Retreat Centre – Frequently Asked Questions



Should I continue to take my medication whilst on retreat?

It is essential that you continue to take any prescribed medication whilst on retreat. You should not stop your medication or reduce the dosage.

Can I attend part of a retreat?

It is not possible to attend only part of a retreat, or to leave a retreat and then return later. Once you have a confirmed place, you are asked to participate in the whole retreat.

How many retreats can I apply for in a year?

You can apply for up to two retreats in any one year. Please note that when allocating places priority will be given to those who have not yet attended a retreat that year.

What chance do I have of being offered a place from the waiting list?

Once a retreat is fully booked, a place can only be offered when someone cancels their confirmed booking. We will then offer the place to those on the waiting list in order of their waiting list position.

How can I change my personal details?

If you need to change any of the personal details that you gave when you first registered on the booking system, you need to go to the Retreat Centre homepage on the Amaravati website, then you select ‘Manage your details’. This will take you to the booking system. You will be asked to enter the original email you registered and your password. You can then change your details, such as email address, telephone number etc.

Do I need previous retreat experience to attend a retreat?

Weekend retreats are open to all, including those with no previous silent meditation retreat experience.

How old do you have to be to attend a retreat at the Retreat Centre?

Monastic-led retreats are open to those eighteen years of age or older.

Can I attend a retreat if I do not live in the UK?

You are welcome to join the retreat from wherever you are in the world, but please note that you will have to manage the time difference for your location. Our daily schedule runs from 05.30 to 21.30 GMT (BST in summer).

If there is a large difference for your timezone it may be possible for you to miss one of the sessions each day, but it is essential that you let us know, as soon as possible and preferably when making your booking.

Can other people at my house join me on the retreat?

It is fine for more than one retreatant to share a screen, but each of you must be individually booked on the retreat. Whilst on retreat please do not share the screen with anyone who is not booked on the retreat.

If you are sharing a screen please indicate who you are sharing with in the comments box at the end of the registration form. We can then ensure that if one of you gets a place, we give places to both of you.