FAQs

Anyone can get tremendous benefit from doing a Quiet Retreat. Throughout life we all experience some degree of trauma depending on the life we’ve had. Whether you’ve been misguided into taking on a belief system or undermining beliefs about yourself, had a minor car accident or severe abuse, on a Quiet Retreat you will discover a new approach to your self-development and self-care. On this retreat you will give yourself the opportunity to deeply understand yourself, giving your body a chance to heal and process the effects your life experiences have had on you.

You can find written and audio reviews, like this one here, throughout the site, to help you get a feel for the retreats and the benefits they offer.

The Quiet retreat meditation consists of just being slow, sitting still and getting back in touch with your body. Feeling exactly what it’s like to be you, however that tends to be. There is no ‘ideal’ state or a goal of trying to achieve anything. The purpose of it is for you to simply just be you. The meditation will change from day to day depending on however you feel that day and what is going on for you. Whether you feel sad, happy, numb, angry, satisfied, or calm, whatever feelings are there is your unique meditation, the feelings and sense of yourself are the meditation. You will find this way of meditating to be more freeing and fulfilling the longer you do it.

It’s not a  ‘type’ of meditation, there are no techniques, mantras or religion used in the Quiet Retreat approach. All other meditation techniques are thought-based and tend to cause harm over time and they don’t allow the individual to gain any lasting depth so we don’t use them.

By applying meditation techniques, traditions have unknowingly modified meditation by turning it into a technique to ‘achieve’ something or ‘gain’ something, either aligned with that tradition or with a personal goal.

Our approach to meditation is not religious or based on any philosophical beliefs, simply put it is getting back into the solid sense of the body and life as it is. You can read more about the Quiet Retreats approach here.

The Quiet Retreats approach is the result of real-to-life discoveries where you get to discover and prove for yourself, how the body actually works to heal and rejuvenate from the effects of life. You’ll learn how your feelings are there for understanding yourself. How our thinking is only for comprehending and functioning practically and mechanically in life, and how our physical sensing is our deepest natural intelligence for life and how it operates in every cell, floods in through every sense organ and is in constant supply when you are quiet enough and sensitive enough to notice it. Getting quiet enough to notice this occurs automatically from this approach. You can read more about the Quiet Retreats approach here.

Quiet Retreats are nothing like vipassana or other meditation retreats. They aren’t based on any kind of religion and don’t use any applied technique to meditate. With this natural approach to meditation you find your way into the rejuvenating depths beneath the superficial level of mantras, scanning, concentration, labelling or any other thought processes.

You will discover the natural meditation the body does ordinarily, whenever it needs to recover from the damaging effects of life. On these retreats you’ll recover to a more natural state of uniquely being yourself.

Thinking or overthinking ceases to be a problem here and soon becomes irrelevant.

Matthew Zoltan’s guidance and approach easily takes you far deeper than any prior approaches to meditation. Matthew and the organisers meditate with the group the entire time.

The guidance and support available to each participant enables them to progress to depths unavailable on other retreats. Unlike vipassana or most other traditional retreats, there is ongoing professional support of the highest level. The capacity for deeper healing and understanding is brought to light and stimulated in each individual.

On other retreats this type of guidance and support is rare, which means people can get stuck or confused along the way, and this is what makes those types of retreats more difficult than they need to be. On a Quiet Retreat, this close level of support is there whenever you need it throughout the duration of your stay.

You can read more about the Quiet Retreats approach here

No. Quiet Retreats is not based on any kind of religious or spiritual teachings or techniques at all. Read more about the Quiet Retreats approach here.

The number of attendees can vary from retreat to retreat but we usually have anywhere from 15 – 30 people on a retreat at any one time. Varying in gender and ages 18 – 65 yrs.

