Meditation Without Expectations™ Immersion

Connect without expectations about how that “should” happen or how you “should” be.

Meditation Without Expectations™ integrates ancient practices with modern discoveries in physiology, adult learning, and behavioral psychology. Published research on the 8-week program has demonstrated reduced stress and increased resilience, empathy, and mindfulness. The approach is structured while allowing freedom to explore.

Dr. Annie Weisbrod has supported thousands of people across 30+ countries through this program. This 4.5-day intensive allows us to go deeper, developing your capacity to be aware, listen to, and better understand the communications of your body, emotions, and intuition/spirit. Through experimentation and reflection, you may discover which practices, environments, and ways of paying attention best support your inner and outer life—and why.

We explore meditation as something embodied and intuitive, rather than rigid or performative. You will have opportunities to experiment, ask questions, reflect, share, and notice what genuinely resonates with you.

Whether you are an experienced meditator, new to meditation, or have struggled to find a practice that feels natural and sustainable, this immersion offers an opportunity to let go of striving, perfectionism, and preconceived ideas about how meditation “should” be or feel—or even the idea that meditation is simply a technique.

Instead, we play with the practices, reflect and discuss, and learn to listen deeply to our own experience—through body, heart, mind, and spirit – which guides how to live life well.

The intention is not to become a better meditator. It is to become more deeply aware of yourself. You may leave with renewed clarity, stronger connection, and discoveries and practices that genuinely support your well-being and inner life.

What to Expect

• Daily Meditation & Breathwork. We use a progressive sequence of practices, including deep breathing/pranayamas, 20+ Senses, mantra, R.A.I.N., Metta, Naikan, Tonglen, and open monitoring.
• Silence & Stillness. With optional periods of silence, you choose how much to practice, from 4 up to 9 hours each day.
• Movement & Embodiment. Walking meditation, yoga, forest bathing, and time to hike or other exercise in the mountain forest sanctuary.
• Reflection & Facilitated Discussion. Explore self, ego, identity, cognitive patterns, emotional resilience, and inner experiences through reflection and dialogue. It feels safe and participants become friends.
• Intuitive Energy Healing. Energy-based practices and attunements are part of our daily exploration of embodied awareness and well-being.
• Rest & Restore. Enjoy nourishing meals, spa amenities, quiet spaces, and time to unwind in Menla’s magical setting.

Come curious and exactly as you are. Discover what happens when you let go of expectations and begin to listen—to the remarkable human being you already are and to our impressive living world.

Schedule:

Wednesday, April 28
Day 1 – Settle In

• 12 – 3 pm Arrival & Check-In
• 3:30 – 5:30 pm Introduction, breathing 1 + 2, 5-senses, walking meditations
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner: Mindful eating with 5-senses practice
• 7:15 – 8:15 pm Evening Practice: Breathing 3, 20+ senses meditations
• 8:20 – 9:00 pm Optional – Silent practice, energy healing (grounding)

Thursday, April 29
Day 2 – Deepen Awareness

• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:15 – 10:30 am Morning Practice: Breathing 4, counting and mantra meditations, related archetypes
• 10:30 – 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga (pranayama, asana)
• 11:30 am – 12:15 pm Optional – Silent practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:45 – 3 pm Afternoon Practice: Recognizing distortions, meditation
• 3 – 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or restorative exercise on your own
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:15 – 8: 15 pm Evening Practice: Metaphors and R.A.I.N. meditation
• 8:20 -9 pm Optional – Silent practice, energy healing (heart)

Friday, April 30
Day 3 – Expand Compassion & Awareness

• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:15 – 10:30 amMorning Practice: Breathing 5 + 6, Metta meditations
• 10:30 – 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga
• 11:30 am – 12:15 pm Optional – Silent practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 1:45 – 3 pm Afternoon practice: Open monitoring meditation, forest bathing
• 3  – 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or Restorative Exercise on your own
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:15 – 9 pm Evening Practice – Breathing 7, Tonglen, energy healing

Saturday, May 1
Day 4 – Day of Silence

• 8 – 9 am Silent Breakfast
• 9:15 -10:30 am Morning Practice: Breathing, chanting, Naikan
• 10:30 – 11:30 am Optional – Mixed-level yoga
• 11:30 am – 12:15 pm Optional – Silent practice
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Silent Lunch
• 1:45 – 3 pm Afternoon Practice: Seated and walking meditations
• 3 – 5:30 pm Nature & Embodiment: Active or Restorative Exercise on your own
• 6 – 7 pm Silent Dinner
• 7:15 – 9 pm Evening Practice: Breathing, meditation, energy healing (governing vessel, chakra clearing)

Sunday, May 2
Day 5 – Integration

• 8 – 9 am Silent Breakfast & check-out
• 9:15 – 11:15 am Morning Practice: Breathing, chanting, seated, walking meditations
• 11:15 am – 12:15 pm Integration – Reflections, Meditation in daily life
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.