3 Day Speaking Peace: Deepening Connection Mindfulness Retreat

Radically transform your Life with this seven-day Mindful Communication Retreat In Udaipur,  India

Dates: 11 - 14 January, 2025

Imagine a life where your relationships are stronger, your connections are deeper, and your interactions are filled with empathy and understanding. This is the power of mindful communication—a practice that allows you to engage with others in a way that is both compassionate and transformative.

Mindful Communication applies mindfulness skills to the area of communication. We will be learning, living and practicing together the elements of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) , to help us enhance our ability to stay present and listen to the people around us, even when there’s conflict.

When: 11 January, 2025- 14 January, 2025

Where: Hill Garden Resort, Udaipur (India) 

Trainers: Shantigarbha, Gesine Schrader

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About this Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Level One Retreat

The retreat integrates approaches and exercises from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Nonviolent Communication (NVC), to help us enhance our ability to stay present and listen to the people around us, even when there’s conflict. 

• Feel more fully and richly alive – moment by moment.

• Think and communicate more clearly and effectively.

• Start communicating mindfully in your daily life.

• Develop deeper, more satisfying and longer-lasting relationships.

• Discover that stress and anxiety are optional.

• Free yourself from ‘re-active’ impulses and habit patterns.

• Recognise and challenge unhelpful thoughts and beliefs.

• Develop safe and positive ways of dealing with chronic mental or physical pain.

• Express and receive anger in ways that increase safety. 

 

Schedule

We will be arriving in the afternoon on Saturday 11 Jan, starting in the evening,with tea and an evening meal. On Tuesday 14 Jan, we will be leaving after breakfast around 10 AM.

Accommodation

Double occupancy at a 3 star luxurious property nestled in the serene town nearby famous Fatehsagar lake. Single occupancy rooms can be allotted on request at an additional cost. 

Food

Vegetarian healthy meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, high-tea) that matches the purpose of the retreat will be provided. Vegan and gluten free options are available. Kindly inform us in advance.

Fee

Per Person: Sliding Scale : Rs. 15,999 – Rs. 19,999 | $ 188.60 – $ 235.75 | 692.71 AED – 865.90 AED

Kindly note the fee includes Stay(double occupancy), food and training fees only. 

What will you get in this retreat? 

• Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices.

• Gentle mindful stretching.

• Group dialogue and mindful communication exercises to enhance awareness in everyday life.

• Experiential exercises to bring mindfulness to self-connection, empathizing with others and expressing ourselves.

• Transforming anger using the Nonviolent Communication Anger process.

• Individually tailored instruction.

• Guided meditations and handouts.

• Challenge, learning, support and fun!

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for you if you want a practical, experiential introduction to Mindful Communication.

This retreat is also for you if: 

• You want to experience and practice slow living for 7 days (not running, not having routine stress). 

• You want to have a deep connection with yourself. 

• You are feeling lost, lack of purpose, burnt out, overly exhausted with current life.

• You have conflicts with their near and dear ones and feel helpless in those. 

• You are facing some pain and don’t know how to move beyond it. You are facing trauma, anger management, anxiety, overthinking, etc. 

• You feel that life is not fair to you.

• You are on the spiritual path of finding yourself. 

Things You Can Do 

What to bring/wear

There will be a small amount of equipment at the venue so you are advised to bring equipment to support you in your formal practice (such as cushion, stool, yoga mat, blanket).

Preparation

NB. Preparation is not required to participate.

• Read Shantigarbha's book on empathy I’ll Meet You There: A Practical Guide to Empathy, Mindfulness and Communication

• Reading Marshall Rosenberg’s book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

• Watch one of the videos on our training preparation page.

• Sample our series of NVC Life Hacks on YouTube.

Trainer’s Bio

1. Shantigarbha, founder of Seed of Peace, Certified NVC Trainer and author

Shantigarbha is an international NVC trainer, certified with the Centre for Nonviolent Communication. He has taught on International Intensive Trainings (IITs) and coordinated the New Future Process’s Social Change and Peacemaking working group.

In 1996 he was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order. He was given the name Shantigarbha, which means “seed of peace”, hence the name of our organization. He currently serves on the Triratna International Council,  is Secretary of the Triratna Trust (the Order charity), and coordinates the Triratna Restorative Pilot Project.

Shantigarbha has led NVC workshops and retreats in the UK, the Middle East, the US, India and Sri Lanka and offers coaching / counselling for individuals and couples. In 2011 he ran a reconciliation retreat for 100 Israelis and Palestinians near the Dead Sea. He’s author of a book on empathy: I’ll Meet You There and The Burning House: A Buddhist response to the climate and ecological emergency. 

