Winterretreat I in English
Wednesday 21 December 2022 – Wednesday 28 December 2022 at Strodehne, Brandenburg
Winter is a time of quiet and stillness. There is a natural move of the psyche inward. This is echoed in the enviroment. A time of possible snow and ice, the trees without leaves, the cold.
In the time of the Buddha living in the hot climate of India the Buddha, monks and nuns would have a long period of retreat during the rainy season. Maybe for us the equivalent time is winter. A time where we can stop, rejuvenate and deepen into that stillness and beauty.
So we have come up with a theme that echoes this time of year
Stillness, simplicity and contentment
We will be exploring this theme by attempting to live like the community of the Buddhas disciples and we will evoke through story, our teacher. The Awakened one. Buddha Sakyamuni.
But we wont be just imagining the Buddha we will be envisioning the Sangha. The Buddha taught and women and men awakened. This is the Arya Sangha. The Noble Sangha. So this is who we will be sitting with and in sitting with the Buddha and the Arya Sangha we will be openning to the possibility, of entering into, the stillness or great peace of the awakened heart.
If the retreat is fully booked, you can put your name on the waiting list. You can do this by clicking on "Book now" below and then on "Add to waiting list". You will then be notified as soon as a place becomes available and you need to register via the link in the email.
The Retreat rates are differentiated after net income. Full rate: over 1250€, Concession: under 1250€.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience?
This retreat is for people who have been coming to our classes at BTB in Kreuzberg. if you are thinking of coming, please come regularly to our class on Saturdays to get to know our Meditations and our approach to Buddhism.
What is included in the retreat fee?
The retreat fee includes the entire retreat programme, including food and accommodation. You only need to organise your own travel. Cooking and cleaning up will be done by the retreat participants.
Why is the retreat fee so low?
We want you to be able to be on retreat regardless of your financial means. Donations beyond the retreat fee are very welcome, as voluntary donations are an essential aspect of our community.
What does the accommodation look like?
In Strodehne there are simple shared rooms. Living and practising in community is an important part of our retreats. There are usually 2 to 4 people sharing a room with male and female rooms and on request also gender-diverse rooms.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please be sure to bring bed linen, towels and slippers! These items are not available in the house and cannot be borrowed. We also recommend that you bring paper and pens so that you can take notes during the retreat. Otherwise, please bring comfortable clothes for meditation and sturdy shoes as well as weather-appropriate clothing for walks. If you would like to use your own meditation equipment, you can bring that too. Otherwise there are plenty of cushions, mats, blankets and stools available.
Can I get a single room?
In order to accommodate as many people as possible and to create a communal atmosphere, we are very reluctant to allocate single rooms. If you have special needs that would otherwise prevent you from attending the retreat, please contact the retreat leader.
