The Inner Journey – Training the Mind! Meditation Training - Silent Midweek Retreat
Who is this for:
This retreat is designed to help you slow down and come to rest, and is suitable for people who:
- Want to learn the traditional, authentic way of meditating.
- Want to reduce disturbing emotions, burnout and depression.
- Want to connect more deeply with their inner stillness/clarity, their blueprint and/or their pain points/traumas.
The teaching sessions are not mandatory.
There is a lot of confusion in the West about what meditation is. Meditation has become an umbrella term and does not do justice to the original teachings. There are currently many guided story exercises, but these are essentially guided storytelling and fall under psychotherapy. This is very valuable and effective. However, it does not meet the strict definition and practice of how meditation is actually intended and practiced from its origins. During this week you will learn how to train the mind through the two forms of meditation that exist.
Many people in the West also speak of a third form of meditation: Samadhi. This is a state of being that arises from practicing the two forms of meditation, and is not a form of meditation itself. I teach from the indirect path to liberation, which is built in a very safe way. The direct path to liberation certainly includes practices to move more quickly toward liberation, but only 1 in 10,000 people is suited for this path. Why? Because the mind can become quite destabilized when moving into deeper layers of consciousness. In that case, it is helpful if, on the indirect path to liberation, you have developed methods and wisdom to guide body and mind with love, gentleness and care toward their true nature, their Buddha nature, the source and the essence of being.
This midweek will be spent in silence. You will learn classical meditation shamatha/Shinée (Sanskrit/Tibetan) = you increase your capacity for concentration so that the mind becomes still. We tame the monkey mind. You generate 40,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day. In addition, you are mainly oriented outward. During this midweek you learn to turn inward: from surface awareness to the subconscious to timeless awareness.
Stillness is the result, and from there clarity rises up from the mind. You reach the state of the observer and then the observing.
Once stillness has taken place, we begin with Vipassana/Lhagtong (Sanskrit/Tibetan) = by asking yourself analytical questions you come to insight. Insight alone is already clarifying, but when you connect it to action, change arises in the patterns and dynamics you have developed. This meditation method also brings you to the essence of mind, to absolute reality.
The programme is supported with: vegetarian food, walking, massages, and Buddhist prayer chants in the evening to help dissolve blockages on your path and to let compassion, love and kindness grow in the mind.
I was a student of Lama Karta, Lama Tashi Nima and Lama Zeupa for 18 years at the Tibetan Institute in Huy/ Belgium. In this location, you are supported on your inward path by the purity, the teachings and the practice – your unique inner journey.
“At the end of January 2026, I took part in the midweek meditation retreat at the Tibetan Monastery in Huy, guided by Hans. At that time, I had made several choices that were life-changing and still felt quite fragile. That’s why this retreat came at exactly the right moment. It touched something very deep within me, at a level I had not been able to reach before. The meditation practices connected me with a more deeply felt ‘yes’ to these choices, and that led to a fundamental shift. Hans guides the group with great skill and attunes himself to the different needs of each person. It is comforting that he truly takes the lead in the process, creating optimal conditions to fully surrender to what the practice asks of you. At the same time, he is an incredibly vibrant, humorous, and authentic person. That authenticity makes what could be a ‘silent and serious’ experience genuinely enjoyable. I returned feeling reborn and filled with truly meaningful insights.” — Sonja
PROGRAMME – The Inner Journey: Training the Mind
Meditation Training
Click here to view the programme.
During this retreat, Hans will first explain everything in Dutch and then in English, so both Dutch-speaking and English-speaking participants can fully take part.
The programme shown above is the basic schedule of the retreat and serves as a guideline. We always tune in to what the group needs in the moment, so the schedule may differ from what is written on paper. For the chef, we aim to keep the breakfast, lunch, and dinner times as consistent as possible.
LOCATION: TIBETAN INSTITUTE IN HUY, Belgium
The town of Huy (Hoei in Dutch) is one of the oldest fortified towns in Belgium. About 30 years ago, the castle was purchased by a Belgian couple. They brought three Tibetan lamas (teachers) from India to Belgium. The monk Tempa travelled with the lamas. He had been a student of the most important artist and temple builder in Tibet. He built three temples, a stupa and a large outdoor Buddha statue. When you are at the Tibetan monastery in Huy, you truly feel as if you are in Buddhist Nepal or Tibet.
