Formal Meditation Retreats at Aruna Ratanagiri are held at Kusala House, our guest facilities, located adjacent to the main monastery buildings, and are open to both men and women (unless otherwise indicated). Meditation instruction is provided by the senior monk leading the retreat, with periods of sitting and walking meditation typically scheduled for the morning, afternoon and evening. A Dhamma talk usually follows the evening sitting.
Please read the Retreat Information here before applying for any of the retreats.
There is no need to book to join the One Day retreats. Just arrive in good time for the start.
One day retreats start at 9am and last until approximately 4pm and take place in Kusala House. The midday meal will also be in Kusala House, so as not to put pressure on the main monastery kitchen. Please bring some food to share. Hot drinks will be available. The teacher will let you know the degree of silence for the day and when talking is suitable. It is recommended to bring outdoor clothes for periods of walking meditation.
Please note we do not currently offer facilities for purely personal retreats. If you are looking for a less structured stay in the monastery we accept guests outside of Formal Retreat times where there is generally plenty of time for private practice. See Visiting and Staying.
Strict observance of silence is usually required during periods of formal retreat. During other times it is asked that guests observe silence from 9pm until 6.30am. Guests may be asked to leave if they do not follow the request for silence.
As there is limited space on the retreats, the monastery adopts the policy of a maximum of two retreats per person in any one year and it is a requirement that before booking for a retreat of more than 3 days you have previously stayed here or at another monastery in the tradition of Ajahn Chah.
Please read information regarding the Eight Precepts and the standard of behaviour required of guests staying at the monastery: Visiting and Staying.
Several One Day Retreats will be hosted this year at our monastery (for more information please see above)
| Date (2024) | Teacher | Status |
| 24th - 28th June | Ajahn Nyanarato | CANCELLED |
| 4th May | Aj. Punnyo | available |
| 13th July | Aj. Sister Khemaka | available |
| 21st September | Ajahn Ahimsako | available |
| 16th November | Virginia | available |
To apply to join one of the retreats listed above, please email aruna.retreats@ratanagiri.org.uk (no application needed for One Day Retreats)
We are looking for competent cooks to plan and prepare the main meal on the retreats (for about 15 - 25 people), ideally with experience of cooking in a monastery kitchen. You would be in charge with some assistance and able to join in with the retreat when not in the kitchen. If you are interested please email aruna.retreats@ratanagiri.org.uk.
For further enquiries, you can contact our Retreat Manager, Lewis Davies, at aruna.retreats@ratanagiri.org.uk