879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

For those who wish for a deep inner transformation, this annual retreat offers an opportunity to familiarize ourselves with two in-depth Buddhist practices: Guru Yoga and Mandala Offerings. Both practices are powerful ways to fill our mind with merit, or good fortune, and to receive profound, transformative blessings. They are indispensable for those who are serious about attaining authentic spiritual realizations, in particular the state of full enlightenment.

The practice of Guru Yoga is a special way of relying upon our Spiritual Guide with faith and correct imagination, in order to receive his or her blessings. The practice of Mandala Offerings is an offering of the entire universe visualized as a Pure Land, with all its inhabitants as pure beings. Although this is an in-depth Buddhist practice, it is suitable for everyone.

We'll be using Offering to the Spiritual Guide prayers for this retreat.

Everyone is welcome!  We can provide supplies for you to make mandala offerings, even if you don't yet have a mandala kit.   If you're new to the practice, please try to arrive 15 min before the sessions begins, so that we can show you how to participate :).

Retreat Schedule

All sessions will be unguided, using Offering to the Spiritual Guide prayers. 

Saturday July 11

Session 1:  8-9:30am

Session 2:  10:30-12pm

Session 3:  1:30-3pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm

Sunday July 12

Session 1:  8-9:30am

Sunday Serenity class with Jane Douglas, 10-11:15am

Session 3:  1:30-3pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm

Monday July 13

Session 1:  8-9:30am

Session 2:  10:30-12pm

Session 3:  1:30-3pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm

Tuesday July 14

Session 1:  8-9:30am

Session 2:  10:30-12pm

Session 3:  1:30-3pm

Modern Buddhism class with Steve Grover

Wednesday July 15

Session 1:  8-9:30am

Session 2:  10:30-12pm

Session 3:  1:30-3pm

Session 4:  7-8.30pm