Meditation Retreat - Stillness & Mind Training 21 - 28 July, 2026
21 - 28 July 2026 (7-Day Retreat)
Led by: Ven. Thubten Khadro
This beginner-friendly retreat offers a supportive environment to slow down, simplify, and become familiar with the mind. Through periods of silence and guided meditation, participants learn how to settle attention and develop inner steadiness. Silence provides the space to observe thoughts and emotions with greater clarity and care.
Alongside stillness, the retreat introduces the Buddhist mind training tradition known as Lojong, which offers practical methods for transforming problems and difficulties into the path of growth. Rather than avoiding challenges, participants learn how to work skilfully with discomfort, strong emotions, and dissatisfaction.
Retreat highlights include:
- Guided sitting and walking meditations
- Meditation instructions for calming and concentrating the mind (Shamatha)
- Teachings and meditations on mind training (Lojong)
- Silence from 5:45pm until after lunch the following day
- Small-group sharing circles for connected reflection
- Practical guidance for integrating meditation and mind training into daily life
Important to note:
- No previous meditation experience is required
- Commitment to maintain the designated periods of silence
- Commitment to attend all sessions, including the Sharing Circles
- This retreat is not a Vipassana (Goenka) retreat
Daily Schedule
- 6:45 am – Morning Meditation
- 7:30 am – Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Sitting Meditation (with short break)
- 10:00 am – Walking Meditation
- 10.30 to 11.30 – Sitting Meditation (with short break)
- 11:30 am – Lunch & Break
- 2:00 pm – Sharing Circle
- 3:30 pm – Afternoon Teachings
- 5:00 pm – Tea Break
- 5:45 pm – Sitting Meditation (with short break)
- 6:30 pm – Dinner
- 7:30 pm – Evening Program (Talk, Q&A, or Meditation)
Disclaimer
Meditation can sometimes bring up difficult emotions or unresolved issues, particularly for those with existing mental health conditions. If you have any concerns about your emotional wellbeing, we encourage you to speak with a healthcare professional before attending. This retreat is designed to provide a supportive environment, but individual experiences with meditation may vary.
Details of the retreat
RETREAT DATE: 21 July – 28 July 2026
RETREAT LEADER: Ven. Thubten Khadro
FLAT FEE IN A DORM: US$ 140
The retreat fee includes all meals, accommodation in a dormitory and a free book.
Students can also choose staying in single, double and triple rooms with private or shared facilities. There is an extra charge for these type of rooms, please click here and use the red column to know the daily room charges, you will need to add these to the Flat Retreat Fee.
When you do your booking, please choose your room preferences in accordance with your budget based on this list. Please note that single rooms are limited. We cannot guarantee you will be accommodated in your first room choice, rooms are allocated by order of booking and are confirmed upon arrival.
Check-in time starts at 9am on 21 July. The first session is at 5.30pm, please make sure to be here at that time.
Our reception opens at 9 am and closes at 5.30 pm, arrivals are due to be done only within these times.
The retreat concludes on 28 July with lunch.
Mobile phones, laptops and other internet-enabled devices must be checked in at the reception for the duration of the retreat. Read more on retreat guidelines.
During your stay at Kopan, please observe our dress code and ensure your clothing is appropriate for a monastic environment. You can review the guidelines here.
