HRIDAYA NORTHWEST
4-DAY KARMA YOGA SILENT RETREAT
Integrating our Spiritual Path
Aug 30 – Sept 2, 2024 (Labor Day Weekend)
This unique Silent Meditation Retreat invites you into the moment-by-moment application of Karma Yoga: Living our Practice through daily life awareness. Our 4-days and 3-nights of silence and spiritual teachings will invite a whole new awareness of how we bring our meditative and spiritual attitudes into our daily actions and interactions.
The path of Karma Yoga is accessible for everyone who would like to cultivate more awareness, more compassion, and more centeredness. No dogma or religious beliefs are necessary and all cultural backgrounds are welcome. We will learn both the traditional understanding of karma and Karma Yoga, as well as what 2024 looks and feels like for a karma yogi.
If you are yearning to go beyond your everyday reality, to quiet your mind and connect to the deepest part of yourself, join us for this Karma Yoga Silent Meditation Retreat. We’ve designed this retreat to guide you to an intimate understanding of what meditative action is so you can experience the inner transformation it kindles:
- Our experienced facilitators share wisdom and inspiration from a variety of spiritual traditions.
- They hold explicit awareness about the ways these teachings have been inaccessible to many people and offer diverse perspectives and access points to support understanding and receiving the teachings.
- Meditation and other techniques are taught step-by-step with the opportunity to deepen your practice throughout the retreat.
But a retreat isn’t about a technique or bit of knowledge. It isn’t about finding something that’s missing. A Silent Retreat is an opportunity and process of opening to the part of you that is beyond all limitations.
When you connect with that inner realm it will infuse your entire life with its Love.
Free from distractions and immersed in these teachings, you will:
- Begin to discover more Truth within yourself
- Feel a greater sense of love, wholeness, and open-heartedness
- Emerge renewed, your life enriched with meaning, thanks to new spiritual perspective
Our Labor Day Weekend Karma Yoga Retreat will be held in a beautiful home on Mayfield Lake, WA in the town of Cinebar.
Our intimate weekend will include up to 10 guests and rooms are either single or shared (see below in Accommodations). The home features wrap-around decks with a panoramic view of Mayfield Lake, ample indoor and outdoor space to practice, walk and rest. On arrival you’ll be invited to drop into a quiet space of unwinding, feel the desire to slow down, and breathe more deeply as you step into the silence.
In this Karma Yoga Silent Retreat, you’ll learn and practice:
- Consecration
- Non-attachment
- Reactivity vs Responsibility
- Dharma: What we are dedicated to
- The essential attitudes of Karma Yoga: love, awareness and surrender
- Radically choosing an Open Heart in our most challenging moments
- Mindfulness during daily actions
- Making life into “Lila” – Divine Play
- Turning routines into rituals
- Holding the witnessing attitude throughout the day
- Examining work/life focus and balance through the lens of spiritual integration
Prerequisites:
This silent retreat is for anyone who has participated in a Hridaya Yoga or Tantra Immersion module or silent retreat. This will not be a fundamentals retreat. Instead, our retreat together will be devoted to the spiritual attitudes and practices needed to cultivate a whole-life path of Karma Yoga. Please contact us if you’re not sure if you have the necessary prerequisite courses/retreats.
Opportunity to Serve:
One exciting aspect of the Karma Yoga Silent Retreat will be the opportunity for all participants to provide service to your retreat community. You will discuss service options with the facilitators 30-60 days in advance of the retreat and decide what kind of offering is most aligned for you and brings you joy. Being of dedicated service in this way will be a central aspect of the Karma Yoga retreat. Service options include:
- Meal prep (i.e. cutting vegetables, washing ingredients)
- Coffee/hot tea prep
- Snack table maintenance
- Planning a meal and cooking it (getting to choose a meal with the cook before the retreat and being responsible for making it during the retreat)
- Leading a meditation, hatha yoga session or teaching
- Ringing bells, upkeep of the practice space and altars
- Cleaning Bathrooms and floors
- Washing dishes and cleaning the kitchen
- A service project at the retreat home
Are You Looking For More?