People do retreats for many reasons but the main reason we have regular repeat and long term clients is because of the quiet solitude that you get from attending them. Many people attend to quieten the noise inside of themselves and improve mental clarity. Most attend just to heal. It is a time for them to catch up with themselves in a non-judgemental environment that they cannot find anywhere else. The time spent is 100% for them and them alone, they don’t have to worry or think about any of their basic needs because everything is taken care of for them, so they can focus on healing and/or just recovering from life.

There is usually a discussion in each meditation session when Matthew Zoltan talks about or addresses an array of core life issues that we all face in our day-to-day lives. During this interaction you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions or bring up anything that is concerning you.

Outside of these interactions you have the opportunity to have your one-on-one session with Matthew about your most pressing personal issue.

Outside of these personal interactions there is no talking, but if you have any mechanical problems like the shower isn’t working or something like that, then of course you need to speak to the organisers to tell them.

The first few days of meditation are guided by Matthew, but the length of meditation sessions are determined by the need of the individuals and the group as a whole. As the retreat progresses and you begin to understand meditation for yourself you decide how long you sit for. Over the days you will automatically slow down to a natural pace conducive to you experiencing thought and body/action at the same time.

You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

The retreats are silent for many reasons but the main reason you shouldn’t interact with other people is because you are attending the retreat for you, and only you. We are providing you with an environment where the only thing you have to give your attention to is your healing. Talking with others would be a distraction from this.  Also, you will be in a deep state of healing and very open to any influence or sense of obligation to or from others. We’ll explain this further at the start of the retreat. Once you settle in, you’ll find that you won’t want to talk to others, in fact, people often comment on the relief they feel in not to having to respond to anyone whilst they are on a retreat.  

People come to Quiet Retreats to have silence and time exclusively for themselves. Since you can’t speak to each other, then doing something with another person isn’t really something that you want to do. People on retreat prefer to be alone and are conscious of leaving others alone.

Yes you can. At the beginning of the retreat the meditation sessions are partially guided by Matthew, he rings a bell determined by the need of the individuals and the group as a whole, and then you can take a slow meditation walk. After your slow walk you’ll return to sitting again. After a few days on retreat and once everyone is settled into the retreat each individual meditates sitting still for as long as they can and then breaks their sitting still with walking meditations. This repeats over the course of each day. So you don’t just sit there and not move until an hour or a set time period is up. As the days go on you will sit for longer and longer but in a natural way and within the limits of your body.

If you can’t sit still for a physical reason like a bad back or knee then we offer the use of supportive cushions to help you get comfortable enough to sit still. Then you will be specifically guided by Matthew into healing/resolving this pain or issue deeper in your body. If you don’t have any physical ailment restricting you then when given the proper instruction and guidance you will find that you’ll be able to sit still, it won’t be a problem.

If you’ve never done a retreat like this then this can certainly be a concern prior to attending but on Quiet Retreats you get ample personal support and interaction with Matthew. You won’t be left to get into a hysterical state like that. Sufficient time is spent interacting to give you the understanding that you need to be able to sit still, in a natural way, for longer periods. You will be resolving the tensions and pain in your body so any discomfort in how you feel will be changing all the time.

At the beginning of the retreat the meditations are guided by Matthew and he will ring a bell at a time that suits the needs of the individuals and group as a whole, then you can take a slow meditation walk and return to sitting. Once you have settled in after a few days you will know how to sit according to your own needs.  So you can sit still for a time that feels right for you and breaking your sitting meditations with slow walking meditations and then returning to sitting still. So it’s not like you just sit there and don’t move until a set time period is up. As the days go on you will sit for longer and longer but in a natural way and within the limits of your body.

Usually there is an interaction after each meditation where Matthew talks about and addresses an array of core life issues that we all face in our day to day lives. During this time you will also have the opportunity to ask questions or bring up anything else you need to.

This is pretty much how each session is structured each day for the entire retreat, although there may be some slight variations on this.

You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

Absolutely! Use the bathroom whenever you need to.

