Spiritual Retreats: Frequently Asked Questions
Things to Know:: Questions
- Who conducts the classes and spiritual retreats?
- In general, what should I expect when I come for a retreat program?
- What is the schedule of a retreat?
- Is your retreat center a health spa or have a gym?
- Do you offer discounts?
- Do you offer a work/exchange program for retreats or long term ashram living?
- Do you offer gift certificates?
Registration:: Questions
- How do I register?
- Can I come for a retreat any time?
- I don't know which retreat I want, can I decide when I arrive?
- What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
- Do I have to come on the schedule retreat dates?
- How many days in advance do I need to register?
- Do you require a registration fee?
- What forms of payment to you accept and what is your payment policy?
- What is your refund policy?
- What are your spiritual retreat prices?
Arrival:: Questions
- What time is arrival and depature?
- What are my transportation options to/from the airport to the spiritual retreat center?
- Which airport do I fly into?
- What items do I need to bring?
- What will happen once I arrive?
- What if I forget something to pack, is there a nearby store I can go to?
- What about cell phone and internet access?
- I require certain medications to take daily and special meal diets, does this affect my stay?
Accommodations:: Questions
- What are my accommodation options?
- I require a special diet, can you help me?
- How are your meals prepared?
- Can children come?
- Is smoking permitted?
- Can I bring my pet?
Activities:: Questions
Things to Know:: Answers
Who conducts the classes and spiritual retreats?
All retreats are taught by living enlightened master Acharya Shree Yogeesh.
Sadhvi Siddhali Shree will assist on occassion. Back to top.
In general, what should I expect when I come for a retreat program?
When you are participating in a 3 day retreat, you will receive 3 - 4 classes depending on your program. Each class is approximately one hour. The time in between classes and meals should be used for the practices that were learned in previous class, to walk the retreat grounds, for personal reflection, or relaxation and rest.
When you come for a personal retreat, you have the option to participate in our mantra class twice daily with the remaining time in between as your personal time.
When you come for the 7 day spiritual intensive program you will have at least 2 classes per day. Back to top.
What is the schedule of a retreat?
Check in time is between 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
First evening, you will have a mantra class followed by a brief introduction to your retreat.
On the second day, you will have mantra class followed by breakfast and one class in the morning. In the afternoon after chai (tea) time, you will have another class.
On the third day, you will receive your last class.
Departure time is 11:00am. Back to top.
Is your retreat center a health spa or have a gym?
No we do not offer a spa or gym, massage therapy or other similar services. Back to top.
Do you offer discounts?
We offer discounts of 20% on select retreat programs for veterans. On occassion we do run specials. Please check the specific spiritual retreat program for more details. Back to top.
Do you offer a work/exchange program for retreats or long term ashram living?
Please see our ashram living program for more information. Back to top.
Do you offer gift certificates?
Yes we do. Please click here to order a gift certificate. Back to top.
Registration:: Answers
How do I register?
Please click on the "Register Now" button on the spiritual retreat program's page to register. Back to top.
Can I come for a retreat any time?
Yes, we are very flexible with our schedule. So as long as the teachers are available to teach and space is available, you can visit at anytime. If by chance you register and space or the teachers are not available, we will let you know right away. Back to top.
I don't know which retreat I want, can I decide when I arrive?
When you arrive for your program, you can discuss with the spiritual teachers which program is best for you. Back to top.
We understand that unexpected changes in schedule may come up. Please let us know if you will not be attending your scheduled retreat and inform us of the dates you would like to reschedule. Your deposit will be used towards your future stay. Back to top.
Do I have to come on the schedule retreat dates?
If space and teachers are available, you can come for your retreat on your preferred dates. Our schedule is not district. Back to top.
How many days in advance do I need to register?
We require at least 48 hours in advance to reserve your space. Last minute reservations, please call 903.487.0717. Back to top.
Do you require a registration fee?
Yes, we require a $47 deposit to reserve and confirm your program when you complete the registration form. This deposit will be applied towards your total program costs. Back to top.
What forms of payment to you accept and what is your payment policy?
We prefer cash or check payments; however, we do accept credit cards as well. Checks bounced for insufficient funds will be charge a $20 fee. Retreat program costs plus $20 bounce fee will be charged to the credit card used as a deposit within 10 days of bounced check notification. Back to top.
