A residential retreat to reconnect with your creative self through writing, photography and reflective art practices.
No prior experience needed.
Just a willingness to pause, notice, and express.
Overview
Program type: Residential retreat
Topic: Creative Arts: Writing, Photography and Art
Dates: 18-24 May, 2026
Language: English
Facilitator: Rishabh Khaneja
What we’ll explore together
Creativity, here, is a way of noticing. Of slowing down enough to observe, reflect, feel, and respond.
This retreat offers an intentional space to engage with your creative self through writing, photography, and playful art exercises grounded in mindfulness. We’re not chasing perfect prose or technical skill. We’re finding your own voice and rhythm, through simple practices of attention and expression.
Together, we will:
Develop habits of observation and reflection: We'll explore how we don't need an elaborate set of ideas to write or create, just being aware to the environment around and being observant of everyday life can inspire us to create in subtle yet interesting ways. Here we'll build the muscle to be more open to what's happening around us.
Build a gentle, consistent creative practice: Creativity is a way of operating more than an innate talent. Throughout the workshop, we'll have enough and more spaces to practice our craft and create. By virtue of creating everyday and looking at our craft from the lens of pure practice, the invitiation would be to take this habit beyond the workshop inculcating a creative discipline that outlasts bursts of sudden creative inspiration.
Learn to create without judgment or pressure: Much like scientists, we'll together create a space of experimentation. Instead of imagining us as artists in a fancy studio, the effort will be to bring down creative arts from its pedestal and see it from a lens of objectivity further reducing the pressure it takes upon us to create quality art. We'll create bad art, average art and if lucky really good art too. But, we all shall create!
Engage in deep listening both inward and outward: To create better, we need to consume better. By nurturing our capacity to listen deeply and without judgement, we will together prepare the container within ourselves to be more receptive to the voices inside and outside of us.
“Instructions for living a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
- Mary Oliver
Program approach:
This retreat is rooted in the belief that creativity is not a gift for the chosen few but a human impulse. The program sees creativity as something you already have, not something you need to learn. It offers simple tools and experiences that help you reconnect with your thoughts, your surroundings, and your deeper self.
We do this through writing prompts, photography walks, visual storytelling, zines, shared silence, and simple rituals that bring us back to presence.
This retreat is built on the belief that:
Everyone is creative
Art is not a performance, it is presence
You don’t need to be good to begin
Expression should not be gated by language, skill, or confidence
A safe, non-judgmental space can dissolve the barriers people carry around art
We remove the hierarchy between “artist” and “non-artist.”
Here, we’re not aiming to create great art, we’re just trying to reintroduce play into our lives through art.
Why writing and photography?
Writing helps us untangle our thoughts, clarify emotion, and preserve memory. It allows introspection and truth-telling in a way few mediums can.
Photography trains the eye to look more deeply. To pause. It connects us to light, shadow, time, and context.
Both mediums are accessible, portable, and don’t need expensive tools to begin with. A notebook and a phone camera are enough to start.
The essence of Community
We often believe we’re alone in our creative struggles. But being in a room with people who are asking similar questions, doubting themselves, showing up anyway - it changes something inside.
This workshop is not just about personal creativity; it’s about shared reflection. Community brings accountability, resonance, and encouragement. It helps us go deeper and be softer.
“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.”
- Richard Rohr
Overview of the main themes and activities we’ll explore:
This workshop is about reconnecting with creativity as a way of being — not performing.
We’ll explore presence, memory, solitude, and everyday wonder through writing, photography, and playful expression.
Some themes we’ll touch:
Being with ourselves in stillness
Letting go of the inner critic
Finding meaning in memory and imagination
Observing the ordinary with fresh eyes
Telling stories to understand, not impress
You can expect:
Morning pages & guided journaling
Silent walks with photography
Writing letters to self
Visual poetry & zine-making
Blackout poetry
Chocolate and Siddu making
Story circles & gentle sharing
Some experiences will be kept as beautiful surprises allowing space for spontaneity, curiosity, and flow.
What kind of experience to expect:
Full-time immersive experience
This retreat invites you to step away from everyday busyness and into a slower, deeper rhythm of living and creating. While there will be time for rest, reading, and personal reflection, the expectation is that your full attention will be focused on the programme experience from start to finish.
Restful and structured rhythm
Each day offers a gentle structure with sessions in the morning and afternoon, and evenings left open for rest, reflection, or quiet roaming.
Supportive community of co-travellers
We’ll hold space for each other through sharing circles and reflective spaces — without pressure, only invitation.
Non-judgmental space
This is a place to try, fumble, flow, and simply be without comparison or critique.
Life at Dharmalaya:
Natural simplicity
We’ll be surrounded by quiet forests, birdsong, and earth. The accommodations are shared and are rustic, natural earthen buildings in a beautiful forest setting.
Yogic lifestyle
Early mornings, silence, nourishing food, and mindful rest. A clean, simple ashram-style lifestyle in which everyone contributes to the running of the place, including cleaning and washing dishes. No smoking or intoxicants.
Healthy vegan food
Natural and mostly organic, purely vegetarian meals (100% plant-based, vegan). No junk food or packaged snacks.
Mindful technology use
We invite you to take a pause from phones and screens to be fully present. From the start of Day 2, we’ll maintain a digital detox — with the exception of using phone cameras intentionally during photography sessions. It may take some adjustment at first, but you’ll be amazed how much better it feels to engage with nature and good people rather than a screen.
