Receive Rare Initiations
Duration:
11-day residential retreat
Total hours:
90 retreat hours
Suitability:
For the true seekers of the most transcendent Tantra
We invite you to a truly unique retreat—an extraordinary opportunity to explore the Highest Tantra: Kashmiri Shaivism in its full depth. This retreat seamlessly integrates both the Kashmiri Shaivism Workshop and Silent Retreat in a back-to-back sequence, allowing for a profound and immersive experience.
The first half of this journey is dedicated to the Workshop, where Somananda and Dharmananda unveil the esoteric wisdom of Kashmiri Shaivism. Through extensive theoretical teachings and initiations, you will receive the core knowledge that serves as the very foundation of Tantra and our school’s lineage.
The second half transitions into a Silent Retreat, where knowledge transforms into direct experience. Here, you will internalize and embody the teachings through deep meditative practice, using sacred methodologies to enter the mystical states of Oneness, as described in Kashmiri Shaivism.
Kashmiri Shaivism is among the rarest and most profound spiritual sciences, surpassing all other teachings in depth and scope. Masters of this ancient path developed an unparalleled metaphysical system—one that deciphers the mysteries of existence and unlocks the highest dimensions of consciousness.
As a secret yogic tradition, its very first steps already touch advanced levels of spiritual evolution. Yet, it remains accessible to both seasoned practitioners and sincere seekers alike, offering a gateway to extraordinary transformation.
Beyond deepening your understanding, Kashmiri Shaivism serves as a powerful catalyst for awakening. It elevates your yogic practice into new realms of realization and aligns you with Sahasrara, the Crown chakra—the seat of lucidity, detachment, and ultimate union with the divine essence of the I AM.
Delve into the profound wisdom of Kashmiri Shaivism, exploring its origins, philosophy, and impact on consciousness.
Why Kashmiri Shaivism is so powerful
The true origins of Tantra and the tantric schools of India and Kashmir
The land of Kashmir and its masters of metaphysics
Fundamental principles of higher Tantra and enlightenment
The four paths of Kashmiri Shaivism (upayas) and their significance
The effects of Kashmiri Shaivism on the mind and consciousness
The legacy of Abhinavagupta, the greatest Kashmiri tantric of India
The nature of reality according to Kashmiri Shaivism – a practical approach
Engage in transformative techniques, guided meditations, and initiations to embody the teachings of Kashmiri Shaivism.
Practical application of Kashmiri Shaivism as learned in the Workshop
Deepening personal knowledge and experience of the four upayas
Insight into your state of awareness and a glimpse into your true spiritual potential
Spiritual transmission and initiation from the advanced teachers
Study and practice of various techniques from the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra – the tantric manual for enlightenment
Meditation techniques and Yoga practice with the upayas
The use of mentalization and emotions for spiritual results (bhavana)
The fundamental monistic meditation of “I AM”
Periods of deep guided meditative states
In Kashmiri Shaivism, meditation is not just a practice but a gateway to recognizing your divine nature. It is the art of shifting consciousness beyond the mundane and expanding into the infinite reality. This sacred tradition refines the mind, allowing it to dissolve limitations and perceive the universe as a manifestation of the Supreme.
Progress in this profound practice is tangible and reveals itself through unmistakable inner transformations:
In this course, you will be guided to experience meditation as the revered masters of Kashmiri Shaivism did—unlocking the ultimate realization of your divine essence.
A retreat in Kashmiri Shaivism is not just an experience—it is a sacred initiation into the depths of your own consciousness. Each meditation retreat unveils new layers of awareness, unlocking the hidden potential of your mind and spirit. Through this practice, you will cultivate direct perception of reality as described by the great masters of this tradition.
True mastery in meditation is achieved through consistent practice. We recommend joining at least three to four retreats per year to solidify your understanding and accelerate your spiritual evolution. Each retreat offers profound guidance from our experienced teachers, ensuring steady progress on the path of self-realization.
Outside of the retreat, personal practice is essential. The teachings and transmissions received in the retreat act as a catalyst, empowering you to sustain and expand your meditation practice, ultimately leading to profound inner transformation.
The Kashmiri Shaivism Workshop and Retreat is a fully residential program, offering you 11 days of deep spiritual immersion in a serene resort on the southern coast of Crete, Greece. Surrounded by breathtaking nature, you will share this transformative journey with like-minded peers and dedicated teachers.
To ensure a smooth arrival, we provide complimentary chartered bus transport from Heraklion, the capital of Crete, directly to the retreat venue and back.