The Nepalese chef Trinlé also travelled to Huy and works culinary magic here.
Roman era and the Middle Ages
The first settlement on the site of the present-day town of Hoei arose around a Roman castrum on the right bank of the Meuse. One of the first Christian missionaries in the region was Domitian of Huy in the 6th century, according to legend Bishop of Maastricht, who is buried in Huy (relics in the Church of Our Lady). The oldest written reference to Hoei dates from the 7th century.
During the Early Middle Ages Hoei developed into one of the most important towns along the Meuse. Excavations have revealed traces of, among other things, metalworking, tanning, stone and woodworking and wine production.
In the 10th century, a county developed around Hoei, which was soon absorbed by the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. Hoei thus became one of the 23 Good Cities. Hoei was granted city rights as early as 1066 by Bishop Dietwin, who wanted the contribution of the people of Hoei for the rebuilding of the Chapter Church. It is the oldest known charter granting self-government to a town north of the Alps. Toward the end of the century, Peter the Hermit preached in Hoei and convinced many inhabitants to take part in the First Crusade.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the cloth industry flourished. In the middle of the town, on a hill, stood the castle, which in times of war served as a defensive stronghold. From the 15th century onwards, the town’s economy suffered greatly from successive wars in the Meuse region.
Modern era
Market square of Hoei in L'Illustration Européenne, 1872
During the Eighty Years’ War between the Spanish Empire and the Dutch Republic, Hoei was briefly occupied in 1595 by the Geuzen during the Capture of Hoei by Charles de Héraugière, who five years earlier carried out the ruse with the Peat Ship of Breda. The bishop then appealed to Fuentes, who immediately sent La Motte with an army that, with the help of citizens, besieged the town and managed to relieve it.
From 1704 to 1715, States troops occupied the town of Hoei, more specifically the fort of the prince-bishop. This took place in the context of the War of the Spanish Succession. The States governor of the town was Colonel Isaac Cronström. Cronström stayed in his Governor’s House. With the Barrier Treaty of 1715, Hoei and its fort returned to the hands of the prince-bishop. In 1715, the citizens of Hoei decided to demolish the castle, which over the centuries had attracted so many besiegers.
In 1818, however, on the orders of King William I, a fort was built on the same site, also known as the Dutch Fort.
In the 19th century, Hoei benefited from the early industrialization in the Liège region. Among other things, tin and paper factories were established in Hoei. In the 20th century, the industrial decline of Wallonia was also felt here. In 1975, the Tihange nuclear power plant (near Hoei) opened, creating additional employment in the region. The plant was expanded in 1983 and 1985 with a second and third reactor. All three nuclear reactors are still in operation.
Today, tourism makes an important contribution to the town’s revival.
Hans Kloosterman
Hans guides people toward deep personal transformation. He studied Eastern philosophy, meditation and psychology for 25 years, including 6 years as a monk in a Tibetan monastery. He combines this with Western methods such as EMDR, systemic work and trauma processing.
He helps you move through your obstacles, towards more freedom, peace and direction in your life.
Hans is the author of the bestsellers "From Snob to Monk" and "What is Happiness to You?".
- Mindfulness, Meditation and Buddhist philosophy (15 years of study ) + yoga, meditation and Hindu philosophy (5 years of study)
- Mindfulness MBSR teacher via Jon Kabat-Zinn’s 8-week method (2 years of study) – Affiliated with the VMBN (Dutch Association of Mindfulness Trainers), category 1 trainer (registration number 2016858)
- Systemic work via “The New Constellations” with Hylke Bonnema (2 years of study)
- EFT – Emotional Freedom Tapping Technique by Gary Craig. Trained by psychologist Steven de Nie in Arnhem
- EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR for overwhelming events, core beliefs, emotions, and physical/energetic tension areas. Trained by John Martinus
- TRE – Tension Release Exercises by David Bercelli at TRE Netherlands (2 years of study)
- Nonviolent Communication – Compassionate communication from the Buddhist perspective. Trainings followed with David De Wulff in Belgium and all books and videos by Marshall Rosenberg studied and practiced.
Renate Duvivier
Renate Duvivier completed a full training programme at the International School* for Ayurveda in Ghent. Specifically, this included the therapist training, Ayurvedic gynaecology, specialized herbal knowledge, massage, treatment of marma points, and the panchakarma training including internships. * This school meets the high and controlled standards
of the VEAT (German standard norms for Ayurveda education).
