Rishikesh Advaita Yoga Ashram · Contemplative Retreat

Meditation Retreat

A quiet space to pause, breathe, and come back to yourself — seven days
of stillness, simplicity, and sincere inner inquiry on the banks of the Gaṅgā.

Duration

7 Days

Format

In-Person

Open To

All Seekers

Location

Rishikesh, India

"You are not asked to silence the mind — only to sit with it, without judgment, and see what is already here."

About This Retreat

Not an escape from life a return to what is real

This 7-day meditation retreat is a practical introduction to the art of sitting still — learning to breathe naturally, notice without judgment, and be present without trying to fix anything. Held in the sacred setting of Rishikesh, amidst the silence of the Himalayas and the steady sound of the Gaṅgā, the retreat creates the conditions in which clarity arises on its own.

There is no goal, no technique to perfect, and no outcome to achieve. Sessions are slow, supportive, and realistic — you are not asked to change your thoughts or control your mind. The emphasis is on building a genuine comfort with awareness, allowing calm to develop at its own natural pace.

Each day moves gently — morning practice, teaching sessions, periods of supported silence, and space for personal reflection. Meals, accommodation, and guidance are all held within the ashram, so nothing competes for your attention.

Is This For You?

You may feel a quiet yes while reading this

This retreat is open to all — no prior experience with meditation,
yoga, or philosophy is needed to participate fully.

Beginners

New to meditation and unsure where to start? This retreat is designed to be simple, friendly, and easy to follow — even if you have never sat in stillness before.

Busy Minds

If your mind feels constantly active or scattered, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to slow down without forcing stillness — working gently with the mind, not against it.

No-Pressure Seekers

If you prefer learning without goals, performance, or rigid structure, this retreat offers a relaxed, judgment-free environment in which practice unfolds naturally.

In a Season of Change

Moving through transition or uncertainty? The retreat creates space to simply pause — to listen inward before choosing what comes next.

Seeking Calm & Clarity

For anyone looking for more ease, balance, and presence — without complicated techniques, spiritual jargon, or unrealistic expectations about what meditation should feel like.

Ready to Go Deeper

You have some experience with sitting but wish to deepen your practice within a structured, supported container — with guidance available throughout the week.

Core Teachings

What we explore together

Six essential dimensions of meditative awareness — taught in simple, clear language and made directly relevant to everyday life.

Foundation

Comfortable Sitting

How to find a seat that feels natural and sustainable — without forcing posture or stillness. Comfort comes first, so that meditation feels doable rather than demanding.

Prāṇāyāma

Breathing Without Control

Learning to stay with the breath as it is, without changing its rhythm or depth. Breathing becomes a simple, reliable anchor — not something to manage or force.

Mind & Attention

Noticing Thoughts

Understanding that thoughts will arise — and that this is completely normal. You will learn to notice them without getting carried away or judging yourself for having them.

Steadiness

Working with Restlessness

How to meet impatience, unease, or physical discomfort gently — without fighting or suppressing. This builds patience and inner steadiness over the course of the week.

Daily Life

Awareness in Ordinary Moments

Simple ways to carry moments of quiet attention into walking, eating, resting, and conversation. Meditation becomes something you live, not just something you sit for.

Self-Inquiry

Who is the One Sitting?

An introduction to the Advaita question beneath all practice — a gentle inquiry into the nature of the one who meditates, and what remains when thought grows still.

7-Day Structure

How the 7 days unfold

Three gentle phases — arriving and settling, deepening the
practice, and integrating what has been found.

01

Days 1 – 2 · Arrival

Settling Into Stillness

The first two days are devoted entirely to arrival — releasing the speed of everyday life, finding a comfortable seat, and establishing the basic rhythm of the retreat. Short sitting periods, introductory teachings, and walks along the Gaṅgā create the foundation for what follows.

02

Months 4 – 6 · Familiarity

Knowing the Mind

The middle three days deepen the practice — longer sitting periods, teaching sessions on the nature of thought and attention, and guided inquiry into restlessness, distraction, and the nature of awareness itself. Drawing from Patañjali and the Advaita tradition, we explore how clarity arises — not through effort, but through understanding.

03

Days 6 – 7 · Integration

Carrying It Forward

The final two days turn toward integration — bringing the practice off the cushion and into movement, conversation, and daily activity. We explore how to maintain the quality of attention cultivated in the retreat once everyday life resumes, and close with a shared reflection session and a simple ceremony of gratitude.

Retreat
Meditation Retreat — 7 Days
Practice
Sitting · Breathing · Noticing
Setting
Rishikesh · Gaṅgā riverbank
Tradition
Yoga · Advaita · Silence

Daily Teaching Sessions

Each day includes two structured teaching sessions — one in the morning and one in the afternoon — covering both philosophy and practice. Sessions are kept simple, grounded in everyday language, and free of jargon or performance.

Supported Silence

Periods of gentle silence are woven into the daily rhythm — particularly during morning practice, mealtimes, and the hour before sleep. Silence is not imposed but invited, with teachers present and available throughout for support or guidance.

