New Eden — Sparjeburd 2, Netherlands
A private forest sanctuary for facilitator-led retreats, in Hemrik, the Netherlands
New Eden began with a search for a house. In early 2015 the founder and partner Sumir Brown were looking for a home large enough to include Sumir's mother. The founder ran a reverse search on a real estate site, asking for the houses with the most rooms. At the top of the list was Sparjeburd Meditation & Retreat Centre. One photograph was enough. They went to look, in the founder's words, "not to buy it, just to get inspired."
On a cold February day they met the owners, Jan and Marjolijn Stiphout. Since 1995 the couple had turned an old Dutch farm into a sanctuary for healing and retreat, raising a family there and hosting thousands of guests. The founder writes that the sale felt like a passing of the baton, from one couple to another. The land had a reputation before any of that, for natural well water that people travelled far to drink. In July 2015, after months of doubt, Sumir and the founder signed the purchase agreement.
The property now covers 50 acres of private forest, and the centre counts more than 650 retreats hosted since 1997. It offers three ways to stay. The House sleeps 35 and suits groups of 12 to 35. It has a 78 m² Dome, a 52 m² Almond Room, shared rooms and tiny homes. The Temple is purpose-built for 25 to 70 people, with two event rooms totalling 192 m², 63 en-suite beds and professional AV. Exclusive Use opens the whole property to 100 or more people, with 85 beds, four event spaces covering 322 m², wellness facilities and camping.
Visiting teachers bring their own programmes. The New Eden team plans meals, dietary needs, room allocation, transfers, sound and technical support, housekeeping and wellness bookings around them. The stated aim is to leave facilitators free to stay with their groups.
Programs: Retreats, Trainings, Residencies, The House (groups of 12–35), The Temple (groups of 25–70), Exclusive Use of the full property, Camping for large gatherings, Wellness bookings