In his teachings, the Buddha encouraged his disciples again and again to go out into the forests and wilderness to practice. This trekking retreat in the wild beauty of Finnish Lapland offers us the rare opportunity to explore mindfulness, Dharma practice and living simply in nature.
We will be walking in a range of landscapes, including both forests and alpine tundra, in a peaceful wilderness area where other people are seldom met. Much of our time together will be spent in silence, and there will also be meditation instructions, regular periods of formal meditation and dharma teachings, space for sharing together and time for solitude. The retreat is taught in English.
May this be a time of nourishment for all of us. May it deepen wisdom and compassion in our hearts for the welfare of all beings everywhere.
On this retreat we will practice Insight meditation, also known as vipassana. The word vipassana means seeing things just as they are. This meditation practice is over 2500 years old and draws from the Theravada Buddhist tradition. However, taking part in the retreat does not require an adherence to Buddhism or any adaptation of personal faith.
Who are the teachers?
The retreat will be taught by Zohar Lavie and Nathan Glyde. Zohar has been practicing meditation in different traditions since 1995. This journey has taken her from the meditation cushion into exploring further ways of expressing truth and love and in 2004 she co-founded SanghaSeva. She now spends most of her time facilitating retreats that offer service as a spiritual path around the world. Since 2006 she has been teaching on silent retreats and Dharma gatherings in India, Europe and Israel. She has also been teaching walking retreats in France and the Indian Himalayas since 2009.
Nathan began meditating in 1997 and began teaching on silent meditation retreats in 2006. From a continued exploration of meditation on silent retreats grew a deep love of silence and the power of stillness. The realisation of the potential of every moment to become a moment of awakening provoked an exploration of meditation in daily life activities. An urge to offer retreats that offer deep connection in an active life led to the initiative in 2004 of SanghaSeva. Nathan has been teaching on walking retreats in France and the Indian Himalayas since 2013.
Talks and guided meditations by Zohar and Nathan.
Who can join? What will the trek be like?
You can join the trekking retreat if you have previous experience of either meditation retreats (at least one 5-day silent retreat) or trekking (at least one 5-day trek). In addition you need a reasonable level of fitness, and some sense of adventure. Please also note that what is being offered is primarily a meditation retreat, not just any trek.
We will trek in Ounastunturi area, in the wilderness zone of Pallas-Yllästunturi national park, in Finnish Lapland. We will walk approximately 5-10 kilometers a day, carrying all our camping equipment and food in our backpacks. The day trips are mostly not very long, but silent meditative trekking with the heavy load brings its challenges.
How much does it cost? How can I sign up?
The base price of the retreat is 200 euros, but it is also possible to pay more or less than this. You can reserve a place by filling in the sign up form and paying the registration fee. More information about the price, signing up and other details.
Warmly,
Markku Ilo (+358 40 413 6833)
Anna Backholm (+358 40 536 2946)