Winter Retreat Week I — Arne Schaefer JDPSN

You are cordially invited to the first week of the 2026 winter retreat in Poland, where Arne Schaefer JDPSN will teach. Note: on 10 April 2025 a Dharma transmission ceremony will take place in Berlin where Arne will receive the title of Zen teacher — a wonderful opportunity to practice with an outstanding teacher!

• Began practicing meditation in the late 1980s and started regular practice in the Tibetan Kagyu Tradition (Diamond Way) in 1990.
• Since his first Zen retreat with Zen Master Seung Sahn in 1992 he has practiced with the Kwan Um School of Zen and attended many retreats in Europe, the USA and Korea.
• In 1996/1997 he helped build the Berlin Zen Center and served on the board of Kwan Um School of Zen Germany for over 15 years.
• He received Inka in April 2010 from Zen Master Wu Bong and is the Guiding Teacher of the Dresden Zen Center and the Zen groups in Hamburg, Bad Bramstedt and Munich.
• Education: Master’s degrees in religious studies/anthropology/philosophy (1996) and in psychology (2002) from the Free University of Berlin.

The retreat is open to anyone who wants to begin or continue the practice of meditation rooted in the Korean Buddhist sŏn tradition and centered around the teachings of Zen Master Seung Sahn (founder of the Kwan Um School). You can participate from a minimum of three days (2nd entry) up to four weeks.

Daily retreat program (example):

• morning bowing practice
• chanting practice (morning and evening)
• zen work practice (60 min)
• 4 blocks of zen meditation (rounds of 30 / 45 min)
• walking practice / kinhin – walking in the forest and during breaks between meditation rounds
• formal vegetarian meals and time for rest and sleep

There will be two one-on-one interviews with the teacher during the weekly session.

You will get all necessary instructions at the introduction on the day the retreat begins. You can also write to: kwanum108@gmail.com. Beginners are encouraged to attend the abbreviated session, which begins on Thursday at 18:00 and lasts until Sunday.

ATTENTION! THIS RETREAT HAS SECOND ENTRIES ON THURSDAYS.

📅 Dates and entries (English version):
📅 Entry I – 01 Feb at 6:00 pm until 08 Feb at 1:00 pm.
📅 Entry II – 05 Feb at 6:00 pm until 08 Feb at 1:00 pm.

Costs (including accommodation, vegetarian meals and drinks – tea / coffee / water):
1st entry - 750 / 900 / 1400 zł / 180 / 215 / 340 Euro
2nd entry - 450 / 600 / 800 zł / 110 / 150 / 195 Euro
DISCOUNT for 4 weeks: 2700 / 3200 / 4900 zł / 650 / 770 / 1180 Euro

REGISTRATION and contact: kwanum108@gmail.com