Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada Retreat, Victoria

This spiritual retreat at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Victoria, British Columbia, is an invitation into meditative self-inquiry, a quiet practice inspired by the teachings of J. Krishnamurti. It is open to anyone drawn to live and work from a deeper ground of presence, and it is led by the traveling meditation teacher Mukesh Gupta.

The retreat belongs to a wider series that gathers international groups of Fellow Travellers across Europe, Canada and India. Each gathering has its own fragrance, and the theme that unites them is the Living Flame of Silence. The aim is a gentle space in which a deeper source of Being can awaken, one that moves beyond the confines of fear and the restless ego-mind.

What to Expect

The days follow a harmonious rhythm of meditative self-inquiry, quiet dialogues, selected readings from Krishnamurti's teachings, small group explorations, silent sittings and contemplative walks in nature. There is room for conversation and room for stillness, and the two are meant to balance each other.

The spirit of the retreat is close to something Krishnamurti said in a public talk in Madras: that it is good to go away and stop the routine, "not only the routine of outward existence but the routine which the mind establishes for its own safety and convenience." A silent meditation retreat of this kind offers that interruption, in the company of others who are also listening.

About Mukesh Gupta

Mukesh Gupta is a traveling teacher who offers dialogues and meditative self-inquiry inspired by J. Krishnamurti and other non-dual teachings. He has more than twenty years of experience on his own spiritual path, and his approach is based on connecting with inner silence, compassionate presence and unconditional love.

He is known for connecting with people from all walks of life, and his retreats and workshops are sought after around the world. Over the past decade he has conducted more than two hundred retreats, creating safe spaces in which participants can explore fundamental life questions.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at the Krishnamurti Educational Centre of Canada in Victoria, British Columbia. Walks in nature are part of the daily rhythm, so the surroundings are a real element of the retreat and not only a backdrop. The Victoria gathering is spread across a span of roughly two months, and the schedule is still evolving.

Before You Go

No prior knowledge of philosophy or of Krishnamurti's teachings is needed. The retreat is open to all, without distinction of gender, faith, culture or background. If you feel drawn to this kind of quiet inquiry, you are warmly welcome.