The High Mountains Lounge is a hybrid place. On the one hand, it exists physically in Les Ecureuils at Arolla, Switzerland, where up to 12 people can meet comfortably. On the other hand, it exists in virtual space, currently via Zoom, where people far away can join.
The name is program
The physical part of the lounge is located in the Swiss Alps, at an altitude of 2’000 m, surrounded by mountains that reach to almost 4’000 m, many of them hardly accessible. This landscape is a wonderful image for the purpose of this lounge: meeting fellow souls to approach really big topics at a high level, in exercise, in discourse.
In the high mountains the air is thin. The paths are narrow, steep, dangerous, and difficult. The views are always surprising, often breathtaking, sometimes threatening, and then again deeply exhilarating. This is so in the physical high mountains here at Arolla and also in the emotional, mental, and spiritual landscapes that we open up for ourselves here.
And finally, this is a lounge. We want to see the difficulties and the hardship, want to dive into them to feel deeply, to understand. But we also need to rise again into the lightness, the bright clarity, the joy. Rise above the deep harshness to see the vast and great,… to create it,… to be it.
A lounge, in which our edges and scurrilities are allowed to be, have to be, where they disturb time and again, but where they help even more, inspire, open up new perspectives… with a cup of tea or coffee, or a glass of wine,… in any case enjoying being together.
current activities
You already know what it’s all about, you know how to go about it, you’re just looking for an environment where you can go deeper from time to time. Here?Three days during which we remain largely silent, also during the communal meals, and meditate for around four hours each day. In addition, there is plenty of free time in which you can integrate your experiences and enable new ones.
requirements
- This is not an introduction to meditation. You must already have experience with meditation, including longer sessions.
The departure point gives you an introduction to the path we are following here. However, this retreat does not involve any teaching and you can use it on many paths. - During the retreat, you will turn inward. Apart from your own inner voice, there is no spiritual guide here. If you think you need external guidance on your path, you should look for a different environment.
dates
I: April 23–27- II: July 16–20
- III: September 17–21
Each retreat begins at 7 p.m. on the first day and ends at 9 a.m. on the last day. You can arrive on the last post bus (Arolla Poste) and leave on the first one.
The actual silent retreat takes place on days 2 to 4.
If none of the dates suit you, but you know others who would also like to attend, please make a suggestion.
language — de, fr, en (since we don’t talk much, this is not so important)
participants — minimum 4, maximum 8
cost (all inclusive)
- 300 CHF: you bring your own sleeping bag, hand towels, and bath towels
- 330 CHF: bed linen, duvet, and towels included
information & registration — email Marie Madeleine or Kurt.
We are complex beings in an even more complex world. Most of the time, we are trapped in our world of perceptions and representations. We hardly ever become truly aware of the world, of reality.
In analogue, we shed light on the worlds – mine and the – and learn to distinguish between them and experience them. There is a small part theory (lectures), but the vast majority is practice (meditation,…, hiking).
requirements
- You should already have some experience in practical self-reflection (meditation, QiGong, yoga, TaiJi, etc.) and you should want to encounter yourself and your limits more intensively.
- Arolla is located at an altitude of 2000 m, the weather can be harsh (although it is usually mild and colorful in autumn), the paths are sometimes steep and narrow (but you never have to climb), and the accommodation is simple.
dates — two options (same structure and topics, each Sat – Sat (Mon))
- I: Sept. 26 – Oct. 3 (5), 2026 (german)
- II: Oct. 10 – 17 (19), 2026
Begins on the first day at 6:30 p.m., ends on the last day at 12:00 p.m.
location — Les Ecureuils, Route du Vallon 5, CH-1986 Arolla
language — de, fr, or en (we will decide this as soon as a group begins to form)
participants — minimum 4, maximum 8
cost (all inclusive)
- CHF 800: you bring your own sleeping bag, hand towels, and bath towels
- CHF 830: bed linen, duvet, and towels included
- +160 CHF for optional 2 days
information & registration — email Marie Madeleine or Kurt.
When registering, please indicate your preferred/possible dates and languages, and any dietary requirements.