Silent Mindfulness Retreat

Cultivating a Good Heart

The Mindfulness Meditation Retreat is an intensive 6-day, residential, teacher-led, silent meditation retreat. It emphasizes the deep understanding and practice of the foundations of mindfulness meditation in its most universal and secular expression. While open to all students who are willing to undergo the discipline of silent retreat, Mindfulness Meditation Retreat is intended for mindfulness teachers or aspiring teachers and fulfills one of the retreat prerequisites for attending the Oasis Institute for Mindfulness-Based Professional Education and Training.

The Retreat includes meditation instruction, talks by a senior teacher on the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness, guided sessions of mindfulness meditation practice, simple yoga and movement exercises, mindful eating, as well as sessions of contemplation and teachings to deepen the understanding of the practice.

Programme details

The Mindfulness Meditation Retreat is based on the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) principles developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli at the Center for Mindfulness in the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Programme goals

• Provide a safe and nourishing environment for the cultivation and development of a deep and grounded mindfulness meditation practice.
• Foster a rigorous retreat experience, independent of any religious outlook, that fulfills Oasis Institute prerequisites.
• Offer excellent support and guidance from highly trained and experienced teachers and meditation instructors.
• Practice noble silence to develop a strong container for deepening meditation practice.

For those who are new to meditation practice, please be aware that practicing for a week in silence can be an intensive and challenging – as well as a highly rewarding – experience. To guide the way, you will receive instruction and support from highly trained and experienced teachers and meditation instructors.

Attendance: Participants must attend all practice sessions

Attitudes

• Non-judging
• Patience
• Beginner’s mind
• Trust
• Non-striving
• Acceptance
• Letting go

 Expectations

• Self-care
• Confidentiality
• Listening and participating
• Silence
• Non-disruptive
• Genuine effort
• Not leaving during stretching and meditation
• No food or drink (except water) in meditation room

Practical

Arrival day (Nov 3): Orientation talk at 8 pm. You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6.45 pm.

End of programme (Nov 10): Closing circle in the evening.

Departure day (Nov 11): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for lunch.

This programme is taught in French. Free translation in English or other languages to be confirmed. Important: Translation services are possible only if you register your request at least two months in advance of the programme.