Heart of Santosha presents
The Heart
Awakening
Metta Meditation Retreat at Wonderland Healing Center
Remember your center. Come back to your heart.
The world challenges us in many ways: relationships with our loved ones can get tricky, work and finances put more and more pressure, global events are far from peaceful. On top of all of this we have our personal issues, whether they are about our physical health or psychological states.
In this melting pot it's very easy to lose the most important thing — our center. When our attention is constantly drawn to external events and stimulation, we forget our very nature — a kind and loving heart, which abides in stillness and peace.
This retreat is an opportunity for you to remember. Remember that your personal reality starts from your center. Remember how good it feels when you can channel love and kindness. Remember that stillness and peace are the core of your being and nothing external can take them away.
What is Metta?
Metta is loving kindness. It is compassion. It is the wholehearted wish for beings to be happy. It is one of the most profound meditation practices in the Buddhist tradition. Metta is not something you wait for, it is a practice you cultivate. Modern research confirms what has been understood for centuries. A consistent Metta practice reduces stress, quiets the inner critic, and changes how you relate to the world around you. But most importantly, it changes how you relate to yourself.
What we will explore together
Over five days we move through a carefully designed arc. We begin with ourselves. We open toward the people closest to us, and toward those we barely know. We meet the people who have caused us harm. And finally we open toward all beings, so that nothing the external world presents can close our heart. Each day builds on the previous one. You will be guided and supported throughout the retreat.
- Loving-kindness toward yourself — the foundation of everything
- Karuna — compassion for yourself and others
- Anger release — meeting what is difficult with awareness rather than resistance
- Metta in relationships — the people you love and the ones who challenge you
- Mudita — finding joy in the happiness of others
- Universal loving-kindness — expanding the heart beyond boundaries
The experience includes
- Opening cacao ceremony
- Heart-opening yoga every morning
- Sitting and walking Metta meditation
- Dhamma talks and guided meditations
- Modern practices to deepen the experience
- Journaling and reflection
- Evening sharing circles
- Private guidance and support available upon request
- All plant-based meals and drinks included
This retreat is for you if
You are too hard on yourself, on others, or on the world. You seek more peace, meaning, or a deeper sense of purpose. You want more genuine connection with your partner, your friends, your family, and yourself. Whether you have never meditated before, or are an experienced practitioner, you are welcome here as you are.
Hear from past guests
Testimonials from the Heart of Santosha community
→Investment
June 19 – 23 · Wonderland Healing Center · All meals included
Dorm
Shared dormitory · AC · all meals
Early bird
€499
€599 after May 15
save €100
~18,500 ฿
Shared / couple
Private for two · per person
Private
Solo private room · AC · all meals
Early bird
€789
€889 after May 15
save €100
~29,200 ฿
A limited number of supported places are available — reach out to ask.
Intimate by design. We keep this retreat small. Twelve people. Small enough that everyone is seen, heard, and supported. That is not an accident. It is how real change happens.
Per person · 4 nights · all meals & drinks · June 19–23, 2026 · Wonderland Healing Center, Koh Phangan
THB shown for reference · approx. 37 ฿/€ · exchange rate may vary
Questions? Get in touch
Schedule overview
We flow with the group — this is a guide, not a script.
Arrival & opening circle
From 4:00 PM · Cacao ceremony · First meditation · Dinner
Loving-kindness toward yourself
Yoga · Metta sitting & walking · Dhamma talk · Group sharing
Opening toward others
Yoga · Metta for loved ones & neutral people · Yoga Nidra · Group sharing
Difficult people & all beings
Yoga · Forgiveness & anger release · Dhamma talk · Group sharing
Integration & closing ceremony
Yoga · Final sitting & walking · Dhamma talk · Closing circle by noon
Your guides
We met here, at Wonderland Healing Center, in 2020. Yoga, meditation, and a shared belief that inner work is the most important work kept drawing us together. We built a life, a practice, and now a retreat from that same place. Bringing you back to Wonderland feels like coming full circle.
David
Metta & Dhamma teacher · Yoga teacher
David found his way to meditation through a four-month solo hike through the Appalachian Mountains, a journey that pulled him out of anxiety, depression, and addiction and into a life of practice. He completed 200- and 300-hour yoga teacher trainings and has been teaching daily for five years. He spent nearly four years at Indriya Retreat living, teaching, and managing, during which he sat and assisted numerous Vipassana retreats and led dedicated Metta retreats. At this retreat he will be guiding all Metta sittings, walking meditations, and Dhamma talks.
Kira
Yoga teacher · Somatic practitioner
Kira has been teaching yoga since 2013, trained in Russia, China, and India, with deep roots in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Therapeutic Yoga. Her studies in eastern philosophy, Vipassana, Tibetan Buddhism, and somatic therapies including Family Constellation and the Tamura Method bring a rare depth to her teaching. She overcame a serious back injury and now weaves therapeutic approaches into her classes, meeting each student where they are. At this retreat she leads the morning heart-opening yoga sessions and the evening experiential practices that give the Metta work a home in the body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need meditation experience?
Not at all. This retreat is genuinely suited to both complete beginners and seasoned practitioners. If you have never meditated before, you will be guided clearly through every session from the ground up. If you have an established practice, the structured arc, extended sitting time, and depth of the curriculum will meet you where you are.
What is the cancellation policy?
Full details are on our Refund Policy page. If you have questions or your circumstances change, please reach out to us directly on WhatsApp — we will always do our best to find a fair solution.
What is included in the price?
All meals, coffee, teas, and herbal drinks throughout the retreat are included — there is nothing extra to pay for food or beverages on site. All meals are plant-based and vegan-friendly. Wonderland's kitchen is excellent. Additional items like fresh coconuts, smoothies, and ice cream are available to purchase separately if you'd like them.
What should I bring?
Pack as you would for any trip: comfortable clothing for yoga and meditation, personal items, and whatever you need to feel at home. All yoga mats, meditation cushions, and practice supplies are provided. If you have a favourite journal or pen, bring it; otherwise we will have them available at no charge. An open heart is the most important thing.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. A deposit of €100 is due at the time of booking to secure your place. Payment plans are available — just ask us. To keep your early bird price, the final balance must be paid at least two weeks before the retreat begins. For regular pricing, final payment is due before the retreat starts. European guests can pay via SEPA bank transfer with no fees.
What time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in is from 2:00 PM on June 19, though you are welcome to arrive earlier and join us for lunch. The programme begins at 4:00 PM. On June 23, the closing circle ends by noon. You are welcome to stay and enjoy the grounds for the rest of the day. Wonderland has a luggage storage area if you need to check out but are not leaving until later.