“The answers to peace are all within us, otherwise we keep looking outwards.”— Tshampo
This silent retreat is
Less about what you can gain
More about what you can let go of
You’re not a self-improvement project
No “progress” to be measured
Just slow down
notice what’s going on
within and around you
then you decide
what to let go of
and how to go forward.
Embody the soul-expanding power of
being alive,
by being in the
present
moment.
Curious, but apprehensive
In a liminal period
Feeling called to meditate with Sikkim’s living energy
You’ve been curious about meditation, but the 10-day long silent retreats feel like a huge commitment.
Ten days of no talking, no phone, just meditation. It can feel intimidating, especially for first timers.
Part of you wants to try, but you might also be thinking “I’m not sure I can do that.”
This retreat could be a stepping stone for you.
“The word ‘liminal’ comes from the Latin word ‘limen’, which means threshold. To be in a liminal space means to be on the precipice of something new but not quite there yet.” Read more about liminal space here
Maybe you feel stuck, experienced deep loss that made you confront impermanence, or consistently feel the ache of restlessness.
Give yourself permission to step out of the container that can no longer contain who you might be becoming.
Step into a space to slow down, explore who you are, and what you really want.
Every place has its own energy. People who have come here before say they felt a different kind of energy in Sikkim.
According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Sikkim is considered a hidden land, a beyul, chosen and blessed by Guru Padmasambhava. It’s believed that meditating here multiples the merit, for you and all beings.
Walk among the trees. Talk to the river. Meditate with the mountains.
Come and experience it for yourself, and decide what you feel.
Your meditation teacher
“Three years, three months, and three weeks.”
That’s how long Tshampo-la spent in intensive retreat.
Despite understanding the Buddhist teachings on a deep theoretical level after twelve years of institutional training, he still felt something missing.
So he entered silence for three years, three months, and three weeks.
After the retreat, Tshampo-la understood that the inner peace we’re searching for is all within us. “Meditation makes me feel so free. The answers (to peace) are all within us, otherwise we keep looking outwards.”
Book wisdom is so different from lived wisdom.
Since the retreat, Tshampo-la has been teaching across Sikkim and internationally. He holds weekly meditation and Dharma talks for the villagers, teaches the young ones in monastic school, and has conducted Dharma teachings in Taiwan and Hong Kong.
This residential retreat will be held entirely in English.
Noble silence for four days
Guided and silent meditation sessions
Group discussions and reflections outside periods of noble silence
Daily Dharma talks with Tshampo-la
Personalised 1-1 sessions with Tshampo-la
Arrive at Bagdogra Airport
Private transportation to accommodation
Welcome dinner & retreat orientation
For four days, we enter noble silence.
This means divorcing your phones and stepping away from ordinary conversations, so that your attention can be dedicated to your practice.
A day may look like:
Tshampo-la said we always have to end the day with Metta meditation & dedication.
We dedicate the merits of our collective practice to all beings
May I be free from suffering.
May all beings be free from suffering.
Themes covered include:
These themes supplement the meditation sessions.
Tshampo-la has invited us to his village and to visit the monastery where he practises.
We will hold a gratitude and metta ceremony, to share the merits of our collective practice with all beings.
We'll end with a celebratory dinner to honour your journey over the past week.
And to celebrate you. 💗
In Sikkim, instead of goodbye, we say pheri bhetum, may we meet again :-)
You may choose to depart or extend your stay.
If you choose to extend your stay, there is an option to add on selected Feels Like Om field immersion activities.
Created with the intention of learning from nature and its people, these aren’t sightseeing activities, but immersive hands-on learning experiences.
We’re happy to speak with you if you’re interested. See a sample of our field immersion activities.
SGD 500/person
This covers your private-room accommodation, vegetarian meals, retreat logistics, and ceremony-related costs.
Airport transfers to and from Bagdogra are not included, but we can arrange them for you. Payment is made directly to your driver.
Flights, travel insurance, visas and permits, personal expenses, and optional field immersion activities are not included.
The retreat will be held at Ejam Residency, hosted by the Ejam family.
Every participant will have a private room with an attached bathroom and hot-water shower, giving you your own space to rest and be alone during the period of noble silence.
Tshampo-la offers the Dharma teachings and guided meditation sessions without a teaching fee.
If you wish, you may offer dana directly to Tshampo-la during the retreat.
Dana is entirely voluntary and only within your means.
There is no expectation to contribute beyond the retreat cost.
Feels Like Om is facilitating this retreat without taking any profits. All proceeds go towards supporting retreat costs.
We are working towards building a multi-generational third space in the village. A room where:
If this is something you feel called to support, we’ll be very grateful.
No. All you need is curiosity and a willingness to give yourself a chance. All backgrounds are welcome.
This retreat is grounded in Buddhist philosophy, but it is not about converting you to Buddhism.
Be curious. Be critical. Ask questions. Take what resonates with you, and leave the rest.
No. First-time meditators and people with an existing practice are equally welcome.
Because the group size is kept intentionally small, there is time for questions, personal guidance, and one-to-one conversations with your teacher.
Noble silence does not mean you cannot ask for help.
If you need emotional or meditation-related support, please speak with Tshampo-la.
If you need practical support, please look for a Feels Like Om facilitator or the homestay family.
Please always ask for help when you need it.
During the four days of noble silence, your devices will be safely kept for you.
We’ll provide you with a Singapore contact number that you can share with your loved ones. If there is an urgent need to reach you during the period of noble silence, they can contact us directly.
Meditation is not a test of how long you can sit cross-legged. Chairs and other sitting arrangements can be made available if needed.
Let us know about any physical needs so we can work out what would be more comfortable and accessible for you.
The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport in West Bengal.
From there, the drive to the village takes approximately six hours. We can help coordinate your transfer so you don’t have to arrange the journey on your own.
Before booking your flights, please speak with us.
We'll share recommended arrival and departure times so that your airport transfer and the drive can be planned comfortably.
Depending on your nationality, you may need an Indian visa as well as the relevant permits to enter Sikkim.
We will guide you through the process before your trip.