This brand new retreat has been created from the genuine need and desire we are collectively feeling to work and act in a different way – a way that is more connected to our Source and our Heart. No matter what “work” or “action” looks like in your life, the liberating path of Karma Yoga can amplify the joy and freedom you feel as you engage with it.
Our silent inquiry, physical and mindful practices will center around the application of Karma Yoga: The Yoga of Conscious Action. Teachings and practices (in stillness and movement, which can all be adapted for your body’s needs) will support your understanding and application of Karma Yoga in daily life. Teachings will offer a practical understanding, with many access-points of how to apply meditative awareness throughout our days.
Each Day of the Retreat Includes:
- 3-4 meditation sessions
- Hridaya Hatha Yoga
- Walking meditation
- An opportunity to offer service to your retreat community
- Practical teachings for going deeper in meditation
- Inspiring lectures about Karma Yoga
- Q&A session (with written questions)
GENERAL SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
Friday
1:00 – 2:00 Arrival and room setup
3:00 Orientation
4:00 Silence Begins
4:15 Afternoon Session
6:15 Dinner
7:30 Q&A and Evening Session
9:00 Break for Evening
Saturday & Sunday
7:00 Morning Practice
9:00 Breakfast
10:15 Morning Teaching
11:15 Hridaya Yoga & Meditation Practice
1:00 Lunch & Break
3:30 Afternoon Teaching & Practice
6:15 Dinner
7:30 Q&A and Evening Session
9:00 Break for Evening
Monday
7:00 Morning Practice
9:00 Breakfast
10:15 Morning Teaching
11:15 Silence Ends & Sharing
12:00 Retreat Ends & Lunch
1:00 Participants Leave
YOUR HOSTS
GRACE BRYANT (they/them) loves inviting people into the shadows, discomfort and fun of genuine spiritual living. They do this through silence, embodiment, sexuality & intimacy, community building, anti-oppression, and dismantling our inherited and created conditions. Grace has been a whole life educator for 2 decades, integrating drama, music, movement, meditation and yoga, mindful living, creative play, teamwork, conscious collaboration, anti-racism, community building and leadership. They have been leading retreats since 2009, silent retreats since 2016. Grace offers mentorship in the areas of spirituality, intimacy, relationships and holistic life integration, using touch & bodywork, energy work, emotional awareness and mindfulness. They are exceptionally grateful for all of the communities, colleagues and badass people in their life who inspire creativity in the chaos and have taught them so many tools of radical acceptance, and personal and societal dismantling.
DIANNA HESTON Dianna was first introduced to the Hridaya meditation and yoga practices more than a decade ago, and has co-facilitated silent retreats since 2016. The retreats have evolved into a time of reflection for herself, as she navigates being of service to participants while welcoming the personal benefits of silence and reflective time provided. Heart-centeredness while chopping vegetables! Dianna considers it an honor to provide the nourishment those attending the retreat rely on. When deprived of senses while being inwardly directed, food can become a great source of comfort. Knowing this, she brings mindfulness to all aspects of food preparation from planning Ayurveda-inspired menus, to presentation on the buffet table.
Dianna’s passion for yoga and meditation has primarily been inspired by the ways in which the practices support individuals in improved health and well-being. Dianna has both witnessed and personally experienced how emotional and physical well-being are attainable by meditation and mindfulness, physical asana, and breathwork. Being able to share the ancient wisdom of the Yogi’s for health and healing causes her heart to burst with Love!
When not engaged in retreat planning and presentation, Dianna is delighted to spend each day with her two young grandsons. Living in a multi-generational home environment has long been a dream, sharing responsibilities, wisdoms, and the joys of daily life make each day bountiful!
