Retreat Info:

The endeavor of this retreat is to use the medium of icon painting as a vehicle to empower participants to use art and creativity as a means to learn about the mind and the meditative process. This is a retreat for ‘Experienced Meditators’ – lay people who have had a regular meditation practice for some years and have attended at least one 7-day residential retreat. Participants can be an artist of any type (painters, photographers, musicians, writers, etc.), but should be willing to use the creative medium that the instructors use. The retreat includes morning and evening meditation periods, instruction in the morning and afternoon, and extended periods to delve into the creative process. All materials for the retreat will be provided, though participants are encouraged to bring an image(s) that provide inspiration for practice. The retreat starts at 5:00pm on Sunday, March 22, with a teatime orientation led by Ajahn Jotipalo and Sakula Reinard, and a chance to ask questions.

Prerequisite: Participants should have a regular meditation practice and have sat at least one 7-day residential retreat.

Guest Guidelines: 

Prior to registering for a Scheduled Retreat, please make sure you have read the latest version of our Guest Guidelines outlining our daily schedule, monastery etiquette, and other guidelines applicable to your stay. All guests are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts outlined in our Guest Guide.

Contact with “The World”:

In order to safeguard the retreat environment at Birken, guests do not have internet or cell phone access at the monastery at any time. Please finalize your worldly affairs and travel arrangements before arriving. It is expected that you will reside on the monastery property throughout your stay and not leave the premises to make phone calls or run errands, etc. You may provide the monastery’s email address to loved ones back home, for emergencies only: bookings@birken.ca

Helping Out:

It is customary for all guests to help out with light chores around the monastery throughout their stay. During scheduled retreats, Yogi Duties are assigned, and can be found posted in the kitchen.

Transportation:

Please plan to arrive at Birken sometime between 1:00–4:00pm if you are driving to the monastery (or by 1:30pm if requesting a pick-up in Kamloops). PLEASE NOTE: we now require all guests arriving and departing from the Kamloops Airport to take a taxi / shuttle to and from the Birken pick up location (detailed instructions will be provided in your retreat confirmation). There will be only one guest pick-up and drop-off location in Kamloops. Participants needing a ride to Kamloops will depart the monastery after breakfast (about 8:30am). Prior to registration, you must determine how you plan to arrive and depart and include this information on your registration form (please wait to finalize your transportation arrangements until the Birken Office has confirmed your booking). Please visit Getting Here for more details.

Cancellations:

Last-minute cancellations are burdensome to the monastery and prevent other guests from the precious opportunity to visit.  Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your visit. Those who cancel at the last minute or leave the monastery prior to their scheduled departure date, will be subject to restrictions on future visits.

Registration Info:

Registration is now closed.

Accepted candidates will be notified by email in late December. All others will be notified that they have been placed on a waitlist. Interested candidates who are unable to attend the retreat this year are invited to come another time for a Personal Retreat. If you have not heard back from the Birken Office by early January, please email us at bookings@birken.ca to make sure that we received your form.

Retreat Info:

Join Ajahn Jotipalo for a Sauntering into Silence retreat and learn how to use walking in nature as a meditation. This retreat is for “experienced meditators” – lay people who have a regular meditation practice and have sat at least one weekend residential retreat. Participants should be in good physical health and comfortable being alone in the forest, though most of our time will be as a group. There will be daily instructions and guidance, as well as time for group discussion and Q & A at tea time each evening.

This retreat will be primarily conducted outdoors (weather permitting), within a 3km radius of Birken. A mobile device with GPS tracking is highly suggested, but not required. This is not an eight-precept retreat, but those wanting a snack in the evening should bring food that does not require heating or refrigeration.

Prerequisite: Participants should be in good physical health and comfortable wandering in the woods alone. Participation in at least one residential weekend meditation retreat.

Guest Guidelines: 

Prior to registering for a Scheduled Retreat, please make sure you have read the latest version of our Guest Guidelines outlining our daily schedule, monastery etiquette, and other guidelines applicable to your stay. All guests are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts outlined in our Guest Guide.

Contact with “The World”:

In order to safeguard the retreat environment at Birken, guests do not have internet or cell phone access at the monastery at any time. Please finalize your worldly affairs and travel arrangements before arriving. It is expected that you will reside on the monastery property throughout your stay and not leave the premises to make phone calls or run errands, etc. You may provide the monastery’s email address to loved ones back home, for emergencies only: bookings@birken.ca

Helping Out:

It is customary for all guests to help out with light chores around the monastery throughout their stay. During scheduled retreats, Yogi Duties are assigned, and can be found posted in the kitchen.

Transportation:

Please plan to arrive at Birken sometime between 1:00–4:00pm if you are driving to the monastery (or by 1:30pm if requesting a pick-up in Kamloops). PLEASE NOTE: we now require all guests arriving and departing from the Kamloops Airport to take a taxi / shuttle to and from the Birken pick up location (detailed instructions will be provided in your retreat confirmation). There will be only one guest pick-up and drop-off location in Kamloops. Participants needing a ride to Kamloops will depart the monastery after breakfast (about 8:30am). Prior to registration, you must determine how you plan to arrive and depart and include this information on your registration form (please wait to finalize your transportation arrangements until the Birken Office has confirmed your booking). Please visit Getting Here for more details.