During the meditation sessions Matthew will talk about and address an array of core life issues we all face in our day to day lives. Topics like the origin and nature of thought, how the body functions and heals itself, understanding intimate and platonic relationships. He also addresses harmful behaviours and thinking patterns and the varying distresses we experience in life. The talks have the effect of helping to dislodge any perceived ideas you have about yourself and the world around you, and so offer you the opportunity to understand yourself more deeply so you can begin to live a more integrated life.  

You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

Yes absolutely, the breaks are a vital part of the retreat and healing process. As your body is using a lot of energy to heal and process things you will likely feel pretty tired at times. It’s important to rest or sleep during your breaks when you need to, to help your body recover. There are regular breaks throughout the day when you can sleep or go for a slow walk in nature. You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

During the retreat we ask you to remove your watch so that you don’t have to track the time. The retreat is organised in a routine so you are awoken by a bell in the mornings and after each break but some people are so tired they sleep through the bell. If you aren’t at the meditation on time, then we just come and wake you again. You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

You don’t need to do anything to prepare, we often suggest that you don’t think too much about it. But it does help if you eat a healthy wholesome diet and also stop any recreational drugs especially marijuana in the week leading up to the retreat. This helps to reduce any kind withdrawals.

Certainly, this is actually a necessary part of the screening process that we have set in place before we accept any new people into the retreat environment. Please fill out the request to book form here, and then a consultant can call you. After the call, you can take the time you need to decide whether or not you want to attend.

It can be hard at times. But it can also be easy and enjoyable. There may be things that you struggle with but know it’s only temporary and a good sign that you’re healing and processing something. It can be confronting and challenging, but the relief of letting yourself be the way you really are, instead of striving to be or pretending to be something else, is immense too. It’s often the harder things in life that are the most fulfilling and the most freeing.

There is support available the entire time on retreat so when things feel hard or confusing you will be able to talk to Matthew privately during the break to clarify anything.

It can be very enjoyable, many people comment on how surprised they are at how enjoyable it is. Giving yourself the opportunity to do this for yourself has so many great benefits. Because you get to be 100% yourself in the retreat environment you tend to feel a sense of relief and satisfaction that you don’t get to experience anywhere else. We want you know that it is hard work at times but many people attend retreats at least once every year because they have found that there is nothing like it for the peace, quiet and mental clarity that they find within themselves. They cannot find that doing or being anywhere else but attending a Quiet Retreat.

Any length of time you spend on a Quiet Retreat will be invaluable but we recommend you stay for as many days as you are able to. The longer you are able to stay on retreat, the deeper and the more you will be able to heal. The Quiet Retreat approach is about you finding and rebuilding your sense of yourself, therefore the longer you stay, the deeper you stabilise and sink into that sense. In this way, it becomes more familiar to you to live from the experience of your senses and how you feel, rather than through your thinking, and this is then easier to maintain once you get back into your daily life.

You can expect to feel nervous leading up to the retreat, this is your body responding to and knowing in it’s own way that things are about to change for you.

In the retreat environment everyone has their own personal experience. At times some people wish they could leave, but this is a crucial time, because it’s showing you that something important is coming to the surface, and in order for you to be free of whatever that is, it’s important for you to see it through. When you start to see them, some aspects of yourself can be confronting at times, as well as emotional, but this is a sign that you are getting in touch with parts of yourself that you normally ignore or overlook. You can feel a comfort in knowing a deep and natural healing is finally taking place. A good way to look at it is like a detox for the cumulative habit of overthinking and a way to free your system of this excess, leaving you mentally quieter and physically calmer than you have ever been before. It also helps if you commit 100% to doing this for yourself before you arrive. We will be there for you and support you at all times. The best approach is to not expect anything.

You can see the breakdown of ‘what a day on retreat looks like’ here.

On these retreats we don’t have any hierarchy, fanaticism, guru mentality, followers, religion or dogma. It’s normal people quietly sitting still in a room.

