Seven-Day Retreat at The Vedanta, 27 November–4 December 2026

This seven-day non-dual retreat with Rupert Spira takes place at The Vedanta in Branston, Lincolnshire. It is a residential meditation retreat for people who want to explore Advaita-style non-dual inquiry in depth, resting in the peace of their own being alongside others who share the interest. Days are given to guided meditation, dialogue, shared meals and time in the countryside.

What to Expect

Each day holds two guided meditations, in which the invitation is to rest in being, as being, and a dialogue in which Rupert and friends discuss the non-dual understanding. Between these meetings there is time for meals, walks, rest and conversation. Evenings are looser: people might relax with friends, watch a film together, or share poetry and music.

The retreat opens on a Friday evening with dinner and a welcome followed by a guided meditation, and closes the following Friday. On the days in between, the rhythm is steady:

- Guided meditation, 7:30am to 8:30am
- Breakfast, 8:30am to 9:30am
- Guided meditation, 11:30am to 12:30pm
- Lunch, 1pm to 2pm
- Dialogues, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
- Dinner, 6:30pm to 7:30pm

On the final morning there is breakfast, then a closing meeting from 9:30am to 11:30am, followed by lunch. The retreat ends at 1:30pm, when all guests depart. Residential check-in on the first day runs from 5pm to 8pm only, with no early arrivals. On the last day, luggage can be left on site after check-out.

A livestream format is also offered, with two dialogues linked to Zoom for live questions to Rupert, and recordings of the sessions for replay.

About Rupert Spira

Rupert Spira is a meditation teacher whose work centers on Advaita Vedanta, the nondual 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 to the contemplative traditions he has explored for five decades. Soon after, he learned the Mevlevi Turning at Colet House in London, a Sufi practice combining movement, prayer and meditation, and he later met Dr. Francis Roles, a student of Shantananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the North of India. His teaching draws on both the direct-path inquiry of Advaita and the heart-centered practice of the Mevlevi tradition.

The Setting

The Vedanta sits in the heart of Lincolnshire, surrounded by rolling countryside, historic market towns and villages, with local walking trails nearby. Guests have access to the spa facilities, social spaces and quiet areas for resting or meditating between sessions.

The venue is run by a Hare Krishna organisation, so it is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free. No alcohol or non-vegetarian products may be brought on site. There is a no-shoes policy indoors, so bring slippers, though a small selection can be bought on arrival.

Rooms come in several forms: a single room (very limited, allocated through a waiting list), a twin room with two single beds, or a shared dormitory for three or four people, allocated by gender, with a standard single bed or a floor bed, which is a mattress without a frame. Couples can request a double bed in a twin room. Eco-friendly bedding is used throughout. Commuter places are non-residential, for those who live nearby or stay at a local bed and breakfast, and include meals and spa access, with a lunch and dinner only option.

All meals are lacto-vegetarian, with gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan choices available. Other dietary needs should be checked with the organiser first, as not every special diet can be guaranteed.

Lincoln station is the closest, about ten minutes by taxi. The number 2 bus from Lincoln bus station takes around 25 minutes and stops at the end of the drive, a short walk from the main building. By car, the venue is less than ten minutes from the centre of Lincoln.

Before You Go

No prior level of experience is specified. The retreat is a gathering for anyone who wishes to explore the non-dual understanding more deeply. It is held in English. Travel is not included, nor is accommodation for commuter places. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for in-person attendance.