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Metta-Vipassana Retreats in Bangalore

Learn Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation in Bengaluru

In our fast-paced world, finding genuine peace can feel impossible. The Metta-Vipassana meditation retreats at Fireflies Intercultural Centre in Bengaluru provide an opportunity to step back from daily pressures and learn techniques that bring lasting peace of mind.

Under the guidance of experienced teachers, you'll learn Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) - a gentle yet transformative method rooted in the Buddha's original teachings, passed down through Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi's lineage. The Buddha designed this practice to be easy to understand, comfortable and fun to learn. You'll cultivate the Four Brahmaviharas - Loving Kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity - which naturally develop as your meditation deepens. This unified approach weaves both "Metta" and "Vipassana" into a practical antidote for suffering that helps manage today's challenges. By changing our minds, we change our life, bringing up a new smile. Come discover the wonder of this Living Dhamma.

1-Day Retreat with Dr. Major Madhusudan

📅 23 August 2025

Open to Everyone, Free of Charge

8-Day Retreat with Dr. Major Madhusudan

📅 12–19 October 2025
💰 Suggested Donation:
Double Sharing: ₹16,000
Single Sharing: ₹24,000

10-Day Retreat with Hugh Poulton & Sarah Haden

📅 5–15 March 2026
💰 Suggested Donation:
Double Sharing: ₹20,000
Single Sharing: ₹30,000

Your contribution supports accommodation, meals, and the organization of the retreat. Teachings are offered on a donation basis, in keeping with the Buddhist tradition of generosity.

Meet your teachers

This retreat will be led by dedicated practitioners of TWIM who have walked this path themselves and now guide others with clarity and compassion:

Dr. Major Madhusudan

Senior practitioner and teacher of TWIM, known for his warm, grounded presence and clear guidance.

Hugh Poulton & Sarah Haden

Long-time practitioners personally guided by Venerable Bhante Vimalaramsi, bringing depth of experience and a heartfelt commitment to sharing this joyful path.

Fireflies Intercultural Centre (the venue)

Nestled in Dinnepalya Village, just outside Bengaluru, Fireflies is a peaceful eco-retreat space surrounded by lush trees, quiet pathways, and open skies. The meditation hall is designed for stillness, the simple rooms for rest, and the gardens for gentle walking meditation.

Here, the air feels softer. Time feels slower. And the mind begins to open.

Visit Fireflies Website →

Why This Retreat is Different

Many people think meditation is about pushing away thoughts or sitting still in rigid concentration. But TWIM takes a different path - one that’s lighter, kinder, and filled with joy.

Through the Six R’s: Recognize, Release, Relax, Re-smile, Return, and Repeat, you’ll learn to gently let go of mental distractions and come back to a mind that is calm, present, and smiling.

Bhante Vimalaramsi often reminded students:

“If you can smile, meditation is easy.”

And in this retreat, smiling is not just allowed - it’s encouraged.

With regular practice, TWIM naturally:

Reduces anxiety, stress, and worry
Cultivates loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity
Brings insight into the nature of mind and the cause of suffering
Opens a clear and direct path to the peace of Nibbana

Who Is This Retreat For?

Whether you’ve never meditated before or have years of experience, you’ll find a supportive, compassionate environment here. All you need is an open mind, a curious heart, and a willingness to smile.

This retreat is for anyone who is:

Curious about meditation but doesn’t know where to start
Wants a practice that feels natural, joyful, and deeply effective
Has meditated before but longs for more clarity, understanding, and ease
Feels called to balance mindfulness with kindness

What You’ll Take Home

By the end of the retreat, you’ll carry more than just memories. You’ll have:

A simple, joyful meditation you can practice anywhere
A lighter, more relaxed relationship with your mind
Greater resilience in the face of stress and challenge
A deeper understanding of the suttas and how they come alive in daily life
And perhaps most importantly - the taste of inner peace that can’t be shaken.

Your Retreat Manual

Every day at Fireflies will be a rhythm of gentle guidance, silent practice, and nourishing Dhamma:

Daily Guided Meditation Instructions - Learn and deepen TWIM step by step
Dhamma Talks - Explore the suttas and practical wisdom for daily life
One-on-One Interviews - Personalized guidance to keep your practice clear and steady
Noble Silence - A sacred space for inward reflection
Simple Vegetarian Meals - Wholesome food to support your body and mind
Comfortable Eco-Friendly Accommodation - Single or double sharing options

Why Samatha–Vipassana Together?

TWIM blends Samatha (tranquility) and Vipassana (insight) into one seamless practice. Rather than separating calm and wisdom, this method develops them together.

You’ll discover how cultivating a light, joyful mind naturally leads to deeper insight - without strain, without force.

This is meditation as the Buddha originally taught it: gentle, wise, and rooted in kindness.

A Final Invitation

As Bhante Vimalaramsi said:

“This path is beautiful because it’s natural. Smile, relax, observe - and awakening begins to unfold on its own.”

Come and experience a retreat where meditation is not about effort, but about ease.

Smile. Relax. Let go. Discover freedom.

Registration & Contact

📩 Email: svt.retreat@gmail.com

📞 Phone: +91 7506106787 (Shubham Mohod)

Spaces are limited to keep the retreat intimate and supportive. Early registration is encouraged.

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