Silent Vipassana Retreat
Date: 19th April
Venue: 175-181 Maldon Rd, Colchester, CO3 3BL.
About the Retreat…
There are times when the mind benefits from stepping away from the constant movement of life. For a few hours, we put aside conversation, phones, and distractions, and allow the mind to settle into quiet observation.
This silent Vipassana retreat offers such a space.
The afternoon will be guided by Eran (formally known as Bhante), who spent fifteen years living as a forest monk, training under respected meditation teachers across South Asia, including periods of practice and study in Burma, where the Vipassana tradition has been preserved with particular care. The guidance offered during the retreat comes from that lived experience of long-term practice.
The approach is simple and direct. There is no performance involved, no expectation that the mind must become perfectly still. The invitation is simply to sit, observe, and allow awareness to deepen naturally.
About Vipassanā
Vipassana is a meditation practice that means “to see clearly” or “to see things as they are.”
Rather than trying to control the mind or suppress thoughts, we learn to observe them. Sensations arise in the body, thoughts pass through the mind, emotions appear and dissolve — and instead of reacting to them automatically, we watch them.
With time, this simple act of observation begins to reveal how the mind creates tension through grasping, resistance, and habit.
Vipassana meditation gently trains the mind to recognise these patterns. As awareness grows, the mind gradually becomes steadier to cultivate concentration & insight in the present.
The practice itself alternates between sitting meditation and walking meditation, allowing awareness to develop both in stillness and in movement.
Saturday
11:00 AM — Arrival and Settling
11:20 AM — Guided Sitting Meditation Anapāna Bhavana(Breath Meditation)
12:05 PM — Movement Practice
Mindful Yoga for Blood circulation
12.20 PM Guided Sittin
11.40 Walking/movement practice
12.20 Sitting/stillness practice
12.50 Q&A
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Dharma reflections
2.30 Sitting/stillness practice
3.00 Walking/movement practice, tea break
3.50 Sitting/stillness practice
4.20 Q&A
4.50 Close (announcements, dana)
5.00 End / optional sound healing
On Saturday, we’ll ground ourselves in an embodied practice of mettā towards ourselves and those we love. We’ll reflect on the place and purpose of mettā within the Buddhist path, and touch on some of the many fruits the practice can bring.
Sunday
10.00 Dhamma Centre welcome, orientation, housekeeping
10.10 Mark welcome, intention-setting, introduction to day
10.30 Yoga
11.00 Sitting/stillness practice
11.40 Walking/movement practice
12.20 Sitting/stillness practice
12.50 Q&A
1.00 Lunch
2.00 Dharma reflections
2.30 Sitting/stillness practice
3.00 Walking/movement practice, tea break
3.50 Closing circle (integration session - guided group reflections - sharing - Q&A)
4.50 Close (announcements, dana)
5.00 End
On Sunday, our attention will widen to embrace the full landscape of our experience — both inner and outer. We’ll explore how mettā can soften our hearts even in the face of challenge, and how it naturally deepens into equanimity: a spacious steadiness that allows us to meet life’s unfolding with balance and kindness. We’ll end with a discussion on bringing mettā into our daily lives.
Rhythm
Logistics
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The Centre’s car park is located beside the building and can accommodate up to 18 vehicles. Please park considerately to make the best use of the available space.
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Water Bottle: Please bring your own bottle. Filtered water will be available onsite for refills.
Seating for Meditation: We have plenty of chairs available for sitting meditation and a limited number of floor cushions. If you prefer to sit on the floor, we kindly ask that you bring your own meditation cushion or bench for comfort.
Sound Healing Session: For the sound healing journey, participants are encouraged to lie down and fully receive the resonance of the alchemy crystal bowls. To ensure your comfort, please bring the following:
Yoga mat/ suitable alternative
Blanket
Eye mask (optional)
Small pillow or cushion for your head
Any additional items you may need to feel relaxed and supported in a lying position
Your comfort is important to us—we want you to feel safe, grounded, and at ease throughout the retreat.
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The Centre will be providing a simple, wholesome vegetarian lunch to nourish all yogis during the retreat.
We will share the full menu and list of ingredients in advance, so you can check for any allergens or dietary concerns. Every effort will be made to avoid cross-contamination, but please do let us know if you have specific allergies we should be aware of.
A tea and coffee station will be available throughout the retreat, offering both dairy and non-dairy milk options for your convenience.
Register
Information regarding the retreat and resources for the retreat will be shared closer to or on the day of the retreat! Make sure you register so you don’t miss out.