This retreat is intentionally selective. The interview isn't a formality, it's how we make sure the retreat is the right fit for you, and you for it, before either of us commits.

No. Nothing here requires prior experience or a particular belief system — just a willingness to sit still and pay attentio

It's normal for silence to feel uncomfortable at first, especially in the first day or two. Part of what the retreat offers is space to move through that discomfort rather than avoid it. [Optional: add a line here about support available if someone is struggling — a teacher check-in, etc.]

Mornings begin with natural sunlight instead of an alarm, followed by yoga asana, vipassana sits, slow plant-based meals, unstructured quiet time, and kirtan in the evening, closing in true darkness. [Link this answer to your Itinerary page for the full breakdown.]

No. The practices here — meditation, silence, natural light exposure, slow eating — work on the body and nervous system directly, regardless of belief. You're welcome to bring a spiritual lens to the experience, or none at all. Bringing an open mind is what is most important.

Talking is one of the most constant, automatic behaviors we have, most of us are never without it. Removing it entirely is what allows everything else (attention, self-awareness, the noise underneath daily life) to actually surface. A daily window is set aside where you can write down anything you need to communicate to Vedaji.

Vedaji sets aside time each day to receive written notes from participants. For anything urgent or logistical outside of that window, staff are available. Silence applies to participant-to-participant interaction, not to your safety or basic needs.

That's a completely normal response, especially for anyone used to always having a screen or light nearby. You'll always have access to the indoor common area and to staff. Many participants find that unease is one of the first things that softens over the week.

Days begin before sunrise and follow a fixed rhythm: candle-light meditation, yoga asana, meditation, meals taken slowly, free periods for rest or nature, and more meditation, ending with an evening session before bedtime. A full day-by-day itinerary is provided to confirmed participants.

Kirtan is a call-and-response chanting practice, done as a group. You're welcome to participate as much or as little as you'd like. Many people find it easier to move through than sitting meditation, since it works through breath and voice rather than stillness.

Let us know during your interview. Modifications are available for most practices, and the schedule is built around stillness and slowness rather than physical intensity.

Simple, healthy vegetarian meals, eaten slowly and without distraction. Three meals a day, built around the retreat's broader emphasis on presence and digestion.

Comfortable clothing for yoga and stillness, layers for early mornings and evenings, and anything you need for basic personal care. A detailed packing list is provided to confirmed participants ahead of arrival.

Many participants do, and find the structure genuinely supportive. That said, please disclose this during your interview so we can talk through whether this specific format – full silence, isolation from technology, extended stillness — is right for you right now.