Latest Newsletter
Spiritual Shortfilms:
Teachings, Inspirations, Motivations
by John David
Kommende Events:
Weekly Zoom Meetings
Start again in Autumn 2025
Public Live Satsang
Start again in Autumn 2025
New Book
about Self Realisation
Mantra Music
with the Open Sky Band
Darkness Retreat
The Unique Vipassana Island
7 – 9 November
– near Cologne at the Rhine
28 – 30 November
– in Dénia, Spain
We are afraid of death, we are afraid of separation, we are afraid of nothingness. But if we look deeply, we realize the incessant change of things and gradually lose our fear.
-Thich Nhat Hanh
An intensive retreat inspired by the classical 10-day Vipassana –
for all who wish to deeply relax and leave everyday life behind.
Welcome at the
The Vipassana Island is a wonderful opportunity to understand the workings of your mind and body, and to meet yourself on a deep level.
Spend an entire weekend in silence with yourself, supported by the energy of a meditation group and the Open Sky House community, who have been practicing this unique form of Vipassana for over 15 years.
Your “island” consists of a chair, a meditation cushion, a backrest, a mattress, and blankets. A loving support team brings you meals and takes care of your needs around the clock.
Guidance is available in English, German, and Spanish.
We created a short film capturing the very first moment when participants open their eyes:
The experience of the Vipassana weekend was very intense — with closed eyes and minimal physical movement — but more than worthwhile.
I recommend this weekend to anyone who is interested in going deep within themselves.
A wonderful opportunity to meet yourself in a very intense and intimate way.
I had no idea it was possible to feel so much love and joy just by sitting on a mattress.
A big thank you to the Open Sky support team!
I am deeply touched by the incredibly loving care throughout the entire weekend.
I am deeply touched by the wonderful care throughout the entire weekend.
Even the smallest needs were tended to with such incredible tenderness and love.
A big thank you to the Open Sky support team!
It was an amazing experience.
I wish I had dared to do it sooner.
I was very afraid of what I might encounter, or that I would mostly just be bored –
but it turned out to be one of the best weekends of my life!
I went through phases filled with many thoughts and phases of very deep silence.
I was able to clearly see the core thoughts that form the foundation of many of my inner patterns.
It was incredibly insightful.
In the end, only silence and gratitude remained.
Experience a Vipassana Retreat in Germany that leads you deep into silence and mindfulness: no talking, no phone, no music, no distractions.
By consciously switching off external stimuli, you can fully focus on your inner world — on the sensations of your body, the movements of your mind, and the nature of your emotions.
With the powerful support of the Open Sky House community, you can immerse yourself deeply in the practice and discover a new level of connection with yourself during your Vipassana Germany retreat.
Vipassana is based on the teachings of the Buddha and offers a path to insight into the true nature of reality.
Through the direct observation of impermanence, dissatisfaction, and non-self in all experiences, you cultivate equanimity and uncover timeless wisdom.
This weekend is not an escape from life, but a deep dive into the essence of being.
Whatever arises in meditation — you face it, you don’t run away. You meet it with courage, compassion, and curiosity.
This allows your inner peace, strength, and wisdom to unfold.
The Vipassana Germany retreat will be a transformative experience for you —
a springboard into a life of clarity, compassion, and inner freedom.
Deepen your meditation practice and take new strength and insight back into your daily life.
A journey into silence — without talking, phones, music, or distractions — allows you to fully focus on your inner world and explore the sensations of your body, the fluctuations of your mind, and the nature of your emotions.
Based on the teachings of the Buddha, Vipassana aims to gain insight into the nature of reality and attain liberation from suffering by observing the impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and non-self of all experiences — thus uncovering timeless wisdom.
Practicalities
Arrival:
Friday afternoon
Start:
Friday, 7 PM – Silent Dinner and Introduction with Indira
End:
Sunday, 7 PM – those who wish are welcome to stay for dinner
Indira
Tel. & Whatsapp:
+49 178 2890814
Email: office@openskyhouse.org
incl. Accommodation and Food
280€ Standard
220€ Concession
190€ Students under 27
Germany, near Cologne
The retreat in Germany takes place in the peaceful beauty of Open Sky House in Hitdorf, located directly on the banks of the Rhine River.
Hitdorf is situated between Cologne and Düsseldorf.
Open Sky House
Rheinstraße 54
51371 Hitdorf
with Indira: 7 – 9 November
at Open Sky House Hitdorf, Germany
Here you can sign up and reserve your Vipassana Island.
We will get back to you shortly to arrange all further details.
