Seven-Day Retreat at Garrison Institute

This seven-day non-dual meditation retreat with Rupert Spira takes place at the Garrison Institute in Garrison, New York, in the Hudson Valley. It is for people drawn to Advaita and the non-dual understanding who want to spend a full week resting in being, in dialogue and in friendship. Whether you come for peace, truth, love or freedom, or simply to see old friends again, the days are spent in guided meditation and conversation, in a quiet setting beside the river.

What to Expect

Each day centres on guided meditation, in which participants rest in being, as being, and on dialogue about the non-dual understanding. Between sessions there is time for meals, walks and rest. Evenings are relaxed: people might watch a film together, share poetry and music, or simply sit with friends.

The week opens with arrival from mid-afternoon on the first day, followed by dinner and an evening welcome with guided meditation. From the second day through the seventh, the rhythm is steady:

- Guided meditation, 7:30am to 8:30am
- Breakfast, 8:30am to 10:00am
- Guided meditation, 11:00am to 12:00pm
- Lunch, 12:30pm to 2:00pm
- Dialogue, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
- Dinner, 6:30pm to 8:00pm

On the final morning there is breakfast, then a last guided meditation and dialogue from 10:00am to noon, followed by lunch and departure at 1:00pm.

About Rupert Spira

Rupert Spira is a meditation teacher whose work centres on Advaita Vedanta, the non-dual philosophy rooted in Indian classical thought, together with the devotional practice of Sufism. Born in London, he encountered the poetry of Rumi at fifteen, which opened the way into the mystical and contemplative traditions he has explored for five decades. Soon afterwards he learned the Mevlevi Turning at Colet House in London, a Sufi practice combining movement, prayer and meditation. He went on to meet Dr. Francis Roles, a student of Shantananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the North of India. His approach draws on both the direct-path inquiry of Advaita and the heart-centred practice of the Mevlevi order.

The Setting

The Garrison Institute is a former Capuchin monastery on the ninety-five-acre Glenclyffe property, overlooking the Hudson River. The grounds are park-like, with gardens, a boxwood labyrinth, a gazebo on the river bluff and many walking paths. The property connects directly to the Hudson River walking trails and the Appalachian Trail.

Accommodation is simple, quiet and comfortable, with single, double and shared rooms for three or four people. There is no guest elevator, so every room is reached by stairs, and the shared rooms are on the fourth floor. Anyone for whom stairs may be difficult is advised to choose a double room. Each residential floor has two communal bathrooms and a lounge with sofas, easy chairs, wireless internet, and tea and instant coffee at all hours. Those who prefer a private bath can stay at a hotel nearby and attend as a commuter, with three meals a day included.

All meals are lacto-vegetarian, three each day. Gluten-free and dairy-free options can be requested, though special diets cannot be guaranteed, so it is wise to check with the organiser first.

Garrison is about fifty miles north of New York City, directly off Route 9D, with on-site parking. By train, it is roughly one hour twenty minutes from Grand Central Station on Metro North's Hudson line. Stewart International Airport in Newburgh is the closest airport, and taxis and buses via Poughkeepsie are also options.

Before You Go

Transport to Garrison and off-site hotels are not included. Rooms are allocated by gender in shared accommodation, and friends or couples can ask to share. For those who cannot travel, the retreat is also offered by livestream, with the main sessions broadcast live and recorded for replay, and two of the dialogues open to questions for Rupert by video link.