Retreat
Retreat Schedule
7-Day Retreat Dates
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MDW #73 June 24-30, 2024
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MDW #74 August 19-25, 2024
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MDW #75 September 23-29, 2024
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MDW #76 December 16-22, 2024
Registration Fees:500 USD (Air Con and Private Bathroom) 350 USD (Fan and Shared Bathroom)
1-Day Retreat Dates
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June 21, 2024
Introduction to The Middle Way Retreat
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Absorb the taste of ancient Buddhist teaching and practice meditation technique from more than decade experienced teaching monks.
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Take a technology break and touch the power of peaceful mind, in the moment of mindfulness to create a wonderful and supportive vibe.
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Enjoy healthy fresh food.
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Immerse yourself in the beautiful, serene and rejuvenating nature on Samui Island, Thailand.
You will be introduced to the ancient 2,500-year-old Buddhist meditation technique called 'The Middle Way Meditation.’
Our meditation courses are designed to help you learn and develop your meditation practice. The keys to success in The Middle Way Meditation technique are being relaxed, placing your mind at the center of the body, and meditating consistently.
The Middle Way Institute organizes retreats throughout the years at Samui, the beautiful island in the southern part of Thailand.
We live in a hectic and fast-paced world. We tend to external circumstances daily, but often neglect to make time to relax in the nature. Sun, sand and sea – this is Samui Island. Every beach lover’s paradise, premier choice as a peaceful hideaway and a stress buster hotspot for the weary soul. Samui Island will soothe your mind with its marvelous tropical settings. Samui International Meditation Center is located on Samui Island, one of the finest and most original holiday destinations in Thailand. Individuals from all around the world come to the island each and every season for an amazing experience surrounded by ever-present coco palm trees. The center itself is suitably designed for meditation practice. We offer a practical method of The Middle Way Meditation that teaches you how to find life balance. There are two kinds of retreats at Samui International Meditation Center, 1-Day Retreat and 7-Day Retreat.
Accommodation
To foster a clean, pure and organized mind, our accommodations are designed with a minimalist approach. The simplistic environment enhances a tranquil and relaxing experience. Male and female live in separate cottages/rooms and the bathroom is just beside the residential area.
Healthy Foods
Enjoy fresh and delicious locally produced food. Some of the produce are organically grown within the premises of the retreat center itself. We offer both vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets. If you have specific dietary requirements, certain illness or health conditions, please let us know at least 7 days prior to your arrival. We will make the necessary arrangements for you. During the course of the retreat there will be two meals provided per day. We will follow the simple spiritual lifestyle and will not have dinner. This dietary practice helps meditators get the right amount of energy and compliments the meditation practice.
7-Day Retreat, Samui
In the 7-Day Meditation Retreat, you will learn and be guided from experienced teaching monks and mentors to improve your meditation experiences through various activities such as meditation teaching and practice, wisdom talks and small group discussions. You will begin your day early at dusk by cleansing the mind with meditation before starting with the daily activities. We believe that to find peace both our mind and body has to be at ease. Our program ensures your time is balanced throughout the day so you get enough time to stretch your muscles, rest, and meditate.
Guidelines for 7-Day Retreat
To maximize the benefits of joining The Middle Way 7-Day Retreat, it is necessary to be familiar with and clearly understand the guidelines for participating.
These guidelines are based on the practical experience of thousands of meditators from around the world who have utilized The Middle Way Meditation technique. Therefore, the guidelines can be considered the key foundation to your success in learning and practicing The Middle Way Meditation.
1. Stay for the entire course
Participants are required to stay for the entire program to learn The Middle Way Meditation technique in its entirety and to familiarize themselves with meditating in an environment dedicated solely to that purpose. This is important to further your practice in The Middle Way Meditation.
2. Good physical and mental health
Participants should be in good physical and mental health to attend our meditation retreat. Although meditation provides many benefits in many areas of life, it is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment. We do not recommend this meditation technique to individuals diagnosed with any serious mental illness.
3. Qualifications
We welcome all people regardless of race, creed or religion. However, a keen interest in meditation is very important and the following qualifications are required:
- Participants should be above 18 years of age.
- Participants must be able to observe the course guidelines and the teaching monk’s guidance throughout the duration of the program.
- Participants are willing to adapt themselves to the accommodation and simple living conditions provided.
4. The Foundation of Living Together
4.1 Eight Mindfulness Trainings
Living in a meditation community is an essential experience in learning to live harmoniously and to exercise a positive attitude for the benefit of all. Participants who join the 7-Day retreat are encouraged to practice basic mindfulness training as follows:
1) Refrain from destroying living creatures.
