2013 In-House Retreats

August 13 to 20 (phase one)
August 27 to September 3 (phase two)
Registration is now open. The application form is posted below.

In-house retreat is the only time in the Gampo Abbey year that people have the opportunity to participate in Abbey life without having to make a minimum one-year commitment. You can join us for either of the weeks listed above as an in-house retreatant.

The daily schedule at the Abbey provides a retreat-like environment for the community aimed at providing four hours of meditation practice and service (work) each day. Participation in all aspects of the daily schedule is required for those joining the community for an in-house retreat. Due to the nature of the schedule we strongly recommend that those applying to come to the Abbey for an in-house retreat already have an established meditation practice.

In-house retreatants will be asked to support the community by helping in the kitchen, working in the garden, tending the grounds, or assisting with housekeeping tasks as their service. Each retreatant will be assigned a meditation instructor. The Abbey also has an outstanding library of Buddhist and other literature and an extensive tape library of dharma talks particularly by Ani Pema Chödrön, the Gampo Acharya. The Abbey is located near Cape Breton's scenic Cabot Trail with many walks and trails accessible virtually from our front door.

PLEASE NOTE: Ani Pema Chödrön will not be at the Abbey during the period in-house retreats are scheduled.

We practice silence daily from wake-up until lunch and again after evening chants. Saturdays are open days (no schedule). Each Sunday is an intensive practice day in silence.

This is the daily schedule Monday to Friday (Sundays have an additional practice period from 3:30 to 5:30):

In-house retreats cost $420 CDN per week. This includes your accommodation (private rooms in the Söpa Chöling Long Term Retreat Center) and three vegetarian meals a day. Once your application has been approved, a non-refundable deposit equaling 50% of the cost of the retreat is required in order to finalize your booking. This can be done through our Finance Department. We prefer that you call them, 902-224-1358, and give them your credit card information. Their office hours are 1:30 to 5:15 pm Atlantic Time. Another preferred method is to fax your credit card information to 902-224-1521. Please include name on card, credit card number, expiration date, your telephone number or email address, and your dates confirmed for In-house retreat.

In order to minimize disruption to the daily schedule retreatants must arrive on Tuesdays. Weekly retreat schedule runs from Tuesday to Tuesday. The Abbey will assist with coordinating the travel plans for all In-house retreatants who will not be driving their personal vehicles to arrive at and leave the Abbey. Click here for instructions on how to travel to Gampo Abbey.

When planning your clothing for the Abbey, let your respect for the monastic environment guide you. Tank tops and shorts are not worn on Abbey property but may be worn at the beach. Sleepwear and bathrobes are not worn in public areas. Tight-fitting or other provocative clothes are not acceptable at the Abbey. In the Shrine Room we ask people not to wear jeans or shirts with patterns, logos, or writing on them.

All guests and residents at Gampo Abbey follow the five precepts which are:

• Refraining from taking life
• Refraining from stealing (not taking what is not offered)
• Refraining from sexual activity
• Refraining from lying
• Refraining from drinking alcohol or taking intoxicating drugs

These vows are taken for the duration of your time at the Abbey. This means that if you leave the Abbey grounds during your stay, you are expected to maintain your vows. See the section on Life at Gampo Abbey for more information on living within a monastic community.

Click here to download the In-house retreat application form if you wish to participate in our In-house retreat this summer. Please email your completed application to office@gampoabbey.org or fax it to (902) 224-1521.

Thank you for your interest in visiting Gampo Abbey!

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org
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Gampo Abbey
Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton,  NS B0E 2P0
Tel. 902-224-2752    Email: