879 Somerset Street West, Ottawa

Everyone is welcome to this special guided retreat where Gen Thekchen and Gen Suma will guide us in meditations on the pristine, sky-like nature of awareness itself. Experience the natural peace and clarity that exists within your own heart. Learn the deeply relaxing and profoundly illuminating meditations on the nature of the mind called Mahamudra meditations. These simple and inspiring meditations have been practised for centuries, enabling anyone to experience the natural clarity and peace of their own mind. Through training in Mahamudra meditation we can discover our potential for genuine peace of mind and happiness and find inner freedom from anxiety, fear & other painful emotions.

On this retreat we will learn how to unveil and meditate on the clarity, luminosity and natural purity of our own mind, coming to rest in a deeply peaceful state of awareness.  By discovering that there is far more space inside us than outside, we see our usual problems in perspective - a skill which can then permeate every aspect of our lives.

"Taking the mind as the object of meditation has a number of advantages. It makes it easier to attain tranquil abiding concentration, to overcome external distractions, and to realize emptiness." ~ Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, Clear Light of Bliss

The Beauty of Silence 

This retreat will be a silent retreat, which means we will maintain silence inside the building.  Those wishing to speak can talk outside while allowing those inside to enjoy the benefits of silent retreat.  In silence, we engage with the meditation object more intimately. Penetrating insights arise when we can meditate more firmly with mindfulness. We will find that our Dharma experience pervades and nourishes our heart at a very deep level.  The last session on Monday will include an opportunity to listen to and / or talk about our experiences of the silent retreat.  There will also be an opportunity to ask questions throughout the retreat.

No previous meditation experience needed. Everyone welcome!

Schedule

Friday October 11 - 

7:30-9pm  - Introduction to the retreat

Saturday, Oct 12 -  Sunday Oct 13

9-10:30am - Teaching and guided meditation

11:30-12:30 - brief teaching and guided meditation

3-4pm - self guided meditation

5-6pm  - brief teaching and guided meditation

7:30-8:45pm  - teaching and guided meditation

Monday Oct 14

9-10am  - brief teaching and meditation

11-12:30  - meditation and discussion

The Teachers for this retreat

This retreat will be co-led by Gen Kelsang Thekchen & Gen Kelsang Suma.

Gen Kelsang Thekchen is a Kadampa Buddhist monk & senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. Gen Thekchen has taught widely in Canada and in the UK, and is now the Resident Teacher at Kadampa Meditation Centre Ottawa. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a practical, profound and often humorous way, making them very accessible and easy to practise in everyday life. 

Gen Kelsang Suma is a Kadampa Buddhist nun and senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. She has been a Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 25 years. Gen Suma previously taught in Ottawa, and is now the Resident Teacher at Jampa Ling Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Barrie, Ontario. She is well known for the practicality, warmth and clarity of her presentation of Buddha's teachings, making them very relevant to our daily lives.

The Venue ~ Galilee Retreat Centre in Arnprior

Galilee Retreat Centre, located at 398 John Street North in Arnprior, Ontario is situated next to an old growth forest overlooking the Ottawa River. It is situated on 35 acres property that boasts of walking paths, community gardens, a greenhouse, and a private beach with stunning views of the river.

The cooks and kitchen staff offer nutritious and delicious food, which is prepared fresh on the premises and served buffet style in the dining room for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Retreat options and pricing

We offer 3 main options to participate in this retreat:

• All inclusive full retreat, on-site accommodations in either a private or double room, which includes all meals.
• Commuting: Come for the retreat but don't stay onsite overnight. You can then choose to enjoy purchased meals or opt out of meals.

All Inclusive full retreat onsite includes all meals: 

Private Room - $400

Double Room - $360 *Roommates may be requested but not guaranteed, otherwise will be matched by KMC Ottawa

Commuting: 

Entire Retreat only (no meals, no accommodation) -  $165

Friday only (no meals, no accommodation) - $15

Saturday only (no meals, no accommodation) - $65 per person

Sunday only (no meals, no accommodation) - $65 per person

Friday, Saturday & Sunday  only (no meals, no accommodation) - $145 per person

Saturday and Sunday only (no meals, no accommodation) - $130 per person

Add a lunch - $22

Add a dinner - $28

Add a breakfast - $15