Offers
Zoom online meditations
Going back to the pandemic, when many people were in isolation, we started connecting online every 6 weeks or so. We always send out a Zoom link, which we usually use to meditate together on a Sunday evening from 20:00 to 21:30 and offer a short impulse on the content.
Procedure: Welcome – meditation – impulse – meditation – farewell.
The summaries will be sent out with the next link.
Participation is free of charge, but it is possible to make a financial contribution to the “Casa das Águas Calmas” center in Portugal.
If you are interested, you can simply send me your e-mail address and we will add you to the mailing list: zen@epost.ch or via the contact form.
Sesshin
Zazen, sitting in silence, is at the heart of Zen.
In its simplicity and focus on stillness, it offers a profound answer to the need for calm in our hectic and fast-paced times.
Trunpa Rinpoche, one of the first teachers to come to the West from the East, said that the complexity and speed of Western people’s lives is what prevents them from finding peace.
This observation, made in the 1970s when there was no internet and no cell phones, is all the more true today.
It is said that the entrance to hell leads through doors that say: “More… different… better… faster…” Zazen counteracts these symptoms by inviting us to sit, breathe and simply be.
Outer calm is easy to achieve, while inner calm requires more practice.
This is where sitting together provides support.
Zazenkai
Zazenkai are 2-3 day courses, with a similar daily structure to sesshin.
Big Mind – Big Heart
In these courses, we combine the Big Mind process (a special form of working with subpersonalities) with intensive zazen.
While in zazen there is generally no discussion of content and a “disidentification process” is aimed at, in the Big Mind process we explicitly address content.
In the group, we address different sub-personalities, which we call voices, and explore them together.
By allowing these parts to show themselves and express themselves, they come to rest during the sitting and open up to their initially hidden ground: The source of all being.
BodyZen (BBAT and Zazen)
Basic Body Awareness Therapy, or BBAT for short, and zazen (sitting meditation) are two recognized paths that complement and enrich each other: The gentle and basic exercises of BBAT sensitize our body awareness in a simple and effective way, and zazen opens our perception beyond the physical body to the whole of reality.
Zen, yoga and energy healing
As a continuation and deepening of the previous course “Zen and Yoga”, we will focus on working with the so-called “Life Alignment” in the form of an approx. 40-minute healing session with Laura (https://life-alignment.com) in addition to sitting in silence (approx. 5 hours) in combination with simple yoga exercises.
As Laura Medler speaks English, knowledge of English is required for this accompaniment.
However, the course will otherwise be held in German, and Marcel will translate where necessary.
Laura is a trained life alignment therapist.
Sitting in silence forms the core of the course.
We will sit for around 5 hours a day in units of 25 minutes each.
In addition, this course includes a 90-minute session of very gentle, relaxing yoga exercises.
These exercises are also suitable for people who have never practiced yoga before.
Laura Medler, an integral yoga teacher, will focus entirely on the group and adapt the exercises accordingly.
She is an empathetic and experienced teacher who is also responsible for yoga in various courses in Portugal.
Elements of the course: Silence throughout, meditation, yoga, the opportunity for individual discussions and a one-to-one session.
Fasting courses
Our fasting courses include fasting according to Buchinger, supplemented by juices and soups.
In addition, there are the following formative elements: silence, meditation, yoga, activities (depending on location and season, such as hikes and/or early morning excursions to the sea) as well as various forms of therapy such as massages, life alignment and the opportunity for one-to-one discussions.
These complementary elements enable profound regeneration on a physical, mental and spiritual level.
Fasting is a wonderful gift for ourselves, but also for the world, as we begin to treat ourselves and each other with more care.
It brings about, as Pico Ayer calls it, the “joy of less” and the rediscovery of the simplification of life in an oversaturated society.
An effective opportunity to do something good for yourself!
The courses, which usually last 10 days, take place regularly in spring and summer in Portugal.
In Switzerland, they are offered at various locations and last one week.
Medicinal plant retreats
Working with these plants is one of the most impressive tools I have encountered on my path.
These retreats take place exclusively in Portugal and are only announced in personal exchange.
They are based on weekly courses with three ceremonies, with rest and integration days in between.
This experience offers a powerful opportunity to get beneath the surface of the controlling mind and become aware of the wholeness of life.
Old injuries, which often lead to isolation from ourselves, others and the world, can thus be transformed into a healing process.
Personal time-out
We also offer the opportunity to take a personal break in one of our three houses. Guests can take part in daily meditations and choose from various forms of therapy offered by our partners, such as life alignment, various massage techniques and bar sessions.