Hridaya Northwest Payment and Refund Guidelines
When joining Hridaya NW for a silent retreat, we ask that you be aware of our payment and refund guidelines. These guidelines exist in order for us to harmoniously offer the teachings of the Spiritual Heart to as many people as possible within our small local organization. As space in our retreats is limited, we require advance notice if you need to cancel your attendance. Thank you for mindfully planning your retreat with us.
MEMORIAL WEEKEND RETREAT COSTS
A $300 deposit is required for registration
Accomodation Cost
For the Karma Yoga Retreat, all rooms / beds are the same price and you will be informed of room assignment the week before the retreat. Some are shared and some are single. If you need support around this, or would like to share your accessibility needs, please let us know in your application or contact us.
All Rooms / Beds are $875 per person.
There are 10 spots available.
Payment Schedule
- $300 deposit secures your attendance (after your application is accepted)
- Half of your remaining balance is due 60 days before the retreat (July 1)
- Your full remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat (August 1)
Refund & Cancellation Policy
Your $300 registration fee (deposit) includes a 50% non-refundable administration fee ($150).
All cancellations more than 60 days before the retreat will be fully refunded minus the administration fee.
If you need to cancel less than 60 days before the retreat and we can fill your spot, you will be fully refunded minus the administration fee.
If we cannot fill your spot, the following cancellation policy will be in effect:
- Cancellations 15-59 days prior to retreat – 50% refund (minus admin fee)
- Cancellations less than 2 weeks prior to retreat – no refunds will be given
- We are unable to offer any refund if you have already arrived at the retreat
Inclement Weather Policy: While unexpected, Mother Nature continues to give us inclement weather in surprising ways. We will do our best to notify all participants within 36 hours of the retreat start if inclement weather is expected and update you as to our cancellation policy if the hosts need to cancel the retreat.
Covid-19 Testing Update: In order to continue protecting ourselves, our families and the most vulnerable members of our extended population, we are still asking everyone to take covid-19 home test before you leave for the retreat (before getting on an airplane or starting your drive). We understand it costs about $10 for a test kit; please consider this part of your cost for attending.
We ask anyone that is feeling sick or has tested positive for Covid-19 to not attend this retreat.
- If you need to cancel within 48 hours of the start of the retreat due to illness, please contact us immediately.
- We will do our best to fill your spot if we have a waiting list, in which case the above refund policy will apply.
- In case of sudden illness, if we are unable to fill your spot, half of your retreat funds will be non-refundable, half will be transferable to a future retreat (within 1 year). *Note: retreats can fill up fast. It will be your responsibility to contact us to register for a future retreat.
Please contact us if you have any questions about cancellations. We do our best to be flexible and want to honor individual needs.
Affiliate Websites: Please note that bookings made on affiliate websites will be subject to the payment and refund guidelines of the affiliate.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
Submit your online application and we will respond within 48 hours. After we have confirmed your room, we will hold your spot for 48 hours or until we receive your $300 deposit (unless you’ve made other payment arrangements.)
Transparency around Pricing: The cost of this retreat covers your accommodations, food, additional expenses like printing and supply costs, and the time and travel of your facilitators. A 5% donation will be given from all registration fees to a global scholarship fund for those facing financial hardships and/or oppression. If you would like to apply for a scholarship, please specify on your application form. We will let you know within 60 days of the start of the retreat how much of a scholarship you are eligible for based on our funds and our applicants.
Hridaya Northwest has always kept the cost of our retreats incredibly low, around 1/3 to 1/2 of other comparable retreat prices. We directly match the cost of the retreat to the cost of the expenses. Our facilitation teams prioritize spiritual teachings in their lives, not corporate salaries, and any income for the facilitators directly supports their families and their ability to provide these retreats.
We honor that everyone’s level of financial accessibility is different and subject to various factors. If we can further support your accessibility through payment plans or access to scholarship funds, please let us know.
Sponsor a Student: We also recognize that some people have the funds to allow them to support the spiritual work of those with fewer financial resources. So, we welcome donations to “Sponsor a Student.” Donations to this program will be used to assist us in offering scholarships. Please consider whether you can give more in order to support the practice of everyone in our community, regardless of financial situation. To contribute to our “Sponsor a Student” fund, contact us at [email protected] or via our contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the meditation retreat located?
