Meditation Retreat | Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Retreat?
- What can I expect from a Meditation Retreat at the Phuket Meditation Center?
- How can I prepare myself for the Retreat?
- Please tell me more about the meals at the retreat. Are they vegetarian?
- How many meditation/retreat programs do you offer?
- Is the retreat schedule too challenging for beginners?
- Is the meditation center remote and silent?
- Do you use tapes and videos to teach meditation?
- I am not sure if I should do a retreat... I am scared because it might be hard to face myself.
- I suffer from serious depression. Will meditation work for me?
- What is a typical retreat day like?
- How is the accommodation at the retreat center like?
- Am I allowed to speak during the meditation retreat?
- Can I bring snacks to the meditation center?
- Is the place suitable for disabled people?
- What do I have to bring along to the retreat?
- What should I not bring along?
- What is the meditation practice at the retreat?
A Meditation Retreat is time devoted to a particular spiritual practice or mental training. You could say it is a rapid "detox" for your mind. You train intensively so its qualities manifest much faster than in a normal, everyday environment where so many distractions are present.
The qualities of the mind that improve on a retreat are wisdom, concentration, compassion, the ability to deal with challenges, clarity, patience and calmness. All these qualities increase happiness, satisfaction and contentment. A retreat empowers you to regain control of your life and live the life that you really want. During a retreat you will be able to concentrate on learning and practicing meditation techniques in a serene and conducive environment.
What can I expect from a Meditation Rereat?
Our motto is "Change Your Mind" so we aim to help you free yourself from problems you've had for years. Familiar difficulties such as anxiety, insomnia, mild depression, and burnout will recede. You will take back control of your thoughts and emotions.
We spend much of our lives trying to improve or manipulate external circumstances: relationships, working environments, house, family, and health.We seem to neglect the fact that the mind needs to be trained and improved as well.
Therefore we find ourselves a victim of our thoughts and feelings and this is not how it is supposed to be.We deserve to be happy,peaceful and successful.To achieve this, we need to learn how to handle and improve the mind. This is what you can expect to learn from a good retreat.
How can I prepare myself for the Retreat?
You don't need to prepare yourself too much. Just open yourself up to making a conscious effort to be more present and mindfully aware of what you are doing.
Please tell me more about the meals at the retreat. Are they vegetarian?
Yes, the meals are 100% vegetarian and prepared to support your meditation practice. The meals are delicious, traditional Thai dishes and entirely vegetarian. We only use high quality oil to fry and we don't use MSG or other harmful ingredients. Moreover the use of spices in traditional Thai dishes is very often medical. Our food balances body, spirit and energy supporting your meditation-sessions. There will be three healthy meals per day. In such an environment this will greatly increase you health, energy and awareness.
How many programs do you offer?
We offer several different programs. There are classic, relaxed meditation retreats and coaching events, healthy living retreats and body/spirit getaways. Meditation Retreats are a great way to relax and realign yourself. Coaching events are a wonderful opportunity to improve your life and get to know yourself better. Our healthy programs rebalance body and mind.
Is the schedule too challenging for beginners?
No.Finding the right balance between relaxation and progress is our most important goal. The schedule is flexible and we always consider individuals at every level,from beginners to advanced. You'll get exactly what YOU need to improve your mind.
The location is a secluded and peaceful area close to Phuket town and therefore very central. The area around the retreat center is green and beautiful with spiritual activities and local lifestyle present. It is relaxed and authentically Thai.
Blocking out the objects that activate the five senses is not the point of our retreat. We certainly want you to experience inner calmness regardless of your external environment but our retreat centre is lovely so it is also conducive to peace of mind and relaxation.
We are happy to accept guests that want to learn authentic meditation techniques which are effective in our modern world. Therefore we offer very powerful training-environments to overcome limitations and problems in everyday life. Addictions and illnesses, feelings of inadequacy and helplessness as well as other disturbances are recognised, used and skillfully transformed.
