Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, England
A meditation retreat for our times

The Human Flourishing
& AI Retreat

Led by Sophie Maclaren and Jonathan Garner
Joined by Dr. Ruben Laukkonen
13 - 18 September 2026
Option to stay on for an integration day at no extra charge
BOOK NOW
BOOKING
ROOMING
FACILITATORS

The Human Flourishing
& AI Retreat

Broughton Sanctuary
Yorkshire, England

A meditation retreat
for our times
Led by Sophie Maclaren
and Jonathan Garner
Joined by Dr. Ruben Laukkonen
13 - 18 September 2026
Option to stay on for an integration
day at no extra charge
BOOK NOW
BOOKING
ROOMING
FACILITATORS
Over six transformative days, we are gathering a community of leaders, builders, and changemakers driven by an urgency to align artificial intelligence and human flourishing, and who understand that this journey begins by pausing and turning inwards.
Drawing on the integration of spiritual and scientific ways of knowing, this contemplative practice retreat opens a natural path towards inner alignment. Through meditation, reflection, and dialogue, we will experience this path and study how its principles can help shape our lives and the future we are building.

"There is basic human wisdom that can help solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come from the West or the East. Rather it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history."

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

"There is basic human wisdom that can help solve the world's problems. This wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come from the West or the East. Rather it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history."

Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

The work that cannot be out-sourced - retreat as a practice of living fully

Perhaps now more than ever, retreat practice is the medicine for our times. Technology promises to reshape the future in profound and uncertain ways; and even today our relationship with technology challenges our basic human capacities of attention and intention. Our task, in the face of this, is to anchor ourselves in the deepest experiences that define us as human, and draw on them to approach the future with greater presence, discernment, and care.
This retreat offers a path: calm the mind, open the heart, analyse the nature of reality, and integrate the wisdom of these experiences into a clearer ability to respond to the challenges poised by transformative technology.
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What to expect
Over six days, you will be immersed in meditation, silence, reflective dialogue and embodied practices that draw on 2500-year old contemplative traditions, and are woven together with contemporary science and emerging questions around consciousness, AI, and human flourishing. Teachings will be grounded through conversation with peers, expert facilitators and time in the restorative landscape of Broughton Sanctuary.
Together, we will investigate some of the defining questions of our age: What is consciousness? What is a life well-lived? How can we create technologies and systems aligned with human flourishing?
You will leave with practical tools and renewed perspective – and more lastingly, with a path you have walked deeply enough to carry back into the work: a clearer mind, a steadier heart, and a greater confidence in the qualities that allow us to live fully, act wisely, and contribute meaningfully to humanity's most urgent work.

"The best way is to understand yourself, and then you will understand everything."

Shunryu Suzuki Roshi

"The best way is to understand yourself, and then you will understand everything."

Shunryu Suzuki Roshi
Methods
MIND AND HEART

The meditation practices we will introduce are primarily:

  • Calm, focus, and stability of mind (Shamata)
  • Unconditional love, and joy (Metta / Maitri)
  • Analysing the nature of things / interrogating reality (Ché gom)
  • Seeing clearly and accurately (Vipassana)
  • Calm presence bridging meditation and daily life (Walking Meditations Zen Kinhin)

The heart of each day is meditation practice: sitting periods of 20-30 minutes interspersed with 5-10 minute walking meditations.

This retreat falls somewhere between a vipassana retreat and a jhana retreat and takes a step out in a new direction towards the dharma for our times; innovative yet respecting the integrity of the authentic traditions.
BODY

Bio-hacking informed menu and exercises for longevity and feeling good:

  • Multiple daily exercise options including running, hiking, yoga, swimming
  • Sauna and cold plunge in the lake
  • Silent meals, a delicious seasonal menu that helps to detox
INTEGRATION

Tying the wisdom of these practices into grounded reflection on the technologies we are building through:

