Chaos and Order - Holotropic Breathwork with Zen Meditation / 22.-27. September 2026, BergZendo Hohe Wand, Austria
This five-day retreat offers a unique opportunity for inner work and self-exploration. Each day you will engage in two powerful practices that complement each other perfectly: The mornings we dedicate to guided Zazen and Kinhin, the traditional Zen forms of walking and sitting mediation. In the afternoons, one of four Holotropic Breathwork® sessions will take place.
During the workshop, you can explore the depths of your psyche by doing Zazen and Holotropic Breathwork®, a technique developed by Christina Grof and Dr. Stanislav Grof, carried on by Tav Sparks and numerous facilitators worldwide. This well-defined, substance-free protocol builds on Stan Grof's clinical experience with psychedelic therapy and uses breathing, assistive bodywork, and evocative music in a non-directive group setting to access deeper, non-ordinary states of awareness and consciousness. The safe space encourages participants to surrender to their inner processes and the guidance of their inner healer to explore their inner world.
The Holotropic Breathwork® experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness is complemented by traditional Zen mediation each morning. This simple yet profound form of meditation has been practiced for centuries in Zen Buddhism to cultivate self-awareness, peace, and presence. The practice involves Zazen, that is sitting upright and focusing on the breath, alternating with indoors and outdoors Kinhin, a form of walking meditation, chanting. Participants will learn posture, breathing, and how to sit, let go of distracting thoughts and emotions, and have the possibility for individual consultations with the teacher.
In evening sharing circles, participants share their experiences in a safe space and integrate their experiences in both practices.
This approximate module/sesshin-length retreat offers a nurturing and supportive environment for anyone seeking personal growth and transformation. It includes four breathwork sessions, experienced two times as a breather and two times as a sitter by each participant, and - optional - up to 26 sits in Zazen. Whether you are dealing with past traumas, seeking greater self-awareness, or looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this workshop may help you on your journey to overcome blockades and establish a practice for integration.
The workshop will take place at Bodhidarma BergZendo Hohe Wand, a peaceful and serene location with beautiful views in an old mountain inn above the cliff of Hohe Wand, a nature park near Vienna. No prior experience with Zen or Holotropic Breathwork® is required. The alternating practice of the complementary techniques opens up the possibility for advanced practitioners of both practices to overcome blockages and develop further with each visit.
Zen is considered as philosophy, applied psychology and spiritual practice; this workshop is neutral to religious beliefs.
The workshop is held partly in German and in English, translation is provided.
Registration: Please fill out the linked form
If you have any questions, please send us an E-Mail to office@doingculture.org
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Cost Contribution Seminar:
We work with a sliding scale based on honest self-assessment. Please choose the rate that fits your situation:
- €750 – solidarity rate
- €680 – standard rate
- €620 – reduced rate
Early Bird: 10% off your chosen rate for registrations paid in full before 1 September.
Special rates are available for members of the ÖBR (Austrian Buddhist Association) and the Bodhidharma Zendo.
Accommodation & Board
Shared room with full board, tea and snacks: €500 (at cost).
Single room surcharge, subject to availability: €75.
All rooms are double rooms with a sink. Showers and WCs (separate for men and women) are shared and located in the hallway. If for any reason you really cannot share a room, please contact us directly so we can see whether a single room is available (depending on group size; additional cost: €75).
If you feel drawn to this retreat but are experiencing financial tension, please reach out to us — we'll find a way.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation fee of €150 applies whenever you cancel your participation. This applies to the seminar contribution.
If you cancel more than 15 days before the starting date, your seminar contribution minus the €150 cancellation fee will be refunded.
If you cancel within 15 days of the starting date, the seminar contribution cannot be refunded; however, after deducting the €150 fee, the remaining balance can be credited toward another workshop within the following 4 years.
If we cancel the workshop, you will receive a full refund.
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