Awareness-Based Human Flourishing
The framework at the core of Deep U, developed by Vasco Gaspar: a path from awareness, through presence, to service - in ourselves, with others and in the world.
With
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India 2027 · Registration opens soon
Deep U Retreat
Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, India
An immersive, heart-opening experience to connect more deeply with ourselves, one another and Life - woven from many streams of wisdom that support human flourishing.
Begins in
Begins on January 27-30, 2027
- 4Full days of immersion
- 6Proven methodologies
- 30,000+People guided by Vasco
- 100,000Hall capacity, for group meditations
Registration opens soon.
The retreat
Start a journey
of self-discovery
Every human being has a unique potential, as well as the right (and the responsibility) to manifest it fully, flourishing at their highest level.
The Deep U Retreat is an immersive experience rooted in Heartfulness meditation and integrated with contemporary approaches such as Theory U, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic practices. It helps participants become more aware, release and let go of obstacles, uncover their true Essence and highest Self, reconnect with their inner being, pause to listen to what wants to emerge through them, and ascend with greater clarity about their authentic purpose and next steps. Guided by Vasco Gaspar, who has accompanied people in deep inner work for more than twenty years, participants will join a safe space full of beauty, presence, and transformative depth.
- Heartfulness
- Theory U
- Mindfulness
- Polyvagal
- IFS
- Somatic Practices
- SPT
- Compassionate Inquiry
- Giftivism
At a glance
Facilitator
Vasco Gaspar, with Maria and Stan
Approach
Heartfulness meditation with Theory U, Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic practices
Language
English
Resources Provided
150+ page digital manual, and free Heartfulness Meditation follow-up sessions
One heart, many ways in
Rooted in Heartfulness, woven with other wisdoms
Deep U brings together practices from several traditions of inner work. They don't sit side by side; they are woven into one journey, held by a single heart, and offered in an atmosphere of stillness and care.
At the heart of it all
Heartfulness
Heartfulness is the practice that quietly holds everything together, and from which the whole journey grows. Simple heart-based practices of relaxation, meditation and cleaning, supported by yogic Transmission, help us settle, centre ourselves in the heart and listen to its inner guidance. Offered freely, everywhere, as a gift.
Woven around it
Theory U
Developed by Otto Scharmer and colleagues at MIT, Theory U offers a way to let go of old patterns and lead from the future that wants to emerge. The U shapes the arc of our days together.
Mindfulness
The capacity to be fully present, with kindness, to what is here: in the body, the mind and the moment. It helps us step out of autopilot and meet life with more clarity and choice.
Polyvagal Theory
Developed by Stephen Porges and brought into everyday practice by Deb Dana, Polyvagal Theory shows how our nervous system shapes the way we feel and relate. It helps us recognise when we feel safe, and find our way back to regulation.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Developed by Richard Schwartz, IFS sees the mind as made of many parts, each with a role and a story. Getting to know them with curiosity and compassion opens the way to the calm, clear Self within.
Social Presencing Theater (SPT)
Created by Arawana Hayashi, SPT uses simple movement, stillness and embodied group practices to reveal what is alive in us and in our systems, often before we have words for it.
Woven through everything
Beauty
Poetry, music, storytelling and the social arts run through our days, as moments to pause, feel and remember what matters. Sometimes a poem says what a practice cannot.
Compassionate Inquiry
The approach developed by Dr Gabor Maté shapes the way we hold the space: how we listen, and how we stay attuned to what wants to emerge.
Giftivism
Inspired by the ServiceSpace movement, a spirit of generosity and service holds it all - something you'll come to feel during our days together.
What you will take away
- Become more aware
- Release and let go of obstacles
- Uncover your true Essence and highest Self
- Reconnect with your inner being and listen to what wants to emerge through you
- Prototype ways of bringing your uniqueness to the world
- Leave with greater clarity about your authentic purpose and next steps
The experience
What to expect
Immersive Experience
Engage in a deep exploration through brief insights, followed by experiential activities, including individual exercises (e.g., meditation, journaling), group dynamics and moments of beauty.
Integrated Approaches
Practices like Mindfulness, Polyvagal Theory, IFS and Social Presencing Theater, woven together with Heartfulness and timeless wisdom to support personal growth.
Sensing Journeys
Discover the award-winning Kanha Shanti Vanam campus, benefit from its serenity, and get inspired by how regenerative practices and social impact can positively influence the world around us.
Initiation to Heartfulness
Discover Heartfulness, a practical and modern meditation approach for personal flourishing, including one-to-one sittings with Heartfulness trainers.
