Join us for a few days of mindfulness meditation, with attention, relaxation and celebration.
It’s a great way to start the New Year. 

We’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve with a festive dinner and a “Wishes for the World” circle.

The retreat is open to beginners and those who wish to deepen or reconnect with the practice of meditation.

Dealing with eco-anxiety

This week-long retreat, based on sitting meditation, will be an opportunity to take an active part in healing the world.

As we suffer deeply from the serious damage done to nature and Mother Earth, we find ourselves feeling guilty, angry or in denial. However, we have other options. Drawing on Buddhism and psychology, we can discover our ecological unconscious.
At this retreat we will draw inspiration from the work of Buddhist and eco-philosopher Joanna Macy to rediscover our individual and group power needed to bring about a “the great turning.

Programme

Morning

We will develop mindfulness through seated meditation in the practice room and walking meditation on the castle grounds. A progression of different meditation techniques will be introduced over the week to train us in increasing our courage, confidence and gentleness.

Afternoon

Group work: workshops on the theme of the 4 stages of Joanna Macy’s “spiral of the work that reconnects”.
These will take place in a safe environment in which people can trust themselves and others.

Daily schedule

7:00 to 8:00 a.m. – Sittings meditation and body gentle exercises (Lu Jong)
8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
9:15 to 11:00 a.m. – Sitting meditation and exercises
11:00 to 11:15 a.m. – Break 
11:15 to 12:h30 – Walking meditation and meditation teachings
12:30 – Lunch
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Community work
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Free time
3:30 to 4:00 p.m. – Tea break
4:00 to 6:30 p.m. – “Work that connects” workshop
7:00 p.m. – Dinner
8:15 p.m. – Presentations and various activities

Practical aspects

Arrival day: Tuesday, 26 December.
Introductory talk at 8 p.m. You are invited to arrive at 4 p.m. to check in and settle into your room. Dinner is served at 7 pm.

End of programme: Tuesday 2 January.
Closing circle in the evening.

Departure day: Wednesday 3 January.
No programme. You are welcome to stay for breakfast.

Programme price: €335

This programme is taught in French and will be translated into English.
Illustration by Gendun Tenzin


Programme price

Regular335 €
Patron443 €Help support lower income participants
Under 30 years of age168 €

If you require financial assistance to attend this programme please contact [email protected].

Accommodation and food

Full board50 €/ night *

* includes standard accommodation and all meals.

Price information

  • Regular: this is the regular price for participating in the programme. Occasionaly (if specified in the programme description), there may be an additional fee for materials, to be paid upon arrival.
  • Patron: for those who can offer more than the regular price, your generosity in paying the Patron Price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to pay the full programme price and provides support to Dechen Chöling.
  • Under 30 years of age: 50% reduction on the regular programme price for persons under 30 years at the start of the programme.

Accommodation: the standard accommodation we provide is in a dormitory for the winter and a furnished two-person tent in the summer. Extra fees for room upgrades can be paid upon arrival. Additionally, room tax will be charged at 0.20 € per person, per night.

See the full price list

Note: participation in any programme offered by the association of Dechen Chöling requires you to be up-to-date with the association’s annual fee (15 €), which can be settled upon arrival.