A Weekend of Silence and Presence

At Färjås Yogaretreat we offer silent meditation retreats rooted in simplicity, nature, and authentic contemplative traditions. Through silence (mauna), meditation, yoga, tea ceremony, and shared meals, the retreat invites a pause from everyday momentum and a reconnection with inner stillness and the heart.

Färjås is located between the nature reserves Vallda Sandö and Hördalen, nestled along the mountain, with forest behind us and views over coastal meadows and the sea.

Since 2013, Färjås Yogaretreat has offered silent meditation retreats. In many ways, these retreats are the essence of what we are:

Authentic teachings and lived experience — more than twenty-five years of teaching yoga, tantra, and meditation, balancing theory and practice from Shaiva Tantra, Nordic Stav, and Zhuwang Dao

Natural health and regeneration — silence, sauna, cold baths, warm fires, regenerative farming, seasonal vegetarian food, and tea ceremonies

Personal connection — individual preparatory conversations and optional follow-ups, supporting each participant where they are

SILENCE
Most spiritual traditions favor periods of silence as a way to calm the mind, rebalance the endocrine and nervous systems, and reconnect with the soft voice of the heart.

Periodic silence (mauna) is a form of fasting for the mind, gradually quieting the idle chatter of the lower mind (manas). As the mind detoxifies, a deeper sense of peace, creativity, and inner freedom can emerge.

We use words to define ourselves and the world through fixed concepts and roles. Letting go of speaking — the practice of silence (mauna) — opens us to the magic of an essential, non-conceptual, and undifferentiated presence.

During the retreat, we set aside talking, phones, mirrors, and social interaction. Pen and paper are sufficient for communicating any practical questions to the organizing team.

Essential questions that arise during meditation can be written down and will be addressed during the program.

MEDITATION
Meditation lies at the heart of many authentic spiritual traditions. It can be approached as an art, a science, or a mystery. Learning meditation takes time, patience, and practice.

There are many forms of meditation. One essential distinction is between dual and non-dual practice. In dual meditation, attention rests on an object; in non-dual meditation, the division between subject and object gradually dissolves.

The silent meditation retreats at Färjås Yogaretreat are oriented toward this non-dual approach, supported by silence (mauna) and traditional practices from Shaiva Tantra, Nordic Stav, and Zhuwang Dao.

YOGA
The yoga sessions are designed to strengthen and relax the body in between longer periods of meditation. Hatha yoga postures (asanas) are interwoven with gentle warm-ups and deep relaxation.

The program also includes deep yogic relaxation (yoga nidra), supporting rejuvenation and deepening the effects of meditation. No previous experience of yoga is required.

TEA CEREMONY

Each morning begins with a quiet tea ceremony. During the ceremony, we contemplate the beauty of the interplay of the five elements while being served and drinking tea. Beauty and contemplation are essential aspects of our retreats, supporting a return to the heart and present-moment awareness.

We drink dark, fermented Chinese teas — Pu’erh and Liu Bao — aged from the 1980s and 1990s.

GUIDANCE
Short daily sessions offer guidance and practical tools for meditation, as well as perspectives on the self (ātman) and non-duality.

Participants are encouraged to write down practical questions and more poetic contemplations that are included in the three guidance sessions.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM

Friday

17:00–18:00 Welcome and introduction to the silent retreat
18:00–20:00 Dinner break
20:00–21:00 Meditation Guidance
21:00 Enter silence (mauna)
21:00–22:00 Meditation

Saturday

08:00–08:30 Tea ceremony
08:30–10:00 Yoga and relaxation
10:00–11:00 Meditation
11:00–14:00 Lunch break
14:00–15:00 Meditation Guidance
15:00–15:15 Tea break
15:15–17:00 Meditation
17:00–18:00 Yoga Nidra
18:00–20:00 Dinner break, optional sauna
20:00–21:00 Contemplation Guidance
21:00–22:00 Meditation

Sunday

08:00–08:30 Tea ceremony
08:30–10:00 Yoga and relaxation
10:00–11:00 Meditation
11:00–13:30 Lunch break
13:30–14:00 Meditation Guidance
14:00–14:15 Tea break
14:15–16:00 Meditation
16:00 Exit silence (mauna)
16:00–17:00 Sharing and goodbyes

LANGUAGE
The retreat will be held in Swedish if all participants understand Swedish; otherwise, it will be held in English. You are always welcome to communicate in either language.

ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation is shared in double rooms or cabins, with participants sharing with others of the same sex. A limited number of private rooms are available at an additional cost. Participants may also register as a pair or small group (partners, friends, or others) and share a room together; in these cases, a reduced rate applies.

Färjås Yogaretreat is characterized by natural silence and simplicity, inspired by monastic traditions and the surrounding landscape.

Bathrooms are located in the main house, and compost toilets are outdoors. Bed linen and towels are included.

FOOD & DIETS
Färjås Yogaretreat serves a vegetarian diet and is free from alcohol, nicotine, and coffee.

We prioritize vegetables from our own gardens and other locally sourced organic produce, allowing us to serve sustainable, seasonal vegetarian meals.

The food is designed to support meditation — nourishing and grounding, yet simple and easy to digest.

In addition, you are welcome to enjoy a wide variety of home-dried and fermented herbal teas, as well as teas directly imported from Taiwan and Nepal.

DIGITAL DETOX
At the silent meditation retreats, leaving the phone aside is a mandatory part of the practice. Digital silence supports mauna by reducing external stimulation and habitual mental distraction, allowing the mind to settle more naturally into stillness.

To get the most out of the retreat, we also recommend gently reducing screen time and other strong dopamine-driven activities in the days before and after the retreat. This helps ease the transition into silence and supports a deeper, more integrated experience of meditation.

PREPARATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
No prior experience with meditation or yoga is required. The retreats are open to anyone who feels called to explore silent meditation in depth and to reconnect with the heart through periods of stillness and simplicity.

We all respond differently to extended silence and meditation. If you are curious but unsure whether this retreat is right for you, you are warmly welcome to contact us by phone at +46 (0)700-062488.

IF SOMEONE NEEDS TO REACH YOU
If someone needs to reach you urgently during the retreat, messages sent to +46 (0)700-062488 will be forwarded to you.

TRANSPORT & PARKING
Färjås Yogaretreat is located in Vallda, about 30 km south of Gothenburg. Public transport takes approximately 45 minutes from Gothenburg: take the local train to Kungsbacka, then bus 733 to the Färjås bus stop. The Öresundståg runs directly from Copenhagen and Malmö to Kungsbacka (approx. 3 h 15 min from Copenhagen and 2 h 30 min from Malmö). If arriving by car, please approach via Sandövägen, as Hamravägen is closed to through traffic; parking is available on site and marked with a P sign. Carpooling is encouraged—please use the event comments to offer or request a ride.

Open in Google Maps:https://maps.google.com/?q=Färjås+Yogaretreat

CLOTHING
Please bring comfortable clothing suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. No special yoga clothing is required. Bed linen and towels are provided.

CAT & DOG
Mons the cat and Freja the dog share the main house with us at Färjås Yogaretreat. If you have allergies, you may prefer to stay in a cabin and bring any necessary medication.

SIGN-UP PROCESS

After registering, you will be invited to a non-binding preparatory phone call to confirm availability and clarify any questions regarding the retreat. Learning about your previous experience with silence and meditation helps us offer you the best possible retreat at Färjås Yogaretreat.

ADD AN EXTRA DAY OF RETREAT
You are welcome to arrive at Färjås Yogaretreat already on Thursday for an additional day of quiet regeneration. This extra day offers time for rest in nature, meditation, gentle yoga, reading, or simple practical activities such as tending the fire or chopping wood.

It is also possible to stay until Monday, allowing for a soft and unhurried transition back into everyday life after the retreat.

Silence (mauna) is optional during these additional days.

FURTHER INFO
Please feel free to post any questions in the discussion section of this event, send an email to konrad@yoga-retreats.se or call us directly at +46 (0)700 06 24 88.

For additional information, please visit our website:www.yoga-retreats.se