Practical Takeaways
Become more aware, release and let go of obstacles, uncover your true Essence and highest Self, and prototype ways of bringing your uniqueness to the world.
Resource Toolbox
Leave the retreat equipped with practical tools and resources. After the retreat, you will receive a 150+ page digital manual with exercises and tips for ongoing practice.
Voices from past circles
Recommendations
Some testimonials and recommendations from previous participants.
“I cannot express in words what the Deep U retreat has done for me. It is the most profound retreat on self-development I’ve ever attended. I highly recommend Deep U to anyone who is at a crossroads in life or who would just like to develop themselves further. Just do it! You won’t regret it!”
Testimonial 1 of 5, from Norah
Previous edition
Get Inspired
Watch the video from a previous edition
30,000+People
25+Countries
The facilitator
About Vasco Gaspar
Vasco Gaspar has worked with over 30,000 people across 25+ countries - from startup founders navigating uncertainty to leaders at organizations like SAP, Santander, and the United Nations, as well as individuals and communities - helping them find clarity in complexity, presence under pressure, and the courage to move forward authentically.
His work creates the conditions for deeper wisdom to emerge: the intelligence of the body, the knowing of the heart, and the intuition that arises when we slow down enough to listen.
Through immersive retreats, contemplative sessions, and individual deep dives, Vasco weaves together awareness practices (Mindfulness, Presencing, Heartfulness), trauma-informed methods (IFS, Compassionate Inquiry), and somatic and artistic approaches (Social Presencing Theater, movement, poetry).
Trained with pioneers such as Gabor Maté, Otto Scharmer, Richard Schwartz, Kamlesh D. Patel, and Arawana Hayashi, he holds a Psychology degree from the University of Coimbra and serves as faculty at both the Presencing Institute and the Heartfulness Institute.
At the heart of his work is Awareness-Based Human Flourishing - a way of facilitating that honors human complexity while guiding people toward their essential, healing simplicity.
Holding the space
The team
Maria Daniel Brás (opens in a new tab)
In Deep U, Maria co-designs and co-holds the journey, caring for the many details that make the space feel like home. She is a core team member of the u-school for Transformation at the Presencing Institute, working directly with MIT’s Otto Scharmer. She loves to work at the intersection of social, cultural and regenerative transformation, hoping to contribute to ways of living and working that benefit both people and the planet.
Learn more here (opens in a new tab).
Stan Lajugie
Stan is a diplomat and visiting faculty member at universities and companies. He has developed a course on the science of meditation and is dedicated to spreading the benefits of meditation from a scientific perspective. In Deep U, Stan holds the Heartfulness dimension of the journey, weaving its practices through our days and building bridges between Heartfulness and the other approaches.
A day at Deep U
Schedule and logistics
The program runs daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, with optional early-morning yoga and meditation sessions. Several breaks and campus tours are included, and vegetarian meals will be provided.
Please bring comfortable clothing and be prepared to remove your shoes.
The program is open to newcomers and Heartfulness practitioners aged 16 and over. It will be conducted in English.
Sample schedule
- 06:30 AM - 07:00 AMYoga
- 07:00 AM - 08:00 AMMeditation
- 08:00 AM - 09:00 AMBreakfast
- 09:00 AM - 10:30 AMWorkshop
- 10:30 AM - 11:00 AMBreak
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PMWorkshop
- 12:30 PM - 02:00 PMLunch
- 02:00 PM - 03:30 PMTour
- 03:30 PM - 04:00 PMBreak
- 04:00 PM - 05:00 PMWorkshop
- 05:00 PM - 06:00 PMHeartful Integration
- 06:00 PM - 07:30 PMFree time
- 07:30 PM - 08:30 PMDinner
Where we gather
The venue
Kanha Shanti Vanam
The Heartfulness headquarters in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, located just 30 minutes from the airport.
An award-winning green and social project, home to one of the world’s largest meditation halls, with capacity for 100,000 people meditating together.
- From airport
- 30 min
- Hall capacity
- 100,000
Investment
Program Fee
About the fee
The Deep U Retreat is offered at 39,000 INR (≈ €360 / $410), a fee designed to keep it accessible while remaining sustainable. It covers essential costs and supports the Heartfulness Institute, our hosting partner dedicated to social and spiritual upliftment.
Any surplus will be fully donated to the Institute to further its initiatives, and participants wishing to contribute more will have the opportunity to do so after the program.
€ / $ at the 26 Sep 2026 rate (1 INR = €0.0092 / $0.0104).
Comfort Dorm included
Programme fee
INR39,000
Taxes included
Taxes, course materials, breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea during breaks. Shared accommodation in the Comfort Dorm is included, helping make the program more accessible. For those desiring additional privacy and comfort, a limited selection of room upgrades is available for an extra fee. Cancellation policy: this program has a no-refund policy once your booking is confirmed.
