Retreat is an integral part of Buddhist meditation practice, providing the conditions for deepening one's practice and understanding. In this 9-day retreat, we will cultivate the qualities of mind and heart that enable us to be present, and at ease, with life as it unfolds in each moment of our experience. We will engage in meditation practices to quiet the mind, cultivating an inner stillness and relaxed awareness of the mind/body process, providing conditions to support the awakening of our inherent wisdom and natural capacity for love, and to recognize how habituated patterns get in the way of its expression. The emphasis will be on practice and direct experience.
The retreat will be held in noble silence. The daily format will include sitting and walking meditation, gentle movement and awareness exercises, loving kindness meditation, nature meditation, and evening Dharma talks. Instruction and guidance with your personal practice will be available.
This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced meditators.
The retreat will be held from the evening of Saturday, April 23 until midday on Sunday, May 3 at Mount Mary Retreat Centre in Ancaster, Ontario (one hour from Waterloo). All meals will be vegetarian. All rooms are single occupancy with sinks.
Dharma Teacher: Susan Child
Cost: $1,590 regular / $1,415 senior (registration fee) + Dana for the teacher
The senior's rate applies to participants aged 65 and up.
Bursary support is available to paid members of the Waterloo Riverview Dharma Centre.
Registration:
This retreat is now full.
If you would like to be added to the waiting list then please send a email to info@wrdharmacentre.com. Please do not send payment unless we notify you that a space has become available.
Registration is limited to 18 people.
A deposit of $590 is required at the time of registration, and is refundable until April 4, 2026, minus $50 for administration fees. The balance of the retreat fee ($1,000 regular / $825 senior) is due April 4, 2026, and is non-refundable. If you cancel your registration after April 4, 2026 then a refund will only be issued in the event that we are able to fill your spot. A $50 administration fee will be deducted.
Please register by completing this registration form and returning it by email to info@wrdharmacentre.com or by mail to our mailing address. Please indicate at the time of email registration if you would like to apply for a bursary.
Registration fees are payable by e-transfer to treasurer@wrdharmacentre.com, via PayPal or by cheque. PayPal pricing is slightly higher due to the inclusion of a small service charge.
If you wish to make a donation to the retreat bursary fund then please add the donation amount to your e-transfer payment or cheque. To make a bursary donation via PayPal, please use our Donate page. In any case, please add a note to your payment indicating that the donation is intended for the bursary fund.
The retreat fee covers accommodation, meals and administration expenses only. It does not include Dana (donations) to the teacher. At the end of a teaching or retreat, there is an opportunity to practice Dana towards the teacher who has offered the Dharma (teachings) freely.
Dana for Sue can be offered at the end of the retreat in cash, by cheque payable to Susan Child, or by e-transfer to sue@wrdharmacentre.com.
If you have any questions about your registration, please email info@wrdharmacentre.com.
We will post details and open registration in September 2026.