Do you end your days feeling energized and inspired—or do you rely on weekends just to recover from a draining week? Are you able to stay relaxed, motivated, and in control of stress at work? Therefore, the Restoring Balance program helps you explore these questions and offers practical tools to bring more calm, clarity, and fulfillment into your daily life.
“When we are aware of the possibilities for developing inner freedom, we can begin to open to the pleasure, health and satisfaction that are all around us. Knowing ourselves better will prompt deeper insight, more understanding, and a sense of peace. We will grow healthy in body and mind; our work, family and relationships will become more meaningful.” – Skillful means part one
“When we face our problems directly and go through them, we discover new ways of being. We build strength and confidence to deal with future difficulties. Life becomes a meaningful challenge leading to greater knowledge and awakening. We discover that the more we learn, the more we grow; the more challenges we meet, the more strength and awareness we gain. When we live in accord with the process of change. We do something valuable simply by living.” – Skillful means part two
Restoring Balance – Thinking and Feeling
This year-long restoring balance program is a journey of discovering the positive qualities already within you and learning how to apply them in everything you do. Then, adding value to your own life and to the lives of those around you. The program draws on the principles of Tibetan Buddhism but remains fully accessible to everyone, regardless of background or belief.
What the program offers
The program consists of three midweek retreats, each supported by an individual coaching session (included when you book the full program). During each retreat, you integrate the teachings through practical exercises, Kum Nye Tibetan yoga, meditation, visualization practices, and hands-on activities. You may bring a work project—something you feel uncertain about or wish to improve—and explore it through the lens of balance and relaxed awareness.
There are also opportunities to join daily center tasks, such as cooking, gardening, or helping around the house. These are not chores, but ways to practice applying relaxed concentration in everyday actions. Ample time is provided for rest, walking, cycling, or simply enjoying the natural surroundings. Each day includes time for reflection to help you deepen your insights and track new discoveries.
At its core, Restore Your Balance is about deep relaxation, practical self-discovery, and learning to access fresh sources of inner knowledge.
The three midweek retreats of this program have the following themes, click to learn the details:
The balance between giving and receiving
The balance between thinking and feeling
The balance between doing and being
Practical information
Costs
Three-retreat program (includes 3 support sessions): €1,755
Three-retreat program with single occupancy in a double room: €2,055
Single retreat in a shared double room: €585
Single retreat with a double room for single use: €685
Extra guidance session: €85 per hour
Dates/Times
March 2–6: Balance Giving and Receiving
April 13–17: Balance Thinking and Feeling
May 18–22: Balance Being and Doing
September 7–11: Balance Giving and Receiving
October 5–9: Balance Thinking and Feeling
November 2–6: Balance Being and Doing
Each retreat starts on Monday with arrival between 15:00 and 15:45 and ends on Friday at 11:30.
Texts
Purchase the “Skillful Means” book here.
Purchase the “Gift of Work” book here.
Information about food and stay
The World Peace Stupa Center is located in Winterswijk Woold, set within an enchanting national landscape free of light and noise pollution. Furthermore, it is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Achterhoek region and close to the historic town of Winterswijk—with its markets, museums, cafés, and lively shopping streets—the center offers a peaceful and inspiring environment for retreat.
Retreats take place at the World Peace Stupa Retreat Center, where participants stay in comfortable double rooms with private bathrooms. All meals are vegetarian and prepared according to Healthy Planet principles, with accommodations available for specific dietary needs. We encourage arrival by public transport and offer pickup from the Winterswijk or Bocholt train and bus stations.
Find the daily schedule here.
For Whom
This program is designed for anyone who wants to bring more balance, clarity, and fulfillment into their daily life—whether at work or at home. Specifically, it is suitable for professionals experiencing stress or imbalance, individuals navigating personal or career transitions, or anyone seeking practical tools for greater wellbeing. No prior experience with meditation, yoga, or Buddhism is required; just an open mind and the willingness to engage fully in the retreat process.
Testimonials
Former participant (police officer): “The training has given me many tools that I can practice in daily life. It is a revelation to realize that a different approach to stressful situations is more effective than avoiding stress.”
Instructors
Thieu Berkhout
Thieu Berkhout is trained as a physiotherapist specializing in intensive and burn care, hand therapy, and psychosomatic therapies. Moreover, he was active in various management and leadership positions for hand therapy and the Dutch rehabilitation sector for many years. In 2006, Thieu developed a Kum Nye-based program for patients with chronic pain and worked as a Kum Nye Yoga instructor for Nyingma Centrum Nederland in Amsterdam, Alkmaar, and Rotterdam. Additionally, he completed training in Skillful Means, Time Space and Knowledge, Freedom of Mind, the Lotus Trilogy, and various Dharma and Sutra programs in Amsterdam and at the Nyingma Institute in Berkeley. He is a teacher of Skillful Means and meditation at Nyingma Centrum Amsterdam. Moreover, as a coordinator of MindingWork, he is involved in customized B2B workshops in Skillful Means for companies, and oversees the Restoring Balance retreats at the World Peace Stupa Centre.
Further Study
Every second Wednesday of the month, we offer free Q&A information sessions via Zoom from 19:00 to 20:00. If you would like to sign up, reach out via info@stupacenter.org.