INSTRUCTOR

Everything at the retreat is voluntary, and we set up a culture like at college/university − the retreat offers teaching, guiding, individual guidance, joint question/answer sessions, food, room/cabin, friendliness and beautiful nature − and then it is up to each participant to use the resources and nature according to their own wishes and needs. It is recommended to sleep a lot during the first few days, as sleep deprivation/tiredness is a major obstacle to the development of the mind and wisdom.

The purpose of this retreat is to enable participants to dedicate this week to themselves − their own mind and body − free from family, work, entertainment and regular duties. The participants have no responsibility, and there is a real opportunity for development, learning and practice.

The first and last day of the retreat is social, but everyone is encouraged to be quiet and not talk throughout the week, unless it is practically necessary, or in case of questions/comments at classes/sessions. If someone wants to be a little social, it is recommended to go for a walk in nature together, so that the others are not disturbed.

Many people come to such a retreat, because they want and value peace/silence – and experience the beauty of a quiet peaceful mind. So the focus this week is inwards towards our own mind, and only to a small extent social.

Good and relevant books are offered at the retreat, for those who want to read − some can be borrowed, and others can be bought.

This retreat is mostly free of rituals and ceremonies, and we have a typical western way of being.

At this retreat, the participants choose how they want to sit. Many sit on a regular chair or stol, some lie on the floor with a mat and pillow, and some sit on the floor with a mat and a cushion. So feel free to bring the equipment you need for meditation − mats, seat cushion, stool or chair, etc.

A 2500-year-old training is taught, which over centuries has created wisdom and light brilliantly beautiful minds—freedom from hatred, anger, worry, anxiety, depression, shame, greed, envy, etc. It’s about developing kindness, ethics, peace, joy, happiness, and freedom—a framework called the eight-fold path.

The more we learn, the better we will experience our minds and lives. Ethics and good intentions create a life with less trouble, and meditation creates a temporarily uplifted mind that gives a taste of how beautiful our mind can be. Such an uplifted mind—peaceful, clear, and light—can focus deeply, undisturbed, and for a long time, and develop wisdom about our own nature, which can create a permanently beautiful happy mind, through understanding the framework called the Four Noble Truths.

So it’s about happiness and freedom on the inside, and to a lesser extent the physical, social and material side of life.

All the factors of the eight-fold path are taught at this retreat – ethics, intentions, effort, mindfulness, meditation, and how wisdom develops.

A daily schedule will be defined together with the group that will be followed throughout the retreat. Typically, it will look like this:

06.30 – 07.30 − Group meditation (optional)
07.30 – 08.30 − Breakfast
09.00 – 10.00 − Teaching
10.00 – 12.00 − Free practice
12.00 – 13.00 − Lunch (main meal)
13.00 – 15.00 − Free practice
15.00 – 16.00 − Guided meditation
16.00 – 18.00 − Free practice/individual guidance
18.00 – 19.00 − Evening snacks
20.00 – 21.00 − Q&A session
21.00 – ??.?? − Free practice

Pictures, information and podcast episodes at previous DNBF retreats in Norway:

We plan two meals a day: breakfast and lunch. In the evening, there will be the opportunity for some snacks. The food is vegetarian, with dairy products and eggs. If you want vegan food or have other food restrictions, you can contact Eeva by email: eevajohanna@gmail.com. We would like to have all the information about diet as soon as possible.

Participants will be asked to help with some practical chores: chopping vegetables, cooking, washing dishes or cleaning, etc. a couple of times during the retreat.

TRANSPORT

REGISTRATION

We have 18 places with single rooms, and 12 places where two participants share a double room. If the single or double room is fully booked, try the other type of room.

The deadline for registration is 22nd of January 2026.