What is the purpose of a solitary retreat?
Praticing meditation in solitary retreat allows you to have a much deeper and more direct experience of your mind than is possible amid the many distractions of everyday life.
What do people do on solitary retreats?
The schedule you follow on retreat will be determined by your teacher or meditation instructor. Generally, one does 8 or more hours of meditation & study in 3 to 4 sessions a day with time in between for sleep, meals and relaxation. You do not write, listen to music or engage in other activities than meditation, study and domestic activities. On retreat you do not speak to or see anyone else and you do not leave your cabin except to go for a walk or take a shower at the main house.
Who is qualified to do a solitary retreat at Juniper Hill?
A strong personal connection to a spiritual teacher or community is necessary in order to receive the proper training in meditation. To qualify to do a solitary retreat at Juniper Hill, it is recommended that you have completed one or more group retreat programs of at least two weeks and have an established daily practice & study routine. In the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, a dathun (one month group retreat) is recommended. Dathuns are held several times a year at DDL in Nova Scotia, Karmê Choling in Vermont, & Shambhala Mountain Centre in Colorado. Other programs might include: Zen Sesshin, Insight Meditation Society or other similar curriculums.
What is the length of a solitary retreat?
At Juniper Hill, the minimum retreat is three nights. Retreats over two weeks must be approved by a qualified meditation teacher or instructor. Extended retreats of 3 months or more are possible for qualified practitioners.
What sort of support is available for the retreatant?
Madeline Conacher & Louis Allen, the Resident Directors are responsible for maintaining the property and retreat cabin. As senior practitioners, they can provide support in the form of meditation instruction & advice. They shop once a week for a retreatant on an extended retreat. Meditation Instruction is available in English & French.
RETREAT RATES:
Daily Rate: Minimum retreat is 7 days at $30 a night for retreats 4-28 days in length
Monthly Rate: $750 for 4 weeks ie 28 nights
No other discounts apply. A deposit of one half the total amount is due within 10 days of making your reservation.
What does a retreatant need to bring?
When you register, a detailed info sheet will be sent to you, outlining the details of the cabin and what is provided and what you are responsible for bringing with you.
TRAVEL
Driving: Juniper Hill is located 2 hours east of Toronto (click for directions), 3 ½ hrs south west of Ottawa (click for directions) & 4 hours west of Montreal (click for directions)
Train: Via Rail stops in both Cobourg (if you are coming from Toronto) and Belleville (if coming from Ottawa or Montreal). We can pick you up at either train station. We can stop at a supermarket on the way from the train for you to buy food. There is a charge for the pick-up & drop-off.
For more information contact us.
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