Q: What is an online meditation retreat? An online meditation retreat is a structured retreat experience delivered live over video. With Samadhi, you follow the same daily programme as the in-person group, including guided meditations, dharma teachings and yoga, from the comfort of your own home. All sessions are also recorded, so you can follow at your own pace if you can’t attend live.

Q: Do I need prior meditation experience to join an online retreat? It depends on the retreat. Our Mind Training and Habits of Happy People retreats are suitable for those with some prior experience of meditation, including complete beginners who are genuinely curious and committed. The 7-Day Vipashyana retreat is designed for those with an existing meditation practice. If you’re unsure, please get in touch and we’ll help you find the right fit.

Q: What technology do I need to join a Samadhi online retreat? You’ll need a device with a camera and microphone — a laptop, tablet or smartphone will work well — and a stable internet connection. We’ll send you joining instructions in advance. No specialist software is required beyond the video platform we use.

Q: Can I watch the recordings if I can’t attend the live sessions? Yes. Unedited recordings are typically uploaded within a few hours of each live session. Higher-quality edited versions are uploaded after the retreat ends. Recordings remain available on the website indefinitely, so you can revisit the teachings and practices as many times as you like.

Q: How much does an online retreat with Samadhi cost? Samadhi is a registered charity, and our online retreats operate on a donation basis. We offer several pricing tiers — including a low-waged option and a pay-what-you-can option — so that no one is excluded due to lack of funds. We ask that you give honestly and generously according to your means.

Q: Will I feel connected to the group attending in person? Many previous online attendees have told us they felt fully part of the retreat, not separate from it. We arrange the technology so that you can see and hear the teacher and the room, ask questions, and be seen and heard in return. There are also dedicated online group discussion sessions each day, plus an optional WhatsApp group, to help build community among the online participants.

Q: How is a Samadhi online retreat different from a pre-recorded online course? The core difference is that you are joining a live retreat as it happens, with a real group of people both online and in the room. You can ask questions, interact with the teacher, and experience the retreat in real time rather than working through pre-recorded material alone. That said, recordings mean you can also revisit everything afterwards.