Scholarships
- 40%Students₹23,400 (≈ €215 / $245)
- 20%Those in financial need₹31,200 (≈ €285 / $325)
To make Deep U accessible to more people, a limited number of scholarships are available. Scholarships apply to the program fee only; room upgrades are paid in full. Applications are open until December 12, 2026, and applicants will hear from us by email by December 31, 2026.
To be considered, fill in the scholarship request form.
The program is open to newcomers and Heartfulness practitioners aged 16 and over. It will be conducted in English. We’re always delighted to see returning participants. If you’ve taken part in Deep U two or more times, consider giving space for new explorers to join this round and keep the circle growing.
Your stay
Accommodation Options
Tailor your retreat experience to your stay. The cost of the retreat varies depending on the accommodation you choose, offering flexibility to suit your preferences - from cozy dorms to comfortable hotel rooms.
Room prices are per room (for 1 or 2 people) and shown before 5% GST. You may share a room, but you’ll need to arrange your own roommate. Please do not book the Wellness Room or North Block rooms directly for the retreat dates: all retreat accommodation must be reserved through the registration form (extensions beyond the retreat dates can be booked directly). Rooms are limited and allocated first-come, first-served.
₹6,000 / nightWellness Room
- 1 Double Bed · 400 sq ft
- Attached Bathroom
- AC
- Amenities
A room at the 4-star Wellness Center, within walking distance of the venue, for single or double occupancy. Stays require a minimum booking of 7 nights.
Breakfast included · + 5% GST · approx. €55 / $63
Requires a minimum stay of 7 nights.
₹3,000 / nightNorth Block Independent Room
- 2 Single Beds · 150 sq ft
- AC
- Attached Bathroom
- Limited Amenities
Self-serviced independent rooms in the North Block, for single or double occupancy.
+ 5% GST · approx. €28 / $31
Includedin the programme feeComfort Dorm
- AC Bunk Bed in Shared Hall
- Shared Bathroom
- No Amenities
Large shared halls, separated by gender, offered at no extra cost to make the program more accessible. Ashram style community living.
Included in the program fee
Everything taken care of
What’s Included
- 4 full days of experience
- All meals (breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch and dinner)
- 4 nights’ accommodation in the Comfort Dorm, or as per your upgrade
- Goodies bag
- Notebook and pen
- 150+ page digital manual
- Tours of the green campus
- Free resources for you to implement in your context
- Free Heartfulness Meditation follow-up sessions
See you there
Address
Kanha Shanti Vanam13-110, Kanha Shanti Vanam, Kanha VillageRanga Reddy District, Nandigama MandalHyderabad Telangana 509328IndiaGood to know
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions. Click on each question to expand and read the answer.
Important
Your registration is confirmed only once you have submitted the registration form and your payment has been received. Dorms accommodation is included from February 4 to February 8, 2027.
The program spans four days, starting on Friday, February 5, 2027 in the early morning and concluding on Monday, February 8, 2027 in the mid-afternoon (with some optional sessions after the event). We will send you more details by email after registration. If you don’t live at Kanha Shanti Vanam, where the retreat takes place, please plan to arrive the day before, on Thursday, February 4.
The dates of February 5 to 8, 2027 have been carefully chosen to offer you an immersive and uninterrupted experience at Kanha Shanti Vanam between the batches of a very special and significant event. From February 1 to 3 and from February 10 to 12, 2027, Kanha will host large celebrations where thousands of people from all over the world come together for a series of powerful, collective meditation sessions. This creates a rare and uplifting energy at the center that many find deeply transformative.
By attending the retreat, you’ll not only have the opportunity to deepen your personal meditation practice in a more intimate setting, but also prepare yourself to stay and be part of the larger collective meditation, if you wish.
We encourage you to join the celebrations too. Please note that registration for the celebrations is done through a different link. Check the Kanha website for more details: heartfulness.org/kanha (opens in a new tab)
The training venue is located in the Auditorium building, in the Conference Room on the ground floor, right next to the Meditation Hall. The Wellness Center, the North Block and the Comfort Dorms are all within walking distance of the Meditation Hall. You can also rent bikes at the hotel reception desk.
