Weekend Retreats
Weekend Retreats

Every few months we hold a weekend retreat at Joyful Land Centre, during which we attend several guided meditation sessions per day. In general, on retreats we stop all forms of business and extraneous activities in order to emphasize a particular spiritual practice through meditation. Participating in retreats give us an opportunity to draw inwards, relatively free from external distractions, and develop a deeper inner experience of meditation.

During the mornings of our weekend retreats at Joyful Land, we observe silence in the mornings during the breaks, which helps us to focus and experience meditation more deeply. During the meditation breaks we provide tea and cookies in our community area at the back of the Centre, where you can sit in our reading area, contemplate and browse the books in our library.

Everyone is welcome.


Special Weekend Away-Retreats

When circumstances allow, we hold special away-retreats at venues in the countryside, close to Ottawa. We engage in guided meditation session several times a day, and observe silence between sessions during the mornings. Being away from home in a quiet contemplative setting, free from distractions, is very helping when we want to focus on meditation more deeply. Comfortable overnight accommodation and delicious vegetarian meals are provided for the period of the retreat.

We will provide information about upcoming weekend retreats on our website and in our newsletter, when available.


When we develop real patience our mind will be as stable as a mountain and as calm as the depths of an ocean.
Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche
The New Eight Steps to Happiness