Meditate in the mountains
at Kailash IRC – Valais
with gen kelsang devi
Silent retreats
You've always wanted to meditate, but didn't know how to start? Or would you like to deepen your meditation experiences? Then are those «Meditate in the Mountains» retreats in the mountains just right for you.
During these weekend retreats you can expect meditations and explanations on a specific topic. You can find the different topics and dates below. Dive into your own clarity and depth of mind through skillful meditation instructions based Buddhist philosophy.
During these «Meditate in the Mountains» retreats we observe silence until lunchtime. Afterwards, everyone has the choice to continue to remain in silence or to talk meaningfully with the other retreat participants. The retreats start either on Thursday or Friday evening and end on Sunday lunchtime.
| Datum | Retreat |
|---|---|
|
4–6 July 2025 |
Summer De-Stress – Holiday for the mind |
|
22–24 August 2025 |
Re-energise Your Life |
|
26–28 September 2025 |
Calming anxiety – through understanding the mind |
|
7–16 November 2025 |
Meditation, Mindfulness & Mahamudra |
|
12–14 December 2025 |
Creating Harmony - Developing Healthy & Happy Relationships |
Price
see below
Language
English / German
Place
at Kailash IRC
(Törbel, Wallis)
Illusion, Reality, Wisdom
Overcoming Your Own Limitations
13–15 December 2024
in English
During this retreat, we immerse ourselves in Buddha's teachings on emptiness, delving deep into the essence of the self. We explore the profound realization that everything holding us back and constraining us exists merely as a thought or idea. By cultivating wisdom, we gain the clarity to recognise what truly serves us and what we can let go of. Through this process, we liberate ourselves from our faults and limitations, experiencing a profound sense of freedom.
In this journey of transformation, we have the ability to shape ourselves into the individuals we strive to become, infusing our actions with purpose and intention. As we harness this newfound energy, we pave the way for greater happiness and inner peace.
Meditations for Unwinding & Recharging
16–18 May 2025
in German
Escape the everyday and take time for yourself! This retreat offers you the perfect opportunity to dive deep into the world of meditation. Learn meditation techniques from the rich Buddhist tradition that will help calm the endless carousel of thoughts. Meditate to unwind and recharge, draw new mental energy, and find your inner balance. Leave behind the pressure, stress, and tension of daily life. Treat yourself to this valuable time out to reconnect with yourself and return to everyday life with a strengthened mind.
Discover clarity & peace within
Bank Holiday
6–9 June 2025
in English
Experience the clarity and spaciousness of your own mind and the boundless freedom that arises from it. This retreat for beginners offers a special opportunity to discover the subtler levels of our mind. Through meditations on clarity of mind and root mind, you will gain a deep insight into the flexible and unlimited nature of your mind. This helps you understand how to realize your potential for lasting happiness and freedom.
Please note that the price for the "Meditating in the Mountains" retreat in June over the bank holiday weekend, is more expensive, as it is one day longer. Please see the booking form.
Summer
De-Stress
Holiday for the mind
4–6 July 2025
in German
Unfortunately, too often you take your mind with all its negative and stress-inducing habits on your vacation. This leads to conflict and stressful situations, and spoils the mood of your holiday. Join this retreat to discover meditation techniques to reduce stress & negativity so you can really enjoy your summer!
Re-energise Your Life
22–24 August 2025
in English
This retreat offers you the opportunity to focus on what truly matters: to find calm, relax your mind, and renew your inner strength.
Through simple, guided meditations based on Buddhist wisdom, you will learn to release tension, calm your mind, and connect with a deep, natural source of energy and inner peace.
The quiet location of Kailash IRC in the Swiss Alps supports this process and provides ideal conditions for recharging our batteries.
Calming anxiety
through understanding the mind
26–28 September 2025
in English
Fear is one of the deepest and most common experiences of our mind. It can paralyze us, limit us, and separate us from our inner peace. In this retreat, we dedicate ourselves to the practice of letting go—through understanding our own mind.
Through guided meditations and inspiring teachings based on Buddhist wisdom, we learn to recognize the nature of our mind and understand how fear arises – and how we can face it with clarity and inner strength.
Meditation, Mindfulness & Mahamudra
10 day silent retreat
7–16 November 2025
in English
This 10 day silent retreat will take you on an inner journey into the clear and limitless nature of your own mind and help you to experience the peace and clarity within. Gen Devi will explain and guide simple, yet profound meditations that begin to open up a whole new inner world to gain deep insight and ability to understand and control your mind.
