English 
18.-21. MARCH 2027
MEDITATION, COMPASSION, EMPATHY
– in life and relations with others
INTERNATIONAL FOUR-DAY COURSE at Vækstcenteret in Nørre Snede · Denmark
Teachers: Katinka Gøtzsche and Peter Høeg
We are pleased to invite you to an international four-day course in personal growth and relational contact with a spiritual perspective at The Vaekstcenteret in Noerre Snede in Central Jutland.
These four days are a continuation of the course with the same title held in 2025. However, new participants are welcome.
CONTENT of THE COURSE
The four days will include a presentation of various aspects of The Vaekstcenteret’s approach to spirituality, which can be summarized in the principle that ‘the deeper and better we know ourselves, the deeper and better we are able to meet others – and the world in general’.
And which consists of a combination of meditative presence training, exercises in body awareness and in deepening the heart's emotions – and in relational contact exercises.
OUR APPROACH
The Vaekstcenteret’s approach to spirituality is undogmatic and modern. In the sense that the training is primarily based on experience and with few or no beliefs and dogmas. It is our experience that deeper work with awakening and cordiality is best done on a foundation of personal and existential development and actualisation, grounding and ethical balance.
THE STRUCTURE of THE COURSE
Individual days will have approximately the same structure:
Mornings will be quiet and introspective, focusing on participants individual processes. They will usually include gentle yoga stretch, sitting and walking meditations, sitting and walking, body scans and a writing practice.
Afternoons will be more dynamic, with dance and other ways of training presence in movement, as well as other exercises that aim to bring the meditative qualities of calmness, presence and cordiality to expression in our everyday lives.
We will also touch on the connection between meditative immersion and creativity.
Similarly, basic understanding and interpretation of dreams will receive attention.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
DATES & TIMING
Teaching begins Thursday, the 18th of March at 10 a.m. and ends on Sunday the 21st after lunch, at 2 p.m.
Pease plan your departures after 14.30, to allow yourself sufficient time to complete your 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
Teaching will be in English – with short summaries in German.
VÆKSTCENTERET
DAILY LIFE at THE CENTER
An important element of this course will be an introduction and participation in aspects of daily life at The Vaekstcenter.
There will be time for tours of the center and meeting some of the permanent residents or our lay monastic community. Approximately 70 adults and 30 children live in affiliation with the Centre and help maintain and run the Centre with their voluntary labour.
Participants will get a taste of life in our community through minor chores, e.g., helping in the kitchen, doing the dishes, and cleaning.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION
The Vaekstcenter’s official name is Vækstcenter for work, development and meditation (Vækstcenter for arbejde, udvikling og meditation).
It was founded in 1982 by Jes Bertelsen and his then wife, Hanne Kizach, as an attempt to establish an undogmatic spiritual tradition in Scandinavia.
The Vaekstcenter operates in a deep respect for and love for all the great wisdom traditions.
And in a notion that all the spiritual traditions have related core values that relate to
awareness, cordiality and global cohesion and compassion.
Since 1989, the lifeblood of spiritual practice at the center has been Dzogchen, a practice and tradition originating in Indian and Tibetan Buddhism. But it is part of the foundation of the center that the teaching is unfolded in respect for and in dialogue with the deeper part of the Christian tradition.
The approach to Dzogchen is presented in a contemporary language and framing while remaining respectful of and in harmony with traditional presentations.
In
accordance with the founding vision for The Vaekstcenter, this approach does not presuppose or require any particular set of beliefs or religious affiliation – people from all spiritual traditions may find inspiration and nourishment for their practice here.
APPLICATION
There are no special prerequisites for participation in this course.
However, spending several days doing intensive inner work using many different channels – somatic, energetic, emotional, creative – involving body, heart and mind, can be intense.
We therefore ask that your application include a personal statement about your prior experience s with meditation and/or yoga.
PRICE
Program fee: 4.000 DKK
Reduced fee: A reduced fee is available for documented students.
Meals: A separate fee of 770 Danish kroner covers lunch and dinner Thursday through Saturday and lunch on Sunday. Breakfast is not provided.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15th of December 2026
*terms of cancellation
ACCOMMODATION & TRAVEL
ACCOMODATION
There is no accommodation available at The Vaekstcenter itself.
Some resident members offer overnight accommodation in basic single rooms near the Centre for a nominal payment typically between 250 and 350 Danish kroner per night.
These rooms have access to a (usually shared) shower and toilet and to a kitchenette.
Duvets and pillows are provided, but guests should bring their own bed linen and towels.
In addition to the rooms rented out by resident members, other private accommodation is also available in and around Nørre Snede, as well as B&Bs, inns and hotels in towns further away.
HOW TO GET HERE
Nearest airport: Billund (BLL) – with public transport connections to Nørre Snede via Vejle.
Nearest railway stationstation with good connections is Vejle, from where there are regular (approx.. once an hour) bus services to Nørre Snede.
Travel planning: See Rejseplanen for schedules.
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.