Kathy Ward and Mindful Academy International invite you to join us for a 5-Day 5-night Mindfulness Silent Retreat in Altea on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

In our beautiful meditation room with huge windows overlooking the mountains, the teachings are offered in a space of noble silence and through sitting, standing, lying, walking practices, and mindful movement. The intention is to cultivate direct exploration of both formal and informal mindfulness-based practice and at the same time, deepen understanding of the essential teachings that are the very fabric of teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction MBSR, Mindfulness-Based Approaches MBA or Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy classes, workshops, and individual sessions.

In particular, the silent retreat is orientated around becoming more aware of obstacles in our practice and remembering that difficulties are not a failure. Here we are cultivating the natural deepening of our practice with mindfulness, investigation, energy, joy, tranquility, concentration, and equanimity so that we can learn to live well, to thrive rather than just survive.

Rather than striving for new abilities, with kindness and self-compassion, we learn to identify, appreciate, and strengthen the ones we already have. In our meditation practice, they support finding a place of balance and in our daily lives, a wholehearted involvement with what we are doing.

As well as free time to rest and rejuvenate, the schedule includes periods of both guided and sustained periods of silence to enable participants to connect more fully with their inner experiences. There will also be opportunities for mindful walking and sunrise meditations on the beach (weather permitting) a long walk in the Parc Natural de la Serra Gelada on one of the days to explore the stunning coastline and watch the sunrise over the Peñon de Ifach, and on two evenings, a candlelight meditation after dinner.

Chairs, benches, meditation cushions, bolsters, blocks, blankets, and cushions are provided. You may like to bring a favorite shawl, touchstone, or cushion.

The teachers will be available to support you individually should the need arise, and there will be occasional opportunities to embody practice by sharing in the group environment (optional)

You will find that there is plenty of time to practice mindfulness informally and nourish yourself between the scheduled sessions by sipping a tea or coffee at the hotel or local cafes, curling up with a book in your spacious room, cold water swimming in the sea, or walks along the Mediterranean coast and the promenade which will take you to the neighboring town of Albir. Here you can take a walk through the national park to the lighthouse with stunning coastal views. It is also possible to hire bikes to explore the area.

Thursday schedule:

4 pm – Taking tea, creating community, and mindful walk to explore the cobbled old town and seafront
6 pm – Opening the circle and mindfulness-based practice
7.30 pm Welcome dinner

Friday to Monday schedule:

7.30 – 8.30 meditation, movement, or optional sunrise walk and practice on the beach, time for swimming (of course optional!)
8.30 – 10.00 Breakfast and free time
10.00 – 13.00 Short talk to support mindfulness practice, health, and wellbeing. Followed by seated, lying, standing, walking or movement practice
13.00 – 16.00 free time for self-care, relaxation, and rejuvenation
16.00 – 19.00 Short talk to support mindfulness practice, health, and wellbeing. Followed by seated, lying, standing, and movement practice.

Tuesday schedule:

7.30 – 8.30 meditation, movement, or optional sunrise walk and practice on the beach, time for swimming (of course optional!)
8.30 – 10.30 Breakfast and free time
10.30 – 12.00 Short talk to support mindfulness practice, health, and wellbeing. Followed by seated, lying, standing, walking, or movement practice
12.00 – 13.00 Dissolving the silence and closing the retreat
13.00 – Group lunch

There will be a 30-minute break in the morning and afternoon sessions for self-care, and taking tea.

We invite you to practice silence from when the head hits the pillow on the first evening until we dissolve the silence on the final evening. Practicing silence is an opportunity to let go of distractions, and to allow the body, heart, and mind to rest so you can thrive rather than just survive.

The Location:

The Hotel Tossal d’Altea is a tiny 22-room family-run country house hotel. Full of charm and atmosphere, this 300-year-old converted farm and olive mill, is set in peaceful surroundings at the edge of the picturesque town of Altea which is famous for its blue domed church, cobbled streets, and Mediterranean promenade.

The hotel terraces and garden areas are the perfect place to sit and sip a coffee or glass of wine, and the hotel restaurant “Menjador Almàssera” is well known locally for its delicious Mediterranean and local cuisine. There is a lovely pool, small gym, and sauna. The purpose-built meditation room sits in the garden with huge windows facing the mountains.

The hotel is just 500 meters away from Palau Altea (Altea Concert Hall), the Faculty of Fine Arts, and the Old Quarter (the popular and historic Old Town, home of artists). From here, the Bernia and Aitana Sierras, the Puig Campana Peak, the sea, the Morro de Toix Mountain, and the Ifach Rock can all be seen. What makes the Hotel Tossal d’Altea so special is its beautiful natural setting and the history and tradition of the old olive oil mill and farmhouse.

The spacious rooms are well equipped with double or twin beds, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, a safety deposit box, a mini fridge, a TV, and daily maid service. Every room has a private ensuite bathroom with bathrobes, towels, a hairdryer, and complimentary Oliva del Mediterraneo toiletries.

The hotel is located on the Costa Blanca, and our nearest airport is Alicante which has a transfer service available, and, as we never ask (nor expect) you to share rooms unless you bring a friend, you’ll have your own double bedroom with a private bathroom.

What’s included:

The 5-day retreat schedule, a 3-course Welcome dinner on the first night, a delicious breakfast buffet each day, early morning tea/infusions, morning and afternoon tea/infusions/coffee/water, and water in the meditation room. There is also a delicious Paella lunch on the final day.

5-nights accommodation in a single en-suite room at the 4-star country house Hotel Tossal dÁltea as booked (additional night’s accommodation may also be available, please ask)

Options:

From experience, we have found that most retreat participants prefer to explore the excellent local restaurants in the old town or seafront for lunch and dinner, however, if you prefer, there is an option to upgrade to half-board (breakfast and either lunch or dinner) or full-board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at an additional cost.

The Hotel restaurant (open to all) has a lunch menu, a menu of the day, and an a la carte menu that caters to gluten/lactose-free, vegetarian and vegan requirements.

Deposit and Payments:

Once we offer you a space (subject to availability on the retreat and hotel) we ask for a 200 euro deposit. The retreat balance is then due one month before the retreat starts. To keep the costs down, and to allow you to spread the cost, although we book the hotel for you, you pay the Hotel part of your booking directly to them at check-out.

We limit this retreat to just 12 participants. To secure your space and book online please visit our www.mindfulacademyint.com