Location
La Maison du Chemin des Roches
Centre pluraliste de méditation
Chemin des Roches 9
1370 Dongelberg
Teacher
Summer wellbeing retreat: Peace, contentment and love
Friday 18 August to Sunday 20 August 2023. Starting on Friday at 15.00 CET, at the beautiful "Maison du Chemin des Roches" in Dongelberg.
Boost your energy and wellbeing through physical and mental detox in this small and exclusive group retreat with senior mindfulness, compassion and positive neuroplasticity teacher Kirsten Victor.
Would you like to take a break and recharge your batteries before the September rush? This silent retreat is open to everyone who is looking for some peace and reconnection with their purpose before life and work get busy again.
We welcome advanced meditators on this retreat who would like to boost their mindfulness practice as well as beginners who are looking for an intensive format. The retreat satisfies the prerequisite for attending our MBSR Teacher Training programme.
As with all our offerings, this retreat is also trauma-sensitive.
Finding deep rest during a retreat
In this nourishing weekend, you can:
- allow yourself to calm down and relax
- to reconnect with yourself and nature
- recharge your batteries and find out what gives you joy and purpose.
We offer a balanced program with time for silence and connection, time for stillness and movement, time for going outside and turning inwards.
This retreat weekend is a great opportunity to reconnect to your practice and thereby be supported by like-minded people. It is also suited as an introduction to mindfulness, compassion and positive neuroplasticity.
There is a possibility for a special treat for those who'd like to: Ayurvedic massages for deep healing with our beloved Katrien Maes.
Get in touch with what truly matters at a mindfulness retreat
Being away from day-to-day demands and all the external chatter means time to reflect and to reconnect with your true self and with nature. When the part of you that wants to be in control and that is afraid of change is dominant, you are cut off from your deeper wisdom and intuition.
But if you rest and create space to tap into your creative energy, you can get in touch with what truly matters and what kind of life you would really like to lead.
What does a mindfulness retreat look like?
We will be practising various meditations in different forms from sitting to lying down and walking meditations, helping you to unwind and to nourish yourself from within. Periods of silence and digital detox help to recharge ourselves from the busy periods earlier this year and to prepare for the new working season.
Together we will step out of the 'doing mode' and switch to being and sensing at all moments during the day, including during eating, walking, washing the dishes etc. At specific times during this retreat we will make time for you to share your experiences and ask your questions.
What to expect at a mindfulness retreat
Practicing mindfulness meditation can contribute to a shift towards greater mental and emotional wellbeing. By learning to include mindfulness in everything you do, you learn to make a shift from endless thinking and worrying to dropping into your senses and connecting with the richness of the present moment.
You learn to see more clearly how you unwillingly contribute to your own stress and unhappiness and you (re)discover resources within yourself for more resilience and happiness.
People have reported that long after the retreat they could still feel the benefits of it, and that this nourishing feeling goes on for quite a while.
The retreat will be held in English. It will be partly in silence to deepen the healing power of mindfulness. At other moments, participants will be encouraged to share what they experience or – if they wish – to journal.
Would this be your first retreat? Have a look at our article about what happens on a mindfulness meditation retreat. Please feel free to contact us in case you feel unsure whether this is a good time for you to join a retreat.
Who can benefit from a mindfulness retreat?
This retreat ideal for:
- Regular meditators who would like to deepen or boost their practice
- Irregular practitioners looking to reconnect with mindfulness
- Beginners interested in an immersive mindfulness experience
- Those looking for a pause from the busy-ness of every day life
- Mindfulness teacher trainees, or those interested in starting the program (this retreat fulfils the 2-night retreat requirement)
What you can experience at this mindfulness retreat
- The alternation of formal practices such as sitting and walking meditation
- Daily energizing movement sessions
- Practices for deep relaxation
- Delicious organic vegetarian food that will support and nourish your body and mind
- A beautiful and peaceful location
- Free time to enjoy walks in nature or simply relax in the beautiful surroundings
- A group of like-minded people with whom you can share experiences and grow together
- Silence to encourage reflection and healing
- Exclusive use of the entire location
- The possibility for a healing Ayurvedic massage
- Time to simply be and to rest
- Group sharing and the possibility of a bilateral talk with the teacher
Some benefits of a mindfulness retreat
- Tapping into your inner resources contributes to feeling more rested, relaxed and calm
- Learning how to gain greater physical and psychological wellbeing
- Powerful new insights to take back into your daily life in order to live more consciously
- A new sense of inner freedom and the ability to see more clearly what really matters to you
- Self-compassion and being on your own side
- Having ideas of how to stop some unhelpful habits in your life and how to replace them by more useful ones
- The ability to respond more skillfully to life's challenges when they arise
- Finding a way to peace and wholeness in this busy, stressful world we live in
- Become more aware of and savour what is already good in your life
The venue for this mindfulness retreat
The retreat will take place in the beautiful "Maison du Chemin des Roches" in Dongelberg, about 30 minutes from Brussels.
The location is a haven of peace and calm, surrounded by many beautiful walks through the fields and woods. The cook will provide us with delicious vegetarian meals and refreshments will be available throughout the retreat.
The accommodation is in simple, but comfortable double rooms with shared bathrooms. There are single rooms available upon additional charge.
Carpooling will be facilitated before the retreat. Please note that we can only accept car pooling requests until one week before the start of the retreat and we simply try to put participants in touch with one another.
Eating at a mindfulness retreat
You will enjoy a complete new experience of vegetarian food with our cook's original and artisanal kitchen. It is a real feast for your senses -let yourself be surprised!
Please note that we cannot cater for any other diets or allergies except of lactose and gluten free meals. Should you follow another diet or have any other allergy or intolerance, you might need to bring your own food. Please contact us should this be the case. Please note that we are not able to partially refund for any meals that you might miss.
