Places to Meditate

Vipassana Centers

S.N. Goenka Lineage Vipassana Centers (Global)

https://www.dhamma.org/en/index

Standardised retreat centers teaching 10-day and longer courses. The positive is that these are everywhere in the world and the teaching is very standardised which makes them accessible. They are a great place to go deeper and the facilities have always been very suitable.

I have been to and can recommend the centers in Sweden, Germany, Belgium and Australia.

Vipassana Technique taught is Anapanasati into Body-Scanning.

​​

​

Ajahn Tong Lineage Vipassana Centers  (Germany & Thailand)

Dhammacari near Munich, Germany

Very good, intimate and homely center with a lot of heart. Offers 15-day beginners courses and 10-day advanced retreats. Daily interviews with teacher

Vipassana Technique taught here is Mahasi Noting in the Ajahn Tong style.

​

Dhammanikhom near Cottbus, Germany

Offers 15-day beginners courses and 10-day advanced retreats. Taught by Bhikkhuni Sila a Buddhist Nun. 

Daily interviews with teacher

Vipassana Technique taught here is Mahasi Noting in the Ajahn Tong style.

Wat Sopharam in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Good center with regular classes and experienced practitioners. I would recommend to beginners but also advanced practitioners who are looking to learn more effortlessness in their practice. I wouldnt recommend it to intermediate practitioners.  It is not so suitable as a disciplined center where one has outside structures for disciplined practice. I spent 4 months here in total and learnt a lot of Dhamma theory, mindfulness in daily life.

Vipassana Technique taught here is Mahasi Noting into Open Awareness

​

Wat Chom Thong in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The mothership of the Ajahn Tong tradition. Offers 21-day beginners courses and 10-day advanced retreats. A great place to get a deeper taste of the Noting technique with very supportive conditions for intensive, disciplined practice. Daily interviews with teacher.

Vipassana Technique taught here is Mahasi Noting in the Ajahn Tong style.

​

Wat Ram Poeng in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Offers 21-day beginners courses, 10-day advanced retreats, 28-day day and 40-day retreats. A great place to get a deep dive in the Noting technique with very supportive conditions for intensive, disciplined practice.

Vipassana Technique taught here is Mahasi Noting in the Ajahn Tong style.

​

​

Open Awareness Vipassana Center (Burma)

​https://ashintejaniya.org/retreat

Open Awareness style Vipassana center. Taught by Sayadaw U Tejaniya who has become popular due to his effortless, non-striving relaxed yet deep awareness practice.

In Burma so may be difficult to visit at the moment. I have good friends who have practiced here and can recommend. Also called the "Mahasi Hospital".

​

Mahasi Sayadaw Lineage Vipassana Centers (Burma, Nepal, Thailand)

https://www.panditarama.org/

Mahasi Noting style center in Burma. Friends have stayed here practicing for 3 months at a time. Teachers are experienced and guide you through the Stages of Insight.

​

https://www.panditarama-lumbini.info/

Mahasi Noting style center in Nepal. Teachers are experienced and guide you through the Stages of Insight. Never been here but heard good things about Vivekananda, the german monk teaching here

​

https://indriyaretreat.org/

Mahasi Noting style center in Koh Phangan, Thailand. Experienced western teachers that guides you through the Stages of Insight. 10, 15 and 21 day courses available.