Day 1 (5 May 2027) Arrival Schedule:
16:00 Group pick-up at Heraklion Airport
16:20 Group pick-up at Heraklion city center
18:00 Approximate arrival at the venue & check-in
19:00 Welcome dinner
20:00 Course introduction
22:00 Conclusion & rest
From the moment you arrive, you will step into an environment designed for profound learning, spiritual growth, and inner transformation.
The Kashmiri Shaivism Workshop follows a carefully structured schedule, blending deep theoretical teachings with practical application. Each day is designed to elevate your understanding and inner experience, creating a seamless flow of learning, reflection, and spiritual practice.
Days 2 to 6: The Workshop (6-10 May 2027)
Workshop Daily Rhythm:
08:00 Meditation & Yoga
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Teaching Session 1
14:00 Lunch & rest
16:30 Teaching Session 2
19:00 Satsang (spiritual Q&A and reflections)
20:00 Dinner & rest
This immersive structure ensures a balanced integration of knowledge, self-exploration, and profound inner transformation.
The Kashmiri Shaivism Silent Retreat is designed for deep internalization and direct experience of the teachings. With extended meditation sessions and a sacred atmosphere of silence, you will refine your awareness and immerse yourself in higher states of consciousness.
Days 7 to 10: The Silent Retreat (11-14 May 2027)
Retreat Daily Rhythm:
06:30 Wake-up gong
07:00 Meditation & Yoga
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Meditation & Practice Session 1
14:00 Lunch & rest
16:30 Meditation & Practice Session 2
19:00 Q&A (questions submitted in writing to preserve sacred silence)
20:00 Dinner & rest
22:00 Lights out & night gong
This structured yet serene rhythm fosters deep contemplation, allowing the wisdom of Kashmiri Shaivism to awaken within.
The final day is dedicated to reflection, integration, and bringing clarity to your profound journey. You will consolidate your insights and prepare to transition back into daily life with a newfound depth of awareness.
Day 11: Last Day (15 May 2027)
Last Day’s Schedule:
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Final retreat session & reflections
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Bus departure to Heraklion
17:00 Arrival in Heraklion (airport & city center drop-off)
To ensure a smooth departure, we advise booking flights no earlier than 19:00 on 15 May. Additionally, we encourage staying in Crete for a few extra days to fully absorb and integrate the transformative teachings of Kashmiri Shaivism.
To ensure a balanced and harmonious group dynamic, participation in all our courses is by application only. The application process consists of the following steps:
You will receive a decision within three working days after completing the application process. If your application is not accepted, your payment will be fully refunded.
This retreat is held at a serene coastal venue overlooking the Libyan Sea, about a 1-hour drive from Heraklion, the largest city in Crete. You will fly into Heraklion International Airport (Nikos Kazantzakis Airport), and on the day the course begins, we will arrange transportation to take you to the Levinthos Retreat Centre in Lentas, on the southern coast of Crete.
For a smooth travel experience, we recommend arriving in Heraklion at least one day before the course starts. This way, should there be any travel delays, you can still join the group transfer to the venue without issue.
If you arrive early, we suggest booking a hotel in Heraklion. There are numerous accommodation options across various price ranges. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center typically costs around 15€ (16 USD).
Heraklion is a safe and welcoming city. Card payments are accepted almost everywhere, though it’s worth carrying some cash for smaller shops, tavernas, and the village of Lentas itself.
Please note that depending on your nationality, a Schengen visa may be required to enter Greece and the European Union. Be sure to verify visa requirements before planning your travel.
Levinthos and Filoxenia Retreat Center
Lentas, Crete Island, GreeceThis retreat takes place in Levinthos and Filoxenia retreat centres located close to Lentas coastal village on the south coast of Crete island, 75 km from Heraklion. This is a very picturesque spot with panoramic views of the Mediterranean sea and is perfect for our teachings and spiritual practices.
The two guesthouses feature a selection of rooms with stunning views from many. You will be placed in shared accommodation with two to four people per room. Each room has its own en suite bathroom. Accommodation will be allocated in the order of your sign-up date with higher quality rooms given to earlier registrants.
There is a beautiful private beach as part of the property and delicious Cretan vegetarian meals are served three times daily. A true paradise!
Founder and Head Teacher
Somananda is a spiritual yogi, teacher, and author who founded the Somananda Tantra School — an international organization dedicated to authentic spiritual development through the ancient science of Tantra.