Cancellations:

Last-minute cancellations are burdensome to the monastery and prevent other guests from the precious opportunity to visit.  Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your visit. Those who cancel at the last minute or leave the monastery prior to their scheduled departure date, will be subject to restrictions on future visits.

Registration Info:

Registration is now closed.

Accepted candidates will be notified by email in early April. All others will be notified that they have been placed on a waitlist. Interested candidates who are unable to attend the retreat this year are invited to come another time for a Personal Retreat. If you have not heard back from the Birken Office by mid-April, please email us at bookings@birken.ca to make sure that we received your form.

Retreat Info:

This is a retreat for Absolute Beginners – people who have never meditated, visited a monastery, or been on a meditation retreat. You don’t need to know anything about Buddhism or meditation. The retreat provides a gentle introduction to the art of mental cultivation, with lots of instruction and guidance, short meditation periods (10 to 20 minutes), lots of free time, and opportunities to talk. We start with the absolute basics: how to sit for meditation, experimenting with various postures and aids (cushion, kneeling stool, chair). Key aspects of the Buddha’s teachings are presented, highlighting the benefits and importance of meditation to one’s own well-being and liberation. There is an option for a light evening snack (contrary to the normal practice at the monastery, where only two meals are eaten: breakfast at 7:00am and the main meal at 11:30am). The retreat starts at 5:00pm, with a teatime orientation from the Abbot, Ajahn Sona, and a chance to ask questions.

Guest Guidelines: 

Prior to registering for a Scheduled Retreat, please make sure you have read the latest version of our Guest Guidelines outlining our daily schedule, monastery etiquette, and other guidelines applicable to your stay. All guests are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts outlined in our Guest Guide.

Contact with “The World”:

In order to safeguard the retreat environment at Birken, guests do not have internet or cell phone access at the monastery at any time. Please finalize your worldly affairs and travel arrangements before arriving. It is expected that you will reside on the monastery property throughout your stay and not leave the premises to make phone calls or run errands, etc. You may provide the monastery’s email address to loved ones back home, for emergencies only: bookings@birken.ca

Helping Out:

It is customary for all guests to help out with light chores around the monastery throughout their stay. Please sign up for one or more tasks on the ‘Yogi Duties’ board in the kitchen upon arrival. All guests are asked to assist with breakfast and lunch clean-up.

Transportation:

Please plan to arrive at Birken sometime between 1:00–4:00pm if you are driving to the monastery (or by 1:30pm if requesting a pick-up in Kamloops). PLEASE NOTE: we now require all guests arriving and departing from the Kamloops Airport to take a taxi / shuttle to and from the Birken pick up location (detailed instructions will be provided in your retreat confirmation). There will be only one guest pick-up and drop-off location in Kamloops. Participants needing a ride to Kamloops will depart the monastery after breakfast (about 8:30am). Prior to registration, you must determine how you plan to arrive and depart and include this information on your registration form (please wait to finalize your transportation arrangements until the Birken Office has confirmed your booking). Please visit Getting Here for more details.

Cancellations:

Last-minute cancellations are burdensome to the monastery and prevent other guests from the precious opportunity to visit.  Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your visit. Those who cancel at the last minute or leave the monastery prior to their scheduled departure date, will be subject to restrictions on future visits.

Registration Info:

Beginners Retreat #1: Registration open March 18-April 30, 2020

Beginners Retreat #2: Registration open May 1-June 30

Participant selection is via lottery for the Absolute Beginners Retreat. Accepted candidates will be notified by email in early May for the June retreat, and early July for the August retreat. All others will be notified that they have been placed on a waitlist. Interested candidates who are unable to attend the retreat this year are invited to come another time for a Personal Retreat. If you have not heard back from the Birken Office within two weeks of the registration close, please email us at bookings@birken.ca to make sure that we received your form.

Retreat Info:

This is a retreat for ‘Experienced Meditators’ – lay people who have had a regular meditation practice for some years and have previously attended a 10-day residential retreat. Priority will be given to those who have visited Birken for a Personal Retreat or Scheduled Retreat of at least 10 days in the recent past. The retreat includes some instruction, as well as extended meditation periods (2 to 3 hours), allowing meditators to alternate sitting and walking meditation at their discretion. The retreat is conducted in silence: there is no conversation between participants during the duration of the retreat. Reading and listening to audio talks are also strongly discouraged. There will be opportunities to join Ajahn Sona for Dhamma talks throughout the retreat. The retreat starts at 5:00pm on Friday, September 27, with a teatime orientation led by the Abbot, Ajahn Sona, and a chance to ask questions.

Prerequisite: Prior 10-day retreat experience. Priority is given to those who have visited Birken for a Personal Retreat or Scheduled Retreat of at least 10 days in the recent past.

Guest Guidelines: 

Prior to registering for a Scheduled Retreat, please make sure you have read the latest version of our Guest Guidelines outlining our daily schedule, monastery etiquette, and other guidelines applicable to your stay. All guests are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts outlined in our Guest Guide.

