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ME-CL 1 General information

Schedule & registration


 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

I am flying in for the training. What are my options and what do you recommend?
What are my transport options (from the airport)?
What time should I plan to arrive? When do we finish?
Is there cellular phone use?
Is it possible to stay extra nights at the facility or arrive a day or two earlier?
What do I need to bring?
What should I expect regarding the format of the training?
What should I read prior to arriving?


I am flying in for the training.
What are my options and what do you recommend?
In terms of airports, the closest and most convenient airport is Brussels International (Zaventem).
By train, Ghent is 1h22 travelling from the airport.

Coming from UK, the Eurostar will bring you in less than 2 hours from London St Pancreas International to Brussels South Station.
Coming from France, the Thalys speed train takes 1hour and 17 min from Paris Nord to Brussels South Station.
From Brussel South Station, there are more than three trains per hour going to Ghent train station.


What are my transport options (from the airport)?

By public transport :
By public transport :
The NMBS railway station of Ghent is on the Brussels-Ghent line (total duration : 1h22)
From Brussel South Station, there is an easy and direct line to Ghent train station.

In Ghent you can take a taxi outside the train station or use the city tram next to the station.
The train station is only 15 minutes away from retreat center.
Outside the train station (on your right) there are plenty of taxis waiting.

More information about trains www.b-rail.be (select : Gent Sint-Pieters)

By car :
There is safe parking space close to the monastery

To reduce our carbon foot print, we encourage particpants to carpool.
A participants list will be available only for connecting with each other.

Address : Monastery Het Rustpunt
46, Burgstreet - 9000 Ghent


What time should I plan to arrive?
When do we finish?
We will be available to check people in starting at 3 pm on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
We ask that you plan to be at the center on Wednesday before 5 pm so that we can begin with the full group at dinner time at 5:30 pm.
We plan to finish the retreat by 12pm on Monday, April 16, 2018, so try to plan your travel accordingly (using the time guidelines noted above).


Is there cellular phone use?
The retreat center has cell phone coverage. 
Given the nature of the training there will be limited opportunities to use them, so informing those who may need to contact you of these limitations ahead of time may be helpful.

There is WIFI in each room. Password: kamersrustpunt


Is it possible to stay extra nights at the facility or arrive a day or two earlier?
It may be possible to come early or to stay after the scheduled retreat dates.
There are additional costs for these accommodations.
If you would like to check in a day earlier or stay an extra day, please e-mail the administrator of the retreat center bea.geysen@rustpunt.net for availability.


What do I need to bring?
We recommend to bring your own meditation cushion (zafu) and a yoga mat.
The retreat center has limited cushions and other material.

There is a possibility to buy a very light travel meditation cushion (inflatable) at the monastery.
If desired, let us know by February 5th (info@me-nu.org), as these air cushions are fully handmade by the monastics of Great Vow zen center (a charity project).

An extra fleece blanket can be pleasant during the periods of sitting. 
This is really a retreat format, so casual, loose-fitting, comfortable clothing will be the order of the day and there are no occasions where you would have to be dressed up.
Participants are asked to bring dedicated indoor shoes or slippers to wear inside the facility.
This preserves the wood floors and helps to maintain a quiet environment.

The facility will provide bedding, linens and towels, as well soap and shampoo. 
A hairdryer is not available in the rooms.

From ecological concerns, we encourage the participants the use of their own refillable water bottle / drinking cup.


What should I expect regarding the format of the training?
This training is taught very much in the retreat format, which means there is a great deal of mindfulness practice and periods of silence embedded in the training.

The rooms are comfortable and spacious enough for two beds.
You will have a roommate from the ME-CL training and you will be using a shared bathroom.


What should I read prior to arriving?

Suggested Reading