The Essence of the Path
to Peace & Happiness
Guided Retreat
with Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen
Friday November 7 - Sunday November 9
at the Manoir de la Forêt in Cantley, Québec
The Essence of the Path to Peace and Happiness
In this meditation retreat with Gen Thekchen, we will explore the three principal meditations and practises for daily life (known as the three principal aspects of the path) that Buddha taught for everyone, to discover our true inner potential and to accomplish the deepest peace of mind and happiness.
Learn how to cultivate a deeply healing and empowering self-compassion, a supreme good heart of love and compassion and a profound wisdom that leads to the freedom and creative energy to become the person we wish to be and find the deepest inner peace, happiness and freedom from suffering we would all love to have. Discover how this can ultimately lead us to realising our highest potential for enlightenment and our ability to be of real benefit to others.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Each session will include a talk and guided meditation (including short Buddhist prayers, to help us prepare for meditation) and there will also be opportunities for Q&A over the weekend.
Retreat Schedule
Friday November 7, 7:30-9pm
Introduction to the retreat
Saturday November 8
9-10:15am - Meditation and Talk - The Self-Compassionate mind of Renunciation
11:15am-12:30pm - Meditation and Talk - The Self-Compassionate mind of Renunciation
4-5:30pm - Meditation and Talk - The Compassionate mind of Bodhichitta
7:30-8:45pm - Meditation and Talk - The Compassionate mind of Bodhichitta
Sunday November 9
9-10:15am - The wisdom realizing ultimate truth emptiness
11:15-12:30pm - the wisdom realizing ultimate truth emptiness
This retreat will be led by our Resident Teacher Gen Kelsang Thekchen, who is a senior Teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition. He has been a Kadampa Buddhist monk and Teacher under the guidance of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche for more than 30 years. He is well known for his ability to present Buddha's teachings in a simple, profound, practical and often humorous way, making them easy to put into practice in everyday life.
The venue: Le Manoir de la Forêt Retreat Centre is located at 32 Chemin River in Cantley Québec - an idyllic, private centre in the heart of a 29 acre maple forest. It is a short 20 minute drive from central Gatineau and Ottawa. Delicious & healthy vegetarian meals will be provided. Free parking onsite.
Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy guided meditations, teachings, reflective reading in the cozy library, quiet time in the forest, strolls along farm-lined country roads, stunning views from the deck, snuggling up by the indoor fireplace & comfortable sleeping accommodations in either a private or a shared room.
-Cross the river to Quebec using the Chaudiere bridge from Albert and Booth Street, Ottawa, which turns into Eddie Street, Quebec.
-Turn left onto Boulevard Alexandre-Taché. Continue for 250 m.
-Turn right onto Rue Montcalm and continue for 750 m.
-Turn right onto AutoRoute 50 with signs for AutoRoute 5 E/ QC-148E/Ottawa/Manawa/
-Exit highway at exit 141 Boulevard de la Verendrye
-Turn left onto 141 Boulevard de la Verendrye. Continue 2.7 km
-Turn right onto Rue Saint-Louis AutoRoute 307 N and continue for 8.2 km
-Turn left onto the Chemin River.
-The destination is on the right Manoir De La Forest at 32 Chemin River, Cantley, Quebec
In the beginning of our practice the most essential thing is to tame our mind, for only this will enable us to benefit all sentient beings.