Datum/Tijd
Date(s) - wo 08 jul 2026
zo 12 jul 2026
Categorieën
Korte Zomerretraite
Begeleiding: Maitripa en Candradipa – The retreat will be led in English
“Venerable sire, this is half of the holy life, that is, good friendship, good companionship, good comradeship.” “Not so, Ananda! Not so, Ananda! This is the entire holy life, Ananda…” — The Buddha (Samyutta Nikaya)
In our modern world, we often imagine the spiritual life as a solitary pursuit—a quiet, inward journey on a meditation cushion. Yet, as the Buddha famously corrected his attendant Ananda, spiritual friendship (Kalyana Mitrata) is not merely a helpful addition to our practice; it is the whole of the path to awakening.
Why is spiritual friendship so central? At its core, the Buddhist path is about waking up from the painful, restricted sleep of self-obsession. When we are trapped in the endless loop of “I, me, and mine,” we suffer. True spiritual friendship provides the perfect training ground for breaking out of this closed circle of self-interest. By opening our hearts, practicing deep communication, and genuinely caring for the spiritual welfare of others, we actively dismantle the ego. We transcend our limitations not by denying ourselves, but by expanding our circles of loving-kindness (Metta) until our self-interest is entirely absorbed into a deep concern for all beings.
During this short summer retreat at Metta Vihara, we will explore the transformative power of spiritual friendship and how our spiritual friends can act as mirrors—helping us see our blind spots, supporting us through difficulties, and rejoicing in our growth.
Whether you are new to Buddhism or have been practicing for years, this retreat offers a warm, supportive environment to experience how true friendship is not just a means to an end, but a beautiful expression of freedom itself. We welcome anyone (with or without meditation experience) who is open to wholeheartedly engaging with a retreat programme consisting of meditation, reflection, communication, ritual, and discussion.
Tariff
Standard: € 355,-
Discount: € 300,-