Do you use tapes and videos to teach?
We offer live teachers, live teachings, live counseling, personal guidance and help during the meditation sessions. We also have professional therapists working for our center offering a wide range of supportive therapies. You will not be left alone with your questions and help is always present. Therefore we are proud to say: We not only offer service, we also offer love.
I am not sure if I should do this... I am scared because it might be hard to face myself.
We make sure that every level of experience is covered. If you are a beginner, we won't push you too hard. If you are already experienced, then we will definitely challenge your skills. Our retreats can be hard but there is never a "must" or a forced practice. A retreat should be challenging but mentally and emotionally nourishing.
Your guide will make sure that you get exactly what you are here for. Your main goal is to achieve relaxation and peace of mind during your stay. Some obstacles will be in your way - getting rid of them is the function of a retreat. A retreat offers you a unique opportunity to deepen your spirituality and in the initial interview you can bring up questions that will enable you to feel relaxed and clear about the purpose of your stay with us.
I suffer from serious depression. Will it work for me?
For people with depression there is a special rule. We can achieve great results with depression if two basic principles are well established beforehand. 1) You really want to get rid of your depression - you are ready to go through a challenging time of transformation and accept hardship in order to overcome your problems. 2) You want to commit to at least 14 days of retreat. Anything else is too little to work successfully with serious depression.
What is a typical retreat day like?
You will start your day in the early morning sunshine on amazing excursions. We will sit together as a group, ask questions and meditate together in Thailand's breathtaking natural surroundings. You will have two group sessions everyday where you have the chance to ask questions and receive answers. The rest is practice on your own, following a traditional and powerful schedule.
What is the accommodation like?
We offer 4 different styles of accommodation. Please have a look at our Thai retreat accommodation right here.
We suggest silence but don't force it on our guests. If you want your retreat to offer deeper insight and powerful results, silence will support your meditation. It is silence based on understanding and does not need to be forced upon you by rules or vows. Of course we will teach you all about the benefits of silence when you are here with us.
You could bring snacks - but ask yourself if too much sugar and spice will support your retreat and your health. If it does not,leave it at home and really nourish this body that tries so hard to keep you alive and well. If it supports your health and is good for you - wonderful.
Is the place suitable for disabled people?
Well, I must say we have never had disabled guests as yet. But we will do everything to make them feel very welcome at our retreat. We are ready to adjust our programs for disabled people and help them to learn all about meditation.
However, please remember we are not a hospital and are not medically equipped. It would definitely be possible for a person in a wheelchair to retreat with us provided they have a nurse or caring family member.
We want to offer our service to everyone but have to exclude people who suffer from serious mental disorders.
What do I have to bring along?
Comfortable white clothes that are sufficient for the duration of your stay. You will do sport and you will sweat! Swimsuit for the pool and steam-sauna. If you forget them, no problem. We can provide you with a pair of shorts or go and buy a swimsuit with you. Other than that you should bring an alarm clock.
What should I not bring along?
No weapons, no drugs, no audio or video equipment, no phones and no books except spiritual books that support your practice of meditation. Altogether please don't bring too much stuff. Your room needs to be tidy and clean every day as too much clutter will disturb your retreat. You have the chance to leave your valuables in our office until you finish the retreat. You can take photos during excursions if you like though.
Everybody who comes has different problems and needs. Therefore everybody's practice will differ. However we mainly focus on Tibetan/Thai Buddhist Meditation. We use techniques known from Mahamudra/Dzogchen on the nature of the mind, reflections on impermanence, mindfulness of life's flowing nature, awareness of the breath, breathing techniques etc. The reason for this is that our main instructor Tobias Warzinek has learned mainly from those traditions.
However,we see ourselves as a non-sectarian center. It does not matter what religion you follow and,in fact, you dont have to follow any religion. The importance is the retreat experience and the learning process of getting closer to a universal peace of mind.
If you have any more questions, please email us and we will answer promptly.