We will be hosted by a quiet home in Cinebar, WA, on beautiful Mayfield Lake just east of Chehalis. Our intimate weekend will include 10 guests and rooms are either single or shared. There are stairs in the home, so please tell us if you need an accessible room and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
The home features wrap-around decks with a panoramic view of Mayfield Lake, ample indoor and outdoor space to practice, walk and rest. On arrival you’ll drop into a quiet space of unwinding and feel the desire to slow down, breathe more deeply and step into silence. The retreat is located on a quiet residential street and walking trails or access to Mayfield Lake are available a short drive away.
All meals will be vegetarian, and lovingly prepared with organic food and freshly prepared whole food ingredients. Your retreat experience will be enhanced with this delicious, simple food. We invite you to share with us any food restrictions so we can do our best to nourish all bodies to their optimal health.
What’s a silent retreat like?
The Hridaya Silent Meditation Retreat is structured to give you guidance every step of the way. Participants practice noble silence throughout the entire retreat, from our opening circle to our closing circle. Retreat leaders will speak during sessions to offer teachings and guidance in the practices but will also be in silence outside of the sessions. You are encouraged to ask written questions about your experience, the teachings or anything you need during our retreat. You’ll always be able to contact a retreat leader for support.
The daily schedule offers both structure and spaciousness for your silent process. On our three mornings together we begin practice at 7am, and we end our day around 9pm. Our meditation sessions start out shorter and build up throughout the weekend. There is a 2½ -hour break after lunch for you to go for a walk, journal, take a nap or rest. Three nourishing, vegetarian meals are offered daily, using seasonal produce which helps you have the best retreat possible, not only in your mind and heart but also in your belly. Vegan and gluten free options are available as well.
Every day we practice hatha yoga – a gentle but deep meditative physical yoga practice in the style of Hridaya, the Yoga of the Spiritual Heart. Movements and poses are adaptable for all bodies and give you access to tools that bring embodied awareness into your daily life. Hridaya Yoga engages not only the physical body but the whole being in the attitude of yoga – integrated union. Postures and practices are performed with a focus on both the physical body and inner experience, turning physical practice into blissful meditation. If flow or vinyasa is your thing, there is also space every day to do your own practice.
What should I expect in a silent retreat?
Every silent meditation retreat is different – even if you attend the exact same retreat multiple times. The most important attitude to have in a silent retreat is to let go of expectations. A spirit of openness to what unfolds is essential to welcoming a retreat experience.
Your retreat facilitators have over a decade of experience leading people through their personal transformation of yoga, meditation and silent retreats. We start with the basics of meditation and concentration techniques and build your understanding and experience throughout the retreat. Practices are accessible for beginning and experienced meditators alike.
Our meditation retreat atmosphere is a safe space for you to try out different meditation and concentration practices which invite a holistic experience of yourself and discover how you want to bring these practices into your life. There’s no expectation that you do anything perfectly or that you can even sit still! We practice together by increasing the length of our meditations day by day and building up our stamina in the practice. Your humanness is welcome – exactly as you are.
You’ll have the space to share your retreat experience on the last day and we highly encourage everyone to witness each other’s process and share your experience. This is sometimes the most profound session of the whole retreat after being in silence with fellow seekers.
What do we do in a silent meditation retreat?
Hridaya Silent Retreats are created to intimately experience what meditation is and to feel the inner transformation it can bring. During our meditation retreat, we offer practices centered on the Spiritual Heart – another name for the essence of our being. Practices come from a variety of traditions, including esoteric Christianity, Sufism, Buddhism, Tantra, Taoism and Yoga. All religious backgrounds, faiths and lifestyles are welcome in the Spiritual Heart! The atmosphere is one of love and strong spiritual support.
