Jhourney In-Person Retreats 101: What to Expect & How to Prepare
A meditation retreat is a chance to step away from daily life and focus on your practice without distractions. Whether you’re new to retreats or have been on many, knowing what to expect and how to prepare can help you get the most out of the experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
How to Prepare
Set Clear Intentions
Before the retreat, take a moment to think about what brought you here. What are you hoping to get out of this experience? How do you want to show up for the practice? It can also help to ask yourself what might happen if you don’t give it your full attention. Try to think of the retreat as a personal journey—an opportunity for growth, reflection, and meaningful change.
Create a Comfortable Environment
The focus of the retreat is on meditation and deep practice, but that doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable. Bringing small, familiar items—like a favorite pillow or blanket—can help you settle into the space and feel more at ease. A comfortable environment allows you to stay present and fully engaged in your practice.
Adjust for Travel
If you are traveling from a different time zone, we recommend arriving a couple of days in advance to help you adjust. Tools like FlyKitt and Timeshifter can help you reduce jet lag and adapt faster.
Optional Pre-Retreat Practice
If you want to practice before the retreat, we recommend NSDR (Non-Sleep Deep Rest) videos or daily gratitude writing. NSDR helps you connect with your body and relax deeply—skills essential for meditation. Gratitude helps shift your focus toward the positive, fostering a sense of appreciation and contentment. These practices are completely optional but can help you ease into the retreat mindset.
In-Person Retreat Experience
Meditation Practice
Expect and prepare for 6-10 hours of meditation daily, including walking meditation.
We strongly encourage you to choose a meditation posture that allows you to practice comfortably for long periods, whether that’s sitting in a chair, lying down, or any other position that works best for you.
Group meditation sessions take place two to three times a day, with instruction provided before, after, or during the sessions.
Silence and Reflection (Noble Silence)
From the first full day onward, we encourage silence outside of scheduled group sessions to deepen your practice and foster self-reflection.
Please respect others’ need for quiet, keep noise to a minimum, and honor the reflective space we are creating together.
Digital Detox
One of the biggest regrets we hear from participants is that they didn’t disconnect enough to fully immerse themselves in the retreat. This is a rare opportunity to step away from digital distractions and engage deeply in your practice. We encourage you to embrace it, as the uninterrupted focus can significantly enhance your experience.
To support this:
Upon arrival, please turn in your phone and related devices. They will be stored in an accessible but secure location.
If you choose to keep your device, you will need to disconnect from all notifications and outside communication for the duration of the retreat.
Inform loved ones in advance that you will be unavailable.
Completely step away from work obligations—do not take meetings or calls during the retreat.
If you’re concerned about being unreachable, we can provide the emergency contact information for both the venue and the Jhourney staff. You’re welcome to share these details with your workplace or family so that, in the rare event your attention is truly needed, you can rest assured — we’ll make sure you’re notified.
Each day builds on the previous one, and breaking the detox can disrupt the compounding benefits of your practice. Give yourself permission to fully disconnect and be present.
Meals and Nutrition
Three meals will be served daily. Retreat venues are often vegetarian, but most can accommodate special dietary needs with advance notice.
Meals are thoughtfully prepared to support your meditation practice and overall well-being.
Vegan and gluten-free options are often available, with allergens clearly labeled.
If you have specific dietary restrictions or allergies, please indicate them in the pre-retreat survey, and the retreat organizers will do their best to accommodate your needs.
Physical Activity
Optional daily group workouts (e.g., HIIT, runs, yoga) may be available to complement your meditation practice.
Please bring appropriate workout clothes if you wish to participate.
Focus on Practice
This retreat is designed as an intensive period of practice, similar to a sports camp. The primary focus is on direct experience rather than study.
The practice is like learning football by playing rather than reading about plays—engage fully and minimize distractions.
Retreat Schedule
Each retreat follows a structured schedule, but the exact timing may vary based on group size and venue setup. Below is a sample daily schedule from past retreats:
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 6:45 AM | Wake up |
| 7:00 AM | Morning Instruction and Q&A |
| 8:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:30 AM | Group Meditation and Solo Practice |
| 11:00 AM | Physical Activity (Yoga, HIIT) [optional] |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch |
| 1:30 PM | Solo Practice |
| 5:15 PM | Dinner |
| 6:15 PM | Evening Instruction and Q&A |
| 8:00 PM | Personal Time until Lights Out at 10 PM |
Retreat Etiquette
To create an environment that supports deep practice and mutual respect, we ask participants to follow these guidelines:
Respect silence. Some meditators prefer to dive deep into their practice and avoid all social interaction, including eye contact. This is not personal, just a commitment to solitude.
Do not interrupt or talk to someone while they are meditating.
Everyone is on their own journey—sharing experiences is welcome, but giving advice should only be done when requested.
Meditation can bring up strong emotions. If someone is experiencing a moment of intensity, simply continue your practice. If support is needed, Jhourney staff will step in.
Practice kindness and sensitivity. We come from diverse backgrounds, and an open, compassionate approach benefits everyone.
Follow the retreat structure. The schedule is designed to facilitate deep practice, and adhering to it ensures the best experience for yourself and others.
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing for meditation and light exercise
Meditation supplies (cushion, earplugs, eye mask)
Journaling materials
Reusable water bottle
Toiletries
Swimsuit (if applicable)
Mosquito spray (if applicable)
Headlamp or flashlight for evening walks
Non-phone alarm clock
Simple watch for tracking time
An open mind and heart, ready for transformation
A laptop or tablet for writing and submitting reflections (only for this purpose, kept in the meditation hall)
Headphones (aux/Bluetooth) for guided meditations (MP3 players may be provided)
Do not bring non-Jhourney meditation materials. We provide all necessary instructions, and using multiple sources can slow progress due to varying methodologies.
Retreat locations are often remote, with few or no nearby stores. Please bring your everyday essentials and anything else you’ll need for the entire duration, as we may be unable to provide missing items.
Logistical Preparations
Book Your Travel: Once you complete our pre-screening process and receive an email confirming your spot, you can proceed with arranging your travel & plane tickets.
Clear Commitments: Let friends, family, and colleagues know you will be unavailable.
Arrange Care for Dependents: Ensure pets, children, or other dependents are taken care of.
Set Up an Email Auto-Responder: Manage expectations for your unavailability.
Final Thoughts
A retreat is a chance to step away from daily distractions and give yourself the space to fully engage in meditation. The more you prepare and commit to the experience, the more you’ll get out of it. Come with an open mind, be patient with yourself, and trust the process. We’re excited to share this journey with you.