English 
23. – 26. OCTOBER 2025
MEDITATION, COMPASSION, EMPATHY
– in life and relations with others
INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP at Vækstcenteret · Denmark
Teachers: Katinka Gøtzsche and Peter Høeg
We are pleased to invite you to a four-day workshop in English, on personal growth and relational contact with a spiritual perspective. The workshop will take place at Vækstcenteret (Vaekstcenteret) in the small town of Nørre Snede in Central Jutland.
COURSE CONTENT
This program introduces key aspects of Vækstcenteret’s approach to spirituality, which is based on the principle: "The deeper and the better we know ourselves, the deeper and the better we can connect with others – and with the world at large." Through a combination of meditative training, body awareness practices, focus on deepening of the heart, and engaging in relational exercises, participants will explore personal and interpersonal growth.
OUR APPROACH
Vækstcenteret’s approach to spirituality is secular and undogmatic, emphasizing direct experience. Our work with awakening and cultivating heartfulness is rooted in personal and existential development and actualization, grounding, and ethical balance.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
DATES & TIMING
The program begins on Thursday, October 23 at 10 a.m. and ends on Sunday, October 26 with lunch at 2 p.m.
Please plan your departures after 14.30 to allow time to complete your final chores.
DAILY STRUCTURE
The four days hold the same basic structure.
Mornings: silence and introspection, focusing on the participant's individual processes, including gentle movement practices (such as yoga and stretching), sitting and walking meditations, body scans, and writing exercises.
Afternoons: a more dynamic focus, incorporating dance and awareness training through movement and exercises designed to integrate meditative qualities such as presence, kindness, and wakefulness into everyday life.
Addittional topics: The connection between meditative immersion and creativity will be explored along with an introduction to basic work with one's nightly dreams.
LANGUAGE
The course will be conducted in English, with brief summaries provided in German.
Program/information in German
VÆKSTCENTERET
DAILY LIFE AT THE CENTER
An element of this workshop is the opportunity to meet aspects of daily life at Vækstcenteret, where the daily rhythm is centered around meditation hours in Store Sal (Main Hall), taking care of buildings and gardens, and administering the flow of guests, events and programs.
Participants will have time to see the center and maybe meet some of its residents. Around 70 adults and 30 children live in affiliation with the center, contributing their voluntary work to maintain and run the facilities.
To get a sense of the community atmosphere of voluntary work and collective engagement, participants will take part in small daily tasks such as helping in the kitchen, washing dishes, and cleaning.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
Vækstcenteret’s official name is "Vækstcenter for arbejde, udvikling og meditation" (Center of Growth for Work, Development, and Meditation).
Founded in 1982 by Jes Bertelsen and his then-wife Hanne Kizach, the center was established as an attempt to create an undogmatic spiritual practice in Scandinavia – a spiritual practice based on democratic values, scientific knowledge, and balance between genders.
Vaekstcenter is guided by deep respect and love for all great wisdom traditions, recognizing that spiritual paths across cultures share core values of awareness, heartfulness, global cohesion, and compassion.
Since 1989, the core of the innermost meditation practices has been Dzogchen, a practice and tradition rooted in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism. However, in keeping with the center’s founding vision, this practice is taught in dialogue with and with respect for the deeper aspects of the Christian tradition.
The training and the teachings are presented in contemporary, accessible language and within a contemporary framework. In accordance with the founding vision of Vaekstcenteret, this approach does not presuppose or require any particular set of beliefs or religious affiliation.
ENROLLMENT
Spending several days engaging in intensive inner work – involving the body, heart, and mind through somatic, energetic, emotional, and creative practices – can be a deep and intense experience.
There are no special prerequisites for joining this course, but we ask that your application includes a personal statement about your prior experience with meditation and/or yoga or other contemplative practices.
PRICE
Program fee: 3.600 DKK
Reduced fee: Available for documented students
Payment will be forwarded, after approval of participation, by the end of August.
Meals: A separate fee of 550 DKK covers lunch and dinner (Thursday–Saturday) and lunch on Sunday.
Breakfast: Not provided
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th of August 2025
*terms of cancellation
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL
ACCOMODATION
Accommodation is not available at Vækstcenteret itself.
Some community members offer overnight accommodation in single rooms (basic standard), 5-15 minutes’ walk from the center, for a nominal payment of 200-350 Danish kroner per night. Additional private accommodations are available in and around Nørre Snede, including B&Bs, inns, and hotels in nearby towns.
HOW TO GET HERE
Nearest airport: Billund (BLL) – with public transport connections to Nørre Snede via Vejle.
Nearest train station: Vejle, with regular bus services (approx. once per hour) to Nørre Snede.
Travel planning: See Rejseplanen for schedules.
Further information on location, venue, local transport, and accommodation will be provided to all approved participants.
TEACHERS
KATINKA GØTZSCHE
has a Master of Arts dramaturgy and psychology.
She is the chairperson of The Society for The Promotion of Life Wisdom in children and teaches at the society’s international education in Berlin.
She is responsible for the content, training and teaching, in a Danish pedagogical initiative in schools called Inner Strength.
She teaches, among other things, meditation, physically based mindfulness training such as yoga and dance, and relationship skills and creativity.
Katinka lives in connection with Vækstcenteret, receives practice guidance from Jes Bertelsen and attends retreat every year.
PETER HØEG
is an author and has a Master of Arts in litterature.
He is a co-founder of The Society for The Promotion of Life Wisdom in children and teaches at the society’s international education in Berlin.
He is part of the Teacher Group at Vækstcenteret – and also teaches on the platform Kontemplation.dk
He teaches, among other things, meditation, physically based mindfulness training such as yoga and dance, and relationship skills and creativity.
Peter lives in connection with Vækstcenteret, receives practice guidance from Jes Bertelsen and attends retreat every year.