The 'Finding Rest in Awareness' retreat is from Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 August 2026 and is intended for people who have (or want to gain) mindfulness or meditation experience and are looking for:

  • Silence between activities
  • Deepening of the meditation practice
  • Gentle attention and care for oneself

Guidance is provided by Jan-Paul Buijk, trainer at the AMT and experienced mindfulness trainer. He supports the process of developing friendly attention for yourself, experiencing the moment, and (re)discovering silence.

What can you expect?

During this five-day retreat, you will have the opportunity to practice mindfulness intensively in a serene and peaceful environment. The program focuses on developing mindfulness, with the theme: meditating from a gentle and open disposition. You will learn to be present with what presents itself at each moment, without judgment, and gain insights into the changeability and uncontrollability of life. The retreat provides structure through a joint meditation program with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation, supported by regular introductions and personal reflection sessions.

The retreat takes place entirely in silence, including during meals and informal moments. This provides the space to make deeper contact with yourself and the practice. In addition to meditations, there is time for relaxation, such as yoga, walking, or reflection in your own time. Without digital distractions, an atmosphere of peace and contemplation arises, in which you can truly come to yourself.

The location

The retreat takes place on the estate of the Franciscushuis, the meeting and reflection center of the Franciscan Sisters of Denekamp, hidden in the greenery of the beautiful, unspoiled Twente landscape. It is an ideal location for multi-day gatherings, such as days of reflection or retreats. https://zustersvandenekamp.nl/

The program

The five-day retreat offers the opportunity to practice intensive attention/mindfulness in a peaceful environment. Central to this retreat is the development of mindfulness, learning to observe what is happening here and now.

The theme of this retreat is learning to meditate from a gentle disposition with the willingness to open yourself to what you experience at each moment. This allows you to come into contact with the nature of experiences and gain insight into, among other things, changeability. 

Opening up to the uncontrollability of life allows us to deal more flexibly with the flow of change in our daily lives. We practice mainly in sitting and walking meditations, but you are also invited to relax and
practice attention during eating, walking, and other moments in your own time.

The program consists of practicing in silence for twelve hours a day. Meditation takes place according to a fixed joint meditation program, with alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation of three quarters of an hour each. There is also room in the informal periods to practice yoga yourself, to walk or
to practice other forms of light relaxation, e.g. after meals.

The retreat takes place entirely in silence, both during meals and during the meditation periods (formal and informal) and in the rooms, without disturbance from mobile and/or digital equipment. Mobile phones are given into the safekeeping of the supervisors, and Jan-Paul's mobile phone is available 24 hours a day for emergencies. The guidance consists of regular introductions and support with regard to walking and sitting meditation. In addition, there is the possibility of regular individual reflection sessions and a reflective group discussion at the end of the day.

The Costs

Meditation guidance € 275.00 p.p. incl. VAT.

Accommodation € 425.00 p.p. incl. VAT and tourist tax.

The package
includes:

  • 4 x overnight stay in a single room
  • 4 x breakfast, 5 x lunch and 4 x dinner
  • Coffee, tea and water throughout the day

A maximum of 15 participants can take part in this retreat. The price for accommodation is based on single rooms. The renovated rooms all have their own toilet and shower and include bed linen and bath towels.

The package offers full board, which means that breakfast, lunch (hot meal) and dinner (sandwich meal) are
served. A vegetarian, halal, gluten-free, lactose-free or vegan diet is taken into account.

Accessibility

The monastery of the Franciscan Sisters of Denekamp can be reached by train to Oldenzaal
and by bus (62) to Veldkampsweg, Denekamp. From the Veldkampsweg stop there is
a neighborhood bus (596) to Ootmarsum.

On request, this stops at the monastery stop for Huize Elisabeth.

Address: Franciscushuis: Gravenallee 30, 7591 PE Denekamp. 0541-753256

Cancellation policy

In case of cancellation up to 2 months before the arrival date:
Full refund of the amount paid, minus €50 administration fee.

In case of cancellation from 2 months to 1 month before the arrival date:
50% of the total amount will be refunded.

In case of cancellation less than 1 month before the arrival date:
No refund possible.

You can register for the retreat using the form below. After receiving your registration, you will receive an invoice and registration confirmation by email.