Join us for a transformative week of silent meditation and yin yoga in the lush jungles of Bali. During this retreat, you will have the opportunity to dive deep into both individual and group practice.
Imagine dedicating an entire week to the practice of silent meditation, yin yoga, and mindful walks in the serene hills of Bali. This rare moment allows you to connect with your own heart and mind on a profound level, free from any distractions that might pull you away.
Within the stillness and tranquility of this retreat, you will discover many of the answers you’ve been searching for within yourself. The experience of who you truly are will come alive, as you delve into the depths of your being.
Take the inward steps necessary to reconnect with the source of what brings healing and nourishment to all aspects of your being. Embrace the gift of silence and stillness, as you embark on this journey towards self-discovery and inner growth.
Let’s talk about Zazen, the seated meditation in Zen. It’s a unique practice that has been passed down through generations by the Buddha himself. Its purpose is to liberate us from the sufferings of being trapped in the world of delusion and ignorance.
But here’s the interesting thing: Zazen is not your typical meditation. It’s not about focusing on an object or trying to achieve a specific goal. In fact, it’s meant to help you realize that there is no “here” and “there,” no coming and going. It’s all about just sitting.
During Zazen, the emphasis is on being fully present and aware of your body, mind, and breath. You’ll encounter resistances and discomforts, but that’s part of the practice. It’s about becoming intimate with them and returning to the just sitting, finding release and ease in the present moment.
When you truly engage in just sitting, time and space collapse, and mental categories disappear. You’re able to face the timeless and boundless aspects of life. It’s about showing up completely for your own existence.
Meditation is the art of sitting beyond the projections of the mind and not being disturbed by them. When you can just sit, just breathe, just be, you return to a simplicity where everything you encounter is just what it is.
What I find compelling about Zen is how it helps us let go of goals and strivings. Instead, it teaches us the importance of intimacy – with ourselves, with others, and with the world. It’s about being part of the silence that opens us to deeper connections and resonances with all phenomena and beings.
In our busy lives, we rarely make space for silence. We’re constantly filling it with words and activity, losing touch with what is most intimate and close to us. Through meditation, we can learn to settle into silence and discover its transformative power. It’s the answer we’ve been searching for all along.
During this program, you’ll have the opportunity to experience silence for six days. The schedule includes four daily sessions of Zazen, walking meditation, meditative walks in nature, Yin yoga, and dharma talks by Hamid. The program is designed to accommodate participants of different meditation levels.
You’ll be required to participate in three sits each day, with the fourth session being optional. At the end of the retreat, there will be a group meeting where you can share and discuss your thoughts and feelings from the meditation sessions. This will help you integrate your experience into your daily life.
So, if you’re ready to explore the teachings of Zazen and discover the power of silence, this retreat is perfect for you. It’s a chance to find liberation, peace, and a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you.
During the week, we, at Maitri Retreats, will be organizing a trip to a waterfall near our retreat center. We will ensure that silence is maintained throughout the excursion and the retreat.
At The Yogi’s Garden, we offer a unique experience of “the real Bali” at our private retreat, wellness, and educational center set within a working farm less than an hour from bustling Ubud.
Maitri Retreats ensures that they have a variety of options for those with specific dietary needs such as gluten-free, vegan, raw vegan, and paleo. If you have any dietary restrictions, let them know and they will make sure to accommodate your needs. You’ll enjoy a delicious farm-fresh buffet served three times a day, with a table filled with fruits and snacks available between meals. The following meals are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks.
You can book a one and a half hour full body massage for just 30 USD.
You’ll get 6 nights of accommodation, 3 daily meals, and get to enjoy all the retreat activities. Plus, free drinks and snacks are included!
You’ll need to cover the travel costs to the retreat center, make sure you have insurance, arrange your transfer from the airport to the venue, and schedule your own massage treatments.
Emanuelle Jones
December 17, 2023 at 12:00 amI can’t even begin to express how amazing the retreat with Maitri retreats was! It was like being in paradise, with the beautiful Balinese rainforest all around us and staying in the most luxurious accommodations.
The retreat was so well-planned, giving us the perfect balance of time for introspection and letting go, along with opportunities to connect with nature, enjoy incredible yin yoga classes, savor delicious meals, and indulge in deep tissue massages.
Honestly, this retreat came into my life at exactly the right moment. Hamid’s daily teachings and the bond we formed with the rest of the group truly helped me heal.
I can’t thank you enough for this life-changing experience!
Helpful ReviewRosie Liew
December 6, 2023 at 12:00 amI fell in love with everything at the Zazen retreat. I’ve been practicing a different style of meditation for over ten years, but my experience with Zazen was absolutely divine. It’s not about achieving something, but rather learning to appreciate the art of simply being and sitting still. I did have moments where my mind was filled with thoughts, but they felt distant and quickly disappeared on their own. Since coming back home from the retreat, I’ve become a much calmer person and gained a lot of clarity. I definitely plan on doing this retreat every year while continuing the practice in my daily life.