He says: “Communication can change the world. I want to connect with people, to create a safe learning environment, to have fun, to mourn and celebrate!”

1. Gesine Schrader, co-Director of Seed of Peace and Certified NVC Trainer

Gesine is a CNVC-certified trainer and a Montessori-certified teacher, living in Bristol, UK. Since 2015 she has been facilitating NVC events in the UK, India, USA and Germany. Gesine is passionate about her work and how it encourages self development, deepening compassionate connection with self and others, conflict resolution and community building. When she is not working, Gesine enjoys being out in nature whether that is going for walks, wild swims or doing creative projects in the garden.

Gesine says: “I really love to be connected with like-minded people – here and globally – and co-create a world where everyone’s needs matter. It’s so enriching and diverse.”

Host Bio

Kriti Mathur 

Chopra-Certified Meditation Coach | Life Coach

Kriti is a certified Meditation Coach and devoted Ayurveda practitioner committed to guiding others on their inward journey. She is skilled in Life Coaching and Nonviolent Communication, focusing on bringing Aikyam (Oneness), Ananda (Joy), and Ahimsa (Compassion) to life. Her approach combines Meditation, Life Coaching, NVC, and Ayurveda to help one cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and a purposeful life.

Location Map integration 

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FAQs

1. Where to register for the retreat? 

Register virtually here.

1. How many people can attend?

This event can accommodate 30 in-person attendees. Your registration will be confirmed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

1. Where is this event located?

The event is located at Hill Garden Resort, Udaipur (India).

1. Is food provided for in-person attendees?

Yes. The meals included in this retreat are: 

11 January - Dinner

12 January - 13 January: all three meals with high tea 

14 January- Breakfast 

1. Do we have parking at the venue?

Yes. There is parking at the venue. However, we request you inform us in advance so the space can be managed and reserved. 

1. What if I need to leave midway?

While we understand the emergency, no amount will be refunded if you leave midway. For more, we request you to connect with us at [email protected].            

1. Are there any discounts available for those who cannot afford the full price of the event?

We have early bird discounts. Other than that, choose an amount that fits your budget from the sliding scale. 

1. Can you tell me more about the property? 

It is a secluded 3-star property nestled in nature that offers well-furnished, private luxury accommodations. It is just 3 km from beautiful locations and close to the city. 

1. What was the swimming pool like? Were the hygiene arrangements good and the water completely safe.?

Yes. The hygiene arrangement and water will be completely safe. The Temperature during January varies from a maximum of 25 to a minimum of 8 degrees Celcius.

1. Can you help with flight booking? 

The flights need to be booked independently, but you can get a ticket to Udaipur from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Banglore and many other major cities in India. There are direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Banglore. 

1. What is the recommendation for the transfer to the venue?

Our retreat property is connected to the airport, bus station, and railway station. The Maharana Pratap Airport is a 45-60 minute drive (18.4 km). The railway and bus station is a 30-minute drive. You can easily find the property on Google Maps. There are multiple private and paid taxi services available at every property. You can also book an Uber or Ola easily.

1. Can you offer any other information or advice about things you particularly enjoyed about the venue and the surrounding area?  In addition, what are the main downsides you experienced?

You can easily enjoy sightseeing, bird watching, and nature walks as the venue is secluded yet connected to the central city. Many other attractions of the city are within a 10-12 km range. 

1. Have you visited the surrounding area? I am wondering if it might be worth staying for a couple of extra days to explore the area. 

Udaipur is a tourist destination known worldwide for its natural beauty and lakes. Surrounded by the oldest mountain range, it offers a beautiful view of natural beauty and historical monuments (forts & palaces).

1.  Where should I go after the retreat?

After the retreat, you have several attractive options:

1. Rajasthan: This state offers multiple destinations to explore:

   • Jaipur: Known as the "Pink City," famous for its historical palaces and forts.

   • Jaisalmer: Home to the Thar Desert, offering unique experiences like camel safaris and desert camping.

2. Goa: If you prefer beaches and a more relaxed atmosphere, Goa is an excellent alternative to Rajasthan. It's known for its beautiful coastline, vibrant culture, and Portuguese-influenced architecture.

3. Udaipur is well-connected to various cities so you can easily go to any nearby place that you want to visit. 

15.  What can people drink during the day? 

2 bottles (1 lr each) are complimentary daily in every room. 

Others Details

Transform your life with mindful communication at a 7-day retreat from January 11-18, 2025, at Hill Garden Resort, Udaipur. Led by Shantigarbha and Gesine Schrader, the retreat combines Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to help you cultivate empathy, deepen relationships, and manage stress. Enjoy luxurious accommodations and healthy vegetarian meals. Early bird fees start at Rs. 40,000 until October 30, 2024.