11 Day Shunyata: Silent Awakening Meditation Retreat in Rishikesh, India
Intensive Silent Meditation Retreat in India
This immersive program is a transformative journey designed for those seeking inner peace, clarity, and a deeper connection with themselves. this retreat integrates meditation, yoga, sound healing, and a profound 7-day silence practice. This program goes beyond just meditation and yoga - it’s a complete reset for your mind, body, and spirit. By the end of these 11 days, you will leave feeling rejuvenated, centered, and equipped with a renewed sense of purpose and balance. Join them in this serene and sacred space for an experience that will transform how you live, breathe, and connect with yourself and others.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 7 days of silence
- Daily yoga, pranayama, meditation, and sound healing
- Fire ceremonies
- Group discussions on the first days
- 10 nights accommodation
- Daily organic breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
11 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Fireplace
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lobby
- Luggage room / storage
- Meditation garden
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
- Yoga studio
- Laundry
- Meeting room
You will be accommodated in double sharing rooms with private bathroom and shared bathroom, both options are available.
Program
Highlights
- Meditation practices: Explore diverse techniques, including mindfulness, body scan, loving-kindness, and silent observation. Each day’s meditation focuses on a specific theme to guide you deeper into your inner world
- Yoga: Daily yoga sessions, blending gentle Hatha, Vinyasa, and restorative practices, help align your body, mind, and breath while releasing physical and emotional tension
- Sound healing: Daily sound healing sessions with Tibetan singing bowls, crystal bowls, and gongs allow for emotional release and energetic balance
- 7 days of silence: A period of noble silence (days 4 to 10) creates space for deep reflection, heightened mindfulness, and profound self-discovery
- Organic living: Enjoy fresh, organic meals grown onsite, nourishing your body as you progress through the program
- Support: On-call facilitators available for individual concerns during silent retreat
- Adaptations: Participants new to silence can use writing prompts or private journaling for days 4-5, then transition fully into silence
Who is this program for?
This retreat is open to all levels, from beginners to seasoned meditators. Whether you are seeking relaxation, personal growth, or spiritual awakening, this program offers a supportive environment to meet you where you are in your journey.
Benefits of the program
- Cultivate a sense of inner calm and clarity
- Deepen your mindfulness practice and ability to live in the present moment
- Heal emotional imbalances and release mental tension
- Develop practical tools to manage stress and maintain balance in daily life
- Experience a deeper connection with nature, yourself, and the world around you
Program structure
Days 1-3: Preparation for silence: Focus on building foundational practices and setting intentions.
Day 1: Grounding and centering
- Introduction to the program, setting personal intentions
- Yoga: Gentle Hatha focusing on grounding poses
- Meditation: Basic breath awareness
- Sound healing: Tibetan singing bowls
- Workshop: Introduction to mindful living and silent practice
Day 2: Awareness of body and breath
- Yoga: Pranayama-focused flow
- Meditation: Body scan and mindful breathing
- Sound healing: Crystal bowls to enhance relaxation
- Workshop: Techniques for managing mental chatter
Day 3: Deepening focus and letting go
- Yoga: Vinyasa for releasing tension
- Meditation: Focused attention meditation (using a mantra or candle)
- Sound healing: Gong bath for deep relaxation
- Workshop: Setting boundaries and creating sacred silence
Days 4-10: Silence Sadhana
Participants observe noble silence, refraining from speaking, reading, writing, and electronic use.
Daily meditation themes:
- Day 4: Observing the present (mindfulness of breath and sensations)
- Day 5: Awareness of thoughts (noticing without attachment)
- Day 6: Heart-centered meditation (loving-kindness and compassion)
- Day 7: Nature meditation (connection with surroundings)
- Day 8: Observing emotions (allowing emotions to arise and pass)
- Day 9: Expanding awareness (witness consciousness)
- Day 10: Integration (reflective meditation on the experience)
Day 11: Reconnection and Integration
- Morning: Silent meditation and yoga
- Late morning: Group sharing and reflective journaling
- Afternoon: Workshop on integrating insights into daily life
- Evening: Closing ceremony with sound healing and guided meditation
General daily schedule
- 05:15 Wake-up
- 05:45 - 07:00 Pranayama and meditation
- 07:30 - 08:30 Morning guided asana session
- 09:00 - 10:00 Light breakfast
- 09:00 Fire ceremony (Monday and Thursdays only)
- 11:30 - 13:00 Guided meditation or workshop
- 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch (mindful eating practice)
- 14:00 - 15:00 Rest / reflection or journaling (before silence)
- 15:00 - 16:30 Sound healing session / philosophy sessions / meditation sessions
- 16:30 - 17:00 Tea / group discussion (days 1-3 only)
- 17:00 Fire ceremony (Saturdays only)
- 17:15 - 18:30 Evening meditation
- 19:00 - 19:30 Prayers in temple / Bhakti yoga
- 20:00 - 21:00 Dinner in silence
- 21:30 Lights out
Instructors
Saurabh Kandwal
Saurabh's spiritual life started from a young age. The initiation of renunciation was started by Guru Ji when he was age six. Since childhood, his guru started teaching yoga and meditation in the ashram, where his yogic life started. Later on at the age of 15, he completed the practice of four months of silence sadhana which was the most beautiful experience of his life. After graduating from journalism, he moved to yoga again. Meanwhile, he completed 200 hours of teacher training from Sivananda Kerala Ashram and 300 hours from Mysore. Since then he has been sharing his practice with all.
Retreat location
Abhyasa Yogmath, their beautiful yoga school in Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga and a hub for spiritual seekers from around the world. Their school is nestled in the serene foothills of the Himalayas, surrounded by greenery and the blessings of sacred Ganges river. Rishikesh is known as the yoga capital of the world, and the school is proud to be a part of this rich tradition.
They offer a range of traditional yoga classes, from Hatha to Ashtanga, as well as meditation, pranayama, and philosophy classes. Their experienced teachers are dedicated to providing a safe and nurturing environment for students to deepen their practice and connect with their inner selves.
Whether you are looking to deepen your own practice or looking for a short break from your daily life, their school in Rishikesh offers a unique and enriching experience that will leave you feeling renewed and empowered. Join them on this transformative journey and discover the true essence of yoga.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
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Food
The package includes organic, plant-based breakfast, lunch, and dinner served mindfully to support energy and clarity. They provide pure sattvic food cooked in wood fire.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Organic
- Ayurvedic
What's included
- Daily classes (yoga, meditation, sound healing, pranayama)
- 7 days of silence
- 10 nights accommodation
- 3 times meals in day and tea
- Yoga mat, Wi-Fi
What's not included
- Airfare
- Transport
- Other expenses
- GST
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 26 per person
Jolly Grant Airport
22 km away from your destination
Transfer available for additional US$ 63 per person
Indira Gandhi International Airport
209 km away from your destination
Arrival by taxi
From Tapovan, Rishikesh to the school, it's 30 minutes taxi drive. After reaching the property, it's 15 minutes of hike to reach the school.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 15% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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