Cultivating Peace and Presence in the Sanctuary of Southern Spain with Hugh Byrne and Rebecca Hines

This mindfulness meditation retreat in Málaga, Spain, brings together Hugh Byrne and Rebecca Hines for a week on the Costa del Sol. It is held at a peaceful retreat center overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, and it blends sitting practice, rest, connection and time to explore southern Spain. It suits people of every experience level, whether you are new to meditation or already have a steady practice, and you are welcome to come alone, with a friend or with a partner.

What to Expect

The week runs from a Sunday morning arrival to a Sunday midday departure, and it has two parts. The first half centers on compassion, lovingkindness, equanimity and noble silence. Days combine sitting meditation, walking meditation and gentle movement, with shared meals and time for rest and integration.

The second half turns outward. Meditation practice continues, and the group explores the beaches, nature and cultural sites of the Costa del Sol. There are group activities, and there is also personal time and solitude, so the week holds both community and quiet.

The retreat opens with a check-in, a settling period and an opening circle, where Hugh and Rebecca introduce the retreat and the practice. It closes with a circle of reflection and a final period of integration before people depart.

About Hugh Byrne

Hugh Byrne, PhD, is a teacher, trainer and author on mindfulness and compassion for spiritual and social transformation. He is a lead teacher at the Insight Meditation Community of Greater Washington (IMCW).

His path to meditation began with a passion for social justice. For more than twenty years he worked for human rights in Latin America and Africa, and for U.S. policies that support equality and genuine development. He values that work, but also recalls the stress and sense of separation that came from an "us" and "them" approach and from being tightly tied to outcomes. Encountering Buddhist teachings, he came to see that how we work for change is essential to creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable world.

Hugh has more than thirty years of meditation and retreat practice and more than twenty years of teaching meditation, both Buddhist and secular.

The Setting

The retreat center sits on the Costa del Sol near Málaga, with a view over the Mediterranean Sea. The setting offers a calm base for the meditation days and a starting point for the outings to beaches, natural places and cultural sites in the second half of the week.

Before You Go

No previous meditation experience is required. The retreat is designed for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to those with an established practice. Because the week includes periods of noble silence alongside shared meals and group activities, it helps to come ready for both stillness and company, and to take the free time as a real chance to rest.