- Held in noble silence, the retreat will offer a structured schedule that includes:
- Sitting and walking meditation
- Mindful movement
- Chanting
- Dharma reflections and instructions
- Optional group discussions on integrating practice into daily life
- While open to all levels, some prior meditation experience is recommended
- Pricing includes lodging and all meals. It does not include Dana for the teacher.
- In the Buddhist tradition, Dana (generosity) is the practice of giving freely from the heart. The teachings are offered without charge, and retreatants are invited to offer Dana to the teacher as a way of expressing gratitude and supporting her continued teaching. Janka receives no compensation and relies on the generosity of participants.
Janka Livoncova has been a dedicated student and practitioner of meditation since 1994 and started sharing her practice with others in 2004. Janka has been practicing and studying the dharma for over three decades. Initially in the Soto Zen tradition and, since 2010, under the guidance of her Vipassana mentors Kittisaro and Thanissara. She is a graduate of Spirit Rock’s Community Dharma Leaders program and the Sacred Mountain Sangha two-year Dharmapala training with Kittisaro and Thanissara. Janka leads the Chattanooga Insight Meditation Community and retreats in Chattanooga area.
Details of this retreat
The Natural Heart ~
Join us for silent retreat
Join us for a silent, residential meditation retreat.
Led by Janka Livoncova, an Insight Meditation Teacher and Somatic Movement Educator. Find out more about Janka here: https://breathingbody.net/about/
About the Retreat
Held in noble silence, the retreat will offer a structured schedule that includes:
Sitting and walking meditation
Mindful movement
Chanting
Dharma reflections and instructions
Optional group discussions on integrating practice into daily life
While open to all levels, some prior meditation experience is recommended.
Registration & Dana
Pricing includes lodging and all meals. It does not include Dana for the teacher.
What is Dana?
In the Buddhist tradition, Dana (generosity) is the practice of giving freely from the heart. The teachings are offered without charge, and retreatants are invited to offer Dana to the teacher as a way of expressing gratitude and supporting her continued teaching. Janka receives no compensation and relies on the generosity of participants.
Digital Detox
To support deep practice, we ask that you refrain from using phones or internet-connected devices throughout the retreat. Emergency contact information will be provided to share with loved ones before arrival.
Schedule
- dinner 6pm Wednesday-Saturday
- breakfast 8am Thursday-Sunday
- lunch 12pm Thursday-Saturday
- program nightly until 8pm
- program instruction daily with breaks
- program Sunday morning
- concluding with lunch on Sunday
*From Nashville or Chattanooga, take I-24 to Exit 134 toward Sewanee/Monteagle.
*At the top of the ramp, turn left onto Highway 41A toward Sewanee/University of the South.
*Continue on Highway 41A for 5.5 miles.
*Turn left onto Highway 56/Sherwood Road for .6 miles.
*Turn right onto St. Mary’s Lane for 0.7 miles.
*Follow the signs marked “Guest Registration”.
Accommodation
Anna House Motel Style Room
2 twin beds in each room, private bathroom, sitting area, air conditioning and heat. Please, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
Woodland Hermitage
1 room cabin, queen bed, kitchen, bathroom, sitting area
St. Mary's Hall Dorm Style Room
Private room, 2 twin beds in each room, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, cooled with box fans in summer, heated in winterPlease, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
St. Mary’s Sewanee is dedicated to providing spiritual hospitality to persons of diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds in a place of natural beauty, simplicity, silence, tranquility, and warm spiritual rest through retreats, renewal, and learning.
What's Included
- 4 night retreat, Wednesday-Sunday
- dinner Wednesday at 6pm central
- breakfast/lunch/dinner Thursday-Saturday
- breakfast Sunday
- lodging, meals, program all inclusive
What's Not Included
transportation
Customer Reviews
No reviews available.
Select your options
Available Dates
May 12 - 16, 2027
Select a Room
Anna House Motel Style Room
$831.16
2 twin beds in each room, private bathroom, sitting area, air conditioning and heat. Please, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.
Woodland Hermitage
$801.16
1 room cabin, queen bed, kitchen, bathroom, sitting area
St. Mary's Hall Dorm Style Room
$621.16
Private room, 2 twin beds in each room, shared bathrooms separated by gender use, cooled with box fans in summer, heated in winterPlease, indicate if a first floor room is requested. There are no elevators to second floor rooms.