2012 In-House Retreats

June 12 to July 10 (phase one)
July 24 to August 7 (phase two)

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. This year we are offering two blocks of time for you to choose from. You can join us for either one week or two weeks 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. There will be a dharma talk each week for the In-House retreatants given by a member of the monastic community. 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 $60 CDN per night. This includes your accommodation (private rooms in the Sopa Choling Long Term Retreat center) and three vegetarian meals a day. The minimum stay for an In-house retreat is seven nights and the maximum is two weeks. Once your application has been approved, a non-refundable deposit of $100.00 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 5:30 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. Please see below for detailed instructions on how to travel to Gampo Abbey (download transportation instructions including a map of Cape Breton Island).

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 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.

We welcome you to download and return 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.

Transportation to Gampo Abbey

Getting to Gampo Abbey is a practice in itself. You will be coming to a fairly remote area of Cape Breton where transportation options are limited and the pace is slower. You may experience this as frustrating or you may be glad for the opportunity to change pace even before you begin your stay at Gampo Abbey. The travel day is Tuesday, so your reservations should be made around this day of the week. Please read this carefully for the options that we can accommodate.

1. By Plane to Halifax, Nova Scotia

It is best to fly to Halifax (YHZ). When booking your flight, try to arrive at Halifax airport the day before your arrival date. If that is entirely impossible, arrive as early as 7:00 am and as late as 1:00 pm, which leaves time for plane delays and customs and immigration clearance if you wish to continue your journey the same day to the Abbey by shuttle. Return flights should be scheduled no earlier than 4:00 pm.

2. Arrival and Departure Shuttle at Gampo Abbey via Shuttle from Halifax

For those arriving and departing via the Halifax airport, the In-House retreat coordinator will arrange for private shuttle transport to and from the airport directly to Gampo Abbey.

3. By Car to Gampo Abbey

Take the Trans-Canada 104 to the causeway to Cape Breton Island. Take 105 off the traffic circle there to Whycocomagh (also the highway to Baddeck and Sydney). Turn left at the Cabot Trail (towards Cheticamp) Rt. 19, then follow highway through Cheticamp, over the mountains through Highlands National Park to Pleasant Bay. Turn left at Red River Rd. (a T inter-section with an abandoned gas station); a sign just before the intersection points to Red River. Stay on the paved road until it becomes gravel. Continue on the gravel road for about 3 kms until you see the Gampo Abbey sign on your left. The parking lot for the Abbey is on the right just behind the bend of the road.

Driving Times (approximate)

Halifax to Antigonish 3 Hrs.

Antigonish to Baddeck 1 ½ Hrs.

Baddeck to Cheticamp 1 Hr.

Cheticamp to Gampo Abbey 1 Hr.

Total Trip: 5.5 to 6.5 hours

Note: The last gas station on your way is in Cheticamp. Weather on MacKenzie Mt. can be intense. During the Spring, if there is any risk of snow or freezing rain, ask for road conditions before leaving Cheticamp or phone (800) 307-7669 or (902) 224-2041.

Also, to those who are driving and willing to give a hand to anyone who maybe traveling to or from Halifax, please let the Office Assistant know if you would be willing to share a ride.

4. Accommodations in Halifax

Best Western Hotel, 313 Prince Albert Rd., (902) 469-5850 or (800) 528-1234

Fountain View Guest House (Helen Vickery), 2138 Robie, (902) 422-4169

Four Points Sheraton, corner of Hollis & Salter, (902) 423-4444 or
(866) 444-9494

Holiday Inn Select, 1980 Robie, (902) 423-1161

Inn on the Lake, near the Airport, (902) 861-3480

Youth Hostel International, 1253 Barrington St., (902) 422-3863

 

Learn more about meditation and buddhism at shambhala.org
Read more about meditation and buddhism at shambhalatimes.org

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Gampo Abbey
Pleasant Bay, Cape Breton,  NS B0E 2P0
Tel. 902-224-2752    Email: