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.
On this retreat we will practice Insight meditation, also known as vipassana. The word vipassana means seeing things deeply in ways that free. 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.
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.
Who are the teachers?
ZOHAR LAVIE has been practising 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.
NATHAN GLYDE began meditating in 1997, and teaching retreats in 2007. From continued exploration grew a deep love for meditation’s alive stillness and creative silence. Feeling the potential for all of life to play a part in awakening opened an interest to cultivate attentiveness in every experience. In 2004 this led to co-founding SanghaSeva to offer retreats combining meditation with engaged action. Nathan’s articles and complete teaching schedule can be viewed at DependentOrigination.org
Who can join? What will the trek be like?
You can join the trekking retreat if you have previous experience of meditation retreats (at least one 5-day silent retreat) or experience of trekking (at least one 5-day trek) + some previous background in meditation. 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 meditative, retreat like hike, not just any trek.
We will trek in Hammastunturi wilderness area, 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 285 €. It is also possible to pay more or less than this. More information about the price, signing up and other details.
Warmly,
Elli Alasaari (practical management, ellialasaari@gmail.com, 044 042 7077)
Anna Backholm (practical management, 040 536 2946)
Marianne Kautiala (registrations, +358 50 531 8228)