One aim of the retreat is to help you master the three-hour level of long meditations. Refining your meditative practice gradually enables you to recognise patterns and emotions previously hidden from your awareness.
Evening seminars
Evening seminars explore the psychology of meditation and help you to enhance your meditative practice.
Daily guidance
Small guidance groups led by experienced instructors provide you with ample opportunities to discuss your meditative experiences. This enhances meditation skills and deepens insights into central personal issues.
Yoga
Daily sessions of basic Acem Yoga have a refreshing effect and facilitate the practice of long meditations.
Social interaction
The activities of the retreat will enable rich and varied social interactions in an international milieu.
Who may participate?
The retreat is for all who have learnt Acem Meditation, both beginners and experienced meditators. Participants who have not yet learned Acem Meditation, please click here.
Typical daily programme
- Long meditation of 3 to 4 hours in the morning
- Guidance groups
- Yoga
- Afternoon group meditation
- Evening talks
- Social interaction
Course language
The official language is English. Simultaneous translation into other languages will be provided when needed. Guidance groups in English, Spanish and Mandarin will be offered.
The venue
The Acem International Retreat Centre at Halvorsbøle is situated outside Oslo in beautiful and peaceful surroundings. Participants will be accommodated in single rooms, most of them with a direct view of the Randsfjord lake.
Lactovegetarian meals
The Halvorsbøle cuisine is based on lactovegetarian food well suited for long meditations.
Other retreats
An International Youth Retreat and International Deepening Retreat take place each year. See the dates on our calendar.
Download brochure (for 2013, 2014 brochure available later)
Discounted course fee
The course fees above are for participants residing outside Scandinavia only:
20 percent off the regular fee when paid before 1 June.
The fees include full board (lacto-vegetarian diet) and ensuite accommodation in a single room.
There is an additional discount for full-time students. If the retreat is fully booked, student discount may entail accommodation in double room.
If you cancel your registration before 1 July, your course fee will be refunded minus an administration fee of EUR 30. If you cancel your reservation after 1 July, your course fee will only be refunded if your cancellation is due to illness or other serious reasons.
Transport
Shared transport will be arranged from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (not Oslo Airport Torp or Oslo Airport Rygge) on 19 July at 4.30pm, as well as back to the airport on 26 July at 2pm (estimated arrival: 3.30pm). EUR 25 each way.
For participants who arrive earlier, there is a bus transfer from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (bus stand 37 outside the building) to Jevnaker (near Halvorsbøle Retreat Centre). On Saturdays, the bus leaves the airport at 09.30 and 13.45. Approximately 1 hour drive. Price ca. NOK 230. From Jevnaker, one can go to Halvorsbøle by taxi (NOK 250-300). A pick-up at Jevnaker may sometimes be arranged. If this should be possible, we will send information in advance.
Budget accommodation in Oslo:
Cochs Pensjonat
Perminalen
Anker Hotel
Anker Hostel
Haraldsheim Youth Hostel
Ellingsens Pensjonat
Comfort Hotel XPress Oslo
Information, registration and payment
Scandinavian participants
Contact Acem Norway (tel: +47 23 11 87 00, address: P. O. Box 2559 Solli, NO-0202 Oslo, Norway)
Non-Scandinavian participants:
Use "Registration and payment" button at the top of this column. For info, contact Acem International.
I want to apply for student scholarship.
Instructors