7-Day Dark Retreat in Mondsee

Mondsee, Austria

Summary

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to find truly dark and quiet places. Even in the dead of night and far away from bustling cities, we encounter the echoes of civilization. As a result, darkness feels foreign to us, and we struggle to experience it and allow it into our lives. In the meditation of darkness, we face our fears and gradually begin to develop the trust needed to glide very slowly and gently into an unknown NOTHINGNESS. The active mind begins to quiet down, allowing us to dwell completely relaxed in the here and now.
Darkness is the beginning of creation
Darkness holds within it the essence and the divine. This is how all spiritual writings from times past pass it down. Outstanding poets, thinkers, and philosophers—and not least the enchanting world of fairy tales—speak of the quality of darkness.
Prerequisites for your participation: You must already have experience with the structure of silent retreats and maintain a daily meditation practice. Furthermore, a preliminary consultation with us is a prerequisite for your participation.
Seminar Leaders:
We are Marion and Bernhard Hötzel, and we each have 45 years of meditation experience, 20 of which we have spent working as meditation teachers.
At our own institute, as well as guest teachers at other institutes and lecturers for NEURO-Meditation at the TH-Campus Vienna. We have received traditional training in Asia, the USA, and Europe, and are very familiar with humanistic psychology and our modern times.
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The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Dark Retreat, Meditation, Mindfulness, Vipassana, Consciousness, soul, senses & spirit, Self-discovery, Silent Retreats, Detox Retreats
Date: 2026-10-31 - 2026-11-06
Language(s): German
Level: Expert, Advanced
Group Size: 12
Place: Mondsee, Austria
Accommodation: not included
Catering: Full board
Services: One-on-one meetings

Guided meditations

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Mindful Eating

Breathwork

Vipassana Structure

ZEN Structure

Walking meditation

Keynote Speeches

Structure of the Days of Silence

Introduction to Darkness

Lectures on Neurology and Darkness

Breathing Meditation

Active Meditation

Accommodation

Accommodation at a country inn in Mondsee. Just a few minutes’ walk from the ZEN room. Single rooms are available depending on availability.

Participants will wear special dark glasses when walking to and from the accommodation in the morning and evening, as well as in the darkened ZEN room and in their rooms.

We will reserve the accommodation for you. It is within walking distance of the ZEN room, and all participants will be staying there.

Catering

All meals are vegetarian, Ayurvedic, and vegan. We are happy to accommodate any food intolerances.
Breakfast consists of a fresh grain porridge that we prepare together with you. It is served with cooked and fresh fruits, as well as yogurt, nuts, and dried fruit.
Lunch consists of a vegetable dish with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, millet, buckwheat, bulgur,
quinoa, or other grains.
Dinner consists of an Ayurvedic soup meal.
All meals are discussed with participants in advance.

sequence

In the Dark ZEN Room
Only participants with experience in meditation and silent retreats may be admitted to this course. A preliminary interview with us is also required.

WHAT IT CAN ACHIEVE

Deep relaxation in full awareness
Self-confidence and inner strength
Deep, refreshing sleep
Slowing down, stepping off the wheel of thoughts
Experiencing primal trust
Making peace with death
Discovering the source of all creativity
Recognizing existential connections
Feeling a sense of bliss

WHAT IT CAN ACHIEVE

Deep relaxation in a state of awareness
Self-confidence and inner strength
Deep, refreshing sleep
Slowing down, stepping off the wheel of thought
Experiencing primal trust
Making peace with death
Discovering the source of all creativity
Recognizing existential connections
Experiencing bliss

Possible daily schedule

6:00 AM to 7:00 AM Morning meditation (active)
7:00 AM to 8:30 AM TAO meditation structure
8:30 AM to 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM ZEN meditation structure with short breaks
1:00 PM to 1:45 PM Lunch
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM Resting in the group
3:00 PM to 3:30 PM Tea ceremony
3:30 PM to 7:00 PM TAO meditation structure with short breaks
7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Evening vespers
7:30 PM to 8:15 PM Walking meditation
8:15 PM to 9:15 PM Evening meditation – TAO meditation structure
9:15 PM to 10:00 PM Individual conversations
10:00 PM BEDTIME

Seminar leaders:
We are Marion and Bernhard Hötzel, and we each have 45 years of meditation experience, 20 of which we have spent working as meditation teachers.
We teach at our own institute, as well as serving as guest instructors at other institutes and as lecturers for NEURO-Meditation at the TH-Campus Vienna. We have received traditional training in Asia, the USA, and Europe, and are very familiar with humanistic psychology and the challenges of our modern times.

Arrival

By car via Munich or Passau, Salzburg, Vienna, and Linz. Get off at Mondsee.
By train via Munich or Vienna to Salzburg.
By plane to Salzburg. From there, take city bus 2 to the main train station.
From the Salzburg main train station, take Postbus 140 to the Mondsee bus station.
All accommodations are within walking distance of the bus station.

Schlosshof 5, 5310 Mondsee, Oberösterreich, Austria

Cancellation policy

Full refund up to 31 days before arrival.
If you cancel up to 10 days before arrival, you will receive a 20% refund of the booking price.
After this, the booking is non-refundable.

If a substitute participant is provided, only a processing fee of €50 will be charged.
Cancellation:
You have the right to cancel this contract within fourteen days of signing it, without giving any reason. Restriction: However, this applies only if the period between the booking and the start of the course is at least 21 days.

Dates

2026-10-31

2026-11-06
Send booking request

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