Registration for this event will remain open until September 26; however, after September 12 we can no longer guarantee full balance refunds should you need to cancel your registration.

We are pleased to host Mirabai Starr this fall, inter-spiritual author and teacher, best known for her accessible and evocative translations of the Christian mystics as well as her worldwide contemplative retreats.

Join us for an exploration of the interconnected wisdom at the heart of all religious and spiritual traditions. Follow the streams of mystical longing and social justice through readings from the ecstatic poetry of the mystics, investigating sacred texts of the world’s great religions, sitting in contemplative silence, chanting the names of God in an array of languages, and engaging in deep dialogue through conversation and writing. Discover the unifying teachings and experience the heart-opening practices that carry us beyond an intellectual understanding of humanity’s many spiritual paths to the place we are transformed by the love at their common core.

Want to get to know Mirabai better? Check out her website or read her books!

Registration is now open – click here to register now!

There will also be a public event with Mirabai in Victoria on September 26. To learn more, please visit our page for The Feminine Face of the Divine: A Journey Across the Spiritual Traditions.

RETREAT DETAILS:

Cost: $925 CAD (private). A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your space. A limited number of partial scholarships will be made available.
Suggested reading (all books by Mirabai and available on her website): 
– God of Love: A Guide to the Heart of Judaism, Christianity and Islam
– Saint Teresa of Avila: The Passionate Mystic
– Saint Francis of Assisi: Brother of Creation

Fees include overnight accommodations and buffet-style meals of vegetarian and some diet-restricted options, with two fish dishes during the week. All taxes included in fees. Opportunities to car-pool will be made available. Thanks to the generosity of our membership and supporting organisations, we will also have a limited number of scholarships available. 

PLEASE READ BEFORE REGISTERING: 

While this historic forestry camp facility offers simple, rustic charm in a lakeside, woodsy setting, it was specifically built for a team of men. There are no private washrooms in the sleeping quarters and only about 10 shared washrooms and showers; therefore, people may find they have to wait or be flexible in timing their use of these. Access to WiFi is limited, but there is cell phone reception (though we ask you to limit your use). As we have held successful and rich retreats on this site since 2014, we are confident that participants will reap many rewards at this location, especially if they come with the intention of bringing an open attitude, a sense of humour, and goodwill. Whatever challenges present themselves, Cynthia Bourgeault often reminds us these are precisely the conditions for experiencing the full benefit of a retreat. Visit their website for more information.

Although silence and meditation are components of this retreat, it is not in full silence. The schedule will include teaching sessions, time for group sharing, and question and answer sessions, as well as free unstructured time. Typically, silence will be practiced from the final sit in the evening through to the next morning session after breakfast. We may incorporate silence into more meals.

There are many travel routes to this destination, so we strongly encourage you to do your trip-planning research in advance of registering. Google Maps is a great place to start. Please note that BC’s Ministry of Transportation requires that appropriate winter tires be used on all vehicles traveling here during this time. We are offering to arrange ridesharing, though we cannot guarantee this option for anyone. For more information, please contact admin@contemplative.org.

Given all the above, we ask you to carefully consider if this event is suitable to you prior to registering. Registration is now open – register now! To apply for a scholarship, please fill out this application.

For enquiries or questions please contact admin@contemplative.org or phone 250-381-9650.