REGISTRATION IS OPEN

MAY 1-4, 2025 | Westlock Meditation Centre (58012 Range Rd 270, Busby, AB) | Canada

‘Feel to Heal’ Retreat

"Mindfulness allows you to live deeply every moment that is given you to live."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindful Retreat Guidelines:

Who can come
People from all religious backgrounds, cultures, political perspectives, sexual and affectional orientation, gender identity and its expression are welcome for a retreat with us. We also do our best for people with physical disabilities to be able to attend all activities, please contact us before visiting so we know how best to support you.

Health
Many friends have experienced lessened anxiety, a lifting of depression and improvements in general wellbeing through mindfulness practice. However, we urge all friends to continue any medication or treatment prescribed by your health care practitioner during your stay.
If you suffer from any chronic long term mental or physical illnesses, please let us know, and ask your doctor if it is advisable for you to attend a retreat with us. Please be aware that we cannot provide any professional care. If you have any concerns regarding this matter please ask us for clarification.

The art of mindful living
Coming to a Plum Village retreat is an opportunity to enjoy simple and peaceful living, and to learn how to cultivate the energy of mindfulness, so we can have more freedom, peace and happiness in our daily life. It is also a chance to nurture our inner growth as we take time to look deeply in order to transform both our individual difficulties and the difficulties in our society.

At Plum Village we learn how to weave mindfulness into all our daily activities, and live each moment of life more deeply. We practice meditation throughout the day – while eating, walking, working mindfully, sitting, or simply enjoying a cup of tea together.

Community life
Everyone staying at a Plum Village retreat participates in community activities such walking and sitting meditation as well as community work such as arranging the meditation halls, cleaning bathrooms, washing pots and other simple tasks as part of the daily practice of mindfulness.

We emphasize community practice so that we can support each other, benefit from our collective energy, and learn to live together in harmony. We request everyone to contribute to the collective energy of practice by joining in all the scheduled activities.

Internet and telephone
During the retreat, please also give your cell phone and Internet a retreat. Only access Internet for urgent purposes.

Please remember to put an auto-response on your email, to make all your travel arrangements, and have a copy of your travel documents before you arrive.

We recommend asking friends & family to support your retreat by limiting phone communication (you could arrange a specific day to check messages or make a call).

The 5 Mindfulness Trainings
As part of your practice on retreat, we ask you to support the mindful practice atmosphere by following the principles of mindful and ethical living as expressed in the Five Mindfulness Trainings. The Five Mindfulness Trainings are the foundation of the Plum Village community, bringing happiness and meaning to all that we do. Specifically, we request that all retreatants refrain from sexual activity, smoking and drinking alcohol or consuming drugs. In Plum Village we follow a vegan diet, and respectfully ask you not to bring any non-vegetarian foods to the retreat.

Mindful Eating
All Plum Village retreat meals are prepared by the community with much love and mindful work. All meals are vegan: vegetarian with neither dairy nor eggs, and our staples are usually rice (brown and white), oats, bread. We are vegan in order to nourish our compassion and protect our planet.

We eat our meals together in mindfulness. We usually have 15-20 minutes of silent eating at the start of lunch and dinner, and breakfast is usually fully in silence. Eating in silence helps us appreciate the food deeply, and cherish the presence of those around us. You can read more about our practice of mindful eating here.

We regret that we’re unable to cater to specific individual dietary requirements or medical needs. Please bring your own supplements (or allergy replacements) as necessary.

What to bring
Essentials:

• Personal towel & toiletries

• Bedding (sheets and a very light blanket will be provided, so please bring what you need to be comfortable)

• Ear plugs and eye mask, if you are a light sleeper

• Flashlight

• Alarm clock/device (or you can use your mobile to set an alarm)

• Water bottle/thermos/travel mug/napkin

• Water-proof shoes that are easy to slip on and off (for entering & leaving the communal buildings easily)

• Slippers (for using inside your accommodation)

• Umbrella or rain coat

• Sunscreen/sunhat

What to wear
Plum Village retreats welcome diverse cultures. To respect and support our collective energy of practice, we ask everyone to wear modest, loose-fitting clothes at all times. Please wear only clothes that fully cover your shoulders, chest, abdomen, back and legs past the knees, even when sitting. You may find a light shawl handy. Please do not wear shorts, hot pants, tank tops, short dresses and so on. Please bring appropriate layers and footwear for the weather and nature walks around the Westlock Meditation Centre grounds.

Retreat Schedule HERE

Cancellation Policy

• Up to 30 days before the retreat start date: Full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee.

• 15–29 days before the retreat start date: 50% refund

• 14 days or less before the retreat start date: No refunds, but you may transfer your spot to another participant if arranged in advance.

• Exceptional Circumstances: We understand that unexpected situations can arise. If you need to cancel due to illness or emergencies, please contact us as soon as possible. We will do our best to offer flexibility.

• Retreat Cancellation by Organizers: If the retreat is canceled by the organizers due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund, including any administrative fees. However, we are not responsible for additional expenses such as travel or accommodation costs.

• Travel Insurance: We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unforeseen events.

Registration

STEP ONE:

SUBMIT PAYMENT BELOW

STEP TWO:

For English Speakers

GO TO

*Please note English Speaking Registration closes on April 25th.