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Here and Now: A Mindfulness Retreat

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Here and Now: A Mindfulness Retreat

May 14 - 17, 2026

Los Altos, CA, United States

12 people are interested
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Hosted By

Charles Freligh & Saqib Rizvi

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3 nights, 4 days

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44 person retreat

Highlights

  • Learn to quiet the mind and open the heart

  • Practical, simple, fluff-free mindfulness

  • Guided and silent meditation practices

  • Mindful movement practices (e.g., optional guided yoga)

  • Two easygoing teachers with natural chemistry

  • Flexible opportunities for solitude and connection

  • Stunning views of the bay, valley, and hills

  • Nourishing and delicious food

  • A genuine reset from the pressures of everyday life

Details

It's been said that there really is no "peace of mind." There is either peace or mind. Most of us live in the mind, caught in stories of then and there. This retreat is an invitation to wake back up in the here and now, beyond the thinking mind. Over four days, we will practice mindfulness in simple, direct, and novel ways that will help settle the mind and open the heart. You’ll learn how to use the mind more as a tool for observation and less as an instrument of judgment. The more we move away from judgment, the more we open the heart. You'll learn how to use the mind as an expression of the heart rather than a barrier to it. You can expect: - Two daily group sessions led by Charles and Saqib - Silent and guided meditation - Mindful movement - Mindful speech and listening - Opportunities for noble silence - Spacious time for rest, solitude, and reflection Charles and Saqib create an atmosphere that is both sincere and low-pressure, profound without being heavy, and casual without being careless. There is no right way to participate. You’ll have the freedom to shape your retreat to be focused on more connection, more solitude, or a blend of both. And we’ll help you find a rhythm that feels right. Here are the daily themes: - Day 1: Arriving Here - Day 2: Being Here - Day 3: Living Here - Day 4: Here and There We arrive, we deepen, we practice living from presence, and we carry it home. We’d love to see you then and there, which will be here and now.

Location

Los Altos, CA, United States

Los Altos, California, is a serene and affluent city located in the heart of Silicon Valley, offering a welcoming blend of suburban charm and economic vibrancy. Known for its tree-lined streets, well-preserved residential neighborhoods, and strong sense of community, Los Altos provides a tranquil retreat amidst the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area. The downtown area is characterized by its quaint atmosphere, featuring a variety of boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants that cater to both locals and visitors. With highly-rated schools, a plethora of parks, and recreational facilities, Los Altos is an attractive destination for families and those seeking a high quality of life. The city is also noted for its active community involvement, hosting numerous annual events and festivals that bring residents together. Despite its quiet demeanor, Los Altos benefits from its proximity to the technological hubs of Silicon Valley, offering easy access to innovation and opportunity while maintaining its peaceful, small-town character.

Venue

The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos

4.9 ★ 37 Reviews

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The Jesuit Retreat Center of Los Altos, popularly known as El Retiro, is nestled on a tranquil 38-acre hillside campus. The Center provides a sacred space for prayer and reflection, guided by our experienced Ignatian directors.

A/C in Rooms

A/C in Rooms

Free Wifi

Free Wifi

Garden

Garden

Towels

Towels

Housekeeping

Housekeeping

Coffee / Tea

Coffee / Tea

Restaurant

Restaurant

Wheelchair Accessible

Wheelchair Accessible

Free Parking

Free Parking

Heating

Heating

Accommodation

Single Room

Private room for 1

$1,950 USD total

Double Room

1 Spot Left

2-person shared room

$1,700 USD / person

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For a hundred years, El Retiro Retreat Center of Los Altos has offered a tranquil and sacred space for people to rest, reflect and connect deeply with the present moment. The property is located in the hills above Los Altos and provides an ideal location for a peaceful retreat among the sounds of nature. There are trails throughout the site and well placed resting benches offer views of the Bay, valley, and hills, ideal for a break away from the rush of daily life.

Meals

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Meals provided

Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

Diets catered

Vegan · Vegetarian · Halal · Kosher · Raw · Organic · Diabetic Friendly · Keto Friendly · Paleo Friendly · Dairy-free · Gluten-free

Fresh, nutritious meals are served three times daily at El Retiro. Food plays a large role in nurturing and sustaining us in mind, body, and spirit, and the staff takes pride in nourishing guests with delicious and healthy meals during their stay. Full-meal service as well as a 24/7 beverage and snack bar are offered to guests. Meals are served cafeteria or buffet style with an 8:30am breakfast, 12:30pm lunch, and 6:30pm dinner. The kitchen can also accommodate special dietary requests with advance notice. Please note we do not maintain a gluten-free, lactose-free, or nut-free kitchen environment.

