Who is The Pause for?
The experience is designed for anyone at a significant turning point: burnout, a career transition, the end of a relationship, a health shift, or simply the growing awareness that the next chapter of life needs to come from a different place than the last.
What is the cost?
The Pause costs US$900 per person for a single room, or US$600 per person for a shared room. Both include accommodation, all meals, and the full experience from Thursday evening through Sunday evening. A sliding scale is available — please mention this when you reserve your place and we’ll find an arrangement that works.
There is an optional Sunday-night extended stay for an additional US$100, which includes accommodation and Monday breakfast.
What are the dates?
The Pause begins at 6pm on Thursday, August 6, 2026 and ends at 9pm on Sunday, August 9, 2026. The optional Sunday-night extended stay runs through Monday morning breakfast.
Is this therapy?
No. The Pause is not a therapeutic programme and does not replace individual therapy. It is a reflective, experiential gathering.
That said, both facilitators have psychotherapy training (in Hakomi, a body-oriented, mindfulness-based modality), and the weekend is designed to be trauma-informed throughout. If strong emotions or difficult material arise, which they sometimes do in this kind of space, we are equipped to hold them with care and skill. We can also help with referrals afterward if you’d like to explore something further with a therapist of your own.
Do I need experience with meditation, yoga, or bodywork?
None at all. Everything is guided and accessible. You only need a willingness to show up honestly and a genuine desire to reconnect with yourself.
What does “device-free” mean exactly?
You’ll be invited to hand in your phone and laptop on Thursday evening. We’ll provide emergency contact information so your family can reach you if needed. Most people find this is one of the most liberating parts of the experience.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that plans change. Full refunds are available up to 30 days before it begins. After that, we’ll work with you to find a solution, including transferring your place to a future one.
What’s the food like?
All meals are plant-based and prepared with care: fresh, Sri Lankan-inspired, and nourishing without excess. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, let us know when booking and we’ll make sure you’re well fed.
Can I stay an extra night?
Yes. You’re welcome to stay an additional night at Cassia Hill on Sunday, August 9, for an extra US$100. This includes the Sunday-night accommodation and Monday breakfast. Let us know when you reserve your place, or any time before arrival.
Can I extend my stay in Sri Lanka?
Absolutely, and we’d encourage it. Sri Lanka is a remarkable country. We’re happy to share recommendations for things to see and do before or after.
What’s the accommodation like?
Cassia Hill is a private villa with comfortable, well-appointed rooms. Specific room arrangements are shared after booking. The emphasis is on beauty, simplicity, and contact with the natural environment, not luxury for its own sake.
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
Most nationalities can obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before departure, or a visa on arrival. We’ll send detailed travel information after booking.
What’s Hakomi?
Hakomi is a mindfulness-based, body-oriented form of psychotherapy developed by Ron Kurtz. It works gently with present-moment experience (particularly what’s happening in the body) to uncover unconscious patterns and beliefs.
It’s experiential rather than analytical: instead of talking about your life, you explore what’s happening right now. We weave Hakomi principles and practices throughout the experience, but you don’t need to know anything about it in advance.