Silent Meditation Retreat in Ontario (3, 5 or 7 nights)
Thursday, April 6 – Thursday, April 13, 2023
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Silent Stillness
Whether you are in need of some space to think and reflect or are looking to nurture yourself in a spiritual and peaceful environment, this silent retreat provides the setting to return to yourself.
Take this opportunity to enter into the stillness of silence. It is a wonderful way to reconnect with your inner wisdom and sort out the mental chatter of daily life. Time in silence helps you to feel revitalized by taking a break from communication and turn attention inwards.
You will have the opportunity to meet other retreatants at the beginning of the retreat and we will go into the silence after dinner on the first day.
Ways to communicate if necessary will be explained with the initial orientation session after arrival.
Do you wonder what the heck you do on a silent retreat – isn’t it boring? Isn’t it difficult to be quiet? Yes, and no. With the silence comes clarity of thought, motivation and attention. Without distractions of communication, electronics and media you can focus on your own thoughts, become more self-aware and grow a little more.
We will spend time with the following activities:
- Meditate – sitting, walking, eating & working are all forms of meditation
- Personal practice of movement such as yoga which is done in silence and without instruction
- Read spiritually uplifting books
- Enjoy natural beauty – walk from the Centre through forest trails
- Connect with others in a deeper way – through shared experience without talking about it
- Be nurtured by friendly staff and supportive teacher
- Rest, recuperate and have time for reflection & napping
- Enjoy delicious, organic vegetarian meals to nourish your body
What are the benefits of being in silence? - Revitalize with fresh energy and deeply rest
- Connect more deeply with your spiritual self, deepen or start your own practice
- Access your own inner voice – gain insights and more clarity on life’s decisions, situations;
- Spend time in nature and reconnect to the natural world
- Clear blocks and open yourself up to greater creativity and inspiration.
There is no religious focus on this retreat. People from all paths and all walks of life come on retreat and benefit from the shared practice. You could be Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic or anything in between! In silence we can recognize our similarities as beings of love, desiring peace.
Private meetings are available with Liz during the retreat. You will have a sign up sheet available to book a time that suits you. The meetings generally last from 20 to 30 minutes, and there are no formalities. You may bring a question you have about your practice.
No meditation experience is necessary. The initial orientation session will provide an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to explore various ways to sit comfortably using a chair, cushion etc.
Work meditation is a daily period of shared work to take care of the daily stuff of life: washing dishes, preparing food, sweeping the floor, cleaning the washrooms, weeding the gardens. As we take responsibility for a task, we have another opportunity to become more aware of our inner dialogue.
Retreat Schedule:
Thursday
| 5:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9 | Orientation, opening talk, & sitting |
| 9:00 | Tea & fruit |
Other Days
| 6:30-7:30 am | Sitting |
| 7:30-10:00 | Breakfast, work meditation, and break |
| 10:00-12:00 pm | Sitting, walking and a talk by Liz |
| 12:00-2:00 | Lunch and break |
| 2:00-4:30 | Group inquiry followed by open exercise period |
| 4:30-5:00 | Sitting |
| 5:00-7:00 | Dinner and break |
| 7:00-8:00 | Sitting and private meetings |
| 8:30 | Tea and fruit |
Departure Day – Tuesday or Thursday
| 6:30am-12:00pm | Same schedule as above |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| Depart at your leisure. |
Liz Frost M.A. Ed, RP, is a mindfulness coach, certified yoga teacher and Registered Psychotherapist (RP) in the Midland, Ontario area. She has studied with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli of the Centre for Mindfulness, Norman Feldman, Lee Lesser and most recently with Shinzen Young.
Liz was introduced to meditation in the early 90’s and found yoga as a form of meditation. With a foundation in meditation and somatic based psychotherapy, she incorporates mindfulness into yoga practice. She is co-owner of Sugar Ridge and devotes her time and energy to making the world a more peaceful place.
Registration Details
This retreat allows for a flexible retreat duration to suit your schedule and needs. Everyone starts on the same and departures are silent to allow those staying longer to deepen their practice without distractions of new folks joining in.
Rates are per person and include all meals, accommodation and program
3 night stay: April 6 – 9 Semi-Private Room $965 + HST-no private rooms available for the shorter stay
5 night stay: April 6-11 Semi-Private Room $1,430 + HST, Private Room $1,895 + HST
7 night stay: April 6-13 Semi-Private Room $1,795 + HST, Private Room $2,195 + HST
|
|
Silent Stillness
Whether you are in need of some space to think and reflect or are looking to nurture yourself in a spiritual and peaceful environment, this silent retreat provides the setting to return to yourself.
Take this opportunity to enter into the stillness of silence. It is a wonderful way to reconnect with your inner wisdom and sort out the mental chatter of daily life. Time in silence helps you to feel revitalized by taking a break from communication and turn attention inwards.
You will have the opportunity to meet other retreatants at the beginning of the retreat and we will go into the silence after dinner on the first day.
Ways to communicate if necessary will be explained with the initial orientation session after arrival.
Do you wonder what the heck you do on a silent retreat – isn’t it boring? Isn’t it difficult to be quiet? Yes, and no. With the silence comes clarity of thought, motivation and attention. Without distractions of communication, electronics and media you can focus on your own thoughts, become more self-aware and grow a little more.
We will spend time with the following activities:
- Meditate – sitting, walking, eating & working are all forms of meditation
- Personal practice of movement such as yoga which is done in silence and without instruction
- Read spiritually uplifting books
- Enjoy natural beauty – walk from the Centre through forest trails
- Connect with others in a deeper way – through shared experience without talking about it
- Be nurtured by friendly staff and supportive teacher
- Rest, recuperate and have time for reflection & napping
- Enjoy delicious, organic vegetarian meals to nourish your body
What are the benefits of being in silence? - Revitalize with fresh energy and deeply rest
- Connect more deeply with your spiritual self, deepen or start your own practice
- Access your own inner voice – gain insights and more clarity on life’s decisions, situations;
- Spend time in nature and reconnect to the natural world
- Clear blocks and open yourself up to greater creativity and inspiration.
There is no religious focus on this retreat. People from all paths and all walks of life come on retreat and benefit from the shared practice. You could be Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Atheist, Agnostic or anything in between! In silence we can recognize our similarities as beings of love, desiring peace.
Private meetings are available with Liz during the retreat. You will have a sign up sheet available to book a time that suits you. The meetings generally last from 20 to 30 minutes, and there are no formalities. You may bring a question you have about your practice.
No meditation experience is necessary. The initial orientation session will provide an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to explore various ways to sit comfortably using a chair, cushion etc.
Work meditation is a daily period of shared work to take care of the daily stuff of life: washing dishes, preparing food, sweeping the floor, cleaning the washrooms, weeding the gardens. As we take responsibility for a task, we have another opportunity to become more aware of our inner dialogue.
Retreat Schedule:
Thursday
| 5:30 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 – 9 | Orientation, opening talk, & sitting |
| 9:00 | Tea & fruit |
Other Days
| 6:30-7:30 am | Sitting |
| 7:30-10:00 | Breakfast, work meditation, and break |
| 10:00-12:00 pm | Sitting, walking and a talk by Liz |
| 12:00-2:00 | Lunch and break |
| 2:00-4:30 | Group inquiry followed by open exercise period |
| 4:30-5:00 | Sitting |
| 5:00-7:00 | Dinner and break |
| 7:00-8:00 | Sitting and private meetings |
| 8:30 | Tea and fruit |
Departure Day – Tuesday or Thursday
| 6:30am-12:00pm | Same schedule as above |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| Depart at your leisure. |
