Upcoming Retreats
RT: Werkhoven, The Netherlands, 2026
Brhadaranyaka Upanishad & Chapter 7 of Bhagavad Gita
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Date/Duration: 15-20 August, 2026
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Location: Samaya, Werkhoven, The Netherlands
Introduction
During this 5-day retreat (Sat-Thur) at a beautiful Dutch retreat place Samaya, you will be surrounded by fellow committed students to focus on the traditional teachings of Vedanta. Neema will teach two texts: Selected Verses From Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (morning) and Chapter 7 of Bhagavad Gita (evening).
The teaching of these texts will be accompanied with morning meditations, practice of meditative movements, Vedic chanting and dialogue sessions.
Participants are required to register at www.discovervedanta.com. Your registration is considered complete when teachers’ fees are paid. The closing date for registration for this retreat is 12 July 2026. Seats are limited, so do not wait to register!
The program consists of study of the following texts:
Selected Verses From Brhadaranyaka Upanishad (morning)
This Upanishad contains a rich dialog between wife Maitreyi and husband Yajnavalkya. One day Yajnavalkya decides to spend the rest of his life contemplating realities and tells his wife that he will leave all his wealth between Maitreyi and Katyayani (his second wife). Maitreyi asks him if the wealth that he is leaving behind, will give her what he is going to get by contemplating on the nature of Self (Atma)? Yajnavalkya replies “No chance. Knowing one’s true nature only makes one cross death and gain immortality.” Maitreyi retorts: “Sir, what is the use of all your wealth? Teach me the knowledge that leads me to immortality.” Yajnavalkya then teaches Maitreyi knowledge of self and utilizes various imageries to lead Maitreyi to discovery of reality of I that takes her to immortality.
Chapter 7 of Bhagavad Gita (evening)
Chapter 7 of the Bhagavad Gītā marks a turning point in the teaching. After unfolding the nature of the individual self (the jīva) in the first six chapters, Śrī Kṛṣṇa now begins to reveal the nature of Īśvara — the cause of the entire universe. Kṛṣṇa shows that the Lord is not merely the maker of the universe, but also the material cause of the universe. All that exists - all forms, all experiences, all forces of nature arise from this non-dual cause. Kṛṣṇa says many seek security and fulfilment in the world; but few seek to know the nature of Īśvara as non separate from oneself. The seeker who commits their mind and life to this pursuit gets to discover the highest — “I am the whole.”
Date & Schedule
August 15
- 19:00 - 21:00 Welcome and introduction (formal start of the retreat)
August 16 to 19
- 07:30 - 08:15 Guided Meditation
- 08:30 - 09:15 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 10:45 Class 1
- 11:00 - 12:15 Class 2
- 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 14:30 Free Time
- 14:30 - 15:15 Meditative Movements
- 15:15 - 16:00 Chanting
- 16:00 - 17:30 Class 3
- 18:00 - 19:00 Dinner
- 19:15 to 21:00 Dialogue + Relaxation
August 20
- 07:30 - 08:15 Guided Meditation
- 08:30 - 09:15 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 10:45 Class 1
- 11:00 - 12:15 Class 2
- 12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
- 13:30 - 14:30 Free Time
- 14:30 - 15:15 Meditative Movements
- 15:15 - 16:00 Chanting
- 16:00 - 17:00 Class 3 (formal end of the retreat)
Location & Accommodation
- Website: https://www.samaya.nl/
- Phone:+31 (0)343 552 332
- Email: info@samaya.nl
The retreat venue
Conference Centre Samaya is an exclusive retreat centre in central Netherlands, about one hour from Amsterdam, close to the city of Utrecht, in a green spot between a fruit area known as the Betuwe and on the fringes of the Utrecht hills.
Dates of arrival/departure
We suggest participants arrive at Samaya in Werkhoven by 15 August 2026 from 18:00 pm. Classes start on 15 August 19:00 pm and end on 20 August 17:00 pm.
Getting to Samaya
By car:
It is easily reached by car and offer free parking for 75 cars on our own premises.
By public transport:
When coming by train, use the NS-railway station at Driebergen-Zeist. Usually several taxi’s are waiting there for you or you can take an OV-fiets (a rental bike) and cycle to Samaya via the so called ‘kastelenroute’ (a route passing some castles). From Utrecht Central Station you may also take a bus to the stop at Werkhoven-Hardenbroek. From this bus stop it takes another 2km walk.
By taxi:
Samaya has negotiated special deals with a regional taxi company that offers highly reduced rates for transport in a hybrid car (up to 4 people). You have to make a reservation for this at least 24 hours in advance. Our cooperative partner is Taxibedrijf Snel, Mr Levon Agbalian, +31612587654. He brings you in just over 10 minutes from Driebergen-Zeist Station to Samaya (30-35 euros). Or in 45 minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Samaya (88-105 euros).
Accommodation and food
You can choose between a single room or a twin/semi detached single room. All rooms are neat and peaceful and have one bathroom. All rooms have internet access.
| Room type | Price in € per person/night | Total per person for 5 nights |
| Single room | € 208 | € 1040 |
| Twin room/semi detached room (offering two separate single rooms connected by a door to a joint bathroom) | € 173 | € 865 |
| *Limited number of twin rooms available: if you prefer a room like this, please register asap. | ||
Day guests who are not staying overnight, contact Samaya for the rates.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is an organic vegetarian buffet. In between there is coffee, tea, cookies and fruit.
For any special (gluten free, vegan) requirements, please inform Samaya at least 5 weeks in advance.
Booking your room
After making the teachers’ fees payment of 35,000 Indian Rupees on our website, please book your room with Sander Machielsen: sandermachielsen@gmail.com, mentioning your address details and preferred room type.
Payments can be done before the retreat. Samaya will send an invoice after registration.
For late registration after July 12th, please contact sandermachielsen@gmail.com to check for availability.
If you’d really like to participate but can’t afford the full amount at this time, there’s a small discount fund available. Please contact sandermachielsen@gmail.com for more information.
Contribute
Any amount above the standard teachers’ fees, depending upon your financial means and choice, will help us in continuing to share this knowledge.
Details are available on the Support Us tab of our Website.
FAQ
Teachers’ fees need to be paid by 12 July 2026 and are not refundable.
For their direct booking with Samaya, participants can cancel 3 months before arrival for free. In case of cancellation between 3 to 2 months, they need to pay 15% of the total amount. In between 2 to 1 month 35%, 1 month to 14 days 60%, 14 days-7 days 85%, 7 days or less 100% to Samaya.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at discovervedanta@gmail.com and sandermachielsen@gmail.com