January - March is the annual period of silent retreat for the resident community. Some dates are also open to a limited number of experienced meditators who have visited Sītavana before. Ajahn Sona reviews all applications and selects those who can best benefit from this period of practice in silence & seclusion. 

(Please note that Birken will be closed to visitors in January and February 2012 while Ajahn Sona is in Asia.  Bookings are now open for this year's Winter Retreat - March 2012 only.) 

Minimum stay, one week; maximum stay, 4 weeks.

We begin taking bookings for winter retreat in the fall. Watch the website for an announcement, and the registration form will show "Winter Retreat" as an option. Please do not try to book winter dates before that time. In general, we do not take new bookings after the retreat starts; all arrangements need to be made before January 1.

All arrivals and departures need to be on Wednesdays.
Please check Room Vacancies before you book, and then submit a registration form for your desired dates. You may request to be on a waiting list if we show 0 vacancies, as we do sometimes get cancellations.