SILENT RETREAT
autumn 2026
South Portugal
6 days, 5 nights
6-11 November 2026
A silent retreat is a rare opportunity to step outside the noise of daily life and reconnect to stillness. Through meditation, contemplation, and gentle pranayama breathing techniques, we will look deeply into our own minds to find insight and healing. For the duration of the retreat, we will be screens-, speech-, and eye-contact free for most of the experience.
The retreat offers a more gentle approach to silent retreats compared to some famous other approaches. With less days, and less hours of meditation per day, more time to rest, the inclusion of different meditation techniques, nature walks, journaling, as well as light yoga and pranayama, we find a natural and kind approach to our meditation practice.
Furthermore, this retreat offers a chance to go deeper into the cultivation of the higher limbs of Yoga, and Buddhism. This means that we will work deeply on refining the quality of our concentration, to enter states of undistracted attention and absorption. This is the basis for the insight-giving and healing aspect of meditation, that goes beyond what we could ever achieve through mere intellectualization, psychology, or books. Through our talks and Q&A's we will aim to make these deep meditation experiences accessible to all levels of practitioners.
The retreat concept was born out of a personal desire for a different kind of silent retreat. After having attended several 10 day Vipassana retreats in the S.N. Goenka tradition, I found myself drifting away from the strict rules and framework of the tradition, and looking for a shorter version of such a retreat, where different approaches to meditation were allowed. As I didn't find much of this, I started to create these experiences myself. This will be the 6th one that I am teaching and organizing, and I would love for you to be part of it.
Program
07:00 - Light Yoga & Pranayama, Meditation
09:30- Brunch
11:00 - Teaching, Q&A & Guided Meditation
13:00 - Snack
15:00 - Meditation
18:30 - Dinner
20:00 - Evening Meditation
The program will be a mix of guided practice, self-practice, and rest. The program will have a gradual build-up of meditation teaching. There will be always a facilitator around during practices.
Requisites
There are a few requisites for this program to ensure a safe and smooth experience. You will be asked to abandon all alcohol, nicotine and intoxicants 7 days before the retreat. Caffeine is allowed in moderation. Smoking during the retreat is not allowed.
We will also ask you to share transparently about your physical and mental health condition, so we can ensure that this program is suitable for you at this stage.
We also strongly recommend to start meditating regularly in the lead up to the retreat.
Upon signup up to the retreat you are invited and encouraged to join weekly meditations with Thomas.
Food & Accomodation
The retreat will be held in a private villa in South Portugal, on the foothills of a forest near Lagos. The food will be plant-based and simple, cooked by our wonderful chef Mukta. The meditation will be facilitated by Thomas and supported by a small, dedicated team.
Tuition
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Shared Room: €750
Private Room: €1250
Tuition includes food, accommodation, and program.
Special rates for Portuguese citizens and residents apply.
Payment plans are available.
Enrollment
The group will be kept small and intimate, so spots are very limited.
To reserve, make a deposit of €250, and pay the final amount by October 31.
Deposits are non refundable, but can be transferred to a future silent retreat within 1 year. To sign up and receive payment details, please click the button below to fill in a short questionnaire.
FAQ
Can I join as a beginner?
You can absolutely join as a beginner. In some ways, there are even advantages to come as a complete beginner.
What is the meditation technique that will be taught?
The objects that we use for meditation are breath and body. This can further progress into peripheral awareness as the meditation 'object', for those ready.
What meditation tradition does this come from?
We will orient ourselves around Buddhism and the Yoga Sutras. These traditions emphasize gradual stages in the practice of mindfulness and concentration. Later in the retreat we will also explore teachings from Advaita Vedanta, Ramana Maharshi, and Kashmir Shaivism, with a life embracing attitude to practice.
How can I ask questions if we don't speak?
It is not an issue to break the silence to ask a question, as long as it is discreet and minimally interrupts others. Many attendants however do choose to not speak at all. For those who make that choice, we always keep a pen and paper around for the Q&A.