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India Retreat 2024 Aftermovie

Spiritual Shortfilms:

Teachings, Inspirations, Motivations

by John David

Kommende Events:

Weekly Zoom Meetings

Thursdays 8pm

New Book
about Self Realization

Mantra Music

with the Open Sky Band

Silence Retreat

Vipassana Island Weekend at Open Sky House near Cologne, Germany

5 - 7 May

“Silence is a source of great strength.”

-Lao Tzu

Silence Retreat Art of Living

In the Open Sky House near Cologne

The banks of the Rhine invite you to take walks at Open Sky House.

The beauty of inner silence lies in its ability to lead us to a deep understanding of our true nature. When we retreat into stillness and detach from external distractions, we can begin to observe our thoughts and emotions, and realize that they are not identical to our true selves. In this realization, we can find deep peace and tranquility.

In stillness, we can also feel our connection to everything around us and become aware that we are a part of the greater whole. By focusing on our breath and our body, we can center ourselves in the present moment and free ourselves from worries and anxieties.

The beauty of experiencing silence in a silent retreat can also have a transformative effect on our lives. By regularly taking time to retreat into stillness, we can better regulate our thoughts and emotions, and focus on our relationships and decisions with more clarity and awareness.

Ultimately, the beauty of inner silence can help us lead a fulfilling and meaningful life by connecting with our true selves and focusing on our spiritual development.

Participants in meditation on the Vipassana Island.

"In stillness, you find yourself."
- Rumi

A silent retreat of a special kind.

How Vipassana Island works.

Vipassana Island meditation is a shortened and intensified version of a classic Vipassana course. It’s a unique experience where you sit in silence with yourself for the entire weekend, in the supportive energy field of the group and John David’s students. The island consists of a chair, a meditation cushion, a floor chair, a mattress, and blankets. A loving team of helpers will bring you food.

Arrival:
Friday afternoon
Start:
Friday 7:00 pm, silent dinner & opening circle with John David
End: Sunday 7:00 pm, closing circle (those who wish can stay for dinner)

Price:
230€ including accomodation and meals
195€ Reduced
165€ Students under 27

A Wonderful Opportunity

After the silent retreat you can participate in the community one week for FREE!

The helper week in the Open Sky House gives you the unique chance to get an impression of what it is like to live in a spiritual community and to give full priority to the inner work and journey to being free. In the supportive and loving energy field of the community you can open up and gradually step out of your habits and thought patterns and find the “Open Sky” again.

Aftermovie

We made a short film about the first moment people open their eyes after sitting blindfolded in meditation for 48 hours.

Impressions from the Silence Retreat

“In silence we can feel the pulse of the universe.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

You begin this journey with silence. For the next two days, you will retreat into silence. That means no talking, no phones, and no distractions. By turning off external stimuli, you can turn your attention inward and explore the sensations of your body, the fluctuations of your mind, and the nature of your emotions. With the support of John David and the energy of the Open Sky House community, you can dive deeply into the practice. Based on the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, this experience aims to free consciousness from identification with limited concepts and thoughts and to realize the true nature of the self. By examining the ideas of duality and separation between self and world, you can realize the oneness and interconnectedness of all things. This weekend is not an escape from reality, but rather an immersion in it. You will face the challenges of the present moment, the discomforts of physical and mental pain, and the habitual patterns of your mind. But if you face these obstacles with courage, compassion, and curiosity, you can discover your inner strength and resilience. May this weekend be a transformative experience for you, a stepping stone to a life of clarity, compassion and freedom, where you can recognize yourself as the infinite consciousness and feel complete and whole in every moment.

Support from John David

John David, an experienced spiritual teacher, will guide you this weekend to help you find your way back to your essential nature – the nature of love and peace.

John David is a teacher who helps people deepen their meditation practice and awaken to their true nature. His goal is to support spiritual seekers and provide them with powerful supports such as this silent retreat. His approach to meditation aims to achieve a profound transformation of consciousness rather than just temporary states of bliss. John David offers a variety of teachings and practices to help individuals overcome habitual thought patterns and connect with the deeper aspects of the self. One of his most important methods is the transmission of energy. His powerful presence enables many people to reach deeper levels of consciousness and experience profound changes in their awareness. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, John David’s teachings and presence can help you connect with the deeper aspects of your being and experience profound changes in your life.

John David • Meditation and wisdom teacher

Location

The Silent Retreat will take place in the beautiful Open Sky House directly on the banks of the Rhine in Hitdorf between Cologne and Düsseldorf

Registration

Here you can register for the silent retreat “Vipassana Island