Although this retreat is guided as a whole, not every session is guided. Some sessions will be self-guided to enable practitioners to deepen their own experience and confidence in meditation.
Creating Harmony
Developing Healthy & Happy Relationships
12–14 December 2025
in English
The key to harmonious and healthy relationships lies in understanding the deeper purpose of our relationships. Often, we seek love and happiness in our interactions with family, friends, or partners. However, from a spiritual perspective, we understand that happiness arises from peaceful and positive states of mind such as love, compassion, kindness, patience, and generosity.
At this retreat, you will discover practical meditations and instructions on how to actively cultivate and maintain harmony in all your relationships, both in challenging and beautiful ones.
What to expect
All meditation sessions are guided, include a short talk, Buddhist prayers and quiet time for contemplation and for meditation. During breaks, there is plenty of time for walks in breathtaking surroundings and to spend time with like minded people.
During the retreat, everyone is encouraged to limit distracting activities, especially the use of cell phones and digital devices, to enhance the meditative experience and discover the profound benefits of meditation.
The Teacher
Gen Kelsang Devi is the Resident Teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center Switzerland and Kailash International Retreat Center. She is a modern Buddhist nun and highly experienced teacher of the New Kadampa Tradition who has been engaged in the study and practice of Kadampa Buddhism for nearly 25 years under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche.
Course Information
Price & Accommodation
PRICES FOR A RETREAT FROM FRIDAY–SUNDAY:
Main House
- Single room – CHF 280
- Twin room – CHF 240
(must be booked by each person individually) - Dormitory – CHF 190
All rooms in the main house share bathrooms
Temple
- Single room with own bathroom (outside of room) - CHF 310
- Single room with en-suite bathroom – CHF 320
- Single room with en-suite bathroom (wheelchair accessible) – CHF 330
- Studio: For 2 Persons CHF 500 (Price is for 2 Persons)
FERIENHAUS
- Dormitory – CHF 175
The holiday house is located next to the main building of Kailash IRC. It offers clean, albeit simple dormitories, separate for women and men, as well as sanitary facilities, showers, and bathrooms.
Course only
- Without meals and without accommodation – CHF 100
- With meals but without accommodation - CHF 140
Please contact us at anmeldung@kadampa.ch for further accommodation options in the village.
Timetable
The retreat will begin on Friday evening at 6:00 pm with dinner, followed by introductions at 8:00 pm, and will conclude at noon on Sunday with lunch.
Friday
18:00 pm | Supper
20:00 - 21:15 PM ¦ Introduction
Saturday
09:00 - 10:00 AM ¦ Retreat session 1
11:00 - 12:15 PM ¦ Retreat session 2
16:30 - 17:00 PM ¦ Self-guided meditation (optional)
19:30 - 20:30 PM ¦ Retreat session 3
Sunday
09:00 - 10:00 AM ¦ Retreat session 4
10:30 - 11:30 AM ¦ Retreat session 5
12:30 PM | Cleaning, lunch and departure
Language
The retreats with Gen Kelsang Devi are held in English. Please note on your booking if you require German translation.
All other retreats are held in German.
Place
This retreat will take place at the Kailash International Retreat Center in Törbel, Valais
Registration
Registration with advance payment is required
Frequently asked questions
Can people attend our courses even if they are not Buddhists?
Yes - Everyone is welcome at Kadampa Meditation Center Switzerland. No one is excluded, no matter what your background or beliefs are. The methods and practices taught here are suitable for everyone, no matter how much experience you have.
Do I have to wear certain clothes to attend the events at the center?
No - Please come as you are. At KMC Switzerland, chairs and meditation cushions are provided for seating. If you like to sit on the cushion, we recommend that you wear comfortable clothing. Traditionally you will be asked to take off your shoes before entering the meditation room. We have floor heating and socks if needed.
Do I need meditation experience to participate?
No - Many people who come to our events have little or no experience. It doesn't matter if you have tried to meditate before without much success. Everyone finds meditation challenging in the beginning because our mind is naturally very busy. Kadampa Meditation Center is a perfect place to train in meditation.
Is the center also accessible by wheelchair?
Yes - Our meditation room is at ground level and we lay out ramps for the few steps we have.
