The Victoria Vipassana Community is dedicated to the teachings of the Buddha as presented in the Theravadan tradition. We cultivate the practice of mindful awareness, called Insight or Vipassana Meditation, and a retreat provides the most suitable conditions to develop this awareness.
The momentum of days of quiet, without distractions or responsibilities, allows the heart to release its guard and access levels of peace and tenderness not usually accessible to us. In this calm, the busy mind settles and becomes clear and bright, revealing glimpses into the simple yet deep truths of all nature. When experienced for ourselves these insights are transformative and liberating.
Retreats are conducted in silence, with no talking or listening to music, and no reading or writing, except for notes recording your meditation experience. There are daily dharma talks and instruction in meditation as well as opportunities to discuss the practice with the teachers through individual consultations or group discussions.
A typical retreat day begins at approximately 6:30 a.m. and ends at approximately 10 p.m. Retreatants spend the day practicing sitting and walking meditation, cultivating continuous attention to the changing nature of our moment-to-moment experience.
Retreatants will also be assigned a daily job to assist with the running of the retreat. This work is a part of the practice and becomes work meditation. Jobs include helping with meal preparation and cleanup in the kitchen, housekeeping and grounds-keeping, and are given out at on-site registration.
The teachings unfold systematically. Retreatants are expected to attend the full retreat.
Facilities & Accommodations
Camp Columbia on Thetis Island B.C. is 25min. ferry ride from Chemainus, on Vancouver Island B.C. The camp is on beautiful oceanfront acreage with miles of trails through woods and along the shore. The large lodge has 12 bedrooms, kitchen, dinning room, library and lounge/meditation hall.
All bedrooms are on the second floor and will be shared with one or two others. Rooms are assigned by the registrar on arrival at the retreat.
If you wish a more outdoor experience you may bring your own tent. There is lots of room for tenting.
Food
All meals will be vegetarian. We will be working with the cook to provide high quality, nutritious, vegetarian meals. A selection of teas and coffee will be available at all times during the day. If you have any special dietary needs please note this on your application.
What to Bring:
- Sleeping bag or bedding, pillows;
- Tent if you prefer a more wilderness experience;
- Outdoor walking shoes, slip-on shoes;
- Loose, comfortable, casual, layered clothing, a shawl or blanket;
- Raingear, sunhats, sunglasses and sunscreen;
- Flashlight, (the grounds are not well lit);
- Earplugs;
- Your own towel & wash cloth;
- Your own meditation cushion or bench, if you have one. (Padded folding chairs will be provided).
In this beautiful setting are woods, shoreline, trails & meadows. September can be warm, but don’t count on it. There are no laundry facilities available.
What Not to Bring
Cell phones, computers, walkmans, beeper watches, clunky jewelry, no rustly clothing inside the meditation hall. Scented products. In consideration of all participants, some of whom have severe allergies to scents, please do not wear scented personal care products to the retreat.
It is recommended that you leave behind reading or writing materials.
Retreat Costs + Dana
The registration fee of $265.00 only covers the actual expenses incurred. i.e. per diem use of the camp, teacher’s travel, and miscellaneous incidentals. None of this money goes directly to the teacher. Heather’s ability to continue offering these retreats depends solely on donations from retreat participants.
This tradition of making an offering to the teachers is called Dana, the word in Pali (the language of the Buddha) for generosity. According to the Buddha, generosity, or sharing what we have, is one of the central pillars of a spiritual life. So we encourage students to make an offering to teachers in addition to the registration fees. This opportunity is given at the end of the retreat and can be paid by cash, or cheque only.
Release of Liability
While, on the one hand, we wish to contribute to wellbeing in the world, and the liberation from suffering of all beings, on the other, we accept that we live in a modern society with its various ills. Any litigation case would be devastating for our small not-for-profit sangha. We request you to sign a release of liability and waiver of claim, when you register for our retreats. We thank you for your understanding and responsibility.
Payment
In order to book the camp and lodge for this retreat the Victoria Vipassana Community is required to pay in advance. Therefore to assure a spot, participants will need to submit payment and registration as early as possible. We require full payment of $265.00 before August 1, 2011. We will not be able to give refunds after that date unless we can fill your spot.
We require separate registration forms and payment for each person. Early application is suggested, as this retreat is limited to 25 participants.
Confirmation
Once we receive and process your registration form and payment, a confirmation email will be sent to you.
Waiting list
If the retreat is full, your name will be placed on a waiting list in case we have any cancellations.
Cancellation and cancellation fees
Please give us as much notice as possible if you need to cancel your place in the retreat, so that we can offer your place to another retreatant.
If you cancel prior to August 1, 2011, you will receive a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee.
If you cancel after August 1, 2011, there will be no refund unless we are able to fill your place from a waiting list.
No refund will be given if a retreatant leaves a retreat early or arrives late. In considering others waiting and hoping to attend, as well as yourself, please make a commitment to attend the whole retreat.
If you have any questions please email the registrar.