Relaxed schedule.

Regular meditation instructions.

Short sittings.

Opportunities to talk.

Evening meal available.

This is a retreat for people who may have never meditated, visited a monastery, or been on a retreat. You don’t need to know anything about Buddhism or meditation. It provides a gentle introduction to meditation, with lots of instruction & guidance, short meditation periods (10 to 20 minutes), lots of free time, and opportunities to talk. (Other retreats at Sītavana are conducted in silence, except for meditation instructions, and question & answers at tea time).

We start with absolute basics: how to sit for meditation, and why; experimenting with various postures and aids (cushion, kneeling stool, chair). There is the option for an evening meal (contrary to the normal practice at the monastery, where only two meals a day are eaten, breakfast at 7:00 and the main meal at 11:00).