Schedule

Here is a sample daily schedule: - 8:00-8:30 am: Optional Morning Meditation - 8:30 am: Breakfast - 9:30-11:30 am: Group Session 1 (Mindful Listening and Speaking) - 12:30 pm: Lunch - 1:30 pm: Optional Yoga Mindful Movement Practice - 3:30-5:30 pm: Group Session 2 (Mindful - 6:30 pm: Dinner and Celebration of the Day Importantly, any unscheduled time is still an integral part of the retreat, as we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by the scheduled activities. The main active ingredient may simply be time and space away from the busyness of daily life, helping you recenter and reset before reengaging in daily life with a renewed and refreshed sense of self. You may also wish to bring along a creative project you’ve been meaning to give more time and energy to. This could be the perfect opportunity to allow space for your creative intuition to come through.

Testimonials

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This experience changed my life. I was able to release anxieties and worries in a way that years of therapy and psychological training had never enabled. Charles and Saqib authentically embody mindfulness, and their guidance fostered a non-judgmental space, allowing for genuine connection among participants.

Lindsay, USA

The retreat was everything that I had hoped for - but also much more! It was so authentically presented that it seemed like people were very comfortable “showing up” and sharing intimately without fear. It brought out the best in all of us. Loved how spontaneous and also how organized it was all at the same time. Can’t wait to hopefully experience it again!

Vicki, USA

Time with Saqib and Charles is life-changing. They create a safe, welcome and slower-paced space for people to unfurl, connect, experience and grow. They make trying new things and meeting new people feel safe.

Tekla, USA

I attended a retreat led by Charles and Saqib last year. What stood out to me was the intentional nature of the various exercises and conversations we took part in throughout the weekend. I simultaneously felt fully at ease and out of my normal comfort zone. I certainly came away from the weekend with newfound perspectives and more peace of mind, and I would strongly encourage anyone to experience it for themselves.

Chris L., USA

As an experienced meditator and yoga practitioner, I really enjoyed Charles and Saqib's retreat! The activities, meditations, and discussions were perfect for me. There was a lot of variety. I loved that there was plenty of free time to experience the retreat center and surrounding nature. There was also time for silence and getting to know each other. It was a very relaxed flow. Both teachers are so engaged, fun, empathetic, nonjudgmental, intelligent, and wise. The other participants friendly, open-minded, and enthusiastic. I absolutely loved the whole retreat!

Lisa, USA

This retreat was special. Charles and Saqib felt like teachers and fellow retreatants. Their sincere and genuine care for each individual there was palpable. It was a time to deepen some of my current, comfortable, mindfulness practices and to explore some new, sometimes uncomfortable, practices in a safe and nonjudgemental environment of like minded seekers. Thank you for sharing and becoming vulnerable with us. I will carry your care and spirits with me for a very long time.

Marie, USA

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Hosts

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Charles Freligh

Minneapolis, MN, USA

Charles has a PhD in clinical psychology and currently works as a remote therapist specializing in helping clients to be more present in daily life. He is a published author, university professor, and...

1 language

English

Teaching for 9 years

Joined Insight Timer in Dec 2016

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Saqib Rizvi

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Saqib melds mysticism with science, drawing insights from traditions like Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christian Mysticism, Non-Dualism, etc. Before his Awakening, he had a background in Electr...

1 language

English

Teaching for 7 years

Joined Insight Timer in Oct 2018

What's Included

All retreat activities, including optional guided yoga practices

Welcome bag, including a notebook and pen, a printed schedule, and more

Lodging

All meals, including 24/7 snack and beverage bar

Not Included

The retreat is all-inclusive

FAQs

Guest requirements

  • An open and curious mind

  • A willingness to live from the present

Cancellation policy

The remaining balance for the retreat is due 30 days prior to the start date. If this balance is paid earlier than these 30 days, you are eligible to cancel and receive a full refund of this remaining balance, provided you do so at least 30 days before the retreat begins.

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