Silent Vipassana Retreat
with Resident Teachers Mala Sikka and Terry Hagan
Aug 27-Sep 5
“Vipassana means ‘clear seeing’. Ordinary beings like us don’t see things clearly. Our perceptions are distracted and distorted with prejudice and bias. Seeing something clearly means leaving it alone. When you apply Vipassana, there’s a sense that anything could happen: it might work, it might not work. At the same time you have no hope and no fear. So applying the wisdom of Vipassana in our day-to-day life – even the most mundane experience in our life ...” – is what we aim for.
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
Vipassana (mindfulness/insight) meditation is a way to inquire deeply into the nature of our experience. By cultivating an openness to seeing things as they really are, beyond judgment and opinion, we are able to experience intimately what arises. This direct experience has it’s own vitality and gives rise to the sense of deep calm that comes from knowing something for oneself, beyond any doubt.
The first few days of this course will focus on deepening the sense of calm, using gentle body work and calm abiding meditations. As the course progresses the emphasis will shift to the practice of insight in the Burmese Mahasi Sayadaw tradition.
Regular group meditation
Dharma talks with time for questions
Individual meditation guidance
Daily gentle body work - awareness sessions
Postural integration to enable ease in sitting and in all postures
This is often a popular course so it is advisable that you book early as numbers will be limited due to COVID ruling of spacing. Please describe your background experience, it helps if you have done a silent retreat or if you have worked with Mala and Terry before. This is not a requirement, however, due to the nature of the course content, applications will need to be submitted before registration can be confirmed.
For more information on Mala and Terry please go to our Resident Teachers page.
Important Details:
When: Friday, August 27th to Sunday September 5th. Please plan to arrive between 3-5pm on the first day. The retreat will begin with a property orientation at 5:30pm followed by a light supper and the first evening class and will finish in the afternoon on the final day.
Rates: Non-members: $936, Members: $810
Rates include: Single accommodation and all meals. They do not include instructor fees. Mala and Terry are sharing their experience within the traditional Buddhist understanding of Dana. To understand more about Dana, please read the following:
What is Dana? Teachers give the teachings of awakening (Dharma) so that anyone, no matter their financial means can attend classes. Each time one receives teachings, it is an opportunity to consciously practice generosity. Giving money and other means of support expresses gratitude and support to the teachers for their time and guidance, and counsel received, this helps to ensure that these teachings will continue.
It is recommended that students make an offering of Dāna at the beginning of the course to establish the intention to make the most of this opportunity, for one’s own progression and for the benefit of all others. If you’re wondering how much to give, please consider what you might give for similar classes & sessions which have been offered with a set fee. Please also consider your own income and the proportion of it you can reasonably offer to support the teachings. Most importantly, Dana should come from the heart in a spirit of gratitude and generosity. Please Note Mala and Terry are not compensated by the Dharma centre of Canada. All offerings made will be given directly to Mala and Terry and used to support the continuation of these teachings. There will be a bowl at the Centre with envelopes so one can offer Dana.
Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to hold your space upon registration.
Cancellation policy: Full refund up to 7 days before the commencement of the course. For cancellations less than 7 days prior to course begin, a $100 administrative fee will be charged.
Please note that COVID 19 health and safety regulations have not been announced yet for the time period of the retreat. We will therefore accept a limited number of participants and keep a waiting list which will gradually be opened up based on confirmed capacity limits.