Summer Self-Compassion: A 3-Day Weekend Meditation Retreat

In the heart of nature, right on the Way of St. James, surrounded by fields, forests, and lakes, I’ll guide you as you connect with yourself and your inner strength. On this meditative healing journey into the power of your compassion, you’ll discover your innate ability to treat yourself with kindness and love. Self-compassion takes both a gentle and a powerful, courageous form. It helps us open our hearts and be there for ourselves and others with courage and determination. We’ll practice in nature and in a beautiful Mongolian yurt. Group meditations, the practice of mindfulness and self-compassion, mindful movement in nature, inspiring short talks, guided deep imagery journeys, breathing exercises, and Kundalini yoga will support you in being present with what is, and in exploring kindness and compassion in your encounter with yourself and all your experiences. We spend time in shared silence. In the stillness, we can reconnect with ourselves and draw strength from the calm. In between, there are rest periods that you can spend as you wish. A sense of compassionate connection with others, vegetarian meals, and the grounding nature around us provide a supportive and safe framework during the retreat, offering space, time, and clear, loving attention for the development of self-compassion and all the accompanying inner processes.

The combination of the various elements of the retreat is based on my own experience with them. It enables in-depth self-exploration, the deepening of our self-compassion and self-love, and—from this depth—personal transformation in our everyday lives. For what we experience in the depths of our being, in our hearts, longs to come into life and onto this earth—to be expressed and shared, to be allowed to unfold and take shape.

Everything is allowed; nothing is required.

WHAT AWAITS YOU:
✨ Guided meditations and exercises to cultivate mindfulness, loving-kindness, and compassion for yourself and others,
✨ psychedelic breathwork (conscious, connected breathing),
✨ integrative deep imagery and ritual work with spirit animals in the form of guided deep imagery journeys,
✨ inspiring short talks, creative expression, and group discussion,
✨ Bodywork: Kundalini yoga, vocalization, dance, and movement, as well as mindful walks and time in nature.
✨ Smokepipe ceremony.

THE SETTING
Silence, tranquility, a spirit of compassionate connection with others, vegan-vegetarian meals, and the grounding nature around us provide a supportive and safe setting to give inner processes the space, time, and clear, loving attention they need to unfold. This allows us to find what we need, to rest, and to renew ourselves. In addition to group sessions, there are quiet periods for you to spend as you wish, and you’ll have the opportunity to experience the wonderful natural surroundings, swim in nearby lakes, and enjoy the summer.

SELF-COMPASSION
This practice is based on the empirically supported training program “Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC),” developed by Dr. Christopher Germer and Dr. Kristin Neff, which is designed to help us develop our capacity for self-compassion. Self-compassion means treating ourselves during challenging times or moments in the same understanding and supportive way that we would treat a good friend. Mindfulness is the first step in this process—turning toward challenging experiences (thoughts, feelings, and sensations) with loving awareness. Self-compassion follows—extending loving awareness to ourselves in situations of suffering. Together, mindfulness and self-compassion create a state of warm, connected presence that brings us calm in challenging moments and, beyond that, leads to greater joy and gratitude in our lives.

PSYCHEDELIC BREATHWORK
Psychedelic breathwork involves conscious, connected breathing to music and sound. It invites you to push the boundaries of what you believe is possible by surrendering to your breath, opening up, and becoming receptive. In the empty yet vibrant space of not knowing, you’ll find liberation from old beliefs and patterns held in the body. In this freedom, a sense of connectedness with everything reveals itself. New, often surprising experiences and possibilities open up. Through this playful exploration of the boundaries, we expand our ability to be with what is—especially on an emotional level—and to open ourselves to the magic of what wants to happen next.

DEEP IMAGINATION JOURNEYS
Deep imagination journeys are guided inner visual journeys that work with spirit guides (e.g., power animals). Hidden aspects of our experience reveal themselves in our inner imagery. We practice meeting them with an open, clear presence. In this way, they become sources of insight and growth, revealing the powers that lie dormant within us and seek to unfold. Deep imagination has an integrative effect and supports us in being lovingly present with everything that reveals itself. This fosters a deeper connection to life as it is.

KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is a powerful blend of movement, conscious breathing, and meditation that awakens energy while also promoting balance. The practice ranges from intense, rhythmic sequences with an invigorating and grounding effect to calm sessions that soothe the mind and promote inner clarity. The focus is less on perfection and more on presence, focus, and the direct experience within one’s own body.

INSTRUCTOR
Anja Benesch (Retreat Leader), Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) Teacher and psychotherapist in Berlin. I support people on their journey of healing and transformation.
As a licensed psychologist, breathwork facilitator, and certified MSC teacher, I guide you on your path to mindfulness and self-compassion. Since 2013, I have been supporting people in my private outpatient practice as a licensed psychotherapist. In my practice, I combine scientific insights with the knowledge gained through spiritual experiences rooted in ancient wisdom traditions. I have personally practiced a wide variety of methods and experienced how helpful they can be. In doing so, I am repeatedly impressed and deeply moved by the self-healing powers within us; to activate these, it can be very supportive to receive one-on-one guidance as well as to participate in a group that provides a safe and supportive space. Among other things, I am trained in integrative deep imagery and ritual work with spirit animals. During the retreat, I share from my wealth of experience—drawing on mindfulness, self-compassion, and the healing power of inner imagery, as well as breathwork—and guide participants through related exercises.

I am supported by Constanze, who leads a daily Kundalini yoga session. Constanze has been a yoga teacher since 2019 and teaches Kundalini yoga part-time. She worked for many years in development cooperation, is now a systemic coach, and is training to become a Gestalt therapist.

COSTS
The fee for leading the retreat is €390 and is included in the price listed here; in addition, there are costs for lodging and meals, which you pay separately directly to Hof Jakob. You can arrive with your own camper or tent, sleep on the farm in one of the two tiny houses, or rent a room at the local hostel or estate (about a 25-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride; bikes can be rented from the farm for a donation) - There’s something for everyone!

All interested individuals are welcome; some basic meditation experience is helpful. The retreat is well-suited for getting acquainted with the practice of self-compassion or for deepening and refreshing your own practice. We’ll practice in a small group with a maximum of 12 participants.

FEEDBACK FROM PARTICIPANTS (Excerpt)
“I feel so grateful for all the wonderful experiences I had during the retreat. It all still resonates within me so vividly and vividly, and I feel enchanted by a loving lightness. Thank you for your empathetic, calm, and loving manner. I’m very impressed by how you guided us. I felt very comfortable with you and the others. You shared everything so authentically and clearly that it was incredibly easy for me to be present and trust completely.” – Sascha (Retreat 2025)

“Overall, the retreat was truly wonderful, heartwarming, and nourishing—and, unfortunately, it ended far too soon ;). ” – C. (Retreat “Summer Self-Compassion” 2025)

“You’re such a heartwarming guide, radiating a soothing calm and with a warm voice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loving guidance throughout the summer retreat. The way it was structured felt very harmonious to me, in tune with the sheltered setting.” ” – Gisela (2025 Retreat)

“I was truly inspired by the variety of exercises—including silence, movement, meditation, rituals, explanations, and discussions—as well as the flexibility in addressing the needs of all participants. I am so grateful for all of this!” – Angelika (Retreat 2024)

“I felt supported and accepted at all times. For me, this retreat was a unique experience that has had a lasting impact.” – Helen (September, Retreat 2023)