Contact with “The World”:

In order to safeguard the retreat environment at Birken, guests do not have internet or cell phone access at the monastery at any time. Please finalize your worldly affairs and travel arrangements before arriving. It is expected that you will reside on the monastery property throughout your stay and not leave the premises to make phone calls or run errands, etc. You may provide the monastery’s email address to loved ones back home, for emergencies only: bookings@birken.ca

Helping Out:

It is customary for all guests to help out with light chores around the monastery throughout their stay. During scheduled retreats, Yogi Duties are assigned, and can be found posted in the kitchen.

Transportation:

Please plan to arrive at Birken sometime between 1:00–4:00pm if you are driving to the monastery (or by 1:30pm if requesting a pick-up in Kamloops). PLEASE NOTE: we now require all guests arriving and departing from the Kamloops Airport to take a taxi / shuttle to and from the Birken pick up location (detailed instructions will be provided in your retreat confirmation). There will be only one guest pick-up and drop-off location in Kamloops. Participants needing a ride to Kamloops will depart the monastery after breakfast (about 8:30am). Prior to registration, you must determine how you plan to arrive and depart and include this information on your registration form (please wait to finalize your transportation arrangements until the Birken Office has confirmed your booking). Please visit Getting Here for more details.

Cancellations:

Last-minute cancellations are burdensome to the monastery and prevent other guests from the precious opportunity to visit. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your visit. Those who cancel at the last minute or leave the monastery prior to their scheduled departure date, will be subject to restrictions on future visits.

Registration Info:

Registration open April 1-June 30, 2020

Ajahn Sona will review all 10-Day Silent Retreat applications and select those who can best benefit from this period of quiet practice. Accepted candidates will be notified by email in July and asked to reconfirm their commitment to attend the retreat. All others will be notified that they have been placed on a waitlist. Interested candidates who are unable to attend the retreat this year are invited to come another time for a Personal Retreat and can check back next year for more scheduled retreat opportunities. If you have not heard back from the Birken Office by late July, please email us at bookings@birken.ca to make sure that we received your form.

Retreat Info:

Join us over the Thanksgiving weekend for a period of meditative reflection, with a focus on the virtues of generosity and gratitude. This retreat is open to beginner and advanced meditators alike who have sat at residential retreat of at least three days. Priority will be given to those who have visited Birken for a Personal Retreat or Scheduled Retreat of at least 5 days in the recent past.

The retreat includes some instruction, as well as meditation periods allowing meditators to alternate sitting and walking meditation at their discretion. There will be opportunities to join Ajahn Sona for Dhamma talks throughout the retreat. The retreat starts at 5:00pm on Sunday, October 9, with a teatime orientation led by the Abbot, Ajahn Sona, and a chance to ask questions.

Prerequisite: At least one weekend residential retreat, with priority is given to those who have visited Birken for a Personal Retreat or Scheduled Retreat of at least 5 days in the recent past. 

Guest Guidelines: 

Prior to registering for a Scheduled Retreat, please make sure you have read the latest version of our Guest Guidelines outlining our daily schedule, monastery etiquette, and other guidelines applicable to your stay. All guests are expected to abide by the Eight Precepts outlined in our Guest Guide.

Contact with “The World”:

In order to safeguard the retreat environment at Birken, guests do not have internet or cell phone access at the monastery at any time. Please finalize your worldly affairs and travel arrangements before arriving. It is expected that you will reside on the monastery property throughout your stay and not leave the premises to make phone calls or run errands, etc. You may provide the monastery’s email address to loved ones back home, for emergencies only: bookings@birken.ca

Helping Out:

It is customary for all guests to help out with light chores around the monastery throughout their stay. During scheduled retreats, Yogi Duties are assigned, and can be found posted in the kitchen.

Transportation:

Please plan to arrive at Birken sometime between 1:00–4:00pm if you are driving to the monastery (or by 1:30pm if requesting a pick-up in Kamloops). PLEASE NOTE: we now require all guests arriving and departing from the Kamloops Airport to take a taxi / shuttle to and from the Birken pick up location (detailed instructions will be provided in your retreat confirmation). There will be only one guest pick-up and drop-off location in Kamloops. Participants needing a ride to Kamloops will depart the monastery after breakfast (about 8:30am). Prior to registration, you must determine how you plan to arrive and depart and include this information on your registration form (please wait to finalize your transportation arrangements until the Birken Office has confirmed your booking). Please visit Getting Here for more details.

Cancellations:

Last-minute cancellations are burdensome to the monastery and prevent other guests from the precious opportunity to visit.  Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to cancel your visit. Those who cancel at the last minute or leave the monastery prior to their scheduled departure date, will be subject to restrictions on future visits.

Registration Info:

Registration open April 1-June 30, 2020.

Accepted candidates will be notified by email in early July. All others will be notified that they have been placed on a waitlist. Interested candidates who are unable to attend the retreat this year are invited to come another time for a Personal Retreat. If you have not heard back from the Birken Office by mid-July, please email us at bookings@birken.ca to make sure that we received your form.