Meditation, Healing and Inner Peace

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Up to 30 in group
Date
January 23 - 25, 2026

Retreat Highlights

  • Understand attachment through the Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita
  • Learn practical tools: affirmation, visualization, prayer, analysis, witnessing
  • Harness will, emotions, and intellect to create positive change
  • Daily meditation, Hatha Yoga, and pranayama to cultivate clarity
  • Leave with a personalized take-home plan for your goal

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

Join us for a deep and practical weekend experience with Thomas Spector, Ph.D that will improve and enhance your meditation skills along with your state of wellbeing.
This program offers a clear, supportive introduction to meditation for newcomers while also providing seasoned practitioners with advanced techniques to deepen their existing practice. Participants will learn the foundations of meditation step by step, building the confidence to practice on their own without reliance on external aids or complicated routines. Along the way, they will explore the nature of the mind—how thoughts arise, how attention works, and how inner habits shape the meditative experience.

A central focus of the program is learning how to work skillfully with the most common distractions that interrupt practice. Participants will receive practical guidance on navigating busy thoughts, physical discomfort, and environmental noise, transforming these challenges into opportunities for greater awareness and stability. Two distinct forms of meditation will be presented, offering each participant the chance to discover the method that best resonates with their temperament and goals.

Beyond technique, the program introduces gentle healing practices designed to bring relief from fear, stress, pain, guilt, and chronic worry. These tools help participants cultivate emotional balance and develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves. Inspiring stories and real-life experiences are woven throughout the program, illustrating the transformative potential of a steady meditation practice.

Ultimately, participants will be guided toward a deeper connection with their Inner Being—the calm, steady presence beneath the layers of thought and tension. Through direct experience, they will learn to rest in this inner peace and carry it into daily life, enriching their well-being long after the program ends.
Testimonials:
Every time I think of you I am inspired and feel a wonderful heart opening. I am honored to know you and call you one of my life’s Gurus, if I may?Thank you- Please keep in touch. All my best, Om Shanti – K
It was an absolute pleasure meeting you yesterday at X. It was a true blessing that God put you in my path, I am so grateful for your kindness. I know I got a bit emotional when you were there, but I will never forget what you said and how it affected me. I know cancer is not the end of my life, but the beginning of a journey that has changed my life forever for the better.  What I saw yesterday in your eyes was pure love and compassion, I want to thank you for sharing with me the way you did.  I picked up a copy of your CD and it is excellent. You are able to teach even the most challenged how to meditate. I will try to listen daily ongoing and feel you have given me a tool to really enjoy. I hope to see you again. Sincerely– M
 I want to thank you from every inch of my heart for the training I received this past week. I am so grateful that I had this opportunity to meet with you and learn why you are so good at what you do. It is true that you were born to teach meditation.  Love– J



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Getting Here

Location icon Yogaville

Directions

Yogaville offers transportation from the airport, train and bus stations in Charlottesville, VA. If you are driving Google Maps has reliable turn-by-turn directions.

Accommodation

Availability of complimentary accommodations is determined by the order of booking.
Dormitory

The most popular accommodations we have are Dormitory Accommodations – shared room and shared bath. We have two dormitories, Vivekananda Vihar and Ramalinga Nilayam, which are centrally heated and air-conditioned and convenient to meals and programs.
Lotus Guest House (Private Room)

Each room in our six unit guest house is equipped with a small refrigerator, queen size bed and full bath. Each room in our nine unit guest house is equipped with a queen sized bed and full bath, and no refrigerator.

Tenting
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are twelve campsites. Campers have use of the bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities nearby Vivekananda Vihar dormitory. Camping is available from March 15th to December 1st.

Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk

Accommodation
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific

Private Dormitory

Accommodation
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only

LGH: Full Bed

Accommodation
Private room and Private Bath. A single Full bed and a private bath designed for those seeking peace in solitude.    

LGH: 2 Twin beds

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. Two twin Beds and a private bath that is ideal for friends looking to experience the bliss of Yogaville.  

LGH: Queen Bed

Accommodation
Private Room and Private Bath. A queen bed or a queen with two day beds and a private bath that is perfect for couples and families searching for a peaceful time together. Please put in the personal comments if you need a room that includes trundles.  

Tent-Site

Accommodation
Open from Mar. 16–Nov. 30. Closed from Dec. 1–Mar. 15 Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3.   Also, all tent sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience.  Fires and Stoves are not Permitted. Price is per person per night. Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.  

Venue & Amenities

A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Yogaville is home to the Light of Truth Universal Shrine (LOTUS). The LOTUS is a unique temple dedicated to interfaith understanding and the Light within all faiths. Individual altars represent and honor the different world faiths and spiritual paths. The vision, design and inspiration of Sri Swami Satchidananda, LOTUS was dedicated in 1986. It demonstrates, “Truth is One, Paths are Many.” In the peaceful countryside of Virginia, the doors of LOTUS are open to welcome people of all backgrounds and beliefs.

Meals

Menu Types

Organic, vegetarian/vegan food Labeled ingredients Lacto-vegetarian Gluten-free and vegan options Salad bar Large herbal tea selection Coffee is available for purchase at Mandala Cafe

What's Included

  • Accomodations
  • Meals
  • Meditation Sessions
  • Yoga Classes

What's Not Included

  • Transportation
  • Airfare

Customer Reviews

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