Thinking about attending a retreat?

Jul 26

Let me support you into attending your first Vedic Meditation retreat by answering some common questions:

Am I Ready to go on Retreat, I haven't been meditating long, or have been inconsistent?
Anyone who has learned Vedic Meditation is ready to go on retreat. We often have first time retreaters on our retreats & if your practice is inconsistent, going on retreat is a great way to get consistent. You'll refine your practice, have prolonged exposure to deeper states & really experience the full power of the practice & results for a while after retreat. It usually has the effect of inspiring ongoing consistent practice.

What about all the rounds, will I be able to do that, what if I can't do it?
On every retreat, people wonder how they will go with multiple rounds. And on every retreat, they'll report that they were surprised how easy it was to do & are sad its come to an end. It's a very natural process, the rounds move quickly & you're never just meditating for ages on end.

I'm worried about not knowing anyone on retreat?
Most people arrive not knowing anyone. Every single retreat of mine has been highly unifying, with friendships formed & people feeling very comfortable in the group within a short time. We'll take care of you & it's always a great group on retreat. You can take as much time to yourself as you choose, there's no pressure to socialise unless you feel to. Sometimes people come to have some time to/for themselves, but it's always a really special shared experience.

If I come alone on a twin/triple basis, who will I room with?
If you're in a twin/shared room, I'll pair you with someone you'll get on with. Many of these pairings have resulted in great friendships, what can I say, I follow charm...

Will I have to share anything personal?
No. I want everyone to feel comfortable. You can sit & listen in knowledge sessions & not say anything for the whole retreat if you like. If you'd like to share your experiences you're welcome. There's no mandatory group sharing component.

I want to come but finances aren't allowing it...
If we can support you to attend via a payment plan, please reach out.

What does a typical day on retreat look like?
You'll start with some morning rounds, after which there'll be delicious breakfast & a break to enjoy the property, read or chat until lunchtime. After lunch, you'll complete some afternoon rounds & relax before dinner. We'll share another delicious meal together & then gather for our evening wisdom session. It's a great time to rest, take time outside in nature and to really allow the nervous system to decompress.

What are the effects of rounding?
A long weekend of rounding in this way is the equivalent of six months twice daily meditation. The effect is deeply restful, deeply rooted stresses can be released and accelerated expansion into that deep inner silence within.

What if I get bored?
The days flow smoothly & are quite balanced, there's not enough time to get bored and there's enough of a break outside of rounds to give you space to yourself/to be outdoors/read/reflect.

I'm nervous to attend...
Many are nervous at their first retreat, it's natural when you're stepping out of your comfort zone. But those nerves will be melted away rapidly with our first rounds on day 1! I'm also there to support you & ensure you feel very comfortable.

I’m a parent & I’m worried about leaving my children (perhaps for the first time):
We often have parents come away who are initially worried about the time away from their kids. You’ll know if the time is right for you to explore taking a short time away to replenish & rejuvenate in order to return with increased adaptation & energy to continue being the best parent you can be. Usually, children are being well taken care of by their caregiver & they realise it’s ok for mummy/daddy to be away for a little while through the experience. The rounds will help to relieve this stress & you’re also able to stay in contact with & have phone chats with your children throughout retreat.

For our upcoming Hawkes Bay Retreat, specifically:

What is the accomodation like?
Cape South is a luxury lodge with sweeping views out to the coast. It's toasty in winter with underfloor heating throughout the entire house including the hallways, fireplaces in our plush living room & kitchen. Spa or sauna in your free time or enjoy the winter sun on beanbags on the wraparound deck. Rooms are lush & spacious.

What is the food like?
Warm, delicious, nourishing. No raw/rabbit food on these retreats. Our chef, Clint Toomer owns & chefs several restaurants locally, so you can expect top notch nourishment. We also enjoy dessert every night & afternoon treats.

If you have any further questions, please reach out.

Our next retreat is in Hawkes Bay & we have a couple of spots left -

CAPE SOUTH, HAWKES BAY, Aug 25-28

"I feel so much lighter. My head just feels quiet, like not thinking a million things an hour." - Hawkes Bay Retreat, 2022