Wisdom in Action

Non- Residential Retreat

Dates:
Friday, July 24 ~ 7-9pm
Saturday, July 25 ~ 10am-4pm
Sunday, July 26 ~ 10am-4pm

Location:
Belgravia Community Hall (Lower Hall)
11540 - 73 Ave NW
Edmonton, AB

Details:

This retreat, offered in the Plum Village Tradition, invites us to explore how we cultivate resilient, inclusive, and compassionate sangha in a rapidly changing world. Together, we will reflect on belonging, collective care, Engaged Buddhism, and practices that support understanding, connection, and community resilience.

The weekend will also include a Five Mindfulness Trainings Transmission Ceremony for those wishing to receive the Trainings. As part of the transmission, you will receive a lineage name that reflects and nurtures your deepest aspiration in the practice. Those who have previously received the Trainings are warmly invited to renew their commitment.

This is a non-residential retreat. Participants are asked to bring your own vegetarian bag lunch and, if travelling from out of town, arrange your own accommodations. Limited billeting with local sangha members may be available.

The retreat will be hosted by Going As A River Sangha. It will be co-facilitated by Plum Village Lay Dharma Teachers Tracey Pickup from Calgary, Alberta and Kenley Neufeld from Abbotsford, British Columbia.

Tracey Pickup (True Fragrant Field) is the founder of the Wild Rose Sangha in Calgary (2003), and the founder of the Western Canada Order of Interbeing which brings together Order members from Victoria to Saskatoon.

She was ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2010 and lived as a Temple Keeper for Mountain Lamp, a Zen practice community. 

In March 2026 she received Lamp Transmission in Plum VIllage, continuing the lineage and teachings of Ven. Thích Nhất Hạnh.

She is a registered Social Worker whose work is focused on the prevention of suicide and the promotion of mental well being of all people. 

In her spare time you can find her wandering in the mountains or playing tai chi in the park.

The focus of her spiritual life is on the embodied insights of silence and stillness alongside nurturing wise and loving community. She practices to establish grounded stability in the witness of suffering. She believes that transformation is possible for anyone.

Kenley Neufeld (Chân Niệm Hy) is a Dharma Teacher in the Plum Village tradition, having received Lamp Transmission from Ven. Thích Nhất Hạnh in 2012. Ordained into the Order of Interbeing in 2005, he has supported the growth of sanghas in the United States and Canada through retreats, Days of Mindfulness, and Dharma teachings.

Kenley is an educator and Acting University Librarian at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He also spent three years as a resident at Deer Park Monastery, supporting the community through his practice, as well as through technology, communications, and administration.

A lifelong pacifist and vegetarian, Kenley enjoys reading, traveling, motorcycle riding, music, and spending time with his children.

The focus of his practice is cultivating joyful mindfulness in everyday life and supporting resilient, compassionate communities where people can practice and flourish together.