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Opening the Eye, Unfolding the Heart – Winter Retreat

With: Jessica Sarapoff

During this retreat, we invite you on a joyful and profound path of exploration where contemplative photography, creativity, mindfulness, and the beauty of the world come together in a single dance.

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The magic of our world is always present, but our mind, sometimes clouded by fear, doubt, and wavering, loses touch with this magic

This retreat is an invitation to rediscover all the richness of your being. Immerse yourself in the winter beauty of Dechen Chöling, where nature becomes our canvas for creating and marvelling

We will explore nature through Miksang contemplative photography, a meditation-in-action that opens our eyes to the simple and direct poetry of our world

With contemplative writing, there’s no need to be a writer:  it is a path of deep listening, a way to connect with yourself, your sensations, your thoughts, your heart, whether calm, restless, sad, or joyful. Everything is welcome.

Anne-Marie Jobin’s Creative Journal™ will enrich this exploration.

This self-exploration tool combines writing, drawing, and collage to reconnect body, sensations, emotions, and our childlike spirit.

Accessible to all, it invites us to play, discover, feel our life impulses, and find answers — sometimes playful and sparkling, and at other times, deep and transformative

Mindfulness practice and sophrology will nourish your body/mind connection. 

This winter, offer all your senses a space of wonder, where each breath becomes creation and opens your heart.

Practical information

Arrival day (Saturday December 27): You’re invited to come from 4 pm in order to register and settle in your room. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm. Intro talk at 8 pm.

* NEW YEAR’S PARTY * on December 31

End of programme (Friday January 2): Closing circle in the evening.

Departure day (Saturday January 3): You may leave anytime (no programme). You’re welcome to stay for breakfast.

This programme is taught in French and will be translated into English on request (if you need translation, please let us know on the registration page). 

Programme price

Regular300 €
Patron408 €Help support lower income participants
Early Bird255 €Expires 27 September 2025
Under 30 years of age150 €

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

Accommodation and food

Full board60 €/ 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.
  • Early Bird: 15% discount on the regular programme price is possible only if you register and pay the total cost of your stay upfront, 3 months prior to the start of the programme, i.e. before 27 September 2025.
  • 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 0.22 € 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.

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