  • Personal study
  • Peer dialogue
  • Expert guidance from technologists working at the intersection of wisdom and AI
  • Emphasis on how to transition from the deeper contemplative space of meditation back into our daily work and contributions–and how to keep these worlds together going forward.
Personalised and impactful
Meditation is not one size fits all. Therefore, this retreat and the practices you leave with are customised to you and you will be given individual guidance along the way.
  • Pre-retreat coaching session to prepare for your experience
  • Two individual coaching sessions during the retreat to discuss your practice
  • Post-retreat integration session to extend the benefits of the retreat into your life and continue your practice routine
  • Post retreat group zoom check-in
You have the option to stay on one extra night without charge for a group integration day with the option to purchase meals at the local cafe or pub, and departure at 10am on the 19th.
Testimonials
“My twice yearly retreats with Sophie are the lighthouse in my life. They recharge me and keep me on course with what I want to accomplish, and who I want to be."
DAVID, USA
“In my life now there is a clear before and after the retreat with Sophie. I see the world with new eyes, and feel somehow wiser, more resilient, calmer, I experience more joy.”
Isabelle, Belgium
Testimonials
“My twice yearly retreats with Sophie are the lighthouse in my life. They recharge me and keep me on course with what I want to accomplish, and who I want to be."
DAVID, USA
“In my life now there is a clear before and after the retreat with Sophie. I see the world with new eyes, and feel somehow wiser, more resilient, calmer, I experience more joy.”
Isabelle, Belgium
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

How do we engage wisely in times of uncertainty, rapid change, and over stimulation?

What is consciousness?

What is a life well-lived and how do we align new technologies with human flourishing?

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

How do we engage wisely in times of uncertainty, rapid change, and over stimulation?

What is consciousness?

What is a life well-lived and how do we align new technologies with human flourishing?

Facilitators

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Sophie Maclaren

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Jonathan Garner

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Dr. Ruben Laukkonen

Facilitators

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Sophie Maclaren

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Jonathan Garner

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Dr. Ruben Laukkonen

"The challenges of this moment call for more than new tools — they call for a different quality of seeing. Together we will cultivate that seeing by bringing contemplative practice and the science of mind into direct experience."

Jonathan Garner

"The challenges of this moment call for more than new tools — they call for a different quality of seeing. Together we will cultivate that seeing by bringing contemplative practice and the science of mind into direct experience."

Jonathan Garner
Example day
We have a range of modules to accommodate your schedule.
Morning
Early mornings offer options for walks or runs around the estate, or a bit more sleep until breakfast.
Experience the simplicity of guided meditation interspersed with instruction and walking meditations until lunch.
Afternoon
After lunch the focus is on nurturing your body - choose to rest, walk the meditation labyrinth, spend quiet time exploring Broughton’s remarkable nature-recovery programme, swim in the lake, or relax in Avalon’s biophilic-designed Pool Suite with saunas, steam and indoor pool.
Afternoons alternate silent meditation, occasional small group discussion on the themes of the retreat, one to one meditation coaching, and nature-immersed meditations and silent walks.
Evening
Evenings offer special practices to prepare for deep sleep such as sound baths, Yoga Nidra, and stargazing.
Example day
We have a range of modules to accommodate your schedule.
Morning
Early mornings offer options for walks or runs around the estate, or a bit more sleep until breakfast.
Experience the simplicity of guided meditation interspersed with instruction and walking meditations until lunch.
Afternoon
After lunch the focus is on nurturing your body - choose to rest, walk the meditation labyrinth, spend quiet time exploring Broughton’s remarkable nature-recovery programme, swim in the lake, or relax in Avalon’s biophilic-designed Pool Suite with saunas, steam and indoor pool.
Afternoons alternate silent meditation, occasional small group discussion on the themes of the retreat, one to one meditation coaching, and nature-immersed meditations and silent walks.
Evening
Evenings offer special practices to prepare for deep sleep such as sound baths, Yoga Nidra, and stargazing.

