26 October–10 November 2019

Václav Šmilauer events
Summary
Date 26 October – 10 November 2019
Teacher Katarína & Václav
Venue Chata pod Hrbom (Central Slovakia)
Cost 23€/night
(sponsored price available)

Looking back

We appreciate everybody who came and dedicated time and attention to oneself, for one’s own and others’ benefit outside of meditation 🙂

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 15, due to the individual approach of the course and capacity of the facilities.

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

Chata pod Hrbom (Chalet under the Hrb peak, 1087m a.s.l.) is a secluded accommodation facility with long tradition of hosting meditation and yoga retreats.

The closest city, and larger train/bus station, is Banská Bystrica (airports around: Bratislava, Wien, Budapest) , closest local bus stop is Ľubietová. We will pick you up at that stop if needed, just us know in advance.

It is possible to reach the place via  forest road with a regular car (see below), the barrier at the beginning of the forest will be open around the course start.

The whole course will officially start on Saturday, 26 October at 1 p.m. and finish Sunday, 10 November after breakfast.

Access to the chalet

If you travel by car, the chalet is reachable from Ľubietová by regular road car (no 4×4 needed) following the blue hiking trail 2624 starting in Ľubietová in the village center. Up to the Ranch Včelinec / Čelinec / Čelienec (names differ in different maps) there is a good tar road.

After the ranch, turn left uphill, then again left at forest onset; there is a bar accross the road (will be open during course start hours). In the very last part through the forest, the official blue trail takes some shortcuts and the cycling trail 5551 should be followed instead; it is the only road which can be comfortably driven and ends at the chalet.

Cost

Accommodation and food cost 23€/night (20€ goes to the guesthouse, 3€ helps us cover other expenses). A deposit of 120€ (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).

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.

  • your own towel (not provided!)

Keep in mind that the body might be cold in meditation. Even though there are blankets at our disposal to cover the shoulders during sitting, you will definitely make good use of warm clothes you bring.

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.