registration and fees

The fee  for retreat at the monastary is  on a sliding scale of € - 775 -   €800, - € 825. This means that you choose what your financial situation allows you to pay.  Included in the total costs are the monastery's and Saki's fees: the rental of the entire guest house and beautiful private garden just for our group;  your individual room,  meals, and daily personal  guidance and practices from Saki. It also includes Saki's fees for staying at Lioba as well.  This year the fees have been increased by Lioba due to energy prices.  But we keep the costs the same as in previous years. Please note that much of what you pay will go to the monastery.    See below for the breakdown of costs and the  bank details.

A non-refundable deposit of €250- is required at the time of registration to reserve your place. You can also pay in installments,  but the balance for the retreat needs to be paid in full two months before the retreat.  

Breakdown of the  costs of your retreat:  Lioba is an ageing monastic community.  We have been hosting retreats there since 2004 to support the Sufi work as well as Lioba's livelihood.   From your payment - whether it is €775 - € 800,- or €820,- Lioba receives  €600,-  which covers the actual cost of renting the guest house, your private room, and all meals at Lioba.   Saki is also charged for staying at the monastery.  Please take this into consideration when paying the additional sliding scale tuition for Saki's work and guidance. 

 Cancellation Policy:

You are only registered with a non-refundable deposit of  €250,-  Partial refunds are only possible when there is illness preventing participation.   Please understand that there can be no refunds for cancellations otherwise when there is   no one to take your place.  

PAYMENT IN FULL:  please make this over by February 20, 2026.

EXTRA OPTIONAL COSTS:  RENTAL TOWELS/BEDDING; DUNE CARDS; BICYCLES

please include this in your total fee and write for Joshua to note this down.

Optional:  rental of sheets and towels:

Rental of sheets and towels are not included in this price, as Lioba encourages people to bring their own in order to limit their own laundering work load.   However, renting sheets and towels is now €15- Please add rental costs  in your total payment.  

Optional:  buying a dune card:

Some people like to rent a week card to enter freely into the dunes (which is required).  Please include this in your payment .    It is € 6, for a week card.  Please include this in your payment.

Optional:  renting a bicycle:

It is possible to rent a bicycle for the week, but you will need to include this in your total payment and indicate this early so that we can arrange it.  The cost is  €60,- for a week - please include this in your payment!

CHECK LIST:  Payment for the retreat:    € 775,-  €800 -, €825 + dune card (€6,-) + rental of sheets and bedding (€ 15,-) + bicycle rental (€ 65,-)

TAXI AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO THE MONASTERY:  Please see Practical Info section.

If you need a taxi ordered to come to the monastary or to return to the train station:

A taxi can be ordered beforehand, to meet you at Heiloo or Castricum  train station upon your arrival.  It costs between € 25 - 30 

Payment details:

You may choose to pay with PayPal or via bank.  

PayPal:  send your payment to lightsong@gmail.com.  Indicate that the amount to be paid is for the Lioba monastery retreat.  However, you must add on 6% to  the total for the transaction cost of PayPal.

By bank:

Please transfer all payments with the description "for Lioba Monastery 2026" to: 

W. S. Lee

IBAN:  NL06 ABNA 0485 7807 20

BIC:  ABNANL2A

This is a valid number for Lightsong as some have reported having difficulties in depositing whereas MOST people have no problems at all. 

 And if for some reason it is not possible, then PayPal always works:    lightsong@gmail.com  Generally, no fees are added if sent as a donation/friend or family.  But if you send as a business payment then please add 3.5% extra over the amount.     Many thanks!