Chan Retreat
15–17 January 2027
Chan Meditation · Philosophy · Qi Gong
Jura & Three Lakes region, Switzerland
Register nowRetreat details
Days of silence and Chan practice
This retreat invites you to step out of your usual pace for a few days and immerse yourself in a quieter form of practice.
At the centre are Chan meditation, philosophy and Qi Gong. You will learn or deepen central elements of Shaolin Chan practice: Zuo Chan/sitting in silence, walking meditation, Qi Gong, mindful movement and the practical application of the foundations of Chan philosophy. Short impulses and personal guidance support you in experiencing the exercises, understanding them and taking them into everyday life.
It is less about achieving or accomplishing as much as possible. At the same time, the retreat offers a clear, structured approach to Chan practice. This creates a framework in which you can become more aware, perceive your body, gather your mind and directly experience the principles of Chan.
The lovingly renovated farmhouse in a quiet, natural setting offers a meditation and movement room, sauna and cosy rooms — a protected place for stillness, practice, rest and being together.
This retreat is ideal for you if…
This retreat is limited to 14 participants!
What to expect
- Chan meditation
- Walking meditation and periods of silence
- Qi Gong and quiet body practice
- Gentle Shaolin foundation practice
- Short philosophical Chan impulses
- Tea times and mindful breaks
- Exchange and Chan conversation
- Personal reflection and transfer to daily life
- Vegetarian cuisine and charming accommodation
- Nature, sauna and time to rest
- Personal and well-founded guidance
The three pillars of the retreat
Chan meditation
Chan meditation forms the core of the retreat. We practice Zuo Chan, sitting in silence, guided meditation, breath and body awareness, walking meditation and periods of silence. You practise central foundations of Chan meditation: a stable posture, returning to the breath, working with thoughts and training clear awareness. It is not about reaching a special state. Rather, we practise coming into contact with what arises: thoughts, body sensations, restlessness, silence. In this way, meditation becomes a practice that helps you be more present and awake in life.
Philosophy
Short Chan impulses accompany the practice. They serve as orientation for your own practice: What does it mean to sit in silence? How do we work with thoughts? What does non-attachment mean? How can Chan become alive in everyday life? Exchange, questions from practice, Chan conversation and personal reflection also belong to this pillar. Philosophy remains connected to your own experience rather than staying abstract.
Qi Gong
Qi Gong and quiet body practice help you experience stillness not only in sitting, but also in the body. We practise Qi Gong forms, standing, breathing, grounding and slow movements. The practice is deliberately kept quiet. It is less about training or technique than about gathering, stability, openness and presence in the body. In this way, Qi Gong supports Chan practice and makes it tangible how stillness can also show itself in movement.
Daily structure
The exact schedule is adapted according to the group, weather and process. You will receive the detailed daily plan before the retreat. A typical retreat day might look like this:
- 07:00 – 08:10
Chan meditation & Qi Gong
Sitting in silence, breath, body awareness and quiet morning practice
- 08:15 – 09:00
Breakfast in silence
Eating together, arriving and consciously beginning the day
- 09:30 – 11:45
Chan practice & philosophy
Short impulse, meditation, walking meditation and questions from practice
- 12:15 – 13:15
Lunch
Vegetarian cuisine, mindful community and time for exchange
- 13:15 – 15:00
Rest period
Nature, sauna, journaling, retreat, quiet pause or being together
- 15:00 – 17:45
Qi Gong, tea times & Chan conversation
Quiet body practice, meditation, mindful breaks, exchange and personal reflection
- 18:30 – 19:30
Dinner
Closing the day together in a cosy atmosphere
- 20:15 – 21:00
Philosophy & evening meditation
Deeper Chan impulse, reflection on the day and shared evening practice
- from 21:00
Rest / voluntary silence
Time to let the day settle or go deeper
On Friday we begin with a conscious entry into Chan practice: arriving, introduction, first practice phases and shared orientation. Saturday is the most intensive practice day with meditation, Qi Gong, silence, tea times, nature, philosophy and exchange. On Sunday the focus shifts more towards integration, transfer to daily life and closing.
A house with history
The retreat takes place in a roughly 200-year-old farmhouse renovated according to ecological principles. The house has lovingly furnished single, double and shared rooms, a meditation and movement room, a sauna and plenty of outdoor space. The quiet surroundings in the Jura & Three Lakes region support arriving, becoming still and practising. Depending on the weather, we also use nature for walking meditation, quiet pauses and Qi Gong.
Requirements
- Openness to silence and inner practice
- Willingness to engage with meditation, Qi Gong and simple body practice
- Basic psychological health
- No prior experience required
- Minimum age: 16 years, younger upon request
You do not need meditation experience and do not need to be particularly fit. The practice is guided so that you can do it within your own possibilities.
If you are unsure whether the retreat is right for you, please feel free to write to us.
Framework
Date
Fri 15 Jan 2027, 10:00 – Sun 17 Jan 2027, 17:00
Arrival is on Friday between 09:00 and 10:00.
For those who cannot take Friday off, a later entry on Friday evening is possible.
Prices
Participation from Friday morning
- Single room: 1050 CHF
- Double room: 850 CHF
- Shared room: 690 CHF
Later entry on Friday evening
- Single room: 950 CHF
- Double room: 750 CHF
- Shared room: 590 CHF
Included in the retreat price:
Accommodation, 3 meals per day, coffee, tea & snacks, retreat programme, personal guidance, sauna.
You stay in lovingly furnished single, double or shared rooms. Single rooms share a communal bathroom; double and shared rooms have their own bathroom.
Travel
The venue is in the Jura & Three Lakes region and is easily reachable from many parts of Switzerland.
Before the retreat we share a list where participants can sign up for car pools.
Participants
To keep the setting personal and respond individually to the group, the number of places is limited to 14 people.
Registration for the Chan Retreat 2027
Fri 15 Jan 2027, 10:00 – Sun 17 Jan 2027, 17:00
When registering you can indicate whether you participate from Friday morning or only from Friday evening. With your binding registration, a deposit of 300 CHF is due. The remaining amount will be invoiced two months before the retreat.