Is this retreat for you?
This space is for people who:
Struggle with perfectionism or the pressure to create something “good”
Have lost touch with their creative self due to work, burnout or self-doubt
Don’t see themselves as “artists” but wish to express more
Are overwhelmed by screens, speed, or constant doing
Crave a pause, a reset, a return
Whether you write often or have never picked up a camera, this retreat invites you to reimagine creativity as something you can experience without having to be a master at it.
Campus life and the experience of living in community
Most of our past long-term participants tell us that experience of being a part of the Dharmalaya community, living and working together, is one of the best parts of the experience for them.
We emphasize a culture of kindness and cooperation rather than selfishness and competition, and it’s great to live with kindred spirits in that kind of atmosphere.
Dharmalaya maintains an environment in which everyone is supported to learn and grow in this way, and this kind of learning truly changes lives for the better, because few lessons are more valuable than those that help us understand ourselves and others better and learn to relate with others more sensitively and skilfully.
So one thing to understand is that learning to be a healthy part of a healthy community is one of the most important aspects of all of our residential programmes — and of compassionate living more generally — so that kind of inner work and social evolution should be something that appeals to you strongly if you’re thinking of applying for this programme.
We’ll be spending a good bit of time talking about it and asking you to self-reflect, journal, and share with others about your experiences, which benefits everyone.
Dates & times
Start and end dates and times:
The programme will begin at 10.30 AM on Day 1.
All participants will be required to arrive by 10.00 AM on Day 1 (we will provide detailed timing, instructions, and travel tips after confirming your registration). The arrival day includes settling in, orientation, and an overview of life at Dharmalaya Institute and the programme ahead.
The programme will conclude on Sunday morning. Participants who are leaving after the programme should plan to depart by 12:00 PM.
Daily schedule: What will the flow of the days be like?
Although the day-to-day schedule will vary a bit, the schedule for a typical day during this programme would more or less as follows:
6:00 Wake
6:30 Morning practice
8:00 BREAKFAST
9:30 Morning session
12:30 LUNCH
2:30 Afternoon session
5:00 Personal time
6:00 DINNER
7:00 Evening session: meditation and often a short talk or discussion
8:30 Quiet time for journaling, reading and personal meditation
9:30 Lights out
About your facilitator: Rishabh Khaneja
Rishabh is a writer, photographer, and creative educator based in the Himalayas.
A former Teach For India fellow, he is deeply committed to education, storytelling, and creativity as tools for transformation. After working for over five years in education, he left his job in 2022 to pursue a mindful, creative, and slow life. In the years since, he has worked with organisations and creative individuals to craft immersive journeys, creative experiences, and workshops.
He has designed and facilitated workshops for Akanksha Foundation, Pratham, Teach For India, D2K Tech, Youth Alliance, Deer Park Institute, and Bihun Collective.
His work as a writer and photographer revolves around themes of self-expression, solitude, and the quiet beauty of everyday life. As a creative educator, he facilitates spaces where people can slow down, express, reflect, and create without the pressure to perform.
Cost
Recognizing that our participants come from diverse backgrounds, we are providing a sliding scale with three tiers, to make it possible for everyone to donate according to their means. Total fees for the retreat (including shared accommodation, three meals daily, material costs and tea) are as follows:
Subsidized rate
(For low-income participants who can’t afford the standard rate)
Rs 11,900
For transparency: This subsidized rate is below our break-even rate, which means it is not enough to cover the Institute’s costs in providing the programme, though that shortfall might be covered by participants who choose to pay the ‘Supporter rate’ to the right.
Standard rate
(For most participants)
Rs 18,000
For transparency: This standard rate is essentially a break-even rate, just enough to cover the Institute’s total average monthly costs in providing this service-learning opportunity.
Supporter rate
(For those who can afford to help subsidize lower-income participants)
Rs 23,900
For transparency: This supporter rate is above the break-even rate, and 100% of that surplus will be used to support lower-income applicants to participate at the subsidized rate. We thank you sincerely for your generosity in choosing this rate if you can.
We do not want cost to be a barrier to anyone’s participation, so if you have exceptional financial hardship and cannot afford even the lowest subsidized rate, you can contact us to let us know your situation and your needs and we’ll be happy to discuss options for work-study scholarships (subject to limited availability).
A very limited number of private rooms are available at extra cost. Please contact us for details.
RECOMMENDED EXTENSION: STAY ON AFTER THE PROGRAMME ENDS TO DEEPEN YOUR LEARNING
For those who wish to gain additional experience, there may be an opportunity to stay on after the programme ends (subject to available space and acceptance of application), with a discounted rate for long-term volunteers.
Application & payment
Participation in this programme is by application and subject to acceptance.
A Note for Applicants
Before completing this form, we invite you to spend some time exploring the Dharmalaya website and reading the program details thoroughly. Dharmalaya is a living learning community, and understanding our values, culture, and guidelines is important before applying.
STEP 1 — APPLY: Click the button below to complete and submit the application form here on our website and then wait for our reply. We may email you to ask follow-up questions if necessary.
STEP 2 — ACCEPTANCE: If you are accepted for the retreat, then at that time we will send you an acceptance letter by email, which will include more detailed information about the programme and how to prepare.
STEP 3 — DEPOSIT: You will then have one week from the date of acceptance to make your nonrefundable payment to hold your place in the programme. Once we have received your payment, your registration for the programme will be complete.
We look forward to connecting with you!