What is your refund policy?
We offer a 30 day money back guarantee for products purchased: books, cds, dvds, malas, items from our gift store, and any online courses and training.
For our spiritual retreat services, a credit will be applied for unused time and accommodations. This credit will not expire. If you wish to, you may transfer your credit to someone else as a gift. Back to top.
What are your spiritual retreat prices?
Our day pass is $47.
Personal Retreats are $47/night for shared accommodations and $77/night for private accommodations.
3 day spiritual retreats range from $297-$397 with shared accommodations and $357 - $457 with private accommodations.
The 7 day spiritual intensive is $797 with shared accommodations and $947 with private accommodations. Back to top.
Arrival:: Answers
What time is arrival and depature?
Please plan your travels to arrive at the spiritual retreat center between 4:00 - 6:00pm.
Check out time is 11:00am on your last day. Back to top.
What are my transportation options to/from the airport to the spiritual retreat center?
Please contact FBIT Limo at 972-979-4529 for low rate car service to/from the retreat center. Ask for Anna. Back to top.
Which airport do I fly into?
Dallas Lovefield and Dallas Ft. Worth International are the closest airports. Back to top.
What items do I need to bring?
- comfortable / relaxing clothing - In the winter we highly suggest bringing warm coats and sweaters, in the summer light clothing is best. Do not wear short shorts or tank tops at the retreat.
- personal towel and hygiene items (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc.)
- slippers, tennis shoes and/or boots
- notepad and pen to take notes in class
- books, writing journals
What will happen once I arrive?
Once you arrive, you will check in, read over and agree to our ashram rules and policies, pay for your program in full, and we will show you your room. At 6:30pm you can participate in mantra class, which is then followed by dinner. The next day your classes begin. Back to top.
What if I forget something to pack, is there a nearby store I can go to?
There is a Walmart that is 10 miles away and local gas stations with convenient stores 5 miles away. Back to top.
What about cell phone and internet access?
Most cell phone service providers work at the retreat. Please turn cell phones off during class, mantras and meditation. We do not provide internet access or wifi. The internet works only in some areas of the property. If your iPhone or iPad has internet access, that is okay. Back to top.
It is imperative that you inform Siddhayatan of any known medical conditions that may affect your visit and experience. For example: allergies, heart problems, physical problems, asthma, etc. Please bring your medication with you. In any case you need a prescription refill, a pharmacy is available 10 miles away.
Siddhayatan is in a very gentle environment and will not aggravate your health; however, if at anytime you are not feeling well, please let us know. There is a nearby hospital 10 miles away in Bonham, Texas in case of emergency. Back to top.
Accommodations:: Answers
What are my accommodation options?
We offer two types of accommodations, shared and private.
The shared accommodations includes sharing with up to 4 other people with a shared bathroom. To view our shared accommodations, click here.
The private accommodations includes a private room, twin bed, small table and shared or private bathroom. To view our private accommodations, click here.
I require a special diet, can you help me?
We can only provide vegetarian or vegan meals, but if you any food allergies we can ensure not to put those ingredients in your meal. Back to top.
How are your meals prepared?
We provide vegetarian and vegan meals. Our fruits are mostly from local farmer's markets. We also provide raw milk from a local organic dairy farm. Back to top.
Can children come?
Very young children are not advised to come as we do not have a play center yet or someone to watch them when you take your classes. If you do want to bring children, and they can remain quiet during classes, please call 903-487-0717. Back to top.
Is smoking permitted?
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Siddhayatan retreat grounds. Back to top.
Can I bring my pet?
At this time we do not permit pets, except for those that require a guide-dog. Back to top.
Activities:: Answers
What can I do during my spare time?
Most retreater like to read, write and do their practices during the time in between classes. Please bring books to read.
Some like to hike around the retreat grounds, visit our small ponds, sit under the trees, or walk in our forest. Please bring boots and wear jeans or strong pants if planning to walk around the forest. We have 155 acres of beautiful rolling hills. Back to top.
What local places can I visit if I wish to?
Bonham State Park
Downtown Bonham which has local antique shops Back to top.
Still have additional questions?
Please feel free to contact us by calling 903/487-0717 or email us by clicking here.
