8 day silent zen meditation and yin yoga retreat in algarve, portugal
Sun, 16 Apr
|Monchique
a week of slowing down, dwelling in and creating deep connections with self, others and the world through the practice of zazen and yin yoga.
Time & Location
16 Apr 2023, 2:30 pm GMT+1 – 23 Apr 2023, 2:00 pm GMT+1
Monchique, 8550 Monchique, Portugal
About the event
Join us at Karuna Retreat Centre, in Serra de Monchique, Algarve, Portugal for an 8 days / 7 nights silent zen meditation and yin yoga retreat.
The first seven days will be spent in silence and the schedule will include zazen (seated meditation), Kinhin (walking meditation), mindful walk in the nearby hills, Yin Yoga and dharma talks by Hamid.
Traditionally at the end of a silent retreat, the participants all leave with a little time to discuss the thoughts and feelings that came up for them during the silence.
However, at this retreat, we will have a group meeting on the last day, during which time we can share and open up with regards to whatever we have processed during the meditation sessions.
We can explore further different aspects of the teachings to offer a framework to help you make better sense of your experience, so as to support incorporating it into your daily lives. This is an opportunity to spend time away from distractions and dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to meditation. When the ripples of an over-active mind are calmed as you focus your attention on the present, the look you take at your life deepens.
Connecting your mind through Zen meditation will help you see the world and yourself with a greater sense of clarity.
ABOUT THE TEACHERS
Hamid Ebadi
Hamid has been a student of Zen for thirty years and was ordained as a monk in 2000. He is a disciple of Zen Master Ryotan Tokuda who in 2012 gave him sanction to teach. Hamid is a counsellor in practice. He has spent over ten years in India and Indonesia where he has taught meditation, philosophy and comparative spirituality. He is now living in Bali.
The teachings are inspired by both Eastern and Western spiritual traditions, particularly Zen Buddhism.
Helen Briggs
Originally from the UK, Helen has been in the Algarve for 4 years, and has recently opened her third Yoga Studio. Helen has been practicing yoga and meditation for over 35 years now, exploring the physical and the spiritual aspects of yoga and experiencing many different “styles” of yoga and meditation around the world. She took her first Yoga Teacher Training Course in 2003 with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre, going on to take further certifications in Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa Yoga and Yoga for Pregnancy and Children.
Helen has been teaching full time for 17 years, drawing on her extensive experience of the different yoga traditions. She aims to provide clients with a safe and supportive environment in which to explore, heal and transform their inner world, allowing them to fully experience their outer world with love, joy and gratitude.
ABOUT THE RETREAT CENTRE
Karuna Retreat Center is a dedicated meditation retreat centre located in the green and scented mountains of Serra de Monchique in the Algarve. Serra the Monchique is known for it’s healing thermal water, medicinal plants, pure air and lush green landscapes. The Retreat Center offers a stunning view over Portugal's southern coast and the Atlantic Ocean and is just 20 minutes away from pristine beaches and less than 10 minutes away from the picturesque village of Monchique and Caldas de Monchique (Thermal SPA). Karuna is amongst one of the most secluded and silent places in this area and is home to a variety of local flora and fauna. The Retreat Center’s property is isolated and perfect for those in search of silence, seclusion and peace.
DAILY SCHEDULE
Day 1
230pm: Pickup from Faro train station to drive to Karuna retreat centre
330pm: Check in to your rooms
5pm: Opening circle
7pm: Dinner
8pm: First meditation and the start of silence
10pm: Sleep
Day 2 - 6
530am: Wake up
6am - 740am: Zazen (meditation)
8am: Breakfast
9am - 1030am: Yin yoga
11am - 1240am: Zazen (meditation)
1pm - 3pm: Lunch and rest
3pm - 340pm: Mindful walk
4pm - 540pm: Zazen (this block of meditation is optional)
540pm - 610pm: Tea and snack
620pm - 7pm: Talk given by the retreat facilitator about the practice
7pm - 8pm: Dinner
8pm - 940pm: Zazen (meditation)
10pm: Sleep
Day 7
530am: Wake up
6am - 740am: Zazen (meditation)
8am: Breakfast
9am - 1030am: Yin yoga
11am - 1240am: Zazen (meditation)
1pm - 3pm: Lunch and rest
3pm - 340pm: Mindful walk
4pm - 540pm: Group discussion (retreat participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences from the week together, silence will resume after the group sharing.)
540pm - 610pm: Tea and snack
620pm - 7pm: Group discussion continues
7pm - 8pm: Dinner
8pm - 940pm: Zazen (meditation)
10pm: Sleep
Day 8
530am: Wake up
6am - 740am: Zazen (meditation)
8am: Breakfast
9am - 10am: Yin yoga
10am - 11am: Pack all belongings and clean rooms ready for departure
11am - 1pm: Closing circle
1pm: Lunch
230pm: Taxi to Faro train station
NUMBER OF PLACES
Limited to 30 people.
COST
750 euros per person. Deposit of 200 euros payable to secure your place and the remaining sum of 550 euros to be paid 30 days before the start of the retreat.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
- All meals from dinner on the first day of the retreat to lunch on the final day
- Yoga matts 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
NOT INCLUDED
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Transport to the retreat center. (We will contact everyone before the retreat to arrange shared transport to the centre at a very affordable price.)
- Towels and toiletries
CANCELLATION POLICY
A deposit of 200 euros is needed to secure your place and the balance of 550 euros is payable by bank transfer 30 days before the start of the retreat.
Cancellation policy
- Up to 30 days before the retreat: Your deposit is non-refundable, but we will refund any balance you have paid.
- Less than 30 days before the retreat: The deposit is non-refundable and your balance can be transferred to a future retreat of your choice.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
For more information about the retreat, read our detailed practical information here
Tickets
Deposit payment
A deposit of 200 euros is payable to secure your place and the remaining sum of 550 euros is to be paid 30 days before the start of the retreat.
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