This retreat invites you to stop running, to calm down! Come and simply enjoy walking without needing to arrive anywhere, grounding and nourishing ourselves with every step.
Walking is a powerful way to reconnect deeply with our body and with the earth. The rhythm of walking calms the mind and we become present, open to see the vastness of nature, the beauty of life. We walk with respect for the earth, with gratitude, knowing that we are right where we are supposed to be.

” The earth is our true home and it is always there, beneath us and around us. Breathe, take a mindful step, and arrive. We are already at home.” Thich Nhat Hanh

We will enjoy five days of walking in beautiful nature surrounding the land of Kausay Community. There will be hills, forests, fields, natural pools, a cave and a waterfall.

Each day will be started by a yoga session and a healthy breakfast followed by a beautiful day walk with stops along the way for guided meditations, swimming, rest and lunch.

You will sleep in a traditional Mongolian yurt which you will share with others.
Delicious freshly cooked vegan meals are shared, with veggies coming from our own ecological garden and from other local farms.

The walks and meditations will be guided Ellen van Iersel. “I have been practicing in the Buddhist tradition for over 20 years and sat many silent Vipassana retreats and joined various Yatras; silent meditative walks, often in the sanga of  Christopher Titmuss, one of my most inspiring teachers.
In 2014 I completed the teacher training to share the MBSR (mindfulness based stress reduction) training developed by Jon Kabat Zinn. Sharing this training gave me a deeper understanding of the working of the mind and the challenges that lie in our high speed, goal orientated society. It also deepened my love for silence, nature and the wisdom of the Buddha’s teachings. Over the years I haves shared this love in silent meditation retreats, silent walks and spiritual journeys to India. In 2018 I moved to Spain together with the other Kausay members, it is wonderful to share this retreat on and around our beautiful land and share the enjoyment of living in nature!”

Do you want to spend time in nature? Are you healthy and in for a good walk with a challenging part here and there? Do you love to live in simplicity? If yes to all questions, this retreat is really for you!

And then rest… no phone… no responsibilities… no to-do list…
The carefully crafted program of yoga, meditation and walking, the delicious vegetarian meals (with lots of veggies from the gardens), the quiet valley, sleeping and meditating in traditional yurts, living with so much respect for nature and of course the Spanish sun created the perfect space to calm down.
Beautiful were the silent walks in and around the valley leading us to the most impressive places deep in nature, where its force helped to me connect with the silence and wisdom within myself.
It was a pleasant week in which there was sufficient space and time to slow down, to be still, to be present. I didn’t say good bye, I will definitely come back!
Arja

The walks were stunning, specially the one to the waterfalls! I also really enjoyed the soundhealing evening.
Sylvia

In the simplicity and power of nature. In silence and connection. Together walking. The surroundings and the Kausay land are so beautiful, the food delicious. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the peaceful days and your guidance. It flows.
Marjan

I had a great time with Ellen and the community. Delicious food, beautiful meditations and good night’s sleep in the the yurt. I absolutely enjoyed the walks in silence and the impressive nature. Everything was well organized and taken care of. Thank you!
Marina

My dream to sleep in a yurt came true! I loved the calm pace of walking, I was often really present in the moment. The organic gardens at Kausay are wonderful, it was great to help and be with the plants and the earth.
Yvette

Dates

20-24 May 2024
20-24 June 2024
24-28 October 2024

The retreat starts at 14.00. Lunch is shared at which point everyone gets to know each other, an orientation of the community and retreat takes place and we will enjoy a walk in our valley. day 2,3 and 4 we will make day walks with lunch, meditation and swimming on the way. On the final the retreat ends after breakfast.

Cost
The cost for your participation in this retreat, including 4 nights in a shared yurt, all meals and pick up/drop off from nearby train station is €450,-

How to get here

Pickups will be scheduled from Xativa train station at 1 pm on the day the retreat begins.
If you are driving, please let us know and directions will be provided.

If you are traveling from abroad, you will want to fly into Valencia International airport. We can arrange an airport pick up for you, the additional costs are 80,- euro. It is also possible to travel by public transport; by metro and train you travel to Xativa city, which will take around 2 hours. After registration you will receive clear directions.
Another option is to fly to Alicante and take a train from there to Xativa, please check train times before you book as they go less frequently than the ones from Valencia and take longer.

More information
After registration you will receive an email with confirmation and invoice and more practical information about what to bring etc.

To register send  a what’s app to Ellen  +31 683826145