Fourth Autumn Retreat in Almaty, Kazakhstan

with Daoist teacher Juan Li

9 days - September 2019

 This 9-day-retreat offers a special opportunity to learn from and practise with Daoist teacher Juan Li in a real retreat setting. Juan Li will also teach classes that he is not regularly teaching in English.

When:

from Saturday 11 a.m. until the following week Sunday 5 p.m. (= 9 days/8 nights)

September 2019 - dates to be announced.

Where:

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan is the land of natural wonders. Besides being the birthplace of ancient Eurasian civilizations, the motherland of nomadic people, and an important part of the Great Silk Road, it is the perfect place to find your spirit and to engage with pure nature.

Kazakhstan is the ninth biggest country in the world. Nevertheless, most of the land is still untouched. The country is a wealth of frosty mountain peaks, sparkling glaciers, softly rustling evergreen forests, huge rocky canyons bridged by colourful rainbows, emerald mountain lakes, wild rivers, poetic sunrises, and unique plant and animal life.

Kazakhstan`s population is 17 million. It is a modern country with a developing economy. However, since ancient times, Kazakhs have carefully preserved and passed down through generations their traditions of hospitality, respect for elders, peace and tolerance.

The old spiritual tradition of Kazakhs was Tengrism. This system of belief was born in the steppe - the boundless reach of land and the fathomless bowl of the sky. This vastness and emptiness brought into being the main ideas of this tradition: two divine forces, Mother Earth and Father Heaven, and the interaction between the two of them, which gives birth to all creations. Tengrism was a coherent and lively faith in the 'unity of all things' and it is present in the Kazakh soul even today.

ALMATY CITY

Almaty - "the City of Apple Trees" - is located in the southeast of Kazakhstan, in the foothills of the Alatau Mountains, which are part of the Tian-Shan Mountains. Its population is 1.5 million. The city extends about 20 km in all directions from its center and is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Kazakhstan with regular planning, wide, tree-lined streets, numerous parks and orchards, and a backdrop of mountains.

Although it has lost the status of capital, Almaty remains the largest financial, economic and cultural center of Central Asia. It accommodates numerous business centers, theaters, museums, art galleries, exhibition halls and countless modern entertainment complexes.

Almaty is also the spiritual center of the country. People are very open and it is quite normal for many of them to attend different classes and workshops, and to practice in different spiritual groups. Tao practices are becoming increasingly popular in Almaty and there is a community of practitioners.

Pension MARALSAY

The retreat place is located in the Ile-Alatau National Park, which is in the beautiful mountains of Tien-Shan, the Northern part of the Himalayas, 33 km outside of the city. Pension Maralsay is 1250 m above sea level and covers an area of 3 hectares with beautiful landscapes and clean mountain air. It is a quiet place located far away from roads and villages, where we can enjoy the sounds of nature, mountain rivers, birds and trees.

The Pension has several houses with simple, clean and comfortable rooms.

Vegetarian meals will be provided three times per day.

The retreat will take place in the most favourable time of the year. We will experience the golden autumn and it will be really beautiful in mountains. Normally the temperature should be warm at the beginning of September but not as hot as in summer.

The training will be in English with translation into Russian.


Prerequisite is knowledge of the Healing Tao Basics (Inner Smile, 6 Healing Sounds and Microcosmic Orbit).

An online class with Juan Li to learn these basic practises is available here:

"Introduction, application and refinement of the Tao basic practises"

Schedule:

We will have a similar schedule for most of the retreat days, except the first day and the last:

7:30   -  9:00 morning exercises outside and meditation

9:00   -  10:30 breakfast

10:30 -  13:00 class

13:00 -  15:30 lunch break

15:30 -  18:00 class

18:00 -  20:00 dinner break

20:00 -  21:00 evening session (not every day)

Cost:

Workshop fee:

Limited places - a deposit of 
100 € will reserve yours.

Additional cost: 

single rooms

 (limited number only!), double rooms and triple rooms available

includes accommodation, three vegetarian meals per day as
 well as transfer from/to Almaty meeting point and workshop location.

Payment of additional cost directly at location in Almaty!

Cost does not include flights.

How to get there:

There are direct flights from most major European cities to Almaty starting at about 300 € round trip.

We recommend arriving in Almaty at least the day before. You will need a hotel because the retreat place will open for us the first day of the retreat. We organize a transfer from Almaty to the retreat centre with a bus. It will take about 50 min.

Let us know your arrival time and we can arrange for a car to pick you up from the airport. We could also assist you with finding accommodation before and after the retreat if you stay longer.

Visa:

Due to the World Expo in Astana in 2017 visa regulations have changed and many foreigners can stay up to 30 days now without a visa! Please check back with you local Kazakh embassy!

Most European citizens, as well as U.S. citizens, do not need a visa for a maximum stay of 15 days in Kazakhstan. Please check back with your local Kazakh embassy!

Registration:

Registration form:

Please sign up by clicking the "Register here" button below. State the type of room, and if applicable, mention the name(s) of your roommate(s). As each registration requires a personal e-mail address you can only register one person at a time.

Deposit:

You will receive a confirmation e-mail with our bank details to transfer your deposit of 100 €, which makes your registration official. This deposit is non-refundable in case you cannot attend.
 


Concerning: Deposit Juan Li and your name.

Rest payment:

Please transfer your rest payment - workshop fee only! - to the same bank account as the deposit before August 1, 2019 - early birds before May 15, 2019.

Concerning: Rest Payment Juan Li and your name.

Payment of additional cost directly at location in Almaty.

Cancellation:

In case you need to cancel your reservation, please do so as soon as possible. In case you cancel after August 1, 2019, the rest payment can only be refunded if you find someone attending the retreat instead of you.



Exploring Kazakhstan:

If you want to spend some more time in Almaty after the retreat you are very welcome. We are organising a sightseeing programme exploring not only the city, but also the beautiful scenery around Almaty!

We will provide more specific information and help once you have reserved your place.

Join Juan Li teaching in Kazakhstan again, meet like-minded Kazakh and international Tao practitioners, practise in pure nature, learn about Kazakh culture and make new Tao friends on this spiritual journey!

We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting retreat in Almaty!

If you are interested in the next retreat please sign up below to get full detailed information as soon as dates and class topics are fixed.