Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd March 2026
Space is available on this event!
The person who establishes peace in themselves, said the Orthodox monk Elder Thaddeus, ‘will imperceptibly pass it on to others. It will radiate from us even though we may not be aware of it.’
What if the source of peace we long for isn’t something to earn, something we lack, but a sacred treasure already within us, waiting in silence to be discovered? What if this discovery could transform not just our life, but the world around us?
Drawing from his new book, The Missing Peace: Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness, Chris Whittington will explore an almost forgotten wellspring of ancient wisdom reaching back to the Desert Fathers and Mothers, guiding us on a pathway to help us live with greater peace and compassion - to become places of peace in the world.
Chris Whittington is the Founder of The School of Contemplative Life. He regularly delivers talks, workshops and retreats and has introduced the practice of meditation in the Christian tradition to thousands of people in the UK and abroad. He is known for his ability to communicate the subtleties of the practice and complex spiritual texts in simple, practical ways, resonant with the challenges of daily life.
Extra Accommodation
For this retreat we are offering alternative accommodation for some at Marian Dunlop House in Dorchester. A retreat centre owned by the Fellowship of Meditation, it is a substantial Victorian house with comfortable upstairs bedrooms, a well-kept garden and very convenient for both Dorchester stations (South and West). Staying here you will breakfast with others as a mini-community and then go to Othona by car (ours or yours) to join in the rest of the day's retreat activities.
We advise early booking if you'd particularly like accommodation at Othona. If you'd prefer to try Marian Dunlop House please say so in the 'Questions or Comments' section of the booking form. Prices (see below) are as at Othona itself.
A third option would be to book for the retreat but arrange your own B&B or similar accommodation nearby. (Or perhaps you live near Othona and want to attend as a non-resident.) This could suit you if you need ensuite facilities, since neither Othona's Community House nor Marion Dunlop House can offer these. We can welcome a strictly limited number of non-residents in this way. Prices for this option are listed below as non-resident.
Stopover to Monday
Visitors staying in Community House can extend their booking to leave after breakfast on Monday, at an extra cost of £75 to cover supper, overnight and breakfast.
IMPORTANT Please note the arrival and departure times. The Welcome Session with Chris begins promptly at 4.00 on Friday.
Fee Types
You are genuinely welcome to choose whichever rate suits you
(Learn more about our Pricing Policy & Bursaries)
| Standard | £329 | aims to cover our real costs |
| Basic | £296 | if all pay Basic, Othona has to cut staff & activities |
| Benefactor | £362 | helps us afford Basic Rate and Bursaries |
| Deposit | £ 30 |
Where two people book to share a bedroom the second one pays half price.
Non-residents: £219
Arrival + Departure Times
(Learn about Arrival+Departure)
| Arrive between | 2.00 - 3.30 pm |
| Depart after | 3.30 pm |
Coast Road
Burton Bradstock
Dorset
DT6 4RN