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Senior Teacher
With a quiet demeanor and profound spiritual insight, senior teacher Dharmananda translates a lifetime of dedicated practice into transformative teachings on Tantra Yoga, metaphysics, and higher consciousness for seekers across the globe.
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Teacher
Shiva offers students a clear and relatable path to spiritual understanding, using his personal insights to show how ancient teachings can bring purpose and happiness to modern life.
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Teachers shown on this page may change due to unforeseen circumstances, and each may teach in various capacities. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility regarding the teaching team dynamics.
The course fee covers all teachings and materials, a comprehensive course booklet, 10 nights of shared accommodation (2–4 participants per room), three nourishing meals per day, and group transportation between Heraklion and the course venue (round trip).
Participants are responsible for arranging their flights to Crete, Greece, as well as personal supplies required for the course, such as a yoga mat and a small blanket. A detailed packing list will be provided before the course.
Before booking, please carefully review our Terms of Service and Liability Waiver. By making a payment, you confirm your full acceptance of our cancellation and refund policies, along with all other terms outlined in these documents.
Exceptions include, of course, the days of arrival and departure. Silence also here encompasses interpersonal communications such as gestures, silently mouthing words, writing notes, etc. Notes will be allowed only for daily Q&A and administrative emergencies. The retreat leader will announce the beginning and end of mauna.
Nonresidential retreats may not require full mauna. Please see the details for each particular retreat.
This includes tablets, phones, laptops, mp3 players, etc. Exceptions may be made upon personal request and such exceptions need to be requested personally from the retreat leader before the beginning of mauna.
Although there may be a temptation to keep your phone with you for emergencies, we will provide a contact number which may be called by your family or business associates in such cases, thereby allowing you to relax fully into the retreat experience knowing that retreat administration will alert you if necessary to any issue needing your urgent attention.
All participants, either singles or couples, are asked to not engage intimately with anyone during the silent residential retreat (no physical interaction of any kind). The focus of the retreat has to be on deepening your meditation practice and interiorisation of all the spiritual experiences.
In addition to the use of electronic devices, this includes books, magazines, and the like. To support your retreat experience, we will offer to collect any of these belongings and hold them in a bag for you during the retreat. However, it would be best to leave them at home if possible. Let this be an opportunity to completely unplug yourself and turn your focus inward.
In a residential retreat you will be awakened by a gong and every new session of the day will be signaled by the gong. The gong will be struck repeatedly to make sure everyone has heard it.
No smoking of any kind, consumption of any alcohol, or use of recreational drugs is allowed during the retreat.
Yes, absolutely. This offering is thoughtfully designed to be accessible to both beginners and more experienced seekers. You don’t need any prior knowledge of Tantra or spirituality to benefit deeply. The teachings are shared in a clear and structured way, starting with foundational principles and gradually guiding you into deeper practices.
Kashmiri Shaivism is one of the world’s rare and precious spiritual treasures. Veiled in secrecy for centuries, it has preserved its purity and remains one of the most powerful paths for spiritual evolution today.
Receiving these authentic teachings in modern times is a rare privilege—one that can serve as a profound catalyst for inner transformation. You will leave inspired, elevated, and enriched with practical tools to deepen your spiritual journey.
Absolutely. This retreat focuses primarily on your personal practice and inner experience, making it accessible and enriching for all levels. Whether you’re just beginning or already experienced, the teachings and practices are designed to support everyone equally, allowing both beginners and advanced students to benefit and grow side by side.
It may feel unfamiliar at first, especially during the first couple of days, but most participants quickly come to appreciate—and even cherish—the deep peace that silence brings. We warmly encourage you to join with an open heart, as the experience can be truly transformative. Should any inner tension arise, the retreat staff will be available to support you. Breaking the silence (mauna) is only permitted in cases of genuine emergency.
"Wow, that was a new world opening up! Thank you to the Somananda school for making this special teaching known to the outside world."
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"With this tantric school you get the opportunity develop a strong, grounded foundation for spiritual growth. This aspect is missing in many modern spiritual courses and schools, in my humble opinion."
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"The teachings and wisdom offered by Somananda Tantra School are truly authentic and can be used in everyday life for the rest of your life."
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"The school provides invaluable teachings that can’t be found anywhere else. The dedicated teachers are experienced and humble who share empowering knowledge. "
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"Turns out signing up for the class was the best idea I ever had."
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"These teachings offer you hands-on authentic tantra practices and how to successfully incorporate them in your life. My life is truly transformed!"
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