March 20-23, 2025
Queer Retreat: The Paramis as a Revolutionary Act
Leslie Booker
Assisted by Coral Short
New Year’s Insight Meditation Retreat
Teacher
Jill Davey
When
December 29, 2025 - January 2, 2026
Where
Loyola House
Guelph, ON
So often we can be flooded by our emotions and overwhelmed by our own personal circumstances as well as to the world around us. This retreat will focus on the Buddha’s teachings on Wisdom and Compassion in service of deepening our capacity to meet our lives with a wise, loving and embodied presence.
Held in noble silence this retreat will consist of meditation instruction, alternating sitting and walking meditation, guided compassion and equanimity practices, talks on the Buddha’s teachings, group inquiry and small group discussions with the teacher. Open to beginning and experienced practitioners.
Teacher
Jill Davey (she/they) Since their first meditation retreat in 2008, Jill has been devoted to the study and practice of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) and sharing this understanding with others. Having been mentored and invited to teach by Molly Swan and Norman Feldman, Jill is a teacher with True North Insight. Jill is particularly interested in connecting the relevance of these ancient teachings of awareness, wisdom and kindness to daily life experience. They are also an End-of-Life Doula and bring this sensitivity to their teachings. Jill brings years of previous experience as a community worker to their teaching and is actively committed to the ongoing dismantling of internalized and systemic privilege.
Registration
LOCATION: Loyola House, 5420 Highway 6 North, Guelph, Ontario.
Loyola House is an Ignatian Spirituality Centre that welcomes retreats accomodating the needs of a wide audience, including Dharma organizations. Please note there are Christian symbols on the site.
All of the rooms at Loyola House are single rooms with a sink. Washrooms are shared.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm, Monday, December 29. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Friday, January 2. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch. The teacher requests that you plan to attend the entire retreat – please arrive on time and stay through the closing talk.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
Sliding Scale:
- Benefactor: $1 600
- Sustaining: $1 040
- Base: $840
- Reduced: $720
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $420
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 82 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 71 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships of up to a 50% reduction of the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request it. Limited number of scholarships are granted.
In-Person Daily Life Retreat
Teacher
Jill Davey
When
October 5 - 10, 2025
Where
St. Brigid’s Villa
Guelph, QC
Deepen your capacity to bring awareness into everyday activities through mindfulness and inquiry, with an exploration of themes relevant to daily life. The retreat includes sitting, walking, and standing meditation, Buddhist teachings and discussions. We begin with a daylong retreat and follow with a week of morning and evening gatherings. During the weekdays we attend to our usual responsibilities (work, community, family, home, etc) with a renewed awareness and insight. This retreat is suitable for beginners that would like an introduction to meditation and for those who wish to deepen their current practice.
Teacher
Jill Davey (she/they) Since their first meditation retreat in 2008, Jill has been devoted to the study and practice of Vipassana (Insight Meditation) and sharing this understanding with others. Having been mentored and invited to teach by Molly Swan and Norman Feldman, Jill is a teacher with True North Insight. Jill is particularly interested in connecting the relevance of these ancient teachings of awareness, wisdom and kindness to daily life experience. They are also an End-of-Life Doula and bring this sensitivity to their teachings. Jill brings years of previous experience as a community worker to their teaching and is actively committed to the ongoing dismantling of internalized and systemic privilege.
Registration
LOCATION: St. Brigid’s Villa, 5420 Hwy 6 N., Guelph, Ontario.
St. Brigid’s Villa is an Ignatian Spirituality Centre that welcomes retreats accomodating the needs of a wide audience, including Dharma organizations. Please note there are Christian symbols on the site.
Parking available, fully accessible building.
HOURS:
Sunday, October 5 daylong, 10:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Monday October 6 through Friday October 10:
- mornings 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
The weekday times are yours to practice mindful work, community or home commitments.
- evenings 5:30-8:30 p.m.
The retreat ends on Friday October 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Notes:
It is possible to attend the Sunday Daylong only. Please see more information below.
