Salt Spring Insight Meditation

All meditation retreats share the common aim of Buddhist contemplative traditions: to free the mind and heart from confusion, self-centeredness and struggle. The opportunity allows us to cultivate moment-to-moment awareness that nurtures inner stillness and peace, insight into the nature of our experience while fostering emotional resources with which to respond more fully and usefully to suffering and stress.

Retreats offer an opportunity to explore and develop serenity, wisdom and compassion through meditation and mindfulness practice in a supportive environment. The main emphasis is placed upon developing attention, sensitivity and awareness through sitting and walking meditation.

Retreatants spend the day practicing sitting and walking meditation, cultivating continuous attention to the changing nature of our moment-to-moment experience.

We practice alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation of approximately 45 minutes throughout the day, beginning around 6:30 am and ending at 9:30 pm.

Every day there is a period of meditation instruction, a period for questions and answers, individual or small group meetings with the teacher to discuss one’s own practice and experience, and a dharma talk, explaining the value and meaning of meditation in one’s daily life.

On retreats lasting more than 3 days, there is also an optional period of yoga, lead by Celeste Mallett-Jason, a local yoga instructor.

In the spirit of simplicity and silence, and as a gift to other retreatants, please refrain from other activities such as:

Reading and writing, taking photographs (except on the last morning), or anything more disruptive, anywhere on the farm.

Retreatants will also be assigned a daily job to assist with the running of the retreat. This work is a part of the practice and becomes work meditation. Jobs include helping with meal preparation and cleanup in the kitchen, housekeeping and grounds-keeping, and are given out at on-site registration.

Our retreats are held in silence.

Maintaining silence and reducing activity to a minimum is the best way to support retreats, by creating a calm, quiet and simplified environment with minimal distractions.  Spending time in silence is a very powerful way to support the deepening of meditative calm and insight (Vipassana).  This silence means a deliberate relinquishing of media contact, internet access and all electronic communications.  Cell phone coverage is particularly limited or non-existent on the Farm as it is.

Being together without conversing allows us to explore a degree of solitude, while having the support of the group.   Silence fosters a sense of safety and refuge, even among people we do not yet know. The momentum of days of quiet, without distractions or responsibilities, allows the heart to release its guard and access levels of peace and tenderness not usually accessible to us. In this calm, the busy mind settles and becomes clear and bright, revealing glimpses into the simple yet deep truths of all nature. When experienced for ourselves these insights are transformative and liberating.

This means that while on retreat you are asked to refrain from engaging in all forms of verbal and written communication with other retreatants and the outside world, including reading, writing, engaging in correspondence or telephone calls, text messaging and checking emails.

We are not able to provide Internet access to Retreatants.

The exception is taking notes to record your meditation experience, or sometimes to remember some teaching given in a Dharma Talk. All this supports the ability to calm the busy thought processes of usual daily activity.

Please respect this guideline, once the retreat begins.

You are still able to speak with the retreat teacher(s) when appropriate, to ask questions and discuss your meditation experience, and with the retreat manager, if there are any essential practical matters you need to attend to.

In order to offer an atmosphere and environment conducive to meditation in the company of others, we request all participants observe the following practice guidelines:

• Please respect the silent atmosphere throughout the buildings and farm.
• Everyone is asked to contribute one period of work per day.
• We encourage sensitivity towards all living beings and a non-harming relationship to all life.
• A retreatant takes only that which is clearly given.
• No consumption of drugs, cigarettes or alcohol is permitted during a retreat at Stowel Lake Farm.
• Retreatants are asked to abstain from all sexual contact during their retreat.

All our retreats are held at Stowel Lake Farm which is a certified organic farm of 115 acres.

A community of people live here, who believe in good service and in living in harmony with our world and who offer educational classes and retreats in their beautiful setting which includes a large perennial garden, some greenhouses and many acres of fields and forest.

The main buildings are the Gatehouse, which serves as our Meditation hall, and a fully converted Barn which contains the kitchen, dining hall, and some chairs and couches in a common sitting room.

In another building there is dedicated yoga room.

We offer simple and comfortable, shared accommodations in a variety of buildings, cottages, yurts, etc. Rooms are mostly doubles, single-sex, and usually with people of similar age.

Single Rooms: We have a limited number of single rooms and these are allocated depending on the needs – rather than preferences – of the individuals on each retreat. Medical needs are given priority, followed by consideration of age. If you feel that you need a single room, please describe this request this when registering.

We regret we are unable to guarantee single rooms.  NB.  Single rooms are the only option available for 2020 and early 2021 retreats during the Covid Pandemic with the required social distancing.

Rooms are assigned by the registrar before the beginning of the retreat, and we ask that you graciously accept the room that you are assigned.

