The Dharma Centre of Canada has a rich tradition of supporting individuals in long retreats. Each application is reviewed by our Resident Teachers. Our review process is intended to ensure that there is a good match between the DCC and the prospective retreatant. Our goal is to ensure that every retreatant has a positive and transformative experience, feels well supported throughout their retreat and is prepared for the rigors that come with solo retreat work. The endeavor can be strenuous at times, requiring stability of physical and psychological health. Before you apply, please read the practice guidelines below to make sure you meet the solo retreat requirements.
Practice Guidelines for Solo Retreatants
Retreatants are required to commit to the following throughout their stay:
To follow and abide in the five precepts (those who wish to undertake eight precepts, which includes refraining from eating after noon, may do so):
I undertake to observe the rule:
1. to abstain from taking life
2. to abstain from taking what is not given
3. to abstain from sensuous misconduct
(to refrain from sexual misconduct which includes sexual activity among married and unmarried participants and also to refrain from all sexual activity while in retreat at the DCC)
4. to abstain from false speech
5. to abstain from intoxicants as tending to cloud the mind
Video: The Five Lay Precepts.
Dharma Centre of Canada’s former Spiritual Director Karma Chime Wongmo speaks about the Five Lay Precepts.
To commit fully to retreat time, not engaging in any off-site activities.
To undertake a defined meditation practice, structure and ongoing regular guidance that will be detailed in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be signed by the retreatant upon arrival. The retreatant will be expected to work with their own personal teacher to develop the retreat practice and structure. In the absence of a personal teacher, the retreatant is expected to work with the DCC Resident Teachers to establish these guidelines.
To refrain from the use of recreational drugs and alcohol use.
To sustain a continuous practice to the best of one’s ability and capacity.
To refrain from verbal and written communications, including with other retreatants, unless indicated otherwise by the Resident Teacher(s) in the MOU or when an emergency situation arises. In exceptional circumstances, the Resident Teachers will mediate external communications.
To participate in regular meetings with the DCC Resident Teacher as agreed upon in the MOU.
To complete a daily work-as-practice-period ( 1 hour of generosity yoga).
For retreats longer than three months, to participate in a reflective practice with the Resident Teachers to review meditation progress, the need for any adjustments of support from the DCC and other issues identified by the retreatant and the Resident Teachers.
Communication:
Retreatants are advised to take care of all personal and business obligations prior to the start of their retreat, so that communication with the outside world can be kept to an absolute minimum. Given the long-term nature of some DCC stays, however, exceptional circumstances may arise when communication is necessary. If so, please remember that wise restraint is an integral part of practice.
Any personal business that requires time away from ones practice or from the DCC Retreat itself should be discussed with the Resident Teacher first.
Terms of stay:
Retreatants are asked to commit fully to the length of their retreat.
All DCC retreatants must have stable physical, mental and emotional health and be able to physically care for themselves. Those who are traveling from out of Canada must have health insurance or be able to cover her/his/their own expenses in case of illness or medical emergencies. Any special needs must be discussed and agreed to in advance with the Administrator.
Given the extensive length of some stays, and the possibility of becoming sick, we recommend that retreatants arrive prepared to treat a variety of non-urgent common illnesses. We do not have the staffing resources to take individuals to any regularly scheduled medical appointments. When really necessary, however, we will arrange outside transportation, at the retreatant’s expense.
Our office number should be given to a family member or close friend to use in case of emergency. If there are fragile or dependent family members that the retreatant needs to stay in contact with, please notify us in advance.
We do not recommend Solo Retreat work for those who have recently experienced personal trauma, ongoing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and/or are undergoing chronic or acute episodes of mental health disorders (i.e., depression, anxiety, etc…). Instead, we recommend shorter, structured and supported group retreats which are likely to be of more benefit in these situations. Our resident teachers are available to help support this decision-making process. The DCC is a small organization with a small staff. There are no medical personnel on-site and we are not able to provide medical care.
In the event of a personal emergency or when encountering difficulties in their practice, retreatants will be expected to take guidance and instruction from one of our Resident Teachers.
Once an application for a personal retreat at the Dharma Centre is approved, retreatants must provide on arrival the name and contact details of an emergency contact person in order to attend the retreat and sign a general release form.
Participation in the Dharma Centre retreat program is at the discretion of the Dharma Centre Board, Resident Teachers and Administration at all times. If, in the opinion of the Dharma Centre, a retreatant is unable to continue to participate productively in the retreat, the individual may be asked to leave.