Who is The Pause for?
The experience is designed for anyone at a significant turning point: burnout, feelings of emptiness or disconnection, 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 if I’ve never done something like this before?
You’re just like many of our participants. There’s nothing to get right, and you decide the path to follow. The only thing asked of you is that you show up with an open mind and see what happens.
What if I’m uncomfortable talking about things in a group?
Many people feel this, and there’s nothing you have to talk about. The deepest work you’ll do at The Pause happens inside, through written exercises that only you see, and reflection that only you know.
What is the cost?
The Pause costs US$1,250 per person for a private room, or US$950 per person for a shared room (payment can be made in USD or LKR). Both include accommodation, all meals, materials, and the full experience from Thursday evening through Sunday evening.
We offer discounts and scholarships when the standard pricing would be a hardship. If that is you, please write to us at hello@findthepause.com. We don't want cost to prevent anyone from attending The Pause.
Can I share a room?
Yes. Shared rooms are for two people. If you are coming alone and would like a shared room, we pair you with another participant of the same gender.
How does payment work?
A US$500 deposit reserves your place. The balance is due on October 9, 2026 for the October retreat, or January 15, 2027 for February.
Two instalments, at no extra cost, are available on request. Just ask when you reserve.
Can my employer pay?
Yes, and many participants use a professional-development budget. We can provide an invoice and a one-page letter for reimbursement, on request.
What are the dates?
There are two upcoming retreats: Thursday, October 29 to Sunday, November 1, 2026, and Thursday, February 4 to Sunday, February 7, 2027.
You’re invited to arrive on the Thursday between 2 and 4pm. The Pause begins with a gathering at 6pm that evening and ends with dinner at 6pm on the Sunday. An additional night, Sunday through Monday morning, can be added; see below.
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.
I’m religious — will anything here conflict with my faith?
No. The Pause is secular, and nothing here asks you to adopt a belief.
Some practices — sitting quietly, attending to the breath, walking slowly — come from contemplative traditions, but nothing is devotional. No chanting, no deity, no doctrine, nothing you’ll be asked to say that you don’t mean.
If you pray, you’ll find the time and quiet for it. If you’d rather sit out a session, you can, and no explanation is needed.
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 all devices when you arrive. We’ll provide emergency contact information so family can reach you if needed. Most people find the thought of this a little unsettling, but discover it to be one of the most liberating parts of the experience.
What if I need to cancel?
We understand that plans change. Everything you have paid is refunded in full if you cancel by October 8, 2026 for the October retreat, or January 14, 2027 for February.
After that we cannot refund in cash, but your place can be transferred free of charge to a later Pause.
What’s the food like?
All meals are plant-based and prepared with care: fresh, Sri Lankan-inspired, and nourishing. If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, let us know when booking and we’ll make sure they’re accommodated.
Can I stay an extra night?
Yes. You can stay an additional night at Cassia Hill, Sunday, November 1 through Monday morning, including Monday breakfast, for US$150. Let us know when you reserve your place, or any time before arrival.
What happens after The Pause?
There is an integration call for the group in the weeks afterwards, and a one-to-one session with one of the facilitators within 30 days. Both are included.
What’s the policy on drugs and alcohol?
The Pause is a strictly drug- and alcohol-free experience. Smoking outdoors and away from others is not a problem.
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, with a touch of luxury.
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.