You can find written and audio reviews, like this one here, and find out for yourself what the people are like who attend Quiet Retreats.

Things like your work life, relationships, finances all improve. You will also begin to operate more effectively in your life and feel more fulfilled and content with yourself. Issues, whether psychological or physical in nature, begin to resolve themselves in the supportive and healing environment of a Quiet Retreat and this will continue on after you leave the retreat.

One of the greatest benefits is seeing through and learning the thought patterns, beliefs and ideas that you have about yourself or the world around you. Once they are understood for what they are and negated, this allows you to more easily move on from the problems in your life. So your life becomes easier and less challenging. You can also read ‘Why should I do a Quiet Retreat?’ Here

You might lose some muscle weight but it doesn’t usually take long to get it back because when you return to working out you’re 100% focussed and your body is much more responsive. Most people also find that they are more flexible after they’ve sat on a Quiet Retreat. The physical benefits are huge – old injuries, tensions and pains get resolved so you recover mobility, flexibility and strength in areas that were restricted or weak before you attended the retreat. This means that when you do get back to the gym, you can push harder than you previously did or do exercises that you may not have been able to do before. We have a lot of athletes attend our retreats and they don’t have any concerns about this after their first retreat because they know the benefits to be gained far outweigh any minor loss of muscle that might occur.

We partner with local retreat venues that sleep 15+ in private rooms.

The accommodation can vary from venue to venue but our standard is to always provide a clean and comfortable stay. The location will almost always be in close contact with nature, usually somewhere quiet and secluded. Nature is valuable for a supportive healing environment.

For more information you can see all the information on the individual retreat pages here.

Our preference is to stay in venues that offer private bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone. But occasionally and depending on the number of attendees, in some instances, we may require you to share a room and bathroom with one other person of the same gender. If this is a concern for you then please let us know when you are booking and we’ll be sure to give you a private room. For more detailed information you can see all the information on the individual retreat pages here.

The food is amazing on retreat. It is wholesome and nutritionally balanced, fresh, healthy and delicious. We provide two tasty wholesome nutritious vegan meals each day (brunch and dinner) plus snacks and tea throughout the day – there is no money spared on the quality of food and we always aim to source organic produce wherever possible. The high quality of clean food results in true nourishment.

We provide two wholesome and nutritious vegetarian meals each day (brunch and dinner). Throughout the day fresh and dried fruit, nuts, and vegetable snacks are available along with a variety of herbal teas, and spring water. It is unlikely that you will get hungry, and we always make sure everyone has plenty to eat.

Please let us know on the booking form about any special diets. We can cater for allergies and intolerances. All meals however are vegan. No meat, no dairy. We may use honey in some recipes.

Part of the Quiet Retreats approach is to provide complete and nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals and snacks. Clean food is necessary for growth, health, and good condition. Therefore, we advise you not to smuggle in any low nutrition foods like chocolate or crisps, but specific nutritional supplements that you have or want to take are fine to bring along.

Not at all, because you don’t feel the urge to speak to anyone. You actually feel more the opposite – you feel relieved not to be obligated to speak to anyone.

• Loose comfortable, seasonal clothes. Allow enough clothes for a fresh change each day.

  • Warm clothing in the cooler seasons and for early mornings (beanies, gloves, scarves, socks, etc.)
  • Hot water bottle in winter (optional).
  • A blanket for the early morning & evening meditations.
  • We ask that you please consider the fragrance of toiletries that you bring and refrain from bringing any strong smelling, chemical perfume, deodorants or hair products.
  • Umbrella or hat and sunscreen (seasonal).
  • Walking shoes that are easy to put on and off.
  • Waterproof boots in winter (optional).
  • House shoes or slippers to wear indoors.
  • Water bottle.
  • No books. No mobile phones. No computers or tablets(you can bring them and we will store them away during your stay).
  • All the time with us is yours and we ask that no watches be worn during your stay.