Accommodation will be reserved based on your preferences in the registration form. You can find more information about the available options here: - Wellness Room: a room at the 4-star Wellness Center, within walking distance of the Meditation Hall, with a minimum stay of 7 nights. Please don’t book your room directly through the hotel website, which is provided for information only. All program reservations must be made through the registration button on this page, so we can coordinate transport and other needs. Rooms are available for single or double occupancy, with separate arrangements for women and men. Couples can stay together. Read more: pearlhotel.in/wellness (opens in a new tab) - North Block Independent Room: please don’t book rooms directly through the website. All program reservations should be made through the registration button on this page, so we can coordinate transport and other requirements. Rooms can be reserved for single or double occupancy, with separate arrangements for women and men. Couples can stay together. Read more: kanhaguestroom.lovable.app (opens in a new tab) - Comfort Dorm: included free of charge, courtesy of the Heartfulness Institute. Bedding can be provided in exchange for a refundable security deposit of Rs. 300, covering a pillow with cover, a bedspread and a bedsheet. Separate arrangements are available for women and men.
How payment works: you pay once, through the registration form. That single payment covers the program fee and, if you choose a room upgrade (Wellness Room or North Block Independent Room), the room for every night from your arrival to your departure, including nights before February 4 or after February 8. The Comfort Dorm included in the program fee covers February 4 to February 8, 2027 only. To stay in it before or after those dates, book the extra nights separately here and pay for them there: heartfulness.org/kanha/book-a-stay (opens in a new tab)
Please note that the celebrations (February 1-3 and February 10-12, 2027) attract thousands of people. If you’d like to stay before or after Deep U, we recommend booking a North Block Independent Room as soon as possible.
Please see the details below based on your choice of accommodation.
1) Comfort Dorm (included in the program fee) - Comfort Dorm East - Check-in: Thursday, February 4, 2027 · Check-out: Monday, February 8, 2027 - Daytime arrival (before 8:00 PM): get your bed allocated at the Comfort Dorm B office. Contact Eknath at +91 98498 52644. - Late arrival (after 8:00 PM): the security officer can allocate your bed, and you can complete the registration formalities the next day.
2) North Block Independent Room - Booking confirmation: please make sure you have received your booking confirmation. - General assistance (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM): Mr. Shiva Kumar - +91 86882 41095 · guestroom@heartfulness.org - Arrival & check-in: go to the Guest Room Reception (opposite the Children’s Park). Map: hfn.li/guestroomreception (opens in a new tab) · On-site contact: Mr. Raj Kumar at reception - +91 73522 74820 - Check-in: Thursday, February 4, 2027 · Check-out: Monday, February 8, 2027
3) Wellness Room - Booking confirmation: please make sure you have a confirmation directly from the Wellness Center (Pearl Hotel). - Reservations & extensions (subject to availability): pearl.reservation@heartfulness.org · +91 93534 18359 - Check-in: Thursday, February 4, 2027 · Check-out: Thursday, February 11, 2027 (7-night minimum)
During the retreat, complimentary vegetarian and vegan breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch and dinner are provided. Additional canteen and restaurant options are available at extra cost.
Yes, you can bring your family, provided they are also registered for the program. Non-participants are not permitted to stay at Kanha Shanti Vanam. Participants must be 16 years or older to join the program.
We recommend packing clothing suitable for the weather (mornings are chilly and it is usually hot during the day), toiletries (if staying in the Comfort Dorm), a water bottle, comfortable footwear (shoes need to be removed in certain indoor areas, so easy-to-remove footwear is best), any medicines you need, an umbrella and a cap. A notebook and pen will be provided.
We recommend modest attire (no shorts or sleeveless tops) throughout your stay at Kanha Shanti Vanam. As shoes must be removed in certain indoor areas, footwear that can easily be taken off and put back on is recommended.
Please remember to bring any medicines you need. - Wellness Center (Ayurvedic): specialist doctors are available at your own expense - wellnessbyheartfulness.com (opens in a new tab) - Medical Center: there is a medical center outside the ashram if needed - heartfulness.org/kanha/kmc (opens in a new tab)
Each participant books their own transport to Kanha Shanti Vanam. Airport taxis charge a flat rate of 1,500 INR (approx. €14 / $16) from the airport to the venue and 1,200 INR (approx. €11 / $13) from the venue to the airport, paid in cash directly to the driver. Each taxi can take 2-3 people. For a reliable, recommended taxi company, email transport@heartfulness.org or call the Transport Department on 1800 103 7726 (toll-free).
All foreign nationals entering India must hold a valid national passport and a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post, or an e-Visa from the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs. Please check all the details here: indianvisaonline.gov.in (opens in a new tab)
Yes. Please email deep-u@heartfulness.org or registrations@vascogaspar.com with the details of your change request.
Here is some information you might find useful as you prepare for your trip, especially if it’s your first time travelling to India: How to Prepare - bit.ly/DUHowToPrepare (opens in a new tab)