The programme (indicative)
Friday 18 August
14.00 - 15.00 Arrivals and registration
15.00 - 17.30 Opening session
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
19.30 - 21.00 Teaching, sharing & relaxation, start of the silence
Saturday 19 August
07.45 - 08.30 Mindful movement & meditation
08.30 - 09.45 Breakfast and Karma yoga
10.00 - 10:45 Guided sitting meditation and instructions
10.45 - 11.30 Walking meditation
11.30 - 11.45 Tea/coffee
11.45 - 12.30 Guided sitting meditation
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
15.00 - 15.45 Guided sitting meditation
15.45 - 16.15 Walking meditation or group sharing
16.15 - 16.30 Tea/coffee
16.30 - 17.15 Body scan meditation
17.15 - 18.00 Walking meditation
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner
20.00 - 21.00 Meditation, sharing & relaxation
Sunday 20 August
07.45 - 08.30 Mindful movement & meditation
08.30 - 09.45 Breakfast and Karma Yoga
10.00 - 11.00 Teaching & sitting meditation
11.00 - 11.45 Walking meditation, end of the silence
11.45 - 12.30 Group sharing or individual time
12.30 - 13.30 Lunch
14.00 - 15.30 Sitting meditation & closing session
15.30 - 16.00 Departures
This is an indicative programme, the actual timing might change (except starting and end times). The final programme will be displayed at the location.
The teacher
Kirsten Victor
Kirsten is a certified and experienced mindfulness and self-compassion teacher and also a positive neuroplasticity teacher. She likes to combine mindfulness and self-compassion with positive neuroplasticity, embracing life as it is with its ‘ten thousands sorrows and ten thousands joys’. Participants like her enthusiasm and warmth.
Kirsten will be assisted by Luc de Bolle.
Extra: Massages available (upon interest)
Katrien Maes
Katrien, experienced Ayurvedic therapist, will offer full-body massages during one day of the retreat at the rate of €75 for a session of one hour. Katrien has been offering these massage for the past years on our retreats and people are always enthusiastic about them. The massages offer a wonderful opportunity to deepen your relaxation and get more in touch with your body. You will receive more information about how to book a session in the practical mail sent shortly before the retreat.
Rates for this small and exclusive mindfulness retreat
Fees for the group retreat of 2.5 days with meals and accommodation in a shared twin room:
'Early bird rate' - Until 18 July 2023: € 499 (incl. VAT)
As from 19 July 2023: € 549 (incl. VAT)
Included in the fee:
- Teaching and administration fee
- All meals (vegetarian and organic)
- Tea, coffee and snacks throughout the day
- Exclusive use of the entire location including a cozy diner, large meditation hall, and beautiful garden with many trees and flowers
- The possibility for a bilateral talk with the teacher
- Lifetime access to over 260 guided meditations
Not included in the fee and optional:
- The rent of towels and sheets (preferably bring your own): €20
- Ayurvedic massage: €75
Registration will end at midnight CET on 17 July 2023 or whenever the retreat is fully booked.
What participants of previous retreats said
"The retreat was truly excellent. A wonderful location, a fantastic teacher, delicious food and a great group."
"The retreat flowed. It was definitively creating inner peace. Thank you!"
"Beate is really a great instructor. She has a sense for when to intervene, is clear in her guidance and has a warm voice."
"The retreat is very good in grounding oneself in this fast-paced environment. I unreservedly recommend it!"
"The location, schedule and teacher created an optimal environment for me to get my mind set to meditation. A wonderful and intense experience which may have lasted longer - but two days is a good start!"
"The retreat allowed me to settle my mind, to feel safe and supported. The place was ideal to relax and practice."
"...Thank you for a lovely unforgettable weekend with so much action and so much inaction."
Read more testimonials here.
Questions?
Do not hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions. For administrative and practical questions, please contact info@brusselsmindfulness.be. For questions about our courses and events, have a look at our FAQ.
If you want to discuss something directly with the teacher, you can contact Kirsten Victor via kirsten.victor@brusselsmindfulness.be.
Many thanks for your registration. We look forward to meeting you in the course.
Health & Well-being Guidelines
Covid-19 Precautions
In order to ensure the health of all our participants, we will implement Covid measures according to the official regulations following the corona barometer at the time of the event. These measures will be communicated to registered participants prior to the start of the event.
Important information on your mental well-being and silent retreats
While meditation retreats can be very nourishing; they do require sustained meditation practice throughout your time there. This also demands some stability of psychological health and can be triggering for some people.
Have you experienced significant trauma or psychiatric illness, or are your currently struggling with your mental health such as with anxiety, depression, or burnout? If so, a retreat might not be the best option for you. The teacher might not be able to give you the kind of individual psychological care and support you need right now.
If you are currently under the care of a mental health professional, please discuss your attendance with them. You should be in a relatively stable period of mental well-being and have adequate psychological resilience.
Please fill in the questions in the registration form as open and honestly as possible, this will give us an idea of your current situation. The teacher of the event may reach out to you for more information
If you are unsure, or have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us directly at info@brusselsmindfulness.be.
Registration for the retreat
Please fill out the form below in order to register for the retreat. Your answers are important for the trainer to understand your motivation to participate.
All information you provide will be treated confidentially and will never be shared with third parties. We will get in touch with you if we have any questions, so please provide the phone number on which we can most easily reach you. Please check our privacy policy here.
Please check our terms & conditions about cancellations and refunds.
Registration Form
You will be asked to fill out your name and further contact details in the next page.
Once you click the registration button, you will be taken to a secure payment system (first e-act.nl and then mollie.com). Your data will be treated confidentially and will not be shared with third parties, except for the information necessary to process the payment.
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