"Human Flourishing must start with our own experience of flourishing: living physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually at our best; in harmony with ourselves, others, and the natural world. Our task on this retreat is to get there and know the path deeply enough that we can bring it back to our work."

Sophie Maclaren

"Human Flourishing must start with our own experience of flourishing: living physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually at our best; in harmony with ourselves, others, and the natural world. Our task on this retreat is to get there and know the path deeply enough that we can bring it back to our work."

Sophie Maclaren
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Avalon Wellbeing Centre
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Broughton Sanctuary

Rooming

The retreats offers a variety of accommodation across its collection of Retreat Houses and 16th Century historic home, Broughton Hall.

Please note: the images below are examples of the type of room you will be booking, all rooms are subject to availability.

Rooms in Broughton Hall

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Broughton Hall, our Historic Home.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite. Super King Bed.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Standard, Shared Bathroom.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Superior, Ensuite.

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Broughton Hall Premium, Shared Bathroom.

Rooms in Retreat Houses
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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe.

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Top Lodge, Retreat House Superior.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior.

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Poverty Hill, Retreat House Superior.

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The Farm House, Retreat House Superior.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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The Manse, Retreat House Deluxe, Ensuite.

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Top Lodge, Retreat House Superior, Private Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior, Ensuite with Private Shower/Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Superior, Shared Bathroom.

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Redberry, Retreat House Deluxe, Shared Bathroom.

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Poverty Hill, Retreat House Superior, Ensuite with Private Shower/Bathroom.

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Eden, Retreat House Superior, Single Bedroom.

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Eden, Retreat House Superior, Shared Bathroom.

How to book

Please choose your accommodation from the form to the right. Choose from rooms in the Hall, or across our collection of Retreat Houses.

For any questions you may have, please email Sophie Maclaren direct.

The Sanctuary can be contacted on +44(0)1756 799608.
Scholarships are available, please contact us for more information.
Option to stay on for an integration day at no extra charge, please contact the team to arrange.
Please note, the Patron Room Rate is an opportunity to help directly shape this project, joining the organisers in extra dialogue to further support the strategy of this work.
How to book

Please choose your accommodation from the form below. Choose from rooms in the Hall, or across our collection of Retreat Houses.

For any questions you may have, please email Sophie Maclaren direct.

The retreat will be held here at the 3000-acre Broughton Sanctuary, just outside Skipton, at the foothills of The Yorkshire Dales, one of the most picturesque parts of the country. Established in 1097, Broughton Hall is a house of transformation, home to the Tempest family for over 900 years, and enjoys a rich history stretching back over the millennium.

The Sanctuary is also home to one of Britain’s most exciting nature recovery projects, a heartfelt commitment to address one of our deepest contemporary crises, based upon an extensive tree-planting and rewilding programme. In 2025, we welcomed beavers to the Sanctuary alongside our native cattle and Iron Age pigs. Subscribe to our Rewilding Broughton Youtube channel to learn more.

Avalon, our state-of-the-art wellbeing retreat centre is the beating heart of the Sanctuary. With extensive indoor and outdoor resources the building exists to serve the inner voyage of mind, body, spirit. During your stay you may unwind in the state-of-the-art biophilic designed Pool Suite; including a clear 20-metre pool, steam room and sauna, plus hydromassage pool. Beyond the building itself, the Sanctuary grounds offer a chance to return to source, from meditation labyrinths, wild swimming reservoirs, a cosmic garden and much more.

We have a large variety of rooms available, whether in Broughton Hall itself, or throughout our eclectic collection of 20 stunning Retreat Houses, including converted barns, former coachhouses and gatehouses.

Scholarships are available, please contact us for more information.

The Sanctuary can be contacted on +44(0)1756 799608.

Option to stay on for an integration day at no extra charge, please contact the team to arrange.
Please note, the Patron Room Rate is an opportunity to help directly shape this project, joining the organisers in extra dialogue to further support the strategy of this work.
Not sure if this retreat is for you?
Book a discovery call:
BOOK NOW
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