  Once you have paid the deposit we will send you all the information that you need to attend the retreat. Request to book here.

Depending on where the retreat is and where you are based, you may need to fly into the region. We will help organise transfers to the venue or put you in touch with someone who does. If you are flying into the region please inform us of your flight schedules so we can organise this.

Once you have paid the deposit we will send you all the information that you need to attend the retreat. Request to book here.

There should be no exercise, yoga or speedy activities while on retreat. This is a crucial time where you’re finally getting the chance to let yourself rejuvenate, process and heal. As you go deeper into the retreat so too your healing goes deeper, and you will start to feel a serious amount of energy going into healing and processing in your body. During this time it’s important to be very slow and quiet so you don’t interfere with what is going on. Any form of exercise only distracts and interferes with this natural process.

Phones are not to be used for the entire duration of your stay. Digital detox is important because using a phone will distract and take you away from yourself. You won’t be able to go deep into your healing if you are using your phone and communicating with the outside world. This is a rare opportunity that you have given yourself, to completely disconnect from the outside world go inward into a supportive environment and to get to know yourself like never before.

You will most likely find you don’t want to do anything but rest, go for slow walks and be quiet in between meditations and talks. You really will need this quiet time to rest from all the energy that gets used up for healing. Doing any type of work is only going to feel strenuous and hard when you’re going through this type of healing or by the body changing. It can also be a distraction and will take you away from yourself, so… no work is to be done during retreat.

We advise against writing and journaling whilst on retreat because what you write down soon becomes irrelevant as time passes, and as you discover and process more. You don’t need to remember anything because the body receives and understands what’s going on at a deeper, untainted level, far more advanced than words can.

Music interferes with the body’s senses, and artificially changes how you feel, distracting from the true/real feeling of being you. This interference is heightened during the healing process as you begin to re-sensitise, so we don’t use or allow music whilst you are on retreat. Instead, you’ll just sink into the quiet stillness of nature.

Since the Quiet Retreat meditation consists of just being slow, sitting still and getting back in touch with your body, reading a book will disrupt this process. We suggest you don’t take any books, magazines, newspapers etc to the retreat. On retreat people just want to eat, sleep, take slow walks or rest their body during the breaks.  

The length of retreats can vary from retreat to retreat depending on venue availability and attendees. The retreats can run for anything from 10 to 21 days. You will know how long a retreat is running for by viewing the individual event information here.

For first timers the minimum attendance is 10 days. The length of retreats can vary from retreat to retreat depending on venue availability and attendees. The maximum stay is 21 days. You will know how long a retreat is running for by viewing the event information here.

It depends how many days you decide to attend. It varies slightly depending on the venue but averages at approximately €220 per day which includes accommodation and food. There is a minimum attendance of 7 days. Flights and travel costs are not included. For more information you can see all the information on the individual retreat pages here.

A 40% deposit is required to secure your place on a Quiet Retreat. The deposit is paid after the booking form has been filled out here, and after you’ve had a call with our consultant to confirm your booking. Any questions or concerns you may have can be answered on the call. Deposits are non-refundable.

We don’t have an auto-payment system in place, but we can however arrange a payment plan with you directly where you can pay us incrementally up until the final payment date, if this helps you.

It depends on how many spots are available but if we have the room you can decide anytime up to one week before a retreat starts, if you can organise your travel and time off quickly. All you need to do is fill out the ‘request to book’ form here, speak to our consultant and make full payment. We can organise this quite quickly at our end.

You don’t have any access to your mobile devices once the retreat begins, but you can definitely can get in touch with them when it is an emergency situation. Family can also contact the facilitators and venue if there is an emergency at your home, and in turn we will relay the message and you can contact them if need be.

You will be given an emergency phone number when you book which you can leave with family or friends. If needed they can contact the organisers if an emergency arises at home and then the organisers will let you know if there is anything that needs your attention whilst you’re in the retreat.

There is strictly no smoking on a retreat.