Ashram Accommodation

Participants stay within the ashram for the full seven days. Simple, clean accommodation, sattvic vegetarian meals, and the natural environment of Rishikesh form the outer container that supports the inner work of the retreat.

A Typical Day

The daily rhythm

Each day moves gently — with space between sessions for rest,
reflection, and the quiet company of the Gaṅgā.

 

 

Morning Stillness & Foundation
05:30 Wake up · Optional Gaṅgā walk
06:00 Morning Prāṇāyāma & Āsana
07:00 Guided morning meditation sit
08:00 Sattvic breakfast · Silence period
09:00 Morning teaching session
10:30 Self-practice / personal reflection

 

Afternoon & Evening Deepening & Rest
12:30 Lunch · Rest · Free time
15:00 Afternoon sitting & inquiry session
16:30 Walking meditation / Gaṅgā time
18:00 Evening Ārati & silent sitting
19:00 Light dinner
20:00 Optional Q&A with teacher · Rest

Retreat Investment

Begin the 7-day journey

Your contribution supports the continuation of this retreat and the sacred space in which it is held. Accommodation and all sattvic meals are included.

Shared Accommodation

₹18,000

7 nights · meals included

Full retreat access with shared room accommodation, all teaching sessions, daily guided meditation, sattvic meals, and a copy of the retreat handbook.

Private Accommodation

₹25,000

7 nights · meals included

Everything included — private room, all teaching sessions, daily practice guidance, sattvic meals, and one personal consultation with a teacher.

Your Guidance

Rooted in authentic lineage

ॐ

Advaita Yoga Ashram

Rishikesh, India

Advaita Sadhana Kutir Ashram, rooted in the sacred land of Rishikesh — the world’s yoga capital — committed to preserving authentic Vedic wisdom.

A setting shaped by silence and the Gaṅgā

Our ashram sits quietly in Rishikesh — the world’s yoga capital — where the Gaṅgā descends from the Himalayas and the air itself carries the quality of stillness. This is not a coincidence: the environment is part of the teaching.

The retreat is guided by teachers trained in the classical traditions of Yoga and Advaita Vedanta. Their approach is gentle, unhurried, and free of performance — supporting each participant’s inquiry without judgment or expectation.

Himalayan Setting

The natural environment of Rishikesh — river, mountain, forest, and open sky — serves as a living support for the inner work of the retreat.

Contemplative Depth

eachings emerge from living practice within the Yoga and Advaita tradition — grounded in direct transmission, not merely academic study.

Global Community

Participants join from across India, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Americas — united in sincere, honest, and respectful inner inquiry.

You don’t need to be calm or experienced — just willing to pause and begin.

Join seekers from across the world in 7 days of sincere, supported, and deeply clarifying meditative practice in Rishikesh.

₹18,000
7 nights · all meals included · shared accommodation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers

No. This retreat is designed for complete beginners. Everything is explained slowly and clearly, so you can start comfortably even if you have never meditated before. It is equally suitable for those returning to practice after a break.

The retreat draws from the classical traditions of Yoga and Advaita Vedanta — where philosophy, practice, and awareness naturally coexist. The approach is inclusive and non-sectarian. No belief system is imposed. The focus is on direct experience, inquiry, and personal clarity.

That is completely normal — and this retreat addresses it directly. A restless mind is not an obstacle to meditation; it is the very starting point. You will learn to understand restlessness without judging yourself or trying to force calm into being.

Silence is invited, not enforced. Periods of supported silence are built into the daily rhythm — particularly during morning practice, mealtimes, and the hour before sleep — but no one is required to remain silent at all times. Teachers are available throughout for gentle guidance and clarification.

The retreat fee includes seven nights of accommodation at the ashram, all sattvic vegetarian meals, full participation in every teaching and practice session, a retreat handbook, and access to the ashram environment throughout the week. Travel to and from Rishikesh is not included.

The retreat introduces meditation in a simple, graduated way — without complicated or demanding methods. The focus is on sitting, breathing, and noticing. As the retreat progresses, participants are introduced to mantra, walking meditation, and the basic Advaita inquiry into the nature of awareness itself.

Yes. Optional Q&A sessions are held each evening, and teachers are available throughout the day for one-on-one guidance. The intention is to support your understanding and practice — not to analyse or debate. Private consultations are also available for those in the private accommodation package.

There are no promised or guaranteed outcomes. Many participants notice greater ease, steadiness, and a quieter relationship with their own mind. But the focus throughout is on learning to sit with experience — rather than measuring progress or achieving a particular state. The journey itself is the teaching.

Cancellations made more than 14 days before the retreat begin date are eligible for a partial refund, minus a processing fee. Cancellations within 14 days of the start date are non-refundable. Please reach out before registering if you have any concerns or questions.

There are no promised or guaranteed outcomes. Many participants notice greater ease, steadiness, and clarity over time — but the focus is on learning to sit with experience, rather than achieving a particular result. The journey itself is the teaching.

ॐ

“Meditation is not the effort to silence the mind — it is the understanding of how silence already dwells beneath all movement.”

— Rishikesh Advaita Yoga Ashram · Advaita Sadhana Kutir, Rishikesh