2) Refrain from taking that which is not given.
3) Refrain from all sexual activities.
4) Refrain from false speech.
5) Refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
6) Refrain from eating after midday.
7) Refrain from wearing garlands, using perfumes & cosmetics, dancing, singing, music, and all other forms of engaging in entertainment.
8) Refrain from lying down in high or luxurious sleeping places.
4.2 Alcohol and Tobacco
Participants are asked not to bring any alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and vaping devices to the retreat. For those who do smoke or drink alcohol regularly, we request that you refrain from the use of both during the retreat. Thank you for your cooperation.
4.3 Outside Contacts
Participants should minimize interaction with individuals outside the program throughout the meditation program. Communication with individuals outside the program will bring distractions to your mind and can interfere with the progress of your meditation.
4.4 Accommodations
The Middle Way Meditation Retreat provides each course participant with a moderate accommodation throughout the program. Men and Women have separate quarters.
4.5 Staying within the Boundaries of the Retreat
During the precious period of time at the retreat, please stay within the boundaries throughout the meditation program. Going beyond the retreat perimeters/area will bring distractions to your mind and can impede your meditation progress. Only in emergency cases are we permitted outside the retreat.
4.6 Communication Devices
It is very difficult to sacrifice and leave the hectic world behind in search of true happiness and Peace of Mind. Therefore, we believe this very special time should not be interrupted. Communication devices such as computers and mobile phones are recommended to be turned off during the time of the meditation retreat.
4.7 Clothing and Laundry
For your comfort when meditating, clothing should be loose, simple, and comfortable. Sleeveless shirts, short, tights and leggings, see-through, tight-fitting or revealing clothing should not be worn in the Retreat Center. Light colors are highly recommended.
Summary
All the things we have explained are to maximize the benefits and optimize the experience of practicing The Middle Way Meditation. We are more than happy to guide you on the highest path to gain self-purification, true peace and genuine happiness. In this way we can learn to live together as one family with peace, harmony, and compassion.
Registration Fee
- Registration Fees for The Middle Way 7-Day Retreat at Samui International Meditation Center is 500 USD (Air Con and Shared Bathroom) and 350 USD (Fan and Shared Bathroom)
- Application and registration fees must be paid at least 7 days before the program begins to confirm your place in the program.
Cancellation, withdrawals and our refund policy
If you cancel within one month prior to the start date of the retreat, you will be eligible for a 75% refund. A 50% refund will be given if cancellation is prior to one week before the starting date. Otherwise, no refund will be given. If you cancel without refund, we will make all reasonable attempts to accommodate a future reservation within one year's time.
What is included
- Round-trip pick up from / to Samui Airport and pier (Only for 7-Day Meditation Retreat participants)
- Breakfast, lunch, and refreshments
- Accommodations
- Course materials
What is not included
- Health insurance
- Flight-ticket
- Extra food / snacks
What to Bring
- Personal items, bathing equipment and towels
- Personal medication
- In case, you are quite vulnerable to cooling temperature in air-conditioned room, please prepare some additional clothes.
- Loose, simple, and comfortable clothing, preferably in white or light colors. Sleeveless shirts, shorts, tights and leggings, see-through, tight-fitting or revealing clothing should not be worn.
- Individual bottle/flask for water
- Flashlight with batteries
What not to Bring
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Pets
- Valuable personal belongings such as jewelry or high-priced decorative items. The responsibility of any loss and damage is one’s own.
- Electronic devices distracting oneself from meditation
7-Day Retreat Application Form
1-Day Retreat, Samui
We understand that sometimes you want to find a quiet place for guided meditation but cannot join our longer meditation course. Our 1-Day Retreat could be your solution. This course is for anyone who has a short time to find inner peace and for new beginners to learn meditation. In the course, there will be guided meditation from a teaching monk in the morning and afternoon. Lunch is offered with Thai local food and vegetarian food. You can register for the 1-Day Retreat with the application form below.
1-Day Retreat program
08.45 - 09.15 am Registration
09.15 - 09.30 am Introduction to The Middle Way Meditation
09.30 - 10:30 am Meditation
10.30 am - 01.30 pm Lunch Time
01.30 - 01.45 pm Exercise
01.45 - 02.45 pm Meditation
02.45 - 03.15 pm Group Sharing
1-Day Retreat Dates
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June 21, 2024
Registration Fee
We will serve you a lunch and white clothes. Please support us for lunch and clothes for 15 USD/person. You can pay on the date of arrival.
1-Day Retreat Application Form