Training the Brain for Calm: Insights from Neuroscience and Spirituality~ Day Retreat In-Person

May 16, Sat 10 am to 5 pm
In-Person Only at Anubhuti Meditation and Retreat Center in Novato, CA

In an unpredictable world, calm is not just a pleasant feeling — it is a form of inner stability that changes how we see, respond and live.

This day retreat explores the relationship between consciousness, emotional experience and the brain, bringing together insights from neuroscience with a deeper spiritual understanding of the self. Led by Dr Prashant Kakoday, the day will look at how insecurity, stress and reactivity are shaped not only by circumstances, but by the way we relate to the world around us.

Through a combination of reflective input, guided meditation and practical exploration, participants will be invited to step back from the constant movement of thoughts and experience a quieter, clearer inner position. From here, it becomes possible to respond to life with greater steadiness, rather than being pulled by pressure, uncertainty or change.

The retreat points towards a simple but powerful shift: from feeling inwardly dependent on an unpredictable world, to discovering a deeper sense of inner security that supports clarity, resilience and peace.

During the day, participants will have the opportunity to:

• Explore why the mind becomes stressed, reactive or emotionally burdened
• Understand how attention, awareness and interpretation affect our inner state
• Reflect on the link between dependency, insecurity and emotional suffering
• Experience meditation as a way of stepping back into a calmer, clearer consciousness
• Discover how a wider perspective can restore stability in an unpredictable world
• Deepen the experience of inner security, peace and lightness from within
• Take away practical insights for living with greater clarity, balance and freedom in daily life

Facilitator: Dr. Prashant Kakoday, based in Cambridge, has a background in E.N.T. surgery and integrated health. With over 40 years of experience in practicing Raja Yoga meditation, he has developed a keen interest in exploring the relationship between the psyche, emotions, behavior, and health. Dr. Kakoday has shared his insights on these topics in various countries and institutions, including the WHO and the Medical Teaching Program in the U.S.A.

Retreat includes delicious and wholesome vegetarian lunch and snacks with tea/coffee break.