Camping

During summer retreats, there is space for about 15 people to camp.

Off-Site accommodation

There will be a limited number of spaces for those who live, or are staying in the neighbourhood. For minimal disruption to the retreat, it is important that all retreatants participate fully in the retreat, following the scheduled hours and activities. If you choose this option, we request this commitment.
We further request that a commuter have attended at least one residential retreat of 7-days on a previous occasion.

We offer delicious, high quality, healthy and nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals that may include eggs and dairy produce. As much as possible we use organic products, including vegetables grown on the farm. Breakfast and lunch are substantial meals, with a lighter supper of soup, bread and spreads.

Vegan, non-dairy and wheat-free/gluten-free options are available on request. Please inform us when you register, outlining any serious allergies.

Please dress modestly, as an expression of respect for a place of spiritual practice. Loose, comfortable, casual, layered clothing & perhaps a shawl. (There are no laundry facilities available).

• Footwear: Outdoor walking shoes or boots, slip-on shoes (no shoes in most buildings), indoor slippers for the Barn.
• Raincoat and umbrella (except in August), sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen (except in December).
• Toiletries: unscented, please.
• Flashlight (The main pathway is lighted at night, but not the gardens or the camping area.)
• Earplugs.
• Your own towel & wash cloth (the bedding:- quilts & pillows are supplied).
• Any food supplements or medication you regularly take:- enough for the length of your stay.
• A watch or clock (which is not your cell phone). Although there are bells to wake you up and mark activities during the day, having your own watch or clock supports you in turning your cell phone off, which we strongly encourage.
• Your own meditation cusheon/zafu bench if you like. We have lots of chairs, pads and blankets, and some meditation cushions and benches.
• Chequebook, or sufficient cash for a Dana offering.  (Interac email transfers are an option for Canadians after the retreat).

• Cell phones – or leave them in the car.
• Computers
• iPods
• Beeper watches
• Clunky jewelry
• Rustly clothing (in the meditation hall).
• Bedding (you may bring your own if you prefer it, but it is not required if have chosen in-house accommodation).
• Reading and writing materials.
• Scented products.(As there are those people with acute chemical sensitivity, and recognising everyone becomes increasingly sensitive on meditation retreats anyway, please be careful not to bring any scented toiletries, perfume, or clothing carrying scent. These can cause allergic reactions in fellow retreatants. Your particular care is requested. Thank you.)

Start times:

Registration takes place between 3pm and 5pm on the first day. A light evening meal is served at 5:30 pm. The retreat begins at 7.30 pm with an opening talk. Please arrive on the first day and stay for the entire length of the retreat.

Ending Times:

Retreats of 2 to 3 nights will end about 2:45 pm on Sunday, and longer retreats end by 11:00 am on the last day.

Click here for directions.

Our Full Address:

The Gatehouse at Stowel Lake Farm, 190 Reynolds Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, V8K 1Y2

Travel to Salt Spring Island

• From: Vancouver, the Lower Mainland

Ferries from Tsawwassen: Either:Directly to Long Harbour, Salt Spring Island on the Gulf Islands ferry, or via Swartz Bay and transfer there for Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island, having purchased a Through Fare at initial time of ticket purchase.

Float planes from Richmond, Vancouver airport south terminal directly to Ganges Harbour. Carriers: Salt Spring Air (managed by Harbour Air) Harbour Air, Seair.

• From Victoria, Ferries from Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour.
• From mid and north Vancouver Island, ferry from Crofton to Vesuvius. See www.bcferries.bc.ca for schedules.
• From Washington State: Either: Ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, BC, and a 15 minute drive north to Swartz Bay ferry terminal, and ferry to Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island. Or: up I-5 into BC and follow signs for Tsawwassen, Ferries for Victoria, Gulf Islands. See first option above Or: Port Angeles to Victoria, on the Coho ferry. From Victoria, drive north up Highway 17 to Swartz Bay ferry terminal, and ferry to Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island.

Washington State ferries are at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/schedules/current/

Travel to Stowel Lake Farm Once on Salt Spring Island

• From Long Harbour

Follow traffic into Ganges, and right on through town on the main road. Up Ganges hill away from the town, heading south, and continue for 4 k, around a sharp blind bend, and immediately turn LEFT onto Cusheon Lake Road. First RIGHT onto Stewart Road. At stop sign, continue straight forward onto main road (Beaver Point Road), which immediately takes a left-hand bend, and right away turn RIGHT onto Reynolds Road.

• From Fulford Harbour

Follow traffic up hill but at top of hill (150 m) take first RIGHT, Beaver Point Road. Drive 2 k and turn RIGHT on Reynolds Road, the first road on the right past the Lake.

• From Vesuvius

Follow traffic into Ganges, and right on through town on the main road. Up Ganges hill away from the town, heading south, and continue for 4 k, around a sharp blind bend, and immediately turn LEFT onto Cusheon Lake Road. First RIGHT onto Stewart Road. At stop sign, turn LEFT onto Beaver Point Road, then RIGHT onto Reynolds Road.

Once on Reynolds Road, Stowel Lake Farm is the first habitation you come to on the RIGHT after coming down the steep hill. Drive in either the 1st or 2nd driveway you come to, and walk to the well signed Registration area.

If you need to be picked up at Fulford Harbour, off the 3:00 pm ferry sailing from Swartz Bay, please let us know by email 24 or 48 hours prior the start of the retreat.

Arriving:

If coming via Fulford Harbour, we recommend you take the 3:00 pm sailing from Swartz Bay on the day your retreat starts.

If coming via Long Harbour or Vesuvius ferries, the drive to Stowel Lake Farm is about 30 minutes, through the town of Ganges, so allow time for the drive. See BC Ferries website under ‘Southern Gulf Islands’ for a complete schedule of sailings.

Departing:

After a 5 to 9 day retreat the retreat ends by 11:00 am, so you will be able to catch the 11:50 am, or 1:50 pm Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay ferry, which connects with the 1:00 pm or the 3:00pm Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen sailings, or the afternoon Long Harbour Ferry to Tsawwassen. Ferries from Vesuvius for mid- and north Vancouver Island go throughout the day on a regular basis.

After a 2 or 3 day weekend retreat, the retreat ends by 2:30 on a Sunday afternoon, so you will be able to catch the 3:50 pm Fulford Harbour to Swartz Bay ferry. This connects with the 5:00 pm sailing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen on the mainland.

We will pick you up from the 3:00 pm Swartz Bay to Fulford Harbour sailing on your arrival at Fulford Harbour. Please contact the registrar via email the day prior to the retreat start day. We cannot pick people up from the other terminals, but may be able to help you arrange a ride with another retreatant. Please inform us of your need for a ride when you register.

We will arrange a ride back to Fulford Harbour or another terminal, when you depart, at the end of the retreat.

We request that everyone offer 45 minutes per day, helping with the running of the retreat. This yogi job may be dish washing, helping the cooks with meal preparation, or some house cleaning, table wiping etc. These Yogi Jobs are a crucial part of the retreat, and your assistance is much appreciated. This work is a part of the practice and becomes work meditation.

If you are unable to do a work session, or can offer only light work, it is important that you inform us when you arrive at the start of the retreat.

These yogi jobs are given out at on-site registration.

Continuity and steadiness are essential factors in the deepening of one’s own meditation, and maintaining stability and calm for all participants. Therefore, retreatants are asked to participate for the full retreat, starting at the first day and staying until the end. If any changes need to be made, this is arranged in discussion with a teacher.

All retreatants are asked to remain on the Farm for the duration of the retreat. Walking on the local road is fine.

Experience has shown that it can be very disruptive to the intensive practice of meditation, for oneself and for others, to leave the sensitive retreat environment.

One’s own mindful movement, such as yoga, tai chi or qi gong, may be practiced outdoors or upstairs in the Barn, during designated walking periods, or your own free time, so long as the space of other retreatants is respected.

Yoga is offered every day on retreats running longer 3 days, by Celeste Mallet-Jason

In the spirit of simplicity and silence, and as a gift to other retreatants, please refrain from other activities such as:

Reading and writing, taking photographs (except on the last morning), or anything more disruptive, anywhere on the farm.

The meditation hall (Gatehouse), the Barn (dining area), yoga room and teacher meeting rooms are all in different buildings, and access drives and paths between buildings are unpaved. Therefore the site is not wheelchair accessible, although those with some mobility limitations may well be able to manage.

Please inform us of your requirements when registering. We may need to discuss the possibilities of your attending a retreat here.

Delicious vegetarian meals, refreshments and simple, shared accommodations are included.

The registration fees only cover the actual expenses incurred.  i.e. per diem use of the farm;  teacher’s travel;  promotion;  miscellaneous incidentals.

None of this money goes directly to the teachers. Their ability to continue offering these retreats depends solely on donations from retreat participants.

This tradition of making an offering to the teachers is called DANA, the word in Pali (the language of the Buddha) for generosity. According to the Buddha, generosity, or sharing what we have, is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life.  So we encourage students to make an offering to teachers in addition to the registration fee. This opportunity is given at the end of the retreat and can be paid by cash or cheque only. Sorry, no credit cards.

The Salt Spring Vipassana Society is a registered society, but not a charitable society, so unfortunately your contributions are not tax-deductable at this time.

Retreat Costs and Dana

For registration and payment for a retreat, please choose the retreat you are interested in at this page

For cancellation policies please click here