Summary

In this day and age, it is almost impossible to find truly dark and quiet places. Even in the dead of night and far away from bustling cities, we find the reflection of civilization.Darkness is therefore alien to us and we find it difficult to experience darkness and allow it to enter us. In the meditation of darkness, we face our fears and gradually begin to develop trust so that we can slowly and carefully glide into an unknown NOTHING. The active mind begins to calm down in order to remain completely relaxed in the here and now.

Darkness is the beginning of creation
Darkness contains the essence and the divine. This is what all spiritual writings from past times tell us. Outstanding poets, thinkers and philosophers, and not least the magical world of fairy tales, tell of the quality of darkness.

Seminar leader:
We are Marion and Bernhard Hötzel and we each have over 45 years of meditation experience, 20 of which we have been working as meditation teachers.
In our own institute, as well as guest teachers 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 the humanistic psychology of our modern times.

The retreat at a glance

The most important facts in a nutshell:

Categories: Dark Retreat, Silence Retreats, Zen Retreat, Meditation, Mindfulness, MBSR, Vipassana Yoga, Consciousness, soul, senses & spirit, Yoga Retreats, Detox Retreats, Vision quest, Self-discovery, Work Life Balance, Silent Retreats
Date: 2026-10-24 - 2026-10-31
Language(s): German
Level: Expert, Advanced
Place: Mondsee, Austria
Accommodation: not included
Catering: Full board
Services: Individual discussions

Guided meditations

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Mindful eating

Breathwork

Active meditations

Vipassana Structure

ZEN structure

Gehmeditation

Impulse lectures

Structure of the silent days

Introduction to the darkness

Lectures on neurology and darkness

Atemmeditation

Accommodation

Accommodation in a country inn in Mondsee. Only a few minutes' walk from the ZEN room. Single room possible depending on availability.

Participants wear special dark glasses for the routes to the accommodation in the morning and evening, in the darkened ZEN room and in the rooms.

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

Catering

All meals are vegetarian, Ayurvedic and vegan. We are happy to take any intolerances into consideration.
Breakfast consists of a fresh grain porridge that we prepare together with you. This is accompanied by cooked and fresh fruit as well as yoghurt, nuts and dried fruit.
Lunch consists of a vegetable dish with various side dishes, such as rice, millet, buckwheat, bulgur,
quinoa or other cereals.
Dinner consists of an Ayurvedic soup meal.
All meals are discussed with the participants in advance.

sequence

In the dark ZEN room
Only participants with meditation and silence course experience can be admitted to this course. A conversation with us is also a prerequisite.

WHAT IT CAN DO

Deep relaxation in awareness
Self-confidence and inner strength
Deep, refreshing sleep
Slowing down, getting out of the thought wheel
Experience basic trust
Making friends with death
Discovering the origin of all creativity
Recognizing existential connections
Feeling bliss

WHAT IT CAN ACHIEVE

Possible daily routine

06:00 a.m. to 07:00 a.m. Morning meditation (active)
07:00 to 08:30 TAO meditation structure
08:30 to 09:00 Breakfast
09:00 to 13:00 ZEN meditation structure with short breaks
13:00 to 13:45 Lunch
14:00 to 15:00 Rest in the group
15:00 to 15:30 Tea ceremony
15:30 to 19:00 TAO meditation structure with short breaks
19:00 to 19:30 Evening vespers
19:30 to 20:15 Walking meditation
8:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Evening meditation - TAO meditation structure
21:15 to 22:00 Individual talks
10:00 p.m. BETTRUHE

Seminar leader:
We are Marion and Bernhard Hötzel and we each have 45 years of meditation experience, 20 of which we have been working as meditation teachers.
In our own institute, as well as guest teachers 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 the humanistic psychology of our modern times.

Arrival

By car via Munich or Passau, Salzbug, Vienna and Linz. Departure Mondsee
By train via Munich or Vienna to Salzburg.
By plane to Salzburg. From there take the city bus 2 to the main station.
From Salzburg main station take the Postbus 140 to Mondsee bus station.
All accommodation is 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 replacement participant is provided, only a processing fee of EUR 50 will be charged.
Revocation:
You have the right to cancel this contract within fourteen days of conclusion without giving any reason. Restriction: However, this only applies if the period from booking to the start of the course is not less than 21 days.