An In-Person 5-Day Retreat
Exploring the Teachings of J. Krishnamurti
August 16-21, 2025
Krishnamurti Center Sonoma
J. Krishnamurti emphasized choiceless awareness as central to self-understanding and inner transformation. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on effort, analysis, or willpower to bring about change, Krishnamurti pointed to the simple yet profound act of observing without judgment, resistance, or preference—a state he called choiceless awareness.
For Krishnamurti, this meant being fully present to the movement of thought, emotion, and experience as it arises, without trying to control, interpret, or label it. Such observation is not passive; rather, it demands intense attention and sensitivity. When one watches anger, fear, or desire without naming it, condemning it, or trying to escape it, a radical clarity begins to emerge. In that clarity, one sees things as they are—not through the filters of memory, conditioning, or personal bias.
He maintained that true understanding does not come through choice—selecting what one wants to pay attention to, or clinging to what is pleasant while avoiding the unpleasant. In choosing, the mind divides experience into what it likes and dislikes, thus perpetuating conflict and fragmentation. But in choiceless awareness, the mind is silent, attentive, and undivided. It mirrors reality without distortion, like a still lake reflects the sky.
Krishnamurti believed that only in this state can there be insight—not born of thought, but arising spontaneously, without motive. Such insight brings about a transformation of consciousness that is not dependent on time or gradual progress.
Ultimately, choiceless awareness is both the means and the end. It is not a technique to be practiced but a living presence, accessible in any moment when the mind is quiet and watchful. In that stillness, according to Krishnamurti, lies the possibility of a wholly different way of being—free from fear, conflict, and illusion.
Please join us for this 5-day retreat as we immerse ourselves in exploring this topic with a small group here on the beautiful property of the Krishnamurti Center in Sonoma.
Jaap Sluijter has a long-standing interest in the questions raised by J. Krishnamurti. Currently, Jaap is the Executive Director of the Krishnamurti Foundation of America. Previously, he lived and taught for nine years at Brockwood Park School in England. He has an MA in Mechanical Engineering and worked as a design engineer in the field of camera systems and musical instruments.
Will include but not be limited to:
• 2 daily dialogues emphasizing the living dimension of deep ‘listening and seeing’
• Occasional evening sessions with Krishnamurti videos & discussion
• Supplementary reading material
• Weather permitting, dialogue-inquiries held outside
• Time for meditation, reflection, writing, and walks
• Accommodation in the lovely Krishnamurti Retreat Sonoma
• Vegetarian breakfast, lunch & dinner and snacks
The Grounds: The terraced terrain of the property requires sturdy footwear to navigate. With the exception of the first terrace none of the lower terraces have railings. Please be mindful of your step when exploring the grounds.
Food: Vegetarian food is served during the program. We will make reasonable efforts to meet your dietary and other special needs. Please let us know in advance.
Property policies:
Program: Includes vegetarian lunch, dinner and snacks and any supplementary reading material
Room: Includes vegetarian breakfast
Each participant is assigned their own room. Room allocation will be determined by the staff. Please note that all rooms are single occupancy and all participants will share the bathroom facilities.
Cancellation: If a participant needs to cancels please let us know right away.
If the program is cancelled for any reason by the KFA, we will inform participants 2 weeks before the program.
Transportation: Participants must make their own travel arrangements to and and from the center. Once on property personal outside trips are not allowed during the duration of the retreat due to the nature and location of the property.
We strongly recommend that every participant independently purchase trip-insurance (for example: www.insuremytrip.com), just in case the unlikely possibility arises that the program does not run, or if a participant must cancel for personal reasons.
For further information about the program: Please email programs@kfa.org
Saturday, August 16
12:00 pm – Check in
12:30 pm – Welcome and Introduction
1:00 pm – Lunch
2:00 pm – Free time to settle in and explore
3:30 pm – First meeting in the sitting room
6:00 pm – Dinner
*There may be slight changes to the schedule as needed
Sunday, August 17
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Morning meeting in sitting room
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Afternoon meeting in the sitting room
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:30 pm – Audio in the sitting room or record room
*There may be slight changes to the schedule as needed
Monday, August 18
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Morning meeting in sitting room
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Afternoon meeting in the sitting room
6:00 pm – Dinner
*There may be slight changes to the schedule as needed
Tuesday, August 19
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Morning meeting in sitting room
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Afternoon meeting in the sitting room
6:00 pm – Dinner
7:00 pm – Audio in the sitting room or record room
*There may be slight changes to the schedule as needed
Wednesday, August 20
8:00 am – Breakfast
9:30 am – Morning meeting in sitting room
1:00 pm – Lunch
3:30 pm – Last meeting in the sitting room
6:00 pm – Dinner
*There may be slight changes to the schedule as needed
Thursday, August 21
8:00 am – Breakfast
10:00 am – Check out
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