Silent Retreat with Vinod Ravindranathan Sept

We have extended our annual Silent Retreat to 4-nights from Fri 12th-Tues 16th Sept.  However, if you are only available for 3-nights we will be able to accommodate you, pro rata, upon request – please email the office.

Vinod Ravindranathan is an experienced facilitator and proven to be a popular meditation facilitator for meditation weekends and full days at Claridge House.  A meditation retreat leader at Assisi Retreats in Italy (or otherwise called the Heart Team community of course leaders) and regularly cited as one of the best meditation centres in the world.  A Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher, he has also trained in Vipassana meditation at a Buddhist monastery in Thailand.  After a brief period working in the corporate legal sector, Vinod focused his attention on the non-profit sector working with migrant workers, refugees, transgender and sexual rights, mental health and the well-being of Carers. He has also worked as an animal campaigner. His retreats consolidate these various experiences, offering guidance on bringing together a busy life with meditation practices.

Rest assured, whether you are a beginner or experienced with meditation and/or silent retreats, you are in good hands and will be gently led throughout this retreat. 

Silence is good for us. Spending time in silence helps regulates hormones, reduces blood pressure, boosts immune system and enhances creativity and self-awareness. The result is often greater calm, balance and centeredness.  Silence is often difficult to find and where silent retreats come in.  For five days/four nights Claridge House observes social silence.  Meals are eaten in silence and Vinod will lead seated, walking, therapies and nature based meditations.  Guests have found silence in a supportive community really impactful leading to deep insights, and being in silent meditation with others makes the practice easier.

Noble Silence – we recommend turning off mobiles and computers for a digital detox.

Claridge House will include some free add-ons to this retreat to aid guests reach maximum equilibrium such as mini treatments and creative sessions.

The following is an outline of what to expect and subject to change

Day 1

3pm                 Check-in

4pm                 Tea and cake

4:45pm           Quiet Time

5.15-6.15pm   Orientation and Meditation

6:30-7:30pm Mindful Dinner in Silence

7:30-8pm       “A Space for Being”** –  indicates a period where the participant might choose any activity that they might like, from joining the meditation (if running), walking in the gardens in awareness of the present moment, their own meditations, listening to the silence, journaling or a guilt free nap without needing to be entertained of entering into conversation. 

8-8:45pm       Evening Meditation

Rest

Day 2

8:30-9:30      Breakfast in Silence

9:45-10:00    Quiet Time silent sitting in the Quiet Room

10am              45 minutes of meditation

11am               60 minutes “A space for Being”**

12                    45 minutes optional QiGong/gentle yoga movements

1pm                 Mindful Lunch in Silence

2pm                60 minutes: Kindness Meditation / Heart Awareness

3pm                45 minutes: “A Space for Being”**

4pm                Tea and Cake

4:45pm         Quiet Time optional

5pm                ‘A Space for Being’**

6:30pm         Mindful Dinner in Silence

7:30pm         30 minutes of silent sitting in the main room

8pm              45 minutes of meditation

Rest

Day 3 and Day 4 similar to Day 2

Day 5 

Retreat ends with lunch on Tuesday.

Check-out after lunch at 2pm

Rooms available from 3pm on Friday

Our fabulous vegetarian meals served in the Dining Room