When

Friday, August 11, 2017 at 2:00 PM EDT
-to-
Sunday, August 13, 2017 at 4:30 PM EDT
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Where

Sarana Springs 
Eastbackline at  Sideroad 10,
Chatsworth, ON N0H 1E0  

 
Driving Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/YLvw4

Contact

LOCAL:  Kirsty Stevenson                                                 705-443-1919                                                                kirsto@rogers.com 

TORONTO: Andrew Blake
416-726-4219
info@saranainstitute.org

 

Sarana Garden 3

 

 

 

 

Mindfulness & Compassion Retreat

RETREAT DETAILS: 

This weekend retreat explores three key elements: mindfulness practice, compassion skills and nature awareness. Sarana Springs provides us with a wilderness environment for practice from daily sitting and cultivating lovingkindness to silent walking practice. Situated on 171 acres of forest, meadow, and wetland, where fresh water springs carve creeks throughout the property and small lake, ponds and a river, our practice expands to include the nature beings, the sky and the “wild” things.

(Rev.) Andrew will be offering guided meditation instruction for practice and teachings from Buddhist and non Buddhist sources in our temple barn. There will be time for personal contemplation and reflection, walks on the land, and a simply retreat structure that supports our practice. The Sarana Team, including Maxine, Kirsty, Angie and others will be there to support the retreat. Mindfulness acts as the ground to bring our attention into the present moment, reminding us to come back when we drift away. And the practice also awakens insight, as we peer into the nature of our "wild mind."  Practicing compassion on retreat involves exploring both our inner feeling responses to suffering, whether that suffering is ours or another's, as well as offering kind actions that arise from our heart’s empathy.

During this weekend of group practice, we will also reflect on our relationship with the natural world, through the notion of interdependence, where we touch our relationship outwardly to the world that supports us and then inwardly to find our appreciation for the many gifts we receive in our lives.

In this retreat you will:

  • explore your mindfulness practice in both sitting and in walking in nature
  • unravel compassion and kindness as distinct skills in opening the heart
  • enjoy local, mostly organic meals, and community living
  • swim, explore and encounter nature on its own terms
  • live close to the land camping or stay in a local B & B
               
Sarana Springs is nestled near to the dramatic vistas of the Niagara Escarpment and we are close to many water falls, caves and great natural beauty.  Our 171 acre retreat is at the source of the BigHead River which flows into Georgian Bay at Meaford. We are 2.5 hours north of Toronto, 20 minutes SE of Owen Sound and the small village of Chatsworth is north of us and Holland Centre is south.  
 
Facilities & Accomodations: Our facilities are very humble and beautiful.  You will have two options if you are coming from out of town: camping on the land or staying in a limited number of B & B's in the area.  If you live locally, you can of course commute.  If you would like to billet someone, please let us know.  Teachings will be held in our beautiful barn-temple as well as the outdoors.  Living simply, we will provide a covered outdoor dining area with harvest tables, a 8x12 kitchen shed with butane stoves to cook on, water stations and shower tents for washing, 2 outdoor washrooms, and there is a beautiful spring fed pond for swimming.

Food: Together we will enjoy wonderfully prepared vegetarian meals that will be either organic and locally harvested. Fees include all meals and snacks.  
 
Fee: $350.00     
      
Sarana Institute is also grateful for donations made to help us in sustaining this retreat facility and our programs; we can offer you a tax receipt.

We are happy that you are planning to join us.
Two Hands in Prayer,  

 

Kirsty (Event Coordinator) & the Sarana Team

For more information, please contact us at:   
info@saranainstitute.org or call Kirsty at 705-443-1919 

Cancellation Policy:  Please click here for our events and trainings cancellation polices.
 
Local Listings for B & B  
We have provided you with the most local to the most distant in terms of B & B's in our area.  Not many as you can see.  Owen Sound is only 15 minutes from Sarana Springs, so you are welcome to search on the internet for acccommodation in town such as the Travel Lodge.  Here are some B & B options. Let us know if you need any assistance.
  
AirBNB also offers a number of options.  There are some that are shared and accomodate 4-7 rooms. Please let us know if you are interested in shared accomodation options.
       Airbnb
Solstice B &B $85-$125 night.  Call 519-371-1440
Sunset Country B & B  (519) 371-4559