The retreat was located in a beautiful environment that nurtured the cycle of life with its organic farming, animals, insects, weather, and people. It was truly inspiring.
I can’t express how grateful I am for the fresh vegetables and salads that were served straight from the farm. It doesn’t get any fresher than that. The rooms were clean and comfortable, the weather was perfect, and the staff were incredibly friendly and always did their best to make our experience unforgettable. They even went out of their way to accommodate my allergy diet, which was very thoughtful.
Hamid, the Zazen Master, has such a warm personality and is full of wisdom and knowledge. I loved listening to him share his philosophy and poems. His dedication to the Zazen tradition and practice was evident in his presence during the silence. He truly inspired me. I even bought some books to further support my Zazen practice. I can’t wait for the next Zazen Retreat, but for now, I’ll continue to sit still and appreciate the beauty of being.
As Rumi said, “Let silence be the art you practice, let silence speak to you about the secrets of the universe.”
Helpful ReviewMorgan Scale
October 30, 2023 at 12:00 amThe retreat had a beautiful setting and it was well run. People were able to find space to go within.
Helpful ReviewCatalina Zapata
October 30, 2023 at 12:00 amThe food is limited and there’s not much variety. But the location of the retreat on top of the Monchique mountains? Absolutely breathtaking!
Helpful ReviewMargot Campaignolle
October 30, 2023 at 12:00 amThe only downside is not being able to be alone in the room and have some personal space.
After, we were 31 participants. The incredible setting offers stunning views.
The food is exceptional and varied, with fresh and seasonal products.
The activities, such as yoga and thai chi, are of incredible quality.
The program is well-structured and although it remains the same, each day is different.
It is an intense but incredibly rejuvenating experience.
You become aware of recycling, saving water, and reducing waste.
Helpful ReviewNicole Harding
August 28, 2023 at 12:00 amI haven’t felt so much peace, humility, and connection in my entire life! Hamid really transformed the retreat with his weaving of these seven days. It all finally made sense to me – years of searching, two degrees, countless self-development courses, and the wisdom my mom shared before she passed. I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy on our last evening when Hamid gave his final talk. It was like a spiritual awakening for me. I’m going to keep practicing Zazen at home, and I can’t thank Hamid, the gentle and beautiful yin yoga teacher (Nana), the incredible attendees, and Yogis garden enough. Their delicious organic vegetarian food and constant smiles and generosity meant more to me than any amount of money. This retreat gave me priceless wisdom, and I’m so grateful for it.
Helpful ReviewStephan Schaar
May 1, 2023 at 12:00 amI highly recommend the Silence Meditation Retreat in Karuna with Hamid as the guide for anyone looking to connect with themselves and enhance their meditation practice. The care and support provided before, during, and after the retreat were outstanding. The food was incredible, the group was warm and friendly, and Hamid’s authentic way of teaching and inspiring talks were amazing. The entire program was meticulously organized and well-prepared, clearly reflecting the expertise of the mentors involved. Despite the silence, we participants never felt alone – thanks to Hamid and Helen (yoga teacher), I am deeply grateful for this life-changing experience. I am certain that I would love to attend the Silent Meditation Retreat again.
Helpful ReviewAleksandra Rudnitska
April 30, 2023 at 12:00 amI had an absolutely magnificent stay! Everything was perfect – the atmosphere, the place itself, the people, and the tranquility. The food was not only delicious but also nutritious. I learned so much from the experience of silence, meditation, and deep thought. It exceeded all of my expectations.
I can’t say for sure if it’s the right choice for everyone, but for me, it had everything and more. It seemed like the other participants felt the same way too! I want to express my gratitude to Hamid and everyone else who made this experience so incredible. It was truly amazing.
Sending cheers from Brussels!
Helpful ReviewKayee Tjahjadi-lam
November 14, 2022 at 12:00 amI had a truly life-changing experience at this retreat. The combination of the stunning nature, the peaceful silence, the intense daily meditation and yin yoga, the mind-blowing talks by Hamid, and the incredible group energy and love made it incredibly profound. I initially booked the retreat as a way to have some time alone, to heal, and to treat myself better. But what I gained from it was so much more and better. I now understand myself on a deeper level, have developed a newfound compassion and love for myself, and know how to take better care of myself. After the retreat, I had my last therapy session (for now), and my psychotherapist told me that the experience was like having intense therapy sessions with myself. I healed many wounds, even some I didn’t know existed. This was my first retreat with Maitri Retreats, but it certainly won’t be my last.
Helpful Review