simple sit?
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the basics
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Sitting in sweet silence is something we feel should be available to all sincere seekers. Our retreats are intentionally kept simple so that we can offer it on a sliding fee scale, with each person deciding for themselves what is appropriate. We use the recorded satsangs of our teacher Purna Devi each morning and evening (see the Silence with Clare Purna Devi page for more information about her). These recording serve well to gently guide us to the place of awake Awareness and set the tone for the retreat. The rest of the time guests create their own retreat within the structure. The fee scale ranges from $25-$75 per day, per person, and includes all food, private/shared room and washroom, with all needs looked after so participants can simply use the time for contemplation and quiet. All retreats begin with dinner and an orientation the evening before we enter silence. Guests may spend an extra night afterwards if desired with breakfast included if it is available. Each day, the schedule goes between sits and personal practice time. Guests may follow our schedule or create their own respectful version. 
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what to bring
Everything you need is provided. You can bring your favourite sitting system or we will get you settled once you arrive with ours.
We have books on the dharma you may borrow if you would like to use the practice time to read and study. Some guests like to bring journals and yoga mats. Unlike other meditation retreats, guests can use the time as they wish as long as the activity is silent and respectful of everyone else. Our intention is to create a warm and cozy place to nest. We hold the energy of a sacred retreat so that our guests may simply arrive and be. |
sitting
This is a self-guided retreat, where guests are given the structure in which to create what is most appropriate for them within the framework of silence.
The first evening, we have a dinner together and get comfortable with the house, format and each other. Silence begins the next morning. Each day, wake up bells are rung at 5:45 am. Breakfast is a simple buffet of homemade granola, oats, yogurt, fresh fruit, juice, toast and spreads. It is served from 6-6:30. We begin with silent sitting at 7. A typical lunch is soup and hearty bread, or rice and dhal. Dinner is a large salad with breads. Meals are kept simple, and abundant. Homemade scones and toast with a spread station are available all day long, as well as a tea, fruit and snack table. Guests are invited to bring any comfort food that they would like to have during the week that doesn't require refrigeration. The retreat ends at 3:15 pm, followed by a talking stick circle so that we may begin with conscious speaking. We will then have tea, and the retreat is complete no later than 5 pm. Please note we observe 'house-on-fire' silence where there is truly nothing to be spoken other than perhaps the house being on fire. If guests need something they are welcome to write a note. If something comes up and support is needed, silence can be broken and one of us will sit and listen. We do ask that guests have done retreats before and have some awareness of retreat etiquette and being together in silence. |
Well, like the meme says, one reason to meditate is simply because some questions can't be answered by Google. Though not my motivation, there's some truth sitting in that humour. Meditation does offer up some practicalities along with the de-jangling of my nervous system and general life-enhancement. Often an important thing I've forgotten will download amid the mind meanderings and occasional quiet interludes. Insight is an important aspect.
But the real reason I began meditating when I was 19 is because, quite frankly, I thought it was cool. I liked the identity of being a Spiritual Person, and at the time I understood that being a regular meditator was a key prerequisite for being a spiritual person. So I sat. Luckily I also understood that it was a practice, and getting good at it wasn't part of the deal. That helped when the band of wild monkeys let loose in my noggin had friends over. It's only a practice... It's only a practice... It's only a practice...
Now I meditate because I can't imagine not. It's been almost 40 years of dedicated sitting, and somewhere around year 17 I turned a corner where I stopped having to convince my bum it was okay being sore. One day I realized that I really really wanted to meditate and not because I liked identifying as part of the imagined spiritual elite. Rather, I realized that I was changing. I couldn't exactly track it as such, but there was a subtly obvious change in my life that presented as feeling better about myself. Happier. Healthier. More whole. Juicy.
So I sit. I take the 'nowhere-to-go-and-nothing-to-do' approach and try to be present, not manipulating my experience or trying to accomplish anything.
The retreat is my delight and happens each month whether someone joins us or not. It is what we do, and if it sparks others? Excellent.
But the real reason I began meditating when I was 19 is because, quite frankly, I thought it was cool. I liked the identity of being a Spiritual Person, and at the time I understood that being a regular meditator was a key prerequisite for being a spiritual person. So I sat. Luckily I also understood that it was a practice, and getting good at it wasn't part of the deal. That helped when the band of wild monkeys let loose in my noggin had friends over. It's only a practice... It's only a practice... It's only a practice...
Now I meditate because I can't imagine not. It's been almost 40 years of dedicated sitting, and somewhere around year 17 I turned a corner where I stopped having to convince my bum it was okay being sore. One day I realized that I really really wanted to meditate and not because I liked identifying as part of the imagined spiritual elite. Rather, I realized that I was changing. I couldn't exactly track it as such, but there was a subtly obvious change in my life that presented as feeling better about myself. Happier. Healthier. More whole. Juicy.
So I sit. I take the 'nowhere-to-go-and-nothing-to-do' approach and try to be present, not manipulating my experience or trying to accomplish anything.
The retreat is my delight and happens each month whether someone joins us or not. It is what we do, and if it sparks others? Excellent.