VIPASSANA & YOGA

Vipassana is a Buddhist form of meditation that involves observing the body and mind and practicing non-reactive exploration of the here and now. You can meditate in any position - during this retreat it will be mostly sitting and walking - and also in ordinary everyday activities. You could say that one purpose of meditation is to train a natural conscious presence throughout the day. A good way to do this is to slow down and not fill your everyday life and your mind with everything you usually do and say, but mostly just be in silence with what is.

The retreat is designed for both beginners and more experienced practitioners. The program is intensive from morning to evening and includes sitting and walking meditations interspersed with yoga sessions and nature walks as well as instructions, lectures and Q&A sessions. In addition, there will be traditional Buddhist elements such as the five rules of practice and chanting. Participants are invited to practice noble silence throughout the retreat except during Q&A sessions. Three vegetarian meals are served daily.

Staffan Hammers was one of the founders of the Vipassana Meditation Group in the late 1970s. In 1985 he was ordained as a Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka and then spent 11 years living in various monasteries, meditating, studying and teaching. After returning, for the past 25 years he has led the Vipassana Group's meditation evenings and weekend retreats. In his civilian life, Staffan has worked in systems support at a computer company in Stockholm, but is now entering retirement. He lives with his wife in the countryside south of Stockholm.

The yoga led by Malin is soft, dynamic and compassionate. It is simple and invigorating for body and mind. And especially good for your posture and back. The focus is on presence in breath and body, with beautiful soft movements led by the breath. But also both still, restful positions, and also some strength for the body. You get your own individual adaptations if necessary. Malin has her foundation in Viryayoga (Hatha yoga) and Mindfulness. 

Dana/donation - to practice generosity

The course fee covers Kollberggården's costs for board and lodging and Staffan's travel expenses. However, the teaching of vipassana meditation is not included in the course fee, as it cannot be priced. According to Buddhist tradition, teaching the Dhamma, the Buddha's teachings, is like giving a gift. And as a participant, you also have the opportunity to give a gift by making a donation/dana for the teaching. Dana is separate from the concept of a fee and is given out of a sense of gratitude and generosity or out of what you think the free teaching of the Dhamma is worth. You can take into account the teachers' efforts and time spent and perhaps put this in relation to what other things cost in today's society, but of course also take into account your financial situation. Your dana makes it possible to offer vipassana retreats at cost price.

You can swish your dana to the Vipassana Group's swish number 123 440 59 32 or plusgiro account 17 43 75-6.

The good, home-cooked food is vegetarian or vegan and as far as possible locally grown and organic. Fruit platters, coffee & tea are available for self-serving whenever you get the urge.

Retreat cost - Board & Lodging 

From 3900 SEK, in shared room/cabin + dana/donation to teacher. 

This price includes accommodation, food, cook, outdoor spa and sauna and travel costs for teachers, not teaching.

Accommodation in shared 2-bed room / 3-bed room / or in cottage. Several of the beds are bunk beds. Please inform us when registering if you need a single room or have a special request for a room or bed. We have single rooms for a supplement, see options below. Linen & towels can be rented (pre-booked) for SEK 150 / set.

Payment Once your place is confirmed, you will receive a booking fee of 1000 SEK (non-refundable). The remainder is invoiced with payment in advance. Your booking is binding, and you are responsible for replacements if you are unable to attend. Refund only with medical certificate. 

Travel climate smart! Bus 105takes you from Kalmar train station, or from the Silver Line (direct bus Stockholm-Öland), to the stop "Kleva" right next to the farm.

For questions about the retreat and registration write to malin@kollberggarden.se

When booking, please provide your address, telephone number, any intolerance and preferably your age.  

This is what the days can look like

The day of arrival

16.00-18.00 Check-in

18.00 * Evening meal

19.15 * Welcome presentation, retreat info

20.15 Meditation

21.00 Free time (there is the possibility of a spa bath)

Full days

6.00 * Waking up

6.30 Sitting meditation

7.00 Yoga

8.00 Breakfast

9.15 ** Sitting meditation

10.00 Walking meditation

10.45 * Dhamma talk

Sitting meditation

12.00 Lunch

13.30 ** Hiking in nature

15.00 Snack

15.30 * Sitting meditation

16.15 Yoga

17.15 Sitting meditation

18.00 Evening meal

19.00 * Walking meditation

19.45 * Dhamma talk

Sitting meditation/metta meditation

21.00 Free time (there is the possibility of a spa bath)

The day of departure

6.00 * Waking up

6.30 Sitting meditation

7.00 Yoga

8.00 Breakfast

Cleaning/packing

9.30 ** Sitting meditation

10.00 Dhamma talk

10.30 Sharing ring

11.30 Free time/cleaning/packing

12.00 * Lunch

13.30 Closure