Health and Happiness

This retreat offers mind-body practices to stimulate our self-healing capacity and restore inner peace. We will water the seeds of joy and happiness, so that we can better face diseases. We will practice to take care of the wounded child within ourselves, and develop compassion in our daily life, creating a healthy environment in which to live. 

This special retreat is led by the Dharma Teachers of EIAB & Plum Village with Ian Gawler, from Australia, coming for the first time to Germany. He is a former cancer patient and founder of the Gawler Foundation. From his direct experience of applying meditation to self-healing in the last 30 years, he has led retreats and counselled many thousands of patients in Australia and all over the world.

Restorative mind-body activities:

Sitting and walking meditation as well as mindfulness practice throughout the day. We will practice to let go of our suffering and cultivate our joy.

Deep Relaxation of body and mind, and visualization of the healing process to nourish our confidence in our healing capacity.

QiGong and Tai Chi to develop our inner energy and develop physical strength.  

A Vegan diet of detoxifying foods that strengthen our immune capacity, maintain a light body and clear mind, and promote better concentration throughout the day. This diet helps us to regain new energy from our body reserves. We will draw on the Buddha’s wisdom by following his dietary practices: We will eat with mindfulness and moderation three meals a day, with the main meal at lunch. At evening time, we will eat a light vegetable soup, to sleep well. We will be eating vegetarian, there will be no eggs or dairy products.

Schedule of a typical day

 06:00 a.m.             Wake-up

06:30-07:30 a.m.   Warm up with Qi Gong+ Sitting meditation

7:30 a.m.               Light breakfast

09:00-10:00 a.m.   Dharma talk

10:30 -12:30          Walking

12:30 p.m.             Lunch

02:00 p.m.             Relaxation

03:00 p.m.             Working meditation

04:00 p.m.             Dharma discussion

05:00 p.m.             Qi Gong, Tai Chi

06:30 p.m.              Light Supper

08:00 p.m.              Workshops and evening sitting

9:30 p.m.              Bed time