In-person Retreats FAQs
Q: Who are Rupert’s in-person retreats for?
Rupert’s in-person retreats are for anyone drawn to exploring the nature of reality, the non-dual understanding, or to uncovering the peace and happiness that form the essence of their being.
Whether you are new to this perspective or have been engaging with it for years, these retreats provide a welcoming space to deepen your understanding. They are ideal for those seeking peace, truth, love, freedom, or connection, as well as for individuals looking to be part of a community of like-minded people.
Participants often describe these gatherings as a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in self-abidance, friendship, and the celebration of our shared being.
Q: Do I need any prior understanding or experience with meditation?
No prior experience or understanding is required – the retreats are open to all. Through guided meditations, dialogues, and the supportive retreat environment, you will be gently pointed to the recognition that peace and happiness are your true nature and that we share our being with everyone.
However, for those new to Rupert’s work and who wish to explore this understanding further before joining a retreat, we recommend the following resources:
- Introduction to Non-Duality
- An Introduction to Non-Duality Volume I & II
- You Are the Happiness You Seek
- Being Aware of Being Aware
Q: Are the retreats silent?
Rupert’s retreats are not entirely silent, but there are ample opportunities for silence, such as in designated quiet spaces at certain retreat centres, on walks in nature, in the periods before or after meditation sessions, or by choosing the silent-dining option at mealtime.
Q: Why aren’t Rupert’s retreats silent?
Rupert’s retreats are designed to honour our shared being through connection and friendship. While silence can foster inward focus, these retreats emphasise human connection as an expression of oneness. Love and friendship, seen as natural manifestations of our shared being, are central to the retreat experience.
By sharing meals, engaging in dialogue, walking together in nature, enjoying music and dance, or gathering by the fireside, we enact and celebrate the unity we all intuitively sense, creating an atmosphere of love, understanding, and intimacy.
Q: How many meditation sessions are there per day?
Most days of a typical retreat schedule include hour-long meditation sessions, two or three times per day.
Q: Why are there not more meditation sessions during Rupert’s retreats?
In the non-dual understanding, true meditation is not an activity we do; it is the recognition of what we truly are. The guided sessions provide time to contemplate, enquire into our true nature, or simply rest as being – the essence of meditation.
The retreats are designed to encourage abiding in being, not just during formal sessions, but throughout all aspects of daily life. Online retreats, in particular, offer a unique opportunity to live this understanding and integrate it into the simplicity and challenges of everyday activities.
Q: Rupert often speaks about God or religious traditions. Are the retreats connected to any particular spiritual or religious tradition?
The retreats are not tied to any specific spiritual or religious tradition, and we warmly welcome individuals from all backgrounds. While Rupert may occasionally draw on the wisdom of traditions such as Mystical Christianity, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta, and Sufism, this is done to highlight the universal truths they share rather than to promote any particular path.
At the heart of Rupert’s teachings is a distillation of the core message found in all great religious and spiritual traditions: happiness is the essence of our being, and our being is shared with everyone and everything.
Q: Can I ask Rupert a question during the retreat?
Yes, each retreat includes dialogue sessions, where participants have the opportunity to engage directly with Rupert and ask their questions.