effects may include an opening to love, trust and even spiritual understanding. The methods used guide participants to a greater sense of wonder at what might be accessible to us beyond the limitations of our human bodies and minds. We may face fears that when seen with the light of the heart may not seem so big. This is extremely empowering and can have long-lasting effects.

Sure! For many who want to start on the path of yoga and meditation, an immersion that gives you a deeper experience of meditation is the most direct way. More than experience, a retreat like this requires determination, openness and humility. At Samyama we are less strict than at some more traditional centers and so this might be just right for you if you want to start somewhere.

We have limited accommodation onsite available on a first come first serve basis. Please reach out to [email protected] to inquire about accommodation. It is not necessary to stay onsite in order to feel fully immersed in the retreat and there are many resorts, hotels and homestays within walking distance, and they are aware of our Silent retreats and will respect your space.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes early on the opening morning (7.15am) so that you have time to set up your mat and cushions. There will be a brief spoken Q&A at 7:30 and then we will enter into silence together guided by the retreat leader. You will be guided out of silence before dinner on the last day, followed by an optional sharing circle to close. You are welcome to join us for a shared dinner once out of silence. You may also choose to stay in silence and or leave Samyama premises as soon as we come out of silence.

• Meditation is not for everyone. In our experience, past participants who have struggled the most were the ones coming to the retreat with a lot of unhealed trauma and mental health imbalances. In this case, the worst may be reliving past trauma while not feeling supported or resourced enough internally to move through it. In this case we always ask that you communicate with the retreat leader/monitor.
• In the case of emergencies such as earthquakes or fires, Samyama has clear emergency protocols.
• We share our space with a variety of critters, such as lizards, mosquitos and even the occasional snake. This is a part of being in Bali and living closer to nature in their jungle home. If you have an animal phobia, this may not be the right environment for you.
• Other common struggles are lower back pain or physical discomfort from long hours of sitting. In case of injury there may be the option to book a therapeutic massage, but this is not encouraged unless absolutely necessary.

Then you are a human 😉 It is the first fear that we all face upon entering a retreat like this and is one of the biggest benefits we gain when we do. The methods introduced in a thoughtful manner, the guidance of the leader, the support of the group and the practice of journaling are all there to support you whenever you feel cornered by your thoughts.

• Please share all allergies and dietary requirements when filling out your health form. Our kitchen will be informed and will offer alternatives to the best of their ability. They will label all buffet items that may contain allergens.
• We do cater for gluten free dietary choice, however we do not have a separate gluten free kitchen for celiacs.

28 people fit comfortably in our hall.

For your benefit, please schedule all work, social appointments, and any wellness treatments, private sessions, etc ..etc... before or after this retreat. If in the case of an emergency you need to speak with someone on the phone, please have your conversation off Samyama grounds so as not to disturb the retreat.

• Journaling is acceptable and encouraged if you find yourself cornered by thoughts. You may have a burst of creativity and want to write a poem or song. We suggest that you notice when writing is activating the mind instead of calming it, or distracting you from simply being present with thoughts.
• We may have a few shared books in the lounge that you can read during breaks. These are specifically selected to highlight and complement the specific teachings presented during the retreat. Please do not read other than what we share.

Our silent retreat is based on the methods of Hridaya Yoga / Meditation, inspired by Ramana Maharshi’s self-inquiry method, classical tantra, and Dzogchen Buddhism.

We include gentle yoga asana practice, various sitting options, including chairs and standing, inspiring lectures, poetry and stories from mystical traditions around the world, and a Q&A with written notes to the teacher.

The Hridaya (spiritual heart/heart-centered) approach focuses on the method of self-inquiry, centering in the heart and the open attention on stillness founded by Sahajananda (Claudiu Trandafir). Vipassana is more strict, no movement, no chairs, and the method includes more focused breath and body awareness.

In our retreats there is no verbal communication or eye contact allowed and no devices to be used. We're recreating a setting of solitude. All meditation sessions are semi-guided by a teacher. Self-practice (asana, pranayama or meditation) is happening at the end of every day.

To summarize basically it contains the 3 main principles:

• The shift from the mind into Heart
• The pauses after inhalation and exhalation
• Self inquiry through the question, “Who Am I”

• If you place your phone in airplane mode for the entire duration of the retreat, it can be used as an alarm clock in the morning, or for afternoon naps. If you feel that you will be too tempted to use your phone, we suggest bringing a clock or renting one of ours.
• We rent digital clocks for 100k for onsite and offsite accommodation. If you would like a clock, come earlier on the first day and speak to the silent retreat coordinator onsite, please bring cash.Please return the clock on the last day of the silent retreat.

• Yes, we have many couples that join the retreat. We recommend booking separate accommodation as there will be no communication or contact between you and your partner for the entire duration of the retreat. If this is not possible, you can place bolsters between you in the bed in order to create your own space separate from your partner.
• Take this opportunity to really pay attention to oneself, and sublimate the seksual life force into the alchemical fire of the heart. Where it can deepen the connection and love between partners even more, receiving the subtle fruits of silence together after coming out of the retreat.

• Comfortable clothes for seated meditation and gentle yoga asana. It can be cool in the mornings so you may want a light scarf or sarong.
• Eye mask and ear plugs for deeper interiorization
• Personal items, feminine hygiene, supplements and anything else you might need that normally you would be able to buy in town, but not during the retreat. We have a first aid kit onsite.
• Snacks. We serve three meals per day but you are not encouraged to make any transactions at the cafe during the retreat. For this reason you may want to have some extra treats available. We do not serve coffee during the retreat as we recommend against it. If you rely on caffeine in the morning, bring your own tea. Caffeine is not helpful for meditation so ideally you can wean yourself off of it before your retreat.

• We highly recommend that you try quitting for the duration of your retreat. Bring a nicotine patch if needed, or try to wean yourself off of cigarettes before your retreat. If this is not possible, we ask that you exit Samyama premises to smoke only during breaks.
• Also applies to alcohol. We highly recommend not drinking alcohol before and during the retreat.

- Attma Vichara, discourses of Ramana Maha
- I am That by Nisargadatra Maharaj