7 days of authentic meditation practice in the heart of Portugal
Away from the demands of everyday life, immerse yourself in a week of dedicated practice, guided by a monk who has spent his life walking this path.
Open to complete beginners and long-time meditators.
A Sanctuary for Experiencing Authentic Spiritual Practice
What becomes possible when you give yourself 7 days?
Over the course of the immersion, you will learn to work with the mind from three interconnected directions, attention, understanding and the body.
1. How to direct your attention
Learn a meditation practice rooted in yogic tradition, taught step by step and accessible to complete beginners. Simple enough to begin with, deep enough to keep exploring for a lifetime.
2. How the mind works
Explore where thoughts, emotions and patterns come from through a body of knowledge refined through thousands of years of practice and observation.
3. How the body supports a clear mind
Through asana, movement and conscious nourishment, learn how the body can release tension and create the conditions for greater steadiness, clarity and presence.
Together, these practices give you more than seven days of retreat. They give you tools to continue the journey long after you leave.
A WEEK IN PRACTICE
Kirtan and Meditation
→ The singing of mantra with movement. Unexpected for many people, and often one of the experiences they remember, and miss most.
Guided meditation, taught step by step and practised together several times throughout the day.
Karma Yoga and walks
→ Shared work in the house and kitchen. Washing, preparing, cleaning, ordinary activities approached with attention and presence.
Walks through the valley and surrounding hills, with time to simply be outdoors and absorb the quiet.
Asanas and Yogi Philosophy
→ Morning and late-afternoon movement to awaken the body, release tension and prepare for deeper practice. Classes on the mind and yogic philosophy, with time to ask questions and explore what you are experiencing.
ANANDA KALYANI
A place that makes going inward easier
Nestled in a green valley in Central Portugal, near the Serra de Estrela
Surrounded by hills, open landscapes, and a stream running below, the setting invites a different pace — one where silence, nature, and practice become part of everyday life.
No traffic. No streetlights. No background hum. Just wind, water, birds, and the changing light across the hills. You notice the silence almost immediately. On the first evening, it can feel unfamiliar, as though something is missing.
A day or two later, you may find yourself no longer looking for it.
There is no need to fill that space.
And that is part of what makes the setting so valuable. When there is less noise outside, there is often more room to notice what is happening within.
The landscape is not a backdrop to the retreat. It becomes part of it, quietly supporting the practice, day after day, without asking anything from you.
The facilitator
Dada Mahaprajinananda
Acarya Mahaprajinananda is a senior yogic monk of Ananda Marga who has practiced and taught meditation and yoga since 1974. He became a monk in 1979 and has since shared his knowledge and experience across Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.
Now based in Portugal, he conducts workshops and retreats on meditation, yoga, detox and fasting, Tantra philosophy and Prout.
Everything you need to know.
5–12 October 2026
7 days / 7 nights
What is included
Meditation and yoga practices, classes, guidance, accommodation, vegetarian/vegan meals and the full retreat programme.
Languages English and Portuguese
Investment [PREÇO]
Early bird [VALOR] until [PRAZO EARLY BIRD]
For any questions regarding the event, accommodation, or bookings, please contact us at [email protected] or call +351 927 592 781.