Secular, intention-free meditation in Vienna's first district, with retreats in Burgenland
The address is Rauhensteingasse 4/2, in Vienna's first district. Since 2011, Meditas has offered courses, retreats and mindfulness formats there, on what it describes as a scientific and pedagogical footing. Its premise is stated plainly: absichtslose Meditation, meditation without intention, in which awareness rests on the present moment without goal or judgment. The offering is secular, independent of religion and esotericism, and open to people of any worldview. The centre lists "independent" among its hallmarks: no dogma, rigid rules, prescribed systems or institutions in the background. In the Vienna studio, the path runs through a sequence of modules, numbered one to five. Module 1 introduces a range of meditation postures and holds that there is no "correct" one; sitting on a chair is fine, and in silent practice you may shift position whenever you need to. Beyond the modules, the calendar includes introductory evenings, Sound of Meditation sessions, and Clear Mind, a morning meditation in the Volksgarten. Meditas also trains meditation teachers and mindfulness educators, and works with companies and schools. The longer retreats happen outside the city, at the Meditationshof in Pama, Burgenland, a secluded property with a large garden, reachable by direct train from Vienna. Groups are kept to between six and fourteen people, with two teachers present. A retreat day begins in silence: sitting and walking meditation alternate with sound meditation, followed by a shared vegan organic brunch and free time in the garden. The afternoon brings mindful body exercises, impulses from philosophy and consciousness research, and conversation, closing with an early dinner. Overnight stays are available on request. The autumn and winter program shows the range. A women's retreat, "Who am I when I don't have to be anyone?", runs 13 to 15 November, led by Mona Schramke. "Endlich nichts!" (Finally, nothing) follows on 4 to 6 December with Alexander and Mona. The New Year retreat, 30 December to 2 January, includes a meal at the fire pit in the garden, meditative dance, and a silent meditation through midnight.
Traditions: Intention-free meditation, Sitting meditation, Walking meditation, Sound meditation, Movement meditation, Mindfulness
Programs: Meditation courses, Modules 1–5, Introductory evening, SOM – Sound of Meditation, Clear Mind morning meditation in the Volksgarten, Stille-Wald-Meditation, Meditation retreat for women (13–15 Nov 2026), Retreat "Endlich nichts!" (4–6 Dec 2026), New Year retreat (30 Dec 2026–2 Jan 2027)