Thursday, May 21, 2026 3:00 PM – Monday, May 25 2:00 PM
The Love of Life
“When we nourish and support our own happiness, we nourish our capacity to love. Therefore, to love means learning the art of nourishing our own well-being.” – Thich Nhat Hahn
This Love of life retreat offers you the opportunity to spend time in silence and, together with others, practice loving kindness and compassion for yourself and the world around you.
Sometimes our zest for life gets somewhat obscured by various events and circumstances. We are then more concerned with surviving than with living. Often, we cannot change the circumstances, but we can soften our inner attitude and learn to look at ourselves with more compassion and gentleness. We increase our resilience. And as a result, it also becomes easier to enjoy the small, good things that life offers us. We can rediscover our love for life, despite setbacks.
Includes additional guided compassion meditations.
During this retreat, we will jointly enter into deep silence.
Evening meditation
We practice a lot of silent zenmeditation and guided compassion exercises together. We also practice mindful movement and qigong with loving attention for body and mind.
When the weather is nice, we will do the movement sessions in the beautifully landscaped zen garden of De Maanhoeve.
The Maanhoeve has a quiet atmosphere and is perfect to find peace within yourself. And to experience what silence can bring.
Silence by not having to talk to each other, you have social leave.
Experience with meditation and silence is not necessary.
Participation is always preceded by an intake interview
Facilitator
“Annetje Jikai Brunner is an experienced and profound zen teacher. She guides meditations and retreats with compassion and depth. Her guidance is characterized by tranquility, humanity, equality, and humor, and she doesn’t shy away from revealing her own vulnerability.” ~ Toonin (participated in the silent retreat “The Way”)
Annetje Jikai (born 1961) is a zen teacher and social psychologist. She is a mindfulness and compassion trainer and educator. She began her Zen practice over 30 years ago. Annetje Jikai received Dharma transmission—in which she became an authorized zen teacher—from Irène Kaigetsu Bakker Roshi in the White Plum Lineage of Maezumi Roshi. She teaches at the Zen Spirit Sangha Groningen, at zen retreats, and online. Jikai is her second Dharma name, meaning “ocean of compassion.” Her first zen teacher gave her the name Mokudo, “silent path.” She experiences both names as a great gift and an ongoing practice. Annetje Jikai offers a safe and compassionate space to all meditators. Beginners and experienced meditators are welcome.
Accomodation
You sleep in a spacious shared room or (with supplement) in a single room.
Food
Lovely healthy, organic and vegetarian food, with vegan options. Prepared by our own chef. Vegetables from the garden.
Diningroom
Full Program
Thursday May 21 2026
15:00 Arrival
16:00 Openingscircle, instruction and meditation
18:00 Evening meal & start silence
19:30 First meditation session
21:00 Tea
22:00 Sleep
Friday – Sunday May 22 – 24
6:00 Wake up
6:30 Zazen (silent sitting meditation, alternated with walking meditation)
8:00 Breakfast
9:15 Mindful movement & qigong
10:30 Tea & Coffee
11:00 Zazen (silent meditation) & Guided meditation
12:30 Lunch & rest
15:00 Group walking meditation in the garden
15:45 Tea
16:15 Zazen (silent meditation) and dharmatalk
18:00 Eveningmeal
19:30 Zazen (silent meditation) & metta chant
21.00 Tea
22:00 Sleep
Monday May 25
6:00 Wake up
6:30 Zazen (silent meditation)
8:00 Breakfast
9:15 Mindful movements & qigong
10:00 Packing & Rooms
11:00 Listening Circle
13:00 Lunch
14:00 End
Cost
Cost: Single room: € 1095 Single bed in spacious shared room: € 995
Included in the price: All meals from dinner on the first day of the retreat to lunch on the final day. Beverages, fruits and snacks. Yoga matts and props. Meditation cushion (if you have a preferred cushion for meditation, we recommend bringing your own). Accommodation and bedding. Instruction on meditation technique. Meditation and mindful movement each day. Daily Inspirational talk during the retreat. Personal intake before the retreat to get aquainted and help you prepare. Follow-up conversation in the month after the retreat has ended (both via Zoom) with Annetje Jikai
Not included: Travel insurance. Flights. Transport to the retreat center. Toiletries
Cancellation Policy
You will receive an invoice for the retreat
Cancellation up to 30 days before the retreat: we will refund any balance paid.
Cancellation less than 30 days before the retreat: we will charge 50% of the cost.
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