During a 10-day retreat in silence, you will directly experience the profound inner transformation that meditation brings.

You can re-discover the way back into the Heart and spontaneously open to Love, Joy, Clarity, and Gratitude.
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This is the path of the Spiritual Heart – Hridaya. This method is a unique integration of Advaita Vedanta, Classical Yoga and Shaivist Tantra.

In the advanced stages of practice, all paths of authentic spiritual traditions meet harmoniously and merge into the same ineffable Reality.

The retreat starts with the basics of meditation practice in the context of the non-dual philosophy of Hridaya Yoga. We take the heart, as the centre point of the experience of self as the foundation of the practice. Meditation here is not practiced as a concentration technique to control and silence the mind, but as a practice of opening to deeper and deeper layers of self awareness, self acceptance leading towards an unconditional, loving embrace of ourselves, and of life.

The program aims to create an experience of deep interiorization and intimacy with oneself through silence, relative solitude and the absence of distraction. The intimacy with oneself fostered by these conditions facilitates the blossoming of the heart by which openness to a living relationship with the essence of ones being becomes obvious.

You will learn a form of Self-Enquiry meditation inspired by the non-dual teachings of the great sage Ramana Maharshi.

Our aspiration is to make this space and the retreats accessible to everyone, so we try to keep the prices for course / food/ accommodation as low as possible.  

  No previous meditation or yoga retreat experience is necessary as this retreat is designed for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.

This retreat present a practical understanding of non-duality, meditation and an integrative approach to the spiritual life.

Ramana Maharshi’s Atma Vichara method of self inquiry meditation (Who Am I?)  Supplementary techniques that help to understand various aspects of meditation, like developing body awareness, calming a restless mind, working with emotions, opening the heart and more.  Study of the symbolism of the Spiritual Heart  A practical understanding of the non-dual teachings of both Advaita Vedanta and non-dual tantric shaivism.  Hatha Yoga sessions in the Hridaya Yoga style.  Sacred Poetry  The four fundamental stages in the process of the revelation of the Spiritual Heart.  Advice for maintaining awareness in the Spiritual Heart in the tradition of the Fathers of the Desert (from Christianity)  Daily special Meditations on themes connected with Self-revelation.

Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom. 

― Lao Tzu

The daily Hridaya Silent Meditation Retreat schedule is split into two parts:

A morning session (07:00-13:00) and an afternoon/evening session (15:30-21:30).

07:00-09:00 Meditation

This meditation will begin in smaller segments (for example, with short hourly breaks), building to one continuous, deep meditation session.

09:00-10:00 Breakfast

Breakfast available in the Hridaya Yoga Center Dining Room at 09.15.

10:00-12:30 Q&A and Relevant lecture teaching

12:30-13:45 Hatha Yoga

Practice of techniques, especially those that facilitate the revelation of the Spiritual Heart: a simultaneous (class-like) group practice.

13:45-14:15 Meditation

The revelation of the Spiritual Heart.

14:15-16:00 Lunch and rest

Lunch available in the Hridaya Yoga Dining Room.

16:00-18:30 Meditation

This meditation will begin in smaller segments (for example, with short hourly breaks), building to one continuous, deep meditation session.

18:30-19:30 Dinner

Dinner available in the Hridaya Yoga Dining Room from the 18.15.

19:30-21:15 Spiritual discourse lecture and final evening meditation

A single, gentle bell-ring will mark the end of each meditation or other period, and will signal a short break. A series of bell tones will indicate that the next meditation or other period will begin within two minutes and that it is time to take your seat and cease movement in the hall. A final, single bell will signal the start of a new session. Please do not enter the hall after the final bell has rung.

 
Delicious and healthy Vegan and Vegetarian meals served with love

We offer wholesome vegan and vegetarian meals and desserts, based on the principles of the ancient Indian medicine Ayurveda. It takes into consideration not only psychophysiological type, but also the area where you live, season and time of the day.  All meals are designed by Irina, our in-house nutritionist.  This area is particularly abundant with fruits and vegetables because of the various climate zones in the same region. So in preparation of the meals we use local and seasonal products as well as some delicious fruits (mango, papaya, watermelons, guayabas (guava), guanabanas (soursop), lychees, melons, passion fruit,etc) from the nearby areas of tropical jungle.  Basic menu is vegan, but for those who wish we offer some organic eggs, milk and honey. There is no refined flour, refined sugar, refined oils or trans-fats used in the meals. All food is made and served with love.  

​ *We’re happy to accommodate any special nutritional needs (allergy, intollerance) to make sure you have a delightful and transformational relationship with food during your stay with us.

It is not easy nowadays to find a Comfortable and Quite Place where you can deeply Rest in Silence and inquire into the depth of your own Being.   The intention is to keep the prices as low as possible so each and every one can come here and enjoy Silence, Peace and Healthy Vegetarian Food for as long as one wishes. The center is immersed in the Forest and it looks over the valley. Here you can enjoy long Walks, Birdsong, variety of Plants, Flowers and…meet Colibri (hummingbirds). To discover these multiple riches, you are welcome to wander the various trails. Everything is made here in a way so that you can feel comfortable, safe and at home.

Feel At Home

A Quiet, Beautiful And Comfortable Space For Your Solitary Retreat Or For A Group Retreat  This Place Was Created In Order To Offer A Space To All Those Who Wish To Deeply Rest In Stillness And Inquire Into The Depth Of Their Own Being.  The Intention Is To Keep The Prices As Low As Possible So Each And Every One Can Come Here And Enjoy Silence, Peace And Healthy Vegetarian Food For As Long As One Wishes.    You May Not Find Luxurious Conditions Here, But Everything Is Made In A Way You Can Feel Comfortable, Safe, And At Home.

Resting In The Healing Power Of Nature, In The Heart Of Mayan Culture

The retreat center is situated in the forest, in the mountains of Chiapas (Mexico) which is a region of authentic Mayan culture and numerous natural beauty spots.    The house is situated just 10 min away by car from ancient colonial town San Cristobal de las Casas which is famous for its beautiful historical center and for being a cultural center where traditions from all over the world meet in music, food and art.  This area has a very balanced climate: situated at the altitude of 2200 m the temperature here is 18-25 degrees the whole year round, which makes it an ideal place for relaxation and meditation. It also gives a beautiful opportunity to enjoy fresh and local vegetables and fruits in any season of the year.  Here, in a quiet and beautiful pine forest we have created this small but very cosy place which is ideal for silent meditation group retreats or an individual solitary retreat. The center may also be rented for workshops and retreats.  The center is immersed in the forest and it looks over the valley. Here you can enjoy long walks, bird chanting, variety of plants, flowers and…meet colibri (hummingbirds). To discover these multiple riches, you are welcome to wander the various trails.

Enjoy Simplicity And Comfort

The main house is made of mostly natural materials: wood and bricks. It has a spacious meditation hall of 100m2 with a wooden floor and lots of huge windows from where you can enjoy a panoramic peaceful view over the valley and forest.  In the same building there is a kitchen and dining room in a traditional mexican style, as well as bathrooms and some rooms.  There are large terraces, both covered and opened, where you can relax and enjoy nature.  There are also some private cabanas for those who wish stay on site but more isolated. There are also hammocks on the territory as well as some isolated spots where you can meditate alone.  On site there is also a beautiful garden with a gazebo and pool.