Meals not included. Optional communal breakfasts and diners will be pre-organized.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
Sliding Scale for the Complete Retreat:
- Benefactor: $760
- Sustaining: $570
- Base: $380
- Reduced: $190
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $190
Sliding Scale for the Sunday Only:
- Benefactor: $240
- Sustaining: $180
- Base: $120
- Reduced: $60
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $60
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 82 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 71 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships of up to a 50% reduction of the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request it. Limited number of scholarships are granted.
Summertime Wisdom
Teacher
Roxanne Dault
When
August 17-20, 2025
Where
Kio-o
Ste-Lucie des Laurentides, QC
In the midst of an often busy summer, let's pause together to listen, contemplate and welcome what is alive within us at this moment.
This meditation retreat offers an opportunity to immerse ourselves deeply in the practice of mindfulness meditation. We'll explore the fundamental teachings of this millenary practice, cultivating a caring and balanced heart. Participants will be offered guidance on how to put it into practice in daily life, the importance of living gently in this world and the spirit of the Dhamma that permeates everything we do.
Guided meditations, instructions and the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your practice with the teacher in group meetings, and individually on request, will make this retreat accessible to beginners and experienced meditators alike.
This retreat is taught in French.
Teacher
Roxanne Dault teaches meditation in Canada, USA and in France. She has been dedicated to this path for almost two decades, sitting on long retreats both in Asia and in the West. A Guiding Teacher at True North Insight, Roxanne teaches in a variety of environments including in a graduate program at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), in corporate settings and in diverse organizations. Her teachings take root mainly from the lineage of Mahasi Sayadaw. She is trained in Somatic Experiencing®, a body-mind approach aimed at relieving the symptoms of trauma and stress. Learn more at: roxannedault.ca.
Registration Information
LOCATION: Kio-o, 1905 Chemin 6e Rang, Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, QC J0T 2J0
Most of the rooms are double rooms, with shared washrooms. Single rooms are filled on a first come, first served basis.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm, Sunday, August 17. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Wednesday, August 20. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch. The teacher requests that you plan to attend the entire retreat – please arrive on time and stay through the closing talk.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
Sliding Scale:
- Benefactor: $1 200
- Sustaining: $780
- Base: $630
- Reduced: $540
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $315
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 82 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 71 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships of up to a 50% reduction of the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request it. Limited number of scholarships are granted.
The Resilience Of Love & Wisdom In Meeting Our Lives
Teacher
Jean Esther
When
October 19-24, 2025
Where
Kio-o
Ste-Lucie des Laurentides, QC
In these times, we see and experience with our own hearts and within the world around us, the result of what the Buddha described as the three poisons: greed, hatred and delusion. How do we meet the realities of these energies as they impact the earth and our climate, in disastrous ways? How do we meet the world around us that is fraught with instability, separation, loss, and violence as a result of these three poisons?
Within our personal lives we can’t avoid the suffering that occurs from loss, illness, aging and death, whether it is our own or those who are dear to us. How do we deal with it all without collapsing into depression, addiction and indifference?
For over 2600 years, across continents and cultures, the Buddha’s teachings have not only survived but flourished in response to these very questions. They are considered ‘onward leading’ with an end result of an unshakeable liberation of heart and mind.
In this intensive retreat environment, we will engage in tangible Buddhist practices that strengthen and develop qualities of peace, joy, patience, tranquility, wisdom and compassion.
Open to both experienced and beginning practitioners, please join us for this 6 day retreat as we put aside life’s daily demands. We will bring our collected attention to our bodies, minds and hearts in the development of discernment, compassion and clear seeing in support of living our lives with resilience. Held in noble silence, the daily schedule will include meditation instruction, alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation periods, talks on the Buddha’s teachings, mindful movement, opportunities for questions and responses and small group discussions with the teachers.
