Effortless Mindfulness & Non-Dual Awareness Retreat

Resting in Natural Presence and an Open Heart

A Retreat into Simplicity, Presence, and Effortless Awareness
Many meditation practices train attention through effort—staying with the breath, observing thoughts, or working to remain present. While these methods are valuable, they can sometimes reinforce the sense that mindfulness is something we must do rather than something we can recognize.

But what if awareness is already here, naturally awake, open, and compassionate?

Rather than striving to be mindful, we can begin to notice the spacious awareness that is always present, even before we try to focus. This awareness is not cold or distant—it is naturally kind, accepting, and open-hearted.

Right now, without effort, notice the simple presence of awareness itself. It is not something you create—it is already here.

This retreat is an opportunity to explore mindfulness in its most direct and natural form—not as something to achieve, but as something to recognize, rest in, and allow to unfold with warmth and ease.

Why This Retreat?

Many practitioners experience moments of deep awareness in meditation but struggle to maintain that clarity in daily life. Others find themselves caught in cycles of effort, as if mindfulness is something they are constantly trying to get right.

This retreat offers an approach that is:

• Direct – Shifting immediately into awareness, rather than building up to it.
• Natural – Recognizing presence as it is, without effort or strain.
• Applicable to Daily Life – Not limited to seated meditation, but integrated into every moment.
• Rooted in Compassion – Cultivating awareness that is not just clear, but also open-hearted and kind.

Dzogchen, one of the most direct paths of awakening, is especially suited to modern life. It does not require long hours of meditation or complex rituals. Instead, it emphasizes short glimpses of awareness—moments of recognizing presence that can be integrated into daily life, whether walking, working, or in conversation.

Rather than effortfully trying to “be mindful,” we discover that awareness is already awake, always here, and effortlessly accessible. Learning to rest in awareness while also softening into a sense of openness and kindness allows for greater ease, clarity, and connection in everyday situations.

Who is This Retreat For?

This retreat is for those who have at least one year of mindfulness practice and prior instruction (from a course or training) and who want to explore a more direct, experiential approach to awareness.

It may be particularly meaningful for those who:

• Have experienced glimpses of deep presence but struggle to sustain it.
• Feel stuck in effortful practice and are looking for a more natural and intuitive approach.
• Want to explore mindfulness beyond effort and self-improvement.
• Are drawn to Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta, or direct paths to awakening.
• Wish to integrate awareness and compassion into everyday life, rather than limiting it to meditation sessions.

Requirements to attend:

This is a more advanced mindfulness practice. To attend, you must have completed:

• at least one year of personal mindfulness practice
• a mindfulness course, training, or retreat

This retreat is also a part of a 5-week training course which follows. See below to learn more!

Retreat Structure

This retreat will include a balance of guided practice, silent periods, movement, and discussion, allowing for an integrated and embodied exploration of effortless mindfulness.

• Guided Meditations & Inquiry – Practices for directly recognizing awareness.
• Mindful Yoga & Compassion-Based Practices – Exploring presence through breath, body, and gentle heart-centered awareness.
• Teachings on Non-Duality – Rooted in Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta, and modern approaches to effortless mindfulness.
• Silent Reflection – Space to deepen awareness beyond concepts.
• Group Dialogue & Q&A – Exploring insights through shared reflection.

The emphasis is on immediate experience, not theory. These teachings are not about withdrawing from life but about recognizing awareness in all situations — whether sitting in meditation, walking, working, or engaging with others — with a sense of openness and compassion.

General Schedule:

Thursday – Arrival & Opening
16:00 – 17:00 | Arrive / Registration
17:30 – 18:30 | Introduction & Orientation
18:30 – 19:30 | Dinner
19:30 – 21:00 | Evening Session

Friday – Saturday: Deepening Awareness & Compassion
07:30 – 08:30 | Morning Meditation & Inquiry
08:30 – 09:30 | Breakfast (Silent)
10:00 – 12:30 | Mindful Yoga & Awareness in Movement
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 – 16:30 | Personal Time (Rest, Reflection, Nature Practice)
16:30 – 18:30 | Afternoon Practice & Teachings
18:30 – 19:30 | Dinner
19:30 – 21:00 | Evening Session

Sunday – Closing & Integration
07:30 – 08:30 | Morning Meditation & Inquiry
08:30 – 09:30 | Breakfast (Silent/End Silence)
10:00 – 12:30 | Closing Session: Integration & Next Steps
13:00 – 14:00 | Lunch
14:00 | Depart

Prices & Booking

Prices includes teaching, 3 vegetarian meals per day and accommodation in shared cabin:
kr 7 798,- incl. singel room in shared cabin
kr 6 823,- incl. shared room or attic

Retreat Setting

The retreat will take place at Dharma Mountain, a peaceful meditation retreat center in a secluded mountain valley with a river nearby, offering an ideal environment for deep practice and contemplation.

Meals and accommodation are included, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the retreat experience.

Additional Training Course Follow-up

This retreat runs together with a Non-Duality & Effortless Mindfulness Training Course, with an opportunity to participate in both. The training course will follow the retreat, starting October 11, and run for 5 weeks. Participants of the retreat will get a significant discount on the training.

Here is the link to learn more about the training course and to register:
Effortless Mindfulness Training Course 25

About the Teacher

Jonathan Weber is an international teacher known for his warm and grounded approach to mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. With over 30 years of experience in non-dual awareness practices, Buddhist psychology, and Mindful Yoga, he brings together traditional teachings from Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta with modern mindfulness-based approaches. Jonathan has trained extensively with respected lineage masters and has been a leading teacher of Mindful Yoga and non-dual meditation in Norway. His teaching emphasizes clarity, direct experience, and the integration of awareness into daily life—with a deep recognition of the connection between awareness, compassion, and natural goodness.