Yes — the retreat offers both residential and non-residential options. Residential participants may stay at Conestoga College Residence, located about 12 minutes from the monastery, on a single-occupancy basis.

The cost of the retreat is

• 3-Days Residential: $350
• 3-Days Non Residential: $200
• 2-Days Non Residential : $150

• You may pay through the Zeffy Link
• E-transfer to Waterloo Wellington Buddhist Monastery & Meditation Center (WWBMMC) at treasurer@wwbmmc.ca

• Private Accommodation
• Nourishing and Delicious Meals (Day 1 & 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Supper | Day 3: Breakfast, Lunch | Tea, Coffee & Snacks during breaks)
• Meditation Cushions & Chairs

• Guided seated & walking meditations based on the four foundations of mindfulness
• Pranayama & Yoga Nidra practice
• Sound healing & meditation sessions
• Introduction to meditation, Q&A and discussion sessions
• Walking Meditation in monastery trails

This retreat is just right for the novice looking to meet their inner world with honesty and calm; it’s an immersive refresh for advanced silent meditators.

No prior meditation experience required.

While it is possible, we strongly recommend you to be present on day 1, as it will set the tone for the other two days

• Comfortable clothing
• Blanket or Shawl for meditation hall
• Warm outdoor boots / optional ice walkers
• Warm winter jacket, hat, mitts for walking meditations
• Yoga mat
• Water bottle
• An open heart and willingness to be still

Dress conservatively,preferably in light colors, as the lake monastery is also a house of worship. For walking & Outdoor sessions during winter bring appropriate warm clothing.

Summer & Spring: We will start the day at 7:30am with breakfast, Meditation starts at 8:15am and will go on till 7:30pm. On the last day the program will end at 4:00pm

Fall & Winter: We will start the day at 8:00am with breakfast, Meditation starts at 8:30am and will go on till 6:30pm. On the last day the program will end at 3:00pm

The wondrous silence begins at registration. During check-in prepare to leave your cell phone.  Digital detoxes to reduce smartphone usage can effectively improve mental health, sleep and other well-being metrics

While you can use it for an emergency, the idea of the silent meditation retreat is to unplug yourself from devices. You can provide the Monastery landline as an emergency contact number (519) 267-0397

Yes, parking is available at the monastery, when you park, please be mindful of turtles who might crawl under your vehicles. As the monastery property is a ecologically sensitive area and this is the turtle nesting season.

While you can bring your friends & partners the whole idea is to find seclusion in silence. Which is the proven tool for self-reflection.

Monastery indoors are not pet friendly, and it would be ideal if you do not have any responsibilities to attend to during the program.

Rev Kalubowila Ananda, a Buddhist monk of the Theravada tradition, originally from Sri Lanka, will be conducting the sessions.

https://www.youtube.com/@AnandaThero

Yes