14–29 June 2018

Václav Šmilauer events
Summary
Date 14–29 June 2018
(shorter stays from 18 June)
Teacher Katarína & Václav
Venue Surya Centrum (West Slovakia; 14–18 June in Rime Dzong center nearby)
Cost 22€/night (242€ from 18 June, 330€ from 14 June)
(sponsored price available)

Looking back

We would like to thank everyone who attended the meditation course and dedicated time and attention to him/herself.

Katarína BírešováThis course will be taught jointly by Katarína Bírešová & Václav Šmilauer − see about us.


May I come?

On this retreat of the Vipassana meditation, we welcome both beginners and those with prior meditation experience, irrespective of religion, gender or age (16+). Vipassana is a Buddhist contemplation method; however, one does not need to be Buddhist (or have knowledge of Buddhism) to fully benefit from the meditation; in fact most course participants are not.

We recommend to go through the whole course to gain the full benefit. It is nevertheless possible to come for a shorter time (at least 4 nights) as the course proceeds on individual basis.


The number of participants is limited to 12, due to the individual approach of the course and capacity of the facilities.
This course will be mostly for 10-day retreats (for those who already finished the basic course). If you want to do a full 2-week course, it is possible by arriving on the 14th already.

Course

All participants are given detailed introduction into meditation at the beginning of the course.

The course is organized around directing attention inwards as much as possible. Participants sleep 6 hours a day, breakfast is served usually 6:30, lunch at 11:30. The rest of the time is dedicated to the practice with short breaks between “rounds” (walking+sitting meditation). The course is conducted in silence (and off-line). Whatever happens during the day can be discussed with the teacher at daily individual meetings; however, teachers are available 24/7 if needed. The teachers might adjust the regime individually if necessary (e.g.due to medical conditions).

Participants follow traditional 8 precepts which support meditation by eliminating distractions and make it easier to share space with others: no killing, stealing, sexual activities, lying, intoxicants, eating after lunch, entertainment (reading, writing, singing, music, yoga, phone, internet, …) & cosmetics, luxury.

Food is vegetarian; snacks are served in the evening (youghurt, fruit juice, piece of cheese). Water, teas and coffee is available all day round.

The accommodation is individual by default. In the (rather infrequent) case of capacity exhaustion, we will try to find solution which works for everyone.

Participants can be contacted by their families in case of emergency through organizers.

Venue

The course will take place at a beautiful meditation center Surya in West Slovakia, at the border with Czech Republic, internationally accessible the best from Vienna and Bratislava. The closest train station is Nové mesto nad Váhom, one hour trip from Bratislava, then local buses take you to Moravské Lieskové/Brestové.
We will help you arrange the transport and pick you up at a convenient place.
The full basic course starts 14 June at 1pm (in the Rime Dzong center nearby) and we will move to Surya (8km) on the 18th. Others can start 18 June at 1pm in Surya; everything finishes 29 June after breakfast.
It is also possible to start the practice in Surya and then continue without break in the next course, if that fits your schedule better.

Cost

Accommodation and food cost 22€/night (17€ goes to Surya, 5€ helps us cover other expenses such as our own travel & accommodation), totaling to 330€ (14-29 June) or 220€ (18–29 June). A deposit of 80€ (less if you come for a shorter time) is payable in advance by bank transfer, the rest at the start of the course (transfer/cash).
The food is organic and mostly grown locally. You can inform about special diet (such as lactose or gluten intolerance) upon registration.
If the accommodation price is prohibitive for you, you are welcome to contact us and we will try to offer you something you can afford, and have the rest paid by sponsors. If you can pay more, thus becoming sponsor of others, you are the most welcome to do so.
Teaching itself is on a donation basis (dāna), following the tradition that meditation should be accessible to anyone. Donations can be given in cash at the place, or by transfer.

What to bring

  • loose comfortable white/light clothes (by tradition) or neutral colors, covering shoulders and knees;
  • warm socks for inside; also take warm clothes (like jumpers, long sleeve shirts, …);
  • slippers;
  • toiletries (toothpaste, shower gel);
  • (alarm clock/timer we will have enough to borrow; note that using phones is not possible);
  • optionally your favourite tea/coffee, cushion, blanket;
  • flask (thermos) for hot water (for colder weather);
  • course fee (minus deposit) in cash, or send it in advance by bank transfer;
  • cash for donation for teachers after the course; bank transfer will be also possible;
  • any medication you take or might need.


How to register

Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions before you make decision. The registration procedure is easy:

  1. Inform us about your intention to come.
  2. We confirm space availability.
  3. You transfer the deposit and fill registration form.
  4. We confirm the reservation.