There is no need to have previous experience of meditation. A sincere effort to surrender to the guidance of an experienced teacher is enough. It is true that some courses may be open only to more experienced meditators (so-called old students), such a course will always be visibly marked. Likewise, in the case of individual meditation (self-retreat), this is recommended only for more experienced meditators.

The meditation classes follow the program that the teacher pins on the bulletin board on the day of arrival. The custom is to alternate sitting meditation with walking meditation. The program can be strongly structured or looser depending on the teacher’s approach. Meditation takes place primarily in the meditation hall, with the option to practice in the rooms or outdoors (depending on the weather and the needs of the meditators). Walking meditation (chankamana) can be done outdoors – in front of the building, on the grass, on the sand under a shelter (in the summer months), in the adjacent meditation room in case of rain, or in the corridors of the main building. Once a day (usually in the evening) there is a teacher’s talk (dhammatalk) and loving-kindness meditation (metta).

If for health reasons you cannot sit on a cushion, we have chairs available which you can place ideally against the wall in the meditation hall and meditate sitting down.

Read how to describe your meditation experience when interviewed by Bhante Dhammajiva.

Some teachers also add yoga or qi-gong exercises in the morning before breakfast. In case the exercises are not included, you will have space to practice your own routine before breakfast in the meditation hall next door (you need to respect this designated time, as other participants may meditate there later – so make sure to wear appropriate clothing and keep a respectful silence during the exercises).

Karma yoga – the so-called yoga of action – is also a daily part of the meditation course – voluntary help to the centre. This is meditation in motion, in an activity in which you practice transferring the meditative state into everyday activities (helping in the kitchen by chopping vegetables, cleaning the common areas, outdoor chores: raking hay, watering flowers). Even during karma yoga, noble silence is observed.

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, ideally in light tones (without large signs or pictures that might be distracting to others), that covers most of the body. Warm clothing even in summer. Waterproof clothing for the rain. A torch. A silent watch (as it is not recommended to use a mobile phone). Alarm clock, slippers for the main building.

No need to take jewellery, jingling ornaments that might disturb other meditators.

We accommodate 2 to 3 people in rooms, depending on the availability of the course. If capacity permits, there is the possibility of a separate room for an additional fee. We can usually only provide information about solo accommodation a few days before the course, when we send instructions for the course by email.

We accommodate men and women separately, requests for shared accommodation for friends of the same sex are accommodated, this request should be put in a note on the application form.

No need to carry a meditation cushion – we have meditation pads, cushions, wedges, knee pads, blankets
If you practice yoga, bring your own yoga mat.

If you feel that it is too much for you, you can leave the course early with the agreement of the teacher.

It is not recommended to use a mobile phone during the meditation sessions – it is recommended to keep it switched off or put it in the organisers’ safe for the duration of the session. In case you need to contact the organizer, give your loved ones the organizer’s phone contact (which will come in the course information by mail). We will pass on the message to whoever called you and make the phone available.

You may have your phone with you by appointment with the teacher (in a mode so as not to disturb other meditators).

We cook vegetarian food, in case of intolerances we also prepare gluten-free and lactose-free version.

Intolerances to certain ingredients must be informed to us in advance – in the course application form.

If you need to bring some smaller amounts of food that need to be kept cold, we have a fridge available (keep in mind that there is one fridge and there can be 30 participants).

We do not recommend taking dogs or other pets with you on the tour. Remember that you are going to enjoy yourself and should therefore be as little disturbed as possible by your surroundings (as well as your fellow participants). At the same time, you’ll be spending a large part of the day meditating, so your pet would be alone for most of the day (and would probably show it, which could disturb other meditators and ultimately you). Dogs are not allowed loose around the grounds (due to consideration for other meditators practice).

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, ideally in light tones (without large signs or pictures that might be distracting to others), that covers most of the body. Warm clothing even in summer. Waterproof clothing for the rain. Quiet slippers for the main building. No need to take jewelry, jingling ornaments that could disturb other meditators.

Some courses are taught in Slovak or Czech, others in English. If necessary, we interpret English into Slovak or vice versa.

All transport information can be found here.