Kripalu, Massachusetts
Aug 28 – Sep 4, 2026
What changes when you train your nervous system
How this retreat works
A full week of immersive training
Seven days of structured practice. Group instruction, guided meditation, solo practice time, and complementary sessions including yoga and breathwork. The daily schedule runs from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
1-on-1 facilitation throughout
You get individual time with experienced facilitators across the full week. They observe your practice, give real-time feedback, and adjust their guidance to your experience. This is the core of what makes the method work.
Over 60% access jhana within the week
Jhanas are deep meditative states of calm, joy, and absorption. With structured instruction and feedback, the majority of participants access these states during the retreat. The states are unmistakable.
Leave with a practice that compounds
You leave with the tools and understanding to continue independently. Access to the Jhourney alumni community on Circle for ongoing connection and support. The practice gets richer over time, not harder.
The retreat
Retreat info
Kripalu Center sits on 125 acres of rolling hills and forest in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, overlooking Lake Mahkeenac. It's been a renowned retreat destination for over 50 years.
Accommodations range from shared rooms with twin beds to private rooms with queen beds, with shared or private bathrooms. Meals feature organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients with optional poultry, fish, and dairy.
What's included:
- Seven nights at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
- All meals (organic, seasonal, locally sourced)
- 1-on-1 sessions with experienced facilitators
- Group meditation, guided practice, and instruction
- Access to 125 acres of grounds, hiking trails, and Lake Mahkeenac
- Post-retreat alumni community access via Circle
FAQs
Retreat details
Schedule
✓ Arrival: Friday, August 28. Arrive between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. Rooms may not be ready until 4:00 PM — luggage storage is available and you're welcome to explore the grounds if you arrive early. Opening session at 5:00 PM.
✓ Daily structure: The retreat day runs 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Sessions include group instruction, guided meditation, 1-on-1 facilitation, and dedicated solo practice time.
✓ Departure: Friday, September 4. Programming ends at 9:30 AM. Check out by 10:00 AM. You're welcome to stay for lunch (11:30 AM–12:30 PM) and remain on campus until 2:00 PM.
Getting there
Kripalu is at 57 Interlaken Road, Stockbridge, MA — approximately 2 hours from Boston and 2 hours from New York City by car. A participant-led carpool spreadsheet will be shared before the retreat.
Closest airports:
- Albany International (ALB) — ~1 hour drive
- Bradley International (BDL) — ~1.5 hour drive
- JFK / LGA / EWR — ~2.5–3 hour drive
Before you book
✓ You must be at least 18 years old to attend
✓ Participation requires completing a mental health screening and signing required agreements
✓ Do not book flights or make travel arrangements until your screening is complete and your spot is confirmed. Screenings begin no later than February 15
✓ This is a full-week retreat — only sign up if you can attend the entire program from August 28 through September 4
✓ Late August weather: warm and humid days in the upper 70s to low 80s°F, with cooler evenings in the upper 50s to low 60s°F. Occasional fast-moving thunderstorms. Pack light layers, a jacket for evenings, bug spray, and sun protection
✓ A limited number of scholarships are available — email retreats@jhourney.io
what people say
It's not about the intensity.
It's about the journey.
Probably one of the nicest things that's ever happened to me, like up there with beautiful events like marriage.
David Phelan
Songwriter for Zayn, Sia, and BLACKPINK
Absolutely amazing. A secret nobody is talking about, and I’ve never felt anything like it. I’m so grateful; I’m a better and happier person.
Francisco Larrain
CTO of Topsort, ex-VP of Engineering Groupon, investor in SpaceX, Lyft
To know there’s this infinite resource within me that’s accessible without external conditions…it’s just crazy. You can’t unsee that.
Zach Lauzon
Google software engineer
This experience was the best thing that’s happened to me this year. I had no idea how enjoyable meditation could be.
Ruby Yu
Founder of YC-backed 10 Lives, formerly at UCSF & Harvard
Why would I have a second piece of chocolate cake when I know I can beat that by 100x in 10 minutes with my eyes closed?
Nick Cammarata
AI Safety Researcher & former founder
The jhanas may be the single most important thing on the planet right now. You may think it’s superintelligence or longevity. That’s nothing without wellbeing.
Shamil Chandaria
Oxford neuroscientist, ex-DeepMind
Booking
Find a room
Twin Bed in Shared Room (shared hall bath)
$3,995
A bed in a simple dorm-style twin room designed for a minimalist, distraction-free retreat experience. Bathrooms are shared and located in the hall. Shared with 1 other participant. We will match you with another participant of the same gender unless you specify a roommate.
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Standard Queen (Private room, shared hall bath)
$4,795
A queen bed in a private, simple dorm-style room designed for a minimalist, distraction-free retreat experience. Bathrooms are shared and located in the hall. Each room includes access to a shared hallway bathroom and an in-room safe. Note: the image below shows two twins, but the actual room is one queen.
Classic Queen (private room, private bath)
$5,595
A basic hotel-style room offering a comfortable retreat stay with one queen bed and a private bathroom. Close to the dining hall, shop, cafe, and program rooms. Each room includes an in-room safe.
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Couples Private Classic Queen Room (private bath)
$4,995
A basic hotel-style room offering a comfortable retreat stay with one queen bed and a private bathroom. Close to the dining hall, shop, cafe, and program rooms. Each room includes an in-room safe. Note: This room is reserved for couples only. The listed price is per person, and both partners must complete their own registration within 24 hours.
Get our intro to Jhana series
The Jhanas are meditation states that bring extraordinary pleasure, like the opposite of a panic attack. Having openhearted joy on tap makes it easier to be the person you aspire to be.