No previous meditation or yoga experience is necessary as this silent retreat is designed for beginner and advanced meditators alike.
Using techniques from these vast, mystical traditions and Hridaya Yoga, we’ll learn how to create the best conditions for meditation including cultivating awareness, mental concentration, meditation techniques based on opening to the Spiritual Heart and how to apply these techniques in daily life. The last day will include practical and concrete integration practices like how to create a home practice and maintain an open heart in the challenging moments of life.
What does noble silence mean?
Silence starts with not talking…but it’s so much more.
We start with the intention to not talk or communicate once we set our container and begin the retreat. You are welcome to write notes to retreat leaders when you have questions or need assistance. Otherwise, we ask there to be no communication between guests, including not looking at other people’s faces, not making eye contact and not touching others. This may seem strict, but it opens the gateway to really focus internally, the whole point of a silent retreat. Once you get into the rhythm, you’ll be grateful for the space away from pleasing people or worrying about how they’ll react to you.
We ask all guests to maintain this noble silence throughout the retreat, which includes: no books, no electronics, no music, no phones or devices, or other distractions. Again, this might feel extreme. The point is to not let yourself go to any distraction from what you’re really experiencing in the present moment. If taking a few days away from social media scares you, then you’re very ready for this journey.
We do encourage journaling to assist in the processing of your experience.
Noble Silence is a common practice in retreats which offers a rare and precious opportunity to simplify one’s daily routine, quiet the mind and cultivate an inward focus of attention. There is also the opportunity to go deep in our internal world and not be distracted by the social conventions that usually turn the wheels of our mind constantly.
By observing outer silence and temporarily renouncing our usual habits of conversation, we provide a support for the cultivation of a deep inner silence. You will be asked to refrain not only from speaking, but also from using electronic devices. We will explain more and provide an opportunity for asking questions before going into silence. Be assured you will always have the opportunity to communicate by writing messages to your facilitators should the need arise. There will also be a daily Q&A session to address your submitted written questions.
How long are the meditation sessions?
Sessions will gradually increase in length from the beginning to the end of the retreat. Guests are welcomed to adjust their sitting position during sessions as needed and to use props to sit comfortably. Chairs are also provided.
Do we have to sit on the floor?
No, sitting on the floor is not required – there will be seats available as needed. If you do choose the floor there will be cushions and other items for maximum comfort. We will also teach some ways to sit more comfortably. We encourage you to bring any props/benches/cushions that you know will ease your seated practice.
What is the yoga practice like? Do I need to be flexible?
Hridaya Yoga is a meditative practice focused on going into the Spiritual Heart through the energy and movements of the body. It is accessible for all bodies and modifiable for any injuries or conditions. Don’t worry about whether you’re experienced at yoga or flexible.
What about the food?
We will serve lovingly prepared organic, vegetarian meals. We will do our best to accommodate restricted diets, including vegan and gluten free – you will need to let us know preferences on your registration form. For highly restricted diets you may need to supplement your own meals. A refrigerator will be available to store your personal items. We do ask that everyone bring snacks, as needed.
What should I bring to the retreat?
A list will be provided after registration. You don’t need to bring anything to “do,” just the things that support you in being.
What should I wear?
Comfortable, layered clothing is best. Bring clothes you can sit, move and walk in. Bodies can get chilly during meditation and warm during yoga sessions. There will be opportunities to go for walks on your breaks. Bring waterproof clothing so you can go outside.
Are you doing Covid-19 testing?
Short answer: yes.
In order to continue protecting ourselves, our families and the most vulnerable members of our extended population, we are asking everyone to take covid-19 home test before you leave for the retreat (before getting on an airplane or starting your drive). We understand it costs about $10 for a test kit…please consider this part of your cost for attending.
How do I register?
Submit your online application and we will respond within 48 hours. After we have confirmed your room, we will hold your spot for 48 hours or until we receive your $300 deposit (unless you’ve made other payment arrangements.)
All photos courtesy of Lara Randall’s Photography