BCIMS Residential Retreat July 6-14, 2024 [2024jul6beth]

Awareness of the body and mindfulness of the six sense doors as a pathway for the development of compassion and wisdom

In this silent retreat we will explore establishing embodied mindfulness, stability, friendliness, and calm. In this way we will be able to see more clearly the ways our minds get caught in reactivity and the ways we can become freer and respond with wisdom and kindness.

There will be daily guided instruction, periods of sitting and walking practice and practice discussion meetings with the teachers. This retreat is suitable for both beginning and experienced practitioners.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, communities, and life experiences.

P LEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE REGISTERING.

Registration: This retreat will go on sale March 6, 2024 at 10am PST. We anticipate tickets will sell quickly. We recommend you register as soon as possible once the tickets go on sale. Pease note that the deadline for for financial assistance is February 21 - see Financial Assistance/DEI Financial Assistance section below for details

COVID-19: It is anticipated that small gatherings will be allowed by the BC Provincial Health Authority at this time. All health guidelines in place at the time of the retreat for small gatherings will be followed and communicated to attendees.

Vaccinations: Attendees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated, including the boosters, though we will not be requiring proof during check in.

Masking: Masks are optional and encouraged in shared indoor spaces. If a yogi has or develops a cough/runny nose/cold symptoms, they will be asked to take a COVID test and mask while in shared indoor spaces.

Room Rates/Fees:

Base Rate - Private Room - $1,800

Benefactor Rate - Private Room - $2,300

Shared Room - $1,490

Commuter (includes meals) - $1,170

Folks who select the Benefactor Rate will receive a tax receipt for the $500 tax-deductible donation above the base rate. Both the Base Rate and Benefactor Rate tickets are for single-occupancy rooms.

If you select the Shared Room option, please indicate your room-sharing preferences in the order form (ie: wish to share with a partner or friend also registered for this retreat, gender preference, etc.)

We have a number of Commuter Spots available to folks who live locally or who are able to arrange local accommodation.

Fees do NOT include a financial offering (dana) to the teachers. There will be an opportunity to offer dana to the teachers once you are at the retreat.

Financial Assistance: Financial assistance is available for this retreat. Please apply by emailing [email protected], and let us know what amount you are joyfully able to contribute. DEI Financial Assistance: We are also offering financial assistance from our DEI fund (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). This is intended to offer support to folks from underrepresented and systemically marginalized communities to attend residential retreats. We encourage folks who identify as BIPOC (black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour), 2SLGBTQIA+, have a visible or invisible disability, or are from other underrepresented and systemically marginalized communities, to apply by emailing [email protected]. Please specify in your email that you are interested in applying for the DEI fund, and share what amount you are joyfully able to contribute.

The deadline for financial assistance applications is February 21, 2024.

BCIMS Cancellation Policy:

Up to May 31 - refund offered, less a $100 cancellation fee.

From June 1 to June 28, 2024 - 50% refund offered.

On and after June 29, 2024 - no refund guaranteed.

Please note, our BCIMS Cancellation Policy applies to all ticket holders, including those with discounted tickets.

Accessibility Needs: There will be an opportunity on the Registration Order Form to specify any special needs or accommodations, including any needs or requests on washrooms, dietary, and access needs.

We may not be able to meet everyone’s preferences but we will do our best to accommodate needs and make the retreat as safe and accessible as possible. We encourage you to please reflect on the difference between needs and preferences for your stay as you fill out the Form, as this allows us to more easefully accommodate all retreatants.

Ridesharing: The information collected during registration regarding ridesharing will be distributed by email to all interested retreatants about four weeks prior to the retreat. Each individual is then responsible for directly making any ridesharing arrangement.

Dana: Registration fees cover retreat organizing costs, accommodations, and meals only. Voluntary donations (dana) for the teachings may be offered to the teachers at the retreat. More information will be shared with registrants.

Adrianne Ross, a retired family physician, has been involved in meditation and healing since 1976. She has been practising Buddhist meditation since 1984 and began teaching in 1995. She is influenced by both Thai and Burmese streams of the Theravadan tradition, as well as Tibetan (Mahamudra and Dzogchen) practice. She teaches classes, weekend and residential retreats in Canada and the US. She has been involved in teaching and mentoring students in the Dedicated Practitioner and Advanced Practitioner Programs through Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California. She co-founded BCIMS with the late Joanne Broatch over 20 years ago.

Tempel Smith teaches Mindfulness, Insight and Metta meditation with an emphasis on Buddhist psychology and mind-body awareness. He spent a year as a monk in Burma with Sayadaw U Pandita and Pa Auk Sayadaw. Tempel serves on the Spirit Rock Governing Teachers Council, organizes the Dedicated Practitioners Program (DPP), Concentration, and Month Long retreats for Spirit Rock, and teaches classes online for experienced students.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Bethlehem Centre, 2371 Arbot Road, Nanaimo, Canada