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.
- 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.