Reliance upon a Spiritual Guide is called the root of the path because all other spiritual realizations depend upon it. If we truly wish to end our problems and suffering permanently, we need to seek spiritual guidance from a qualified Spiritual Guide. Relying upon a Spiritual Guide will lead us to supreme enlightenment.

For schedule of session and meal times see:

http://nkt-kmc-canada.org/retreats/finding-spiritual-guidance/

$90 for the weekend
$65 Saturday Only
Fee includes meals as indicated

Please Register with Kalpa Bhadra Center at info@ModernBuddhist.ca
Dorm Accommodation which includes breakfast, is a separate cost and is very limited. Contact admin@kadampa.ca or phone 416.762.8033

Wisdom Dharma Protector

Heart Jewel is the essential practice of Kadampa Buddhism.

During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, we will explore the profound meaning and blessings contained within these brief instructions. This practice is open for everyone, so everyone can receive the deep and profound blessings from these centuries old lineage prayers.

Each session our Resident Teacher, Kelsang Yonten, will offer commentary and guided meditation on the meaning of the practice. You are welcome to drop-in at any time.

Tuesday, Dec. 28  through to Friday, Dec. 31

Four teaching and meditation sessions each day

• 8:30 – 10am
• 11am – 12:30pm
• 4 – 5:30pm
• 6:30 – 8pm

Each session will have different teachings. Over the retreat, we will look at many aspect of the practice following the books ‘Heart Jewel’ and ‘Understanding the Mind’.

On New Year’s Eve, from 10pm – 12midnight, we will enjoy a special practice called Wishfulfilling Jewel. This practice includes a tsog offering which is a food offering to the holy beings. If you wish to attend, please bring an offering of pure food such as biscuits, cakes, honey, and fruit. These will be enjoyed by everyone at the end of the prayers.

Morning

Loon

Loon, lake, trees ablaze

Shoreline from the water

Smile

Evening

I had an amazing feeling when I was leaving yesterday afternoon! ~ Stratford student

Peaceful smile

Kalpa Bhadra hosted it’s first Autumn Retreat in the Haliburton Highlands this weekend. With 23 people gathered for pure practice, our community spirit complimented the colourful backdrop of the changing season. Everyone worked harmoniously together to prepare, cook, and clean, without any formal rotas. Moved simply by cherishing and consideration of others.

Because the retreat was meaningful to everyone and people practiced sincerely, we are currently planning for a winter retreat! Thank you for all the requests.

After the retreat, students shared their enthusiasm and experience (below). We dedicate this retreat so that all beings will have the opportunity to receive Je Tsongkhapa’s special blessings and care in the future!

I wanted to thank you so much for the retreat. It was very meaningful for me – emotional, meaningful and fun. What else could you ask for?

Thanks again for a great weekend – the hospitality, the teachings and the blessings were much appreciated. I left the weekend feeling like I had taken another step forward and as determined as ever not to take another step back. Look forward to future retreats – would be great if we could have one for each season (4 times per year?!).

Preparing for meditation

First, let me thank you for all of your efforts which made the retreat such a wonderful experience for everyone. I hope that these words can convey some of the gratitude I feel in my heart.

Hope you are feeling strong and rested. The week-end was perfect in every way! I would look forward to attending a winter and/or spring retreat if that opportunity was presented.

Chopping wood for the fire

I wanted to thank you again for the opportunity to go on the retreat. It was such a blessing. I appreciate the teachings so much, they are enriching my quality of life.

Your presence and teaching is making / has made a significant qualitative difference in my life and enables me to feeI I have something valuable to give in every interaction of my day – even though I am not always able to, I now at least have a clear goal! (Talking on the way home, some of us concluded a winter retreat would be beautiful too…couldn’t resist Yonten….)

Gathering

It was a very “packed” and intense time, joyful and tearful. Your teachings and company was a blessing, purely lovely. I plan to spend some time “unpacking” it all tonight with my journal… May your steps be peaceful and may your heart be pure.

I am still feeling the warmth from the gathering and began the first meditation from the book this morning on “precious human life”. Have felt the wonder of this concept on and off all day. Thanks to you and your family.

Thank you ( and the generosity of your family) for making the retreat happen! I do see a possible problem with the next retreat, once everyone starts talking about what a wonderful weekend it was, you may not be able to accommodate the number of people that will want to sign up! Thank you again for the beads,(and for a kind listening ear) I started the mantra yesterday and plan to do it daily! I had an amazing feeling when I was leaving yesterday afternoon!

Here is a video showing how to get from Highway 118 to the Cottage venue. Address 1155 Crooked House Road. “Gardiner”

Crooked House Road sign (road has sign from both directions)

Turn from 118 on to Crooked House Road

Turn from Crooked House Road to Gardiner cottage

Place for camper trailer (remove red car)

Cottage front, facing the lake

Lake view

The original cottage (1950s)!! Main structure has been maintained, the current cottage is a reno!

Main bedroom

Main bath

Motor Home Double Bed

Motor Home Dorm

Lower Bedroom Dorm

Deerfield Bedroom 3

Deerfield Bedroom 2

Deerfield Bedroom 1

Lower Front, available for yoga and relaxing

Lower dorm bathroom

The location will be Little Boshkung Lake, Minden Hills. This picturesque and tranquil lake will present a quiet background for meditation and contemplation.

Everyone is welcome. The retreat will be comfortable for both new comers and regular practitioners. We will observe some periods of silence to enable people to remain focused, however most of the retreat will be open for normal discussion between sessions. All meals will be vegetarian and are included in the retreat price; prepared by volunteers in the group.

Schedule

Friday, September 24th

• 8:30 – 9:30pm Introduction to Retreat

Saturday, September 25th

• 8 – 9:30am Transforming Adversity
• 10 – 11:30am Connecting with others
• 4 – 5:30pm Learning to love
• 7:30 – 9pm Great compassion

Sunday, September 26th

• 8 – 9:30am The wisdom of emptiness
• 10 – 11:30am The union of appearance and emptiness
• 1:30 – 3:00pm Practicing in daily life

Retreat Reservation

Completing your registration

To complete your registration, you can mail a cheque to the Centre or pay in person at any of our class locations. Cheques can be made out to: Kalpa Bhadra Buddhist Centre

Centre mailing address:
33 Cardigan Street, Unit 707
Guelph, Ontario, N1H 3Z5

Registration list

1 Andrea Pentz
2 Anna Mark
3 Bob Manz
4 Bonnie McCutcheon
5 Brenda Page
6 Bruce Hamer
7 Chris Salzman
8 Christopher Peterson
9 Emily Uffelman
10 Glenn Elliott
11 Jean Maurice
12 Juta Perry
13 Kelsang Yonten
14 Kim Adair
15 Marie Ysselstein
16 Nicole Francoeur
17 Rebecca Anstett
18 Rita Arajs
19 Ryan Hayhurst
20 Susan Fussell
21 Tammy Chapman
22 Tricia Reitzel
23 Tzvetelina Tchilinguirova
24 Victoria Lewis

Sunrise at the Cottage