Questions Answered
Is the food vegetarian? Please tell me more about your meals at the retreat.
Yes, the meals are a 100% vegetarian. But this is not all. We prepare our food so that it benefits your experience at the retreat. The meals are delicious, traditional Thai dishes in their vegetarian version. We only use high quality, fresh oil to fry without MSG or other harmful ingredients. Our food is not deep fried and we don't use too much spices. the use of spices in traditional Thai dishes is actually quite medical. Our food balances body. spirit and energy and supports your meditation-sessions. There are two full meals offered in the morning and at lunch time, prepared at home in our own kitchen. In the evening we offer a light dinner, clear soups, fresh fruit and healthy green smoothies. please have a look at our Menu to get an idea what dishes we offer for our retreatants to choose.
Is the schedule very challenging?
Our schedule is designed, so that beginners and advanced meditators will be challenged enough to advance and find the right relaxation to let go of difficulties joyfully. The schedule is flexible and we always consider individual preferences. You don't need to worry - you'll get exactly what you need to improve your life.
Is the center very remote and silent?
The center is in a very beautiful rural and quiet area. It is close to Phuket town and therefor very central. The area around the retreat is green and beautiful with spiritual activities and local lifestyle present. It is also a very peaceful area, easygoing and relaxed. Of course you will hear sounds, see colors, smell, feel and taste things. Blocking out the objects that activate the five sense-organs is however not the point of our retreat. We want you to be able to create peace - no matter the external environment. Our techniques aim exactly for this goal. We only accept guests that want to learn authentic and deep meditation within this world in these times under exactly the current circumstances. therefore we offer a very powerful training-environment to overcome ones limitations and problems in life. Addictions and illness, shortcomings and helplessness as well as disturbances of various kinds are used and skillfully transformed.
Do you use tapes and videos to teach people as in other retreat centers?
At Phuket Meditation we only offer live teachers, live teachings and live counseling with a 24 hour SOS support, personal guidance and help during the meditation sessions. We also have professional therapists working for our center offering a wide range of supportive therapies for every taste and need. You will not be left alone with your questions and help is always present. Therefore we are proud to say: We don't offer service, we offer love.
Is the retreat very hard?
We make sure, that every level of experience is covered. If you come here for the first time, we won't be that tough with you. if your experience is already very good, then we will challenge your skills and push you to your limits. Our retreats can be challenginig but there is never a "must" or a forced practice. A retreat should be challenging but it should never be too much on the other hand. 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 things will be in your way - getting rid of them is the function of a retreat. Deepen your spirituality is another chance, a retreat offers you.These questions will be clarified in the initial interview.
Can I see a map of the Center? How do the Housing Zones work? Where will we practice Qigong/Yoga?
This is the map of our Retreat Center. You will walk to the Temple every morning and start your day with Yoga or Qigong. Your day starts at 5:30. You will have breakfast at the temple from 7:00am - 7:30am. After that we will sit together in a group and you all get your instructions, questions are answered and we meditate together. At 8:30 you go back to your room at the Yuwadee Retreat. the first Session on your own starts at 9:00am. After that you will stay at the room and do your meditations, go out, swim in the pool, take a walk etc. In the afternoon you have to chance to speak with your guide about your meditations in privacy at the temple. Your guide will be present during the retreat and visits you some times during the day to help you with your practice.
The Housing Zones are divided into A, B and R Zones. You can see them on the map as well. You can also download the map as a pdf file. Now I will describe the Bungalows for you:
Housing Zone A:
In Zone A we have two little Bungalows. Even though these are our cheapest option, they come with hot/cold water, fridge and a comfy Queensize bed, a beautiful garden just outside, wooden balcony and the comfort of a real wooden retreat hut deep in the forest. We also offer Six Villas (2 Stories for our longterm students). You can get more details on them if you are really interested in staying as a student at the center for longer times. Please have a look at the pictures for the bungalows right here.
Housing Zone B:
In this zone we offer 2 types of Bungalows. First the VIP option. A spacious bedroom, huge balcony, Kitchen, big bathroom with bathtub (!), fridge, Thai-garden in front of the door, relaxation and meditation room. The Twin Bungalow is the same Bungalow but there are two Sleeping rooms next to eachother and the rooms are separated from eachother. The bungalow is split in two halfs. This is a wonderful option for couples. While meditating you are close but you have all the privacy to concentrate on your retreat and your sessions.The Twin Bungalows offer you a beautiful sleeping room and a bathroom, a small kitchen and a fridge. please have a look at the pictures for both rooms right here.
Housing Zone R:
Zone R offers 10 bungalows made of wonderful wood, giving you a warm and protected feeling during your sessions. Zone R is close to the pool. We offer two different huts. The first version comes with two single Beds (Twinbed Bungalows - 2 huts). The second only with one Queensized bed (8 huts). These huts are particularly comfortable and give you a wonderful feeling, surrounded bu giant leafs and tropical flowers. For pictures, please have a look here.
Am I allowed to speak?
We follow the principle of noble silence, but as a suggestion. That means it depends on you. If you want your retreat to offer deeper insight and powerful results, you will be silent. This silence is based on understanding and does not need to be forced upon you by rules. Therefore it is supreme. Of course we will teach you all about the benefits of silence when you are here with us.
Can I bring snacks?
You could bring snacks - but ask yourself if too much sugar and spice will support your retreat and your health. If it does not support your health, leave it at home and do something nice to your body that tries so hard to keep you alive. If it supports your health and is good for you - wonderful.
Is the place suitable for people that cannot walk or have no arms or need support?
Well, I must say we never had guests that are disabled in some way so far. But I know that we will do anything to make them feel great and very welcome at our retreat. We are ready to adjust our programs for disabled people and help them to learn everything about meditation. We don't want to exclude anyone but we have to exclude people who suffer from serious psychotic disorders. The risk of further injury is too high in that case. Always remember that we are not a hospital, we don't have the medical equipment and expertise to help. We do have small stair sets at the center but it would be possible to come for a person in wheelchair if that person comes with his/her nurse or caring family member.
What do I have to bring along?
Comfortable clothes that are sufficient for the duration of your stay. You will make sport and you will sweat. Swimmsuit 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. You can bring your own cushion if you like - but we have cushions at the center for you. Other then that you don't need too many things.
What should I not bring along?
No weapons, no drugs, no audio or video equipments, no camera, no phones and no books except spiritual books that support your practice of meditation. All together please don't bring too much stuff. Your room needs to be tidy and clean everyday, too many things will disturb your retreat greatly. You have the chance to leave your things in our office until you finish the retreat.
Do we offer Yoga retreats?
Yes, we do. Please follow our schedule and our seminars-section as well as our facebook page for more information. It's best to sign up for our monthly newsletter "the little insight".
Are all our Retreats Yoga Retreats?
No, they are not. We offer authentic Yoga and Qigong practice at our center to keep you fit during the retreat. Your body should not disturb you with painful sensations. Therefore you will learn how to sit correctly, how to stretch your body and make it more soft.
What is the practice?
Everybody who comes has different problems and needs. Therefore everybody's practice will differ. However we mainly focus on Tibetan/Thai Buddhist Meditation and Daoist Systems of mind-training. 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, awareness of the Dantian (Energy center of the abdomen), breathing techniques etc. The reason for that is that our main instructor Tobias Warzinek has mainly learned from those traditions. We see ourselves as a non-sectarian center however. It does not matter what religion you follow or not. The importance is the retreat experience and the learning process of getting closer to universal peace of mind.
If you have any more questions, please write us an email an we will answer your question.