VIPASSANĀ RETREAT
VANCOUVER ISLAND, CANADA
Buddhism, considered one of the five great religions of the world, stands out amongst the five as the only atheistic and evolutionary religious path to salvation and emancipation from suffering.
Religion has become oft associated with Gods and devas, but the word ‘religion’, from the latin word ‘religare’ and its root ‘lig’, means to bind or unite. A religion, thus, is a system of practice and way of living that unites humankind with the highest thing and need not encompass heavenly realms and God-like beings. However, for the majority of the religions (creationist/theistic) of the world, this highest thing is the unification with an anthropomorphic God, and the teachings within them stem from revelations passed down from the God(s).
Yet, in the evolutionary religion of Buddhism there are no God-like beings and although deified over thousands of years, the Buddha was a human-being, just like you and I, that experienced suffering. If, however, one were to state that all religions must have a God or Gods, then we could, for arguments sake, state that the God of Buddhism is nature herself (Dhamma) and the intrinsic laws (dhammas) within nature that govern all of life upon this planet.
As the Buddha discovered through his direct and penetrating observation of his own embodiment, these endemic laws of nature (dhammas) also govern nature as expressed through the human mind and body. Through ardent dedication and patient endurance the Buddha saw clearly that suffering (dukkha) arose when the mind attempts to control and bend these natural laws according to its conditioned preferences. The result is the separation and concomitant isolation from the natural rhythm of nature and, in turn, life itself.
In this five-day meditation retreat held in noble silence, at the beautiful Earthspring Sanctuary retreat centre on Vancouver Island, practitioners will apply the ancient method of vipassanā meditation, cultivating insight into the true nature of all psychophysical phenomena, awakening and enabling the mind to return to the refuge of awareness, abiding in harmony with the flow of the cosmos of which it is an intrinsic part.
This retreat will integrate mettā (loving-kindness) and mudīta (appreciative joy/gratitude) meditation with the traditional and potent vipassanā methodology of the revered Burmese master Mahāsi Sayadaw, as passed down to Whit over his 16 years of study and practice within the Buddhist tradition, including intensive monastic experiences at Mahāsi Sayadaw’s monastery in Rangoon, Burma.
Metta (loving-kindness) is often considered a prerequisite to vipassanā meditation, and through personal experience Whit holds both it and mudīta meditation in high regard, as fundamental components of the path towards liberating insight.
“The great Burmese Master Mahasi Sayadaw’s approach to meditation is very clear, very precise and ‘to the point,’ faithfully adhering to the method of the Buddha in his own successful search for Enlightenment. Whit Hornsberger’s experiences of intensive monastic meditation in Burma, combined with his studies of Yoga and other forms of Eastern Spirituality, have given him a unique ability to communicate to Westerners a classical approach to meditation, one that is deeply rooted in the profound Burmese tradition.”
This retreat includes daily yoga practice, daily interviews with the teacher, Dhamma talks and intensive periods of sitting and walking meditation.
The retreat is offered by the teacher through the Buddhist practice of dāna (donation) or generosity. At the culmination of the retreat each practitioner will be required to practice dāna/generosity, making a donation to the teacher. Please make sure that you have read the dāna page and understand this practice before applying for the retreat. If you have any questions about the practice of dāna, please let us know.
We look forward to spending this transformative week with you in the inspiring temperate rainforest of southern Vancouver Island.
- This retreat is limited to 18 practitioners -
PRICES* (Includes all vegan/vegetarian meals):
Private Room (Queen) w/ ensuite bathroom / shared shower
$750 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)** - SOLD OUT
Shared Room (Queen) w/ ensuite bathroom / shared shower
$615 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)** - SOLD OUT
Shared Room (2 x Twin Beds) w/ ensuite bathroom / shared shower
$660 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)**
Shared Cabin (1 Queen & 1 Twin) w/ shared bathroom
$675 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)** - 1 LEFT (2 SPOTS)
Shared Dorm (Single Bed) w/ shared bathroom:
$610 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)** - 4 SPOTS LEFT
Private Treehouse (Single Bed) w/ shared bathroom
$650 CAD* / person + Dāna (Donation)** - SOLD OUT
* 5% tax not included
BYOP (Bring your own props): For this retreat we kindly ask you to bring your own meditation set-up/props and a yoga mat. eg: zafu (sitting cushion), blankets, pillows. (chairs will also be provided for sitting practice).
**IMPORTANT**: This retreat is offered by the teacher by way of the traditional Buddhist practice of dāna (generosity). The price shown covers accommodation and meals (vegan/vegetarian) only.
It is important that each practitioner understands that the teacher receives no payment for this retreat aside from the donation that is offered by the students.
At the culmination of the retreat each practitioner will be required to practice dāna/generosity, making a donation to the teacher. Please make sure that you have read the dāna page and understand this practice before applying for the retreat. If you have any questions about the practice of dāna, please let us know.
We thank you for your generous support to allow Whit to continue sharing the teachings of the Buddha in the way they have been passed down for 2600 years.
***A 50% non-refundable deposit is required upon registration. Final Balance is due by July 4th, 2025.
***Two weeks prior to the retreat start (July 26th), all payments are non-refundable.