Breath Meditation Made Easy
Retreat in Finland January 14th–17th 2027 with Ajahn Canda
The breath is with us from the moment we are born util the moment we die. Ever-present and intimate, it forms a natural bridge between the physical world and the realm of the mind. For this reason, the Buddha placed mindfulness of breathing at the heart of his teaching, presenting it as an enjoyable and rewarding practice capable of leading to profound states of stillness and, ultimately, full Awakening.
Drawing on the teachings of the Anapanasati Sutta (The Discourse on Mindfulness of Breathing, MN 118), this three-day retreat will explore how breath meditation can become a profoundly liberating path of practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on the often-overlooked principle that preparation is key. The Buddha repeatedly emphasized the importance of creating the right conditions for meditation to flourish. Understanding this can make the difference between struggle and near-effortless success.
Alongside guided meditation and Q&A sessions, we will explore the attitudes, lifestyle factors, and complementary practices that support sustained development. Retreatants will learn how mindfulness of breathing unfolds naturally from simple awareness into increasing levels of serenity, insight, and freedom.
Whether you are new to meditation or seeking to deepen an existing practice, this retreat offers a practical and accessible introduction to one of the Buddha’s most profound and universally applicable teachings.
Teacher
Ajahn Canda Bhikkhuni is the founding abbot of Anukampa Grove near Oxford, England. Anukampa Grove is the first monastery in the UK where women have an opportunity to live and practice as fully ordained Buddhist nuns (bhikkhunis).
Ajahn Canda is a senior disciple of Ajahn Brahm and a sought-after meditation teacher, renowned for her deep knowledge of the suttas, and her warm, engaging way of teaching and guiding meditation.
Ajahn Canda does not receive any remuneration for her teachings and time. You are invited to make a donation to her Charity Anukampa Bhikkhuni Project to support her and her trainee nuns, who live as alms mendicants, at www.anukampaproject.org/donate.
The Venue
Address: The Friendship Inn (Ystävyyden Majatalo), Kalkkilantie 74, 25110 Kruusila, Finland.
The Friendship Inn is a cozy guesthouse and retreat center on the shore of Lake Pernijärvi. We will have exclusive use of the entire guesthouse, providing us with a peaceful environment to focus on silence and meditation. Only the staff of the Inn will be present, and they are accustomed to hosting meditation retreats.
Participants will mostly stay in double rooms, some of which have an en-suite toilet. Showers are located in the hallway. The guesthouse’s traditional wood-heated Finnish sauna will also be available. There is even an opportunity to experience a true Finnish winter tradition: The Friendship Inn maintains a hole in the ice of Lake Pernijärvi, allowing you to take an icy dip straight from the hot sauna.
The guesthouse features a dining room, a meditation hall, and comfortable lounge areas for relaxing.
The Inn is home to two cats and occasionally receives visits from dogs. The cats do not have access to the meditation hall or guest rooms, but they may be present in the common areas.
Retreat Program
The retreat program includes both silent and guided group meditation, Dhamma talks, and Q&A sessions. Participation in all scheduled activities is voluntary, and there will be plenty of time for personal practice during the retreat.
The retreatans will be asked to help with small cleaning tasks as well as some kitchen chores: chopping vegetables, setting the table and washing dishes.
Meals
We offer a nutritious and filling breakfast and lunch. This gives everyone the opportunity to follow the traditional monastic eating schedule, where all the meals of the day are consumed between sunrise and solar noon. In the Finnish winter, we have to be slightly flexible with these times, as the sun rises late. Therefore, breakfast will be served at a normal morning hour, not at 9:20 AM when the sun rises.
We also provide a light snack-type meal at dinnertime for those who need it.
All main courses are vegan. Eggs and lactose-free dairy products will also be available. On the arrival day, a dinner soup will be served. If you follow a strict special diet or require specific food items for health reasons, you are welcome to bring them with you. Please note, however, that the kitchen at The Friendship Inn cannot guarantee the absolute absence of cross-contamination required for severe celiac disease.
How to Get There
By Bus: Kruusila can be reached from Helsinki several times a day by bus (Onnibus). The Kruusila bus stop is located on Vanha Turuntie (road 110). The Friendship Inn is about a 600-meter walk from the bus stop. Note! Kalkkilantie does not have street lighting. If you arrive after dark, please bring a flashlight and reflectors for the walk from the bus stop to the guesthouse. (During the retreat, the sun rises at approximately 9:20 AM and sets at 4:00 PM.)
By Train: The nearest train station is in Salo, a 20-minute drive from The Friendship Inn. We can arrange a pick-up from the train station to the retreat; please contact us well in advance if you require this.
By Car: There is plenty of parking space in the yard of The Friendship Inn.
Retreat Price and Registration
The total cost of the retreat is €280. Of this amount, €100 is paid to the Dhamma Society of Finland upon registration, and €180 is paid to The Friendship Inn upon arrival.
Additionally, you can rent bed linen from The Friendship Inn for €5 per set, and sauna use costs €5 per session. You can pay the sauna fees directly to The Friendship Inn at the end of the retreat based on your actual usage.
If you are unable to pay the full amount due to your financial situation, please contact us to request a discount.
Registration latest December 15th 2026: Registeration Form