Heart of Mettā

We invite you to the residential/online retreat Heart of Mettā, held between 23-30 August 2026 in Zen Center Vrážné and led by Gaia House and Hermes Amāra teacher Yahel Avigur. Yahel will offer teachings online or, if conditions permit, in person. This retreat has been organized by the Czech Insight Meditation Group and supported by the Hermes Amāra Foundation.

Mettā means loving-kindness, loving intention, or friendliness. Such friendliness is an essential quality for a sincere and persistent deepening of Dharma practice. Mettā realises the potential for freedom of our hearts.

We will practice Mettā as it has been practised for thousands of years: turning toward and holding the experience of body, heart, and mind with kindness. From there, we will expand that kindness to those who are close to us, those who are distant, and in every direction.

Gradually, we will integrate additional directions into the practice:

  • gathering the heart and mind in Samadhi,
  • working with emotions,
  • integrating compassion, joy, and equanimity,
  • and exploring liberating ways of looking.

The teachings will be informed by Rob Burbea’s approaches to Mettā, Samadhi, and Insight practices.

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All are welcome to explore these practices during this residential retreat. This retreat is appropriate for everyone, whether they have extensive meditation experience or none. However, if you cannot attend the residential retreat, you can alternatively join online for the Dharma teachings, meditation instructions, and guided meditation sessions. For online attendance, you will need some stability in your practice, as you will need to sustain your practice independently between sessions.

Teachings are offered in English and will not be translated. The daily routine consists mainly of sitting and walking meditation, with instructions for meditation, an evening talk, an hour-long work period, and a voluntary mindful movement exercise. The retreat is held in silence except during individual or group interviews with a teacher.

YAHEL AVIGUR is a devoted meditator and Dharma teacher. In 2013, after practicing Theravada and Insight Meditation traditions, he met the Dharma teacher Rob Burbea and became his student. He was encouraged by Rob to teach the complete path of Emptiness as he articulated it, as well as his particular approach to Jhana practice and to train in teaching Soulmaking Dharma. Yahel is also trained in the Hakomi approach of assisted self-study.

 

The Hermes Amāra Foundation (HAF) was established by the late Dharma and meditation teacher Rob Burbea. HAF is the official home of Rob’s entire body of work and acts as custodian of his unique Dharma legacy. HAF also offers support for the teachers and sangha engaging with these teachings. All of Rob’s audio talks, interviews, and podcasts, together with their transcripts, can be found on the HAF website alongside helpful resources for sangha, information on upcoming retreats and courses, and more.

Date: 23-30 August 2026

Place: Zen center Vrážné; for location, see map.

Financial contribution:

  • In-person attendance: standard contribution: 5000 CZK, for students and seniors: 4000 CZK. This contribution covers the costs of accommodation, food, and basic organizing costs for the retreat; however, it does not cover the teacher’s financial support.  The financial contribution for the teacher — dāna—is voluntary but is much welcomed as a way of generosity supporting the teacher.
  • Online attendance: offered freely on a dāna basis.

Food: vegan meals with optional dairy products will be provided 3 times a day. If you have any food restrictions, please let us know.

Accommodation: in shared rooms; please bring your own sleeping bag. Alternatively, the participants can sleep in their small tents in the garden.

Applications:

  • Register for IN-PERSON participation using this form.
  • Register for ONLINE participation using this form. 
  • We ask both residential and online applicants to commit to the entire retreat until 12:30 PM on Aug 30th.
  • Reservation of a place for residential retreatants is made with a non-refundable prepayment of 1000 CZK. Payment instructions will be communicated after registration.
  • If you need to contact us, please e-mail us at retreats@meditacevhledu.cz.

Transportation:

  • There is public transport between Brno and Jevicko. Let us know if you need a pickup in Jevicko, Chornice, or  Dzbel to Vrazne.
  • Additionally, retreatants will organize car sharing between Brno and Vrazne.
  • Particularly for foreign participants: if you are unsure about transportation, do not hesitate to contact us at retreats@meditacevhledu.cz.