Teacher
Beginning her formal training in meditation in 1975, Jean Esther has trained in the Buddhist Theravadan tradition with renowned senior lay teachers as well as Burmese and Western Monastics since 1982. Over a number of years, Jean has engaged in intensive teacher training in both Vipassana practice and non-dual awareness. Her teaching is also informed by over 43 years of practice as a psychotherapist, focusing on the healing of trauma through an embodied somatic approach. She trained for over 20 years in Jungian psychology with Jungian analyst Marion Woodman. Respecting all of life through a social justice understanding informs her life and her teaching. Jean teaches at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, USA, Insight Meditation Community of Western MA, USA as well as various other locations across the US and Canada. Jean has served on the Guiding Teachers Council of True North Insight since 2015.
Registration Information
LOCATION: Kio-o, 1905 Chemin 6e Rang, Sainte-Lucie-des-Laurentides, QC J0T 2J0.
Most of the rooms are double rooms, with shared washrooms. Single rooms are filled on a first come, first served basis.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm, Sunday, October 19. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Friday, October 24. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch. The teacher requests that you plan to attend the entire retreat – please arrive on time and stay through the closing talk.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
Sliding Scale:
- Benefactor: $2 000
- Sustaining: $1300
- Base: $1050
- Reduced: $900
- Scholarship: upon request (limited number of scholarships are granted)
◆ Deposit : $525
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 82 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 71 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships of up to a 50% reduction of the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request it. Limited number of scholarships are granted.
Cœur vaste, esprit libre
Teachers
Pascal Auclair
When
November 23 - 28, 2025
Where
Villa St-Martin
Pierrefonds, QC
To be free-spirited, to have a clear heart, to have the senses awake no matter what the circumstances - this is what the Buddhist path proposes. Is it possible? Let's find out. During this retreat, this friendly, silent gathering, this intensive meditation course, the search for happiness will involve pacifying the mind, developing clarity, receptivity and inner stability.
This retreat is taught in French.
Teacher
Pascal Auclair has been immersed in Buddhist practice and study since 1997, sitting retreats in Asia and America with revered monastics and lay teachers. He has been mentored by Joseph Goldstein and Jack Kornfield at the Insight Meditation Society (IMS) in Massachusetts and Spirit Rock Meditation Center in California, where he is enjoying teaching retreats. Pascal also teaches internationally. His depth of insight, classical training, and creative expression all combine in a wise and compassionate presence. In addition, his warmth and humour make Pascal a much appreciated teacher.
Registration Information
LOCATION: 21269 Boul Gouin O, Pierrefonds, QC H9K 1C1, Canada.
Villa Saint-Martin is an Ignatian Spirituality Centre that welcomes retreats accomodating the needs of a wide audience, including Dharma organizations. Please note there are Christian symbols on the site.
All of the rooms at Villa St-Martin are single rooms with a sink. Washrooms are shared.
ARRIVAL TIME: 3:30-5:00 pm on Sunday, November 23. The retreat will conclude by lunch on Friday, November 28. Everyone is welcome to stay for lunch. The teacher requests that you plan to attend the entire retreat – please arrive on time and stay through the closing talk.
COST: TNI is dedicated to offering affordable rates to all. TNI retreat fees are on a sliding scale basis that allows participants to pay according to individual means. Fees do not include compensation for the teachings, and teachers rely on the generosity of retreatants for a sustainable income. There is an opportunity to offer dana (donations) to the teachers at the end of each retreat.
A deposit of 50% of the base rate is required to register to the retreat. The deposit is included in all of our fees.
Sliding Scale:
- Benefactor: $2 000
- Sustaining: $1 300
- Base: $1050
- Reduced: $900
- Scholarship: upon request
◆ Deposit : $525
Benefactor
The Benefactor rate provides the opportunity to offer more substantial support for TNI.
Sustaining
The Sustaining rate represents the actual cost to TNI to operate our programs. If you can afford this level or higher, you assist our efforts to offer lower sliding-scale rates and ongoing financial subsidies.
Base
The Base rate covers 82 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Reduced
Payment at the Reduced rate covers only 71 % of what is needed to run our organization. To balance our budget and to wisely steward our resources, donations must supplement our registration income.
Scholarship
TNI offers scholarships of up to a 50% reduction of the base rate on our sliding scale to those who request it. A limited number of scholarships are available.