Diederik Gillioen
My name is Diederik Gillioen. I am 54 years old and have been working in education for almost thirty years. I teach history and geography to young adults. In addition to the personal development of young people, I also want to focus on relaxing body massages for all age groups. For this reason, I have immersed myself in the mental and physical benefits of relaxation massage and deep tissue massage.
The mental and physical benefits of relaxation massage include relieving tension through slow, flowing movements, promoting sleep, and improving blood circulation.
Deep tissue massage is recommended for overexertion or stiffness caused by physical activity or prolonged postures. It is a targeted body massage that addresses muscle knots, blockages, and adhesions by working at a deeper level. It is therefore a firmer form of body massage that works on deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. This restores the flow of energy and reduces stress and tension.
DURING THIS RETREAT YOU WILL RECEIVE....
- 4 overnight stays
- 3 vegetarian meals per day
- 4 classical yoga and meditation sessions per day, with the option to attend a daily prayer chant by the Tibetan lamas
- Periods of silence throughout the day, during nature walks, and during meals
- You will receive the course reflection book "What is happiness for you?" free of charge at the start of the retreat
- Unlimited water, tea, coffee and fruit
- Massages available at an additional cost
The costs for this fully catered, full-board 5-day retreat are:
+ Basic single room with shared shower and toilet in the hallway (€1195 per person.)+ Large 1-person studio with private shower and toilet (€1395 per person.)
+ prices include a bed linen set and the book 'What is happiness for you?'. Prices exclude massages. Two weeks in advance you will receive an email with more information/details.
Other information
- Hans is a member of the VMBN Association and certified as a Mindfulness Trainer Category 1. This means you can check with your health insurance provider whether you can be reimbursed for part of the costs.
- Massage costs are €40 for half an hour and €80 for an hour. These are not included in the price and can be paid in cash on site.
- During this retreat, Hans will first explain everything in Dutch and then in English, so both Dutch-speaking and English-speaking participants can fully take part.
Cancellation
Would you like to cancel a retreat at a later time?
View the cancellation policy
Signing up
You can sign up for the following datesMon 27-07-2026 - Fri 31-07-2026
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Mon 25-01-2027 - Fri 29-01-2027
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Upcoming Retreats
The Inner Journey – Training the Mind! Meditation Training – Silent Midweek Retreat
There is a lot of confusion in the West about what meditation is. “Meditation” has become an umbrella term, and that doesn’t do justice to the original teachings. At the moment there are many guided “story” exercises, but these are essentially guided storytelling and fall under psychotherapy. This is highly valuable and effective. However, it does not align with the strict definition and practice of what meditation is meant to be, and how it is traditionally practiced in its original context. During this silent midweek retreat, you will learn how to train the mind through the two forms of meditation.
During this retreat, Hans will first explain everything in Dutch and then in English, so both Dutch-speaking and English-speaking participants can fully take part.
RECHARGE - RESET - RECONNECT — Silent Weekend at a Tibetan Monastery – “Stress Reduction”
During this silent weekend, we will bring body and mind to rest. We will reduce stress and increase your well-being, vitality and happiness. Through gentle methods such as yin yoga, releasing the psoas muscle, vegetarian food, mindfulness and meditation, walking, and mapping out which thoughts, emotions and behaviours are present during stress. These insights will inspire change. Be the Change you want to be!
This stress-reduction retreat will take place largely in silence! During this retreat, Hans will first explain everything in Dutch and then in English, so both Dutch-speaking and English-speaking participants can fully take part.
The Inner Journey – Training the Mind! Meditation Training – Silent Midweek Retreat
There is a lot of confusion in the West about what meditation is. “Meditation” has become an umbrella term, and that doesn’t do justice to the original teachings. At the moment there are many guided “story” exercises, but these are essentially guided storytelling and fall under psychotherapy. This is highly valuable and effective. However, it does not align with the strict definition and practice of what meditation is meant to be, and how it is traditionally practiced in its original context. During this silent midweek retreat, you will learn how to train the mind through the two forms of meditation.
During this retreat, Hans will first explain everything in Dutch and then in English, so both Dutch-speaking and English-speaking participants can fully take part.
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