Creating Space for Real Presence: A Letter to Retreat Leaders

You know that feeling when you're in a room full of people, but everyone's somewhere else? Scrolling through their phones between sessions, already planning what's next, half-listening while their minds race through tomorrow's to-do list. 

We've all been there—as participants, as facilitators. And lately, it feels like it's gotten harder, hasn't it? The world's louder, faster, more fragmented. Our guests arrive carrying that noise with them.

November is coming and it is calling us to slow down. There's something about this time of year that asks us to come back to ourselves—to really be here, fully present. And if you're a retreat leader, you already know: the most powerful gift you can offer isn't a perfect schedule or a beautiful venue (though those help!). It's creating space where people can actually land. Where they can stop performing and just... breathe.

So how do we do that? How do we help our guests move from "doing" into "being"?

Start with the container. 

The physical space matters more than we think. When people walk into Ubuntu Bali, they feel it immediately—the way the trees hold the quiet, the way the air moves differently here. It's tucked away in the heart of Canggu, close enough to everything but far enough to feel like a world apart. That sense of sanctuary isn't something you have to create from scratch—it's already here, waiting.

Honor the transition. 

Most people arrive at retreats still carrying the speed of their daily lives—the emails, the responsibilities, the endless mental tabs left open. Don't rush them into "presence." Give them time to decompress. Maybe it's a gentle welcome circle where they can just sit and breathe without having to introduce themselves yet. Maybe it's an afternoon with nothing scheduled, so their nervous systems can finally exhale. The retreat truly begins when they stop trying to be somewhere else.

Create pauses, not just activities. 

Mindfulness isn't something we can force. It arises in the gaps—between sessions, in the morning before anyone speaks, during that first cup of tea. Build space for silence into your retreat. Let people wander. Let them sit by the pool and do nothing. Sometimes the most transformative moments happen when we stop trying so hard.

Model presence yourself. 

Your guests will mirror your energy. If you're rushing, they'll feel it. If you're truly here—grounded, unhurried, open—they'll soften too. Lead from your own practice, not just your curriculum. This is where real connection happens—not in what you teach, but in how you hold the space.

And here's something we don't talk about enough: presence is contagious. When one person in the group truly drops in, others feel permission to do the same. That's the magic of retreat spaces like Ubuntu Bali—the environment itself invites this softening. The sustainable design, the way natural light filters through the bungalows, the sound of leaves instead of traffic—it all works together to remind us that we don't have to try so hard to be present. We just have to allow it.

If you're dreaming of hosting a retreat that feels like this—rooted, spacious, real—Ubuntu Bali is here for you. Our eco-friendly retreat space (organic food, retreat, and accommodation) was designed for exactly this: connection, mindfulness, and coming home to yourself.

Let's create something beautiful together. 💚