Weekend Silent Meditation Retreat

❦ Weekend of Inner Peace

Join us for a weekend of inner peace silence and profound insights about meditation. It's a weekend well spent letting go of the relentless thinking mind and allowing the awareness of the present moment to become stronger and more rooted. In this way its benefits are more visible in everyday life as you will be more grounded clear and emotionally balanced.

❦ For Beginners and Advanced

The day is dedicated to both beginners and advanced practitioners to let go of worries stress mind-created stories and indulge in the perfect "isness" of each moment as it is. Beginners have a chance to expose themselves more to the practice of mindfulness sitting and walking meditation and to understand better how everything works in their own experience beyond theory. This will enable them to start practicing at home regularly and live a more stable and peaceful life.

The advanced will have a chance to explore their experience deeper and to dwell in the treasure that lies in the experience of being one with the breath. Spending a weekend in meditation together with our talk about samadhi the essence of meditation will also provide valuable insights and further clear guidance.

❦ Retreat Schedule & Atmosphere

The retreat is designed to offer ample breaks and meditation sessions that blend harmoniously. And to support this one of the previous participants said: "the experience flowed seamlessly; the day passed effortlessly...and the schedule was well-paced" (more reviews can be read near the bottom of the page). The atmosphere is peaceful and supportive where everything we do is infused with the intention to act mindfully and with presence.

 ❦ Day 1

Our gathering begins with a warm introduction to the retreat creating a space where we all get to know each other a little. Together we'll then embark on a journey inward meditating and silently enjoying a two-course meal. After some rest we'll go for a mindful walk in nature inviting you to explore your senses and connect deeply with the moment.

We'll meditate some more and gently stretch our bodies and flow into Yoga and Qigong.

Dinner will be a time for nourishment setting the stage for an evening where we delve into the heart of meditation engaging in insightful discussions about samadhi.

We will mindfully and silently go home and return next morning. We encourage you to keep noble silence at home too if possible and to not entertain the mind with TV phone or other distractions. Imagine that you brought the retreat in your home and that is your new place of practice for the evening.

 ❦ Day 2

The next day we will follow almost the same schedule enriched by the healing sounds of therapeutic sounds. The transition back to spoken words will be gentle guided by the collective harmony of singing together. We'll celebrate our togetherness and share our experiences of the retreat with fruit salad sweets and snacks.

The retreat's schedule is available find details in the picture attached below.

❦ Community & Shared Growth

Think of this experience as joining a family gathering of 10-12 people where every moment is about sincere sharing learning and growing together. Just like one of our previous participants shared: "The supportive environment and valuable advice from the teachers have significantly paved the way for my mindfulness practice. I'm grateful for such a positive start and for the wonderful community I found here in Helsinki.”

So warm welcome to a journey where every step is about coming home to a more peaceful and fulfilled you. ?

This weekend is an opportunity to strengthen your ability to be present in the here and now paving the way to a different mode of living—one marked by freedom and peace where thoughts emotions or any obstacles cannot disturb our lived inner peace.

❦ Private Guidance

Throughout the weekend you'll have the chance to receive personal guidance tailored to your needs. Whether you're seeking advice on your meditation practice or looking for support with everyday challenges our dedicated sessions are here to help you navigate through them.

❦ Food

♦️ On Saturday: salads & a two-course meal for lunch + a one-course meal for dinner.

♦️ On Sunday: salads & a two-course meal for lunch + snacks sweets & fruit salad.

We put a lot of love and mindfulness into preparing our meals making them delicious and nourishing to fully enjoy mindful eating in each bite.

A variety of tea and coffee will be available throughout the retreat.

❦ Therapeutic Sounds and Meditative Singing

We'll transition into speaking after a day in silence through meditative group singing which nurtures our bond and solidifies our connection to each other. Healing sounds from Saphir chimes and singing bowls will also enrich your experience and deeply heal.

