The Joy of Enlightenment
When Positive Emotions Awaken Nirvana
A Meditation Retreat with Haemin Sunim
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Dates & Times
Sept. 4th - 6th, 2026
Starts Friday at 09:00. Ends Sunday at 15:00.
Location & Venue
Dohasa Zen Group (located at SKOKS)
Margit Hansens gate 3, 0190 Oslo
The retreat, The Joy of Enlightenment, approaches awakening not as something gained through struggle or withdrawal, but as something that unfolds through warmth, ease, and trust. Over four days of meditation, reflection, gentle movement, and attentive listening to body and mind, participants are invited to rediscover an innate sense of joy and aliveness, and to explore how awakening arises as the heart opens and relaxes.
Haemin Sunim is a Korean Zen monk and internationally known teacher and author whose work emphasizes emotional honesty, kindness, and a deeply humane approach to Buddhist practice. His teaching points toward a shift from self improvement to self recognition, from trying to become better to realizing a wholeness that has never been absent.
The retreat is open to both beginners and experienced practitioners. No prior meditation experience is required.
Practical Information
Pricing
We offer several rate options. Please review the descriptions below to determine which option is most appropriate for you.
Standard rate
NOK 3258
Supporter rate*
NOK 4000
Member rate**
NOK 2950
*If you are able to contribute beyond the standard rate, please consider selecting the Supporter rate. This helps cover the true cost of running the retreat and makes it possible to offer reduced rates to those with limited financial means.
** The member rate is available to officially registered members of Dohasa Zen Group and ordained Buddhist monastics. If you would like to become a member, please refer to the membership information page.
If you are a student, currently unemployed, or otherwise unable to afford the listed rates, please contact us. We will do our best to offer financial assistance, subject to availability.
To help create a calm and settled environment, we kindly ask all participants to commit to the full retreat schedule. For this reason, we are unable to offer discounts for partial attendance.
Accommodation
Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation. Oslo offers a wide range of options, including affordable hotels, Airbnbs, and camping facilities.
The venue is centrally located and easily accessible by public transport. It is just a short walk from Grønland station, served by all Oslo T-bane lines (1–5), and is also within close proximity to the central bus terminal.
Accessibility and Required Experience
This retreat is open to all experience levels. No previous experience with meditation retreats is required. We provide both traditional meditation floor cushions as well as chairs and benches. You are welcome to bring your own cushions if you prefer.
Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
To cancel your participation, please email us at info@dohasa.org. If you cancel more than 60 days before the retreat, you will receive a full refund. Cancellations between 30 and 60 days prior are eligible for a 50% refund. Unfortunately, cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances, we may allow a transfer to a future retreat.
Dietary Restrictions
All meals at the retreat are vegetarian, and often vegan. Egg and dairy products will be served separately where possible.
We are happy to accomodate medically necessary dietary restrictions. If you have other dietary needs, you may need to bring your own food. Feel free to contact us for further guidance.
Health & Well-being policy
This retreat involves extended periods of silence and inward attention. Participants should be in a stable state of mental and emotional health. If you are currently experiencing significant psychological distress, such as acute anxiety, depression, or the effects of recent trauma, this may not be the right time to attend, as the retreat does not provide therapeutic or clinical support. If you are working with a mental health professional, we encourage you to consult with them before registering.
Participants should also be in generally good physical health and able to take part in the retreat schedule, including sitting for meditation (with chairs or cushions available), engaging in light movement such as walking meditation, and managing their own daily needs. If you are unsure whether this retreat is suitable for you, please contact us before registering.
Registration
To register and secure your spot, click the button to go to the registration form. Once your registration has been submitted and paid, you will receive a confirmation with further information.