Personal Retreat Registration Form

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Personal Information & Contact Information

Mailing Address

Emergency Contact

Name, phone number, and/or e-mail address of emergency contact. This should be someone that you are NOT travelling with. By filling in this information, you give Birken permission to contact this person if there is a concern for your welfare while you are here.

Health & COVID Policy

By accepting a retreat space at Birken, I acknowledge that Birken Monastery is not responsible for my medical care or expenses. Birken is far from services, and stewards are unable to provide medical care. I attest that I either have health insurance, or the resources to provide for myself in the event of a medical emergency. Note: guests from other provinces or countries are not covered by BC Medical Services Plan, and are responsible for researching/obtaining the appropriate travel insurance, or paying out of pocket for medical expenses.

The day before the retreat, I will test at home for COVID. If that test is positive, or I am feeling unwell immediately before the retreat, I will notify the office at bookings@birken.ca and cancel my booking. I will bring a COVID test with me to test on Tuesday of the retreat. If that test is positive, I will let a steward know immediately and will be subject to quarantine. In this case, if I am too unwell to drive, I have a person who can pick me up from the retreat. I understand Birken is far from services, and stewards are unable to provide medical care.

July/August Personal Retreat Request

Please check the appropriate box for any week of personal retreats you would like to be considered for. Please do not check a box unless you know you are available for retreat that week.

I understand that to be selected for a personal retreat in 2023, I must arrive and depart at the start/end dates above, and that I must arrive by car or cab. I understand that there are no pickups and dropoffs in Kamloops by Birken stewards, and that Birken does not have the capacity to assist with rideshares.

Please arrive between 1-4pm on Saturday.

Accommodation & Special Needs

Please note that kutis are rarely available. Most guests will be assigned to the main house. Particular room requests inside the main guest house are not permitted. We ask all guests to accept whatever accommodation is provided with a sense of contentment and gratitude.

Please tell us about any conditions that might affect your participation in the monastery schedule, activities, yogi duties, guidelines, adherence to the Eight Precepts, etc.

Please let us know if your condition is controlled by medication, stable or unstable. We also need to know if it is likely to cause you a problem while you are here and whether you anticipate needing any kind of special support during your visit.

Please tell us about any conditions that might affect your participation in the monastery schedule, activities, guidelines, adherence to the Eight Precepts, etc.

Please let us know if your condition is controlled by medication, stable or unstable. We also need to know if it is likely to cause you a problem while you are here and whether you anticipate needing any kind of special support during your visit.

If you have any additional information that you would like us to know, please list it here.

Guest Guidelines

The Birken Guest Guidelines can be found here.

All guests must abide by the Eight Precepts during their stay at the monastery. In exceptional cases (e.g. if you have hypoglycemia or diabetes), you may request an exception from the Eight Precepts to have a light evening snack. These exceptions must be approved by the Abbot prior to your visit and will be acknowledged in your booking confirmation.

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