Step out of the noise of everyday life and into silence high in the mountains of Monchique, in Portugal's Algarve. Cave of the Heart guides Hridaya silent meditation retreats at Karuna Retreat Center. The retreat is a quiet sanctuary with a garden, natural surroundings and wide views over southern Portugal all the way to the Atlantic.

The retreats draw on non-dual teachings, mainly Sri Ramana Maharshi's Self-Inquiry and the teachings of the Spiritual Heart (Hridaya). Each day combines four meditation sessions, a session of gentle, contemplative Hridaya Hatha Yoga, a talk, a written Q&A, and long breaks for rest and time in nature. Noble silence (Mauna) runs from the first full morning until after the final meditation. Your phone, alarms and timekeeping are taken care of, so there is nothing to manage.

Choose the length that suits you. The 3-day retreat (4 nights) is a short but complete first immersion, ideal for beginners or a busy life. The 5-day retreat (6 nights) gives the mind time to settle and the practice time to deepen. The 10-day retreat (11 nights) takes you through every phase of a longer retreat: settling, deepening, integrating and returning. The daily rhythm is the same in all three; what changes is the depth that more time allows.

Karuna runs on the wish to serve, with a team of volunteers. It has a light-filled temple for meditation and yoga, fresh spring water from a natural source on the land, and simple shared rooms. Three vegetarian or vegan meals a day are cooked with care. You can walk to a waterfall or swim in the natural pond during breaks. Beginners and long-standing practitioners are equally welcome, and low-income discounts are available on request.

What's included

Shared accommodation at Karuna Retreat Center (4, 6 or 11 nights depending on the retreat); Three vegetarian or vegan meals a day; Four guided meditation sessions a day; Daily Hridaya Hatha Yoga (1 to 1.5 hours); Daily talks on Self-Inquiry and the Spiritual Heart; Daily Q&A session (written questions); Opening and closing sessions; Fresh spring water throughout; Access to the online community after the retreat

What's not included

Travel to and from Monchique; Private rooms