❦ Retreat price and donations

The retreat costs 150€ + a donation of your choice.  Our aim is to keep the retreat accessible to all and we rely on your kind donations to achieve this. We invite you to donate what feels right and feasible for you reflecting on your own resources and the value of the personal guidance and teachings provided without setting a specific amount. Thank you! ♡

After your booking is confirmed by allevents.in on the same page you will find a link under "Instructions from the host". Please access the link and register for the retreat.

Your place is reserved by making a 85€ in the provided registration form. The remaining 65€ + any donations you wish to make will be paid on the retreat day. 

Register here in English: https://forms.gle/3jgbXiGAtgeVGqP99

Rekisteröidy täällä suomeksi: https://forms.gle/avCLFxvfMHZbaJLE8

❦ Do you have any questions?

Please feel free to contact Julia at 045 168 7796 or at [email protected]. She gladly offers a free 20-35 min introductory about the retreat if you need more information.

Join our community connect with like-minded souls and see pictures from our previous retreats: https://www.facebook.com/groups/helsinkinondualityandmeditationgroup

❦ About the hosts

Julia

Julia's life and work as a Mental Health and Meditation Coach is profoundly anchored in 15 years of studying and training in Mental Health Mindfulness Zen Buddhism Nonduality and Philosophy. 

Struggling deeply with overwhelming anxiety and depression she found lasting freedom and inner peace through the practice of meditation while living a monastic life in a Zen temple. 

This transformative experience was further enriched by Rupert Spira's guidance in London and Oxford deepening her understanding and practice of nonduality. 

Julia studied at Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University UK and holds a master's degree in Philosophy. 

Her unique blend of lived experience and academic study informs her approach to guiding others on their paths to mindfulness and meditation.

Harri

Harri experienced several extreme challenges in his life that demolished the core of his sense of self. At the moment he lived for the very first time without conceptualising reality being totally free from the constructed false sense of self.

This embarked Harri on a journey searching for the meaning of this life-changing experience. He found his answers in his own experience guided by the teachings of the great samurai Miyamoto Musashi Nonduality and Zen Buddhism.

These had such a profound impact on his life that Harri felt the call to share these teachings with others who are interested.

Both Harri and Julia have meditated daily for more than 8 years and continue to do so today. They organise retreats monthly and live their life from a place of stillness truth and peace.

❦ What previous participants said

(reviews taken from our public Facebook and Google pages)

★ Fenet Yirga said:

"I used to meditate at home for a long time but wasn't effective and consistent. But when I first joined the Monday’s meditation I recognized the effect was powerful in a group and was encouraged to come to the retreat. I felt like I was on a mental vacation. Practicing to be aware while eating walking and mindfully resting was relaxing to an overcrowded mind and gave me the headspace I needed. It is worth it!! I had my challenges in sitting cross-legged comfortably and practicing to watch the negative feelings my mind brings from learned and repressed experiences but Harri and Julia were around the corner to guide me with their long practical experience. Thank you so much for all the wonderful work you do and happy to be part of it!"

★ Nguyen Thuc Tien said:

"I tried out their One-day Meditation Retreat and it was a ★★★★★ experience. I've never sat for a 50-minute meditation before that but Julia and Harri were such incredible teachers. 

They break down the method and guide you through the practice making it super easy to understand and apply. I felt like my meditation was getting more effective session by session. 

Other than great meditation you get all sort of lovely and relaxed experience like good food cooked by love silence and serenity a detox from technology unplugged mindful walk in the park etc. right in the city with a reasonable price.

I'm completely hooked. I've been to 3 of their retreats already and I can't wait to join the next one!"

★ Mika Loikkanen said:

"I attended the meditation retreat on 2.9. Very nicely organized with plenty of breaks (stretching mindful walking eating) which made it easier for those of us not used to meditating for such long periods. Would definitely recommend the retreats. Afterwards I could stay much more attuned to the present especially noticing sounds and the feel of things more."

★ Sofia Ramos said:

"An amazing community to share the practice of meditation with Harri and Julia are super friendly and knowledgeable hosts that guide the meditation with kindness and patience. The atmosphere is very welcoming and safe. I would recommend them to anyone interested in starting their meditation practice."

Host or Publisher Helsinki Nonduality and Meditation