Come to meet the elements and their energies (Residential in S. Lorenzo del Escorial)

A meditation retreat to explore space with loving kindness

A residential retreat, S. Lorenzo del Escorial, Madrid (SPAIN)

Aug. 1st to Aug. 8th, 2025

PHOTOS (C) Ingrid Hofellner. All rights reserved,

This joyful exploration of the basic energies of the elements and our inner world was introduced by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, a renowned Tibetan meditation master, under the name “Maitri-Space Awareness”. Trungpa Rinpoche developed this retreat in the 1970s as a response to the experience of self-hatred and fear of one's own being that his Western students described. Maitri-Space-Awareness is based on the teachings on the 5 wisdom energies (or the 5 Buddha families,as they are traditionally called). “Maitri” is the Sanskrit word for loving-kindness. In this practice, we intensify the basic energies of the elements (water, earth, fire, wind and space), become familiar with them, and learn to relate with them in a friendly, joyful and creative way. We can directly experience how these energies manifest in and around us and can be transformed into open awareness.

These meditation retreats are helpful for people working in therapeutic and social professions, artistic people and everyone who wants to explore the richness of life. Through mindfulness meditation, specific postures,the use of colours, individual creative expression, group exchange, individual conversations, group exercises and “aimless wandering” in nature, we gently open ourselves to accessing the diverse energies of our lives. The elements and the multifaceted expressions of people’s minds  become a colourful feast of life in this meditation retreat.

Please bring whatever musical instruments, poems, songs, art material and supplies you wish. Material for creative expression will also be made available.

The seminar is not, nor does it replace, medical treatment or psychotherapy. Please do not interrupt your medication or any treatment. Only take part in the seminar if you are physically and mentally fit to do so.  

Peter Nowak studied therapeutic interactions in psychotherapy and doctor-patient communication in the 1980s. In these early years he trained in “Client-centred therapy” (Carl Rogers) and participated in a broad spectrum of therapeutic settings, like psychoanalytic group therapy, systemic family constellation work and diverse “New Age” self-awareness seminars. Peter worked for some months in a “crisis intervention centre” in Vienna, before he decided to work mainly as a social scientist for the reform of the Austrian healthcare system.

Peter met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1985 and attended 1986 the last three-month retreat “Seminary”, which Trungpa taught. He has had many roles at his home Shambhala center in Vienna and has been a meditation instructor since 1986. Since 1999 he has been a meditation instructor in many Maitri space awareness retreats, which were organized together with the “Windhorse Association” in Vienna. Windhorse offers compassionate, home-based healing environments for people who need specialized help with mental health challenges. Peter has been on the Board of the Windhorse association in Vienna for 9 years. He has co-taught many Maitri practice days since 2008, and taught a Maitri retreat in 2022.

Place: Casa de Espiritualidad Marista de S. Lorenzo del Escorial, Ctra de Guadarrama https://maps.app.goo.gl/FxFT61ei4R2AYKMk6

Arrival:  Aug. 1st 2025 before 18:30

Departure: Morning Aug. 8th after breakfast (optional)

Price early bird: 560 € With a deposit of 150 € before July 1st  This includes lodging in single room with private shower and toilet, meals and teachings 

Price after July 1st: 610 €

Another options (sleeping outside) please check with us

More info:  [email protected]   + 34  627 813 279