Solitary Retreats
Now accepting applications for solitary retreats 2024.
Cabins for solitary retreats are available at Gampo Abbey for those who are interested in doing a retreat for ten days or longer. This practice opportunity is intended to support those wanting to deepen their study and practice of meditation. It is not intended to provide space for writing, music, yoga, martial arts, or to rest and recuperate.
Please note that in summer 2024 we will have very few retreat cabins available because of activities associated with the three-year retreat. Better availability starting Fall 2024.
To qualify to do a solitary retreat at Gampo Abbey
- You must be a member of a practice community and/or have a strong personal connection with a spiritual teacher.
- You must have completed one or more group retreat programs of at least two weeks.
- An established daily practice is essential.
- We require the recommendation of a spiritual teacher or meditation advisor. This teacher must be able to comment on your preparedness to undertake a solitary retreat.
For 2024 there are limited cabins available. Stays of 10 days or more.
Cliffhanger Cabin
$75/night
Single-room cabin with two-burner propane stove. Electric kettle and rice cooker. Cold water only. Outhouse. Showers are available in the Abbey building. Has a spectacular view of the Bay of St. Lawrence and headlands. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
$80/night
Modern two-room cabin with kitchen including hot water. Composting toilet. Showers are available in the Abbey building. Close to cliffs but more protected than Cliffhanger Cabin. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
$80/night
Modern two-room cabin with kitchen. Hot water and shower. Outhouse. View of forest and open sky, very bright interior. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
Rigden Cabin
$120/night
Spectacular view of the ocean with many birds nesting near the cabin. One bedroom, full bathroom with shower, a living room and full kitchen and pantry plus a sunroom with daybed. Front deck facing the ocean with sliding door to the living room. Telephone and internet access (which can be disabled if you wish.) All bed, bath and kitchen linens supplied. Included food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking.
Gampo Cottage
$150/night
Full house, two floors with a bedroom on each floor. One queen bed, one twin bed. Two bathrooms both with showers, full kitchen. Electric heat plus woodstove. Shaded area, very private. Lots of bird activity. All bed and bath linens are supplied. Includes food supplies from the Abbey inventory for your own cooking. Telephone and internet access (which can be disabled if you wish.)
Prices in Canadian dollars
Limited Availability 2024
Limited Availability 2024
Vegetarian food supplies, which are cooked by retreatants, are included. Each cabin has a kitchenette with a small refrigerator, a bed with bedding, towels, a table/chair, meditation cushions, and a shrine. Some cabins have an outhouse. Cabins without showers offer a designated shower in the Abbey building used at specified times.
Basic shrine setup consisting of seven water bowls, electronic candles in votive holders, (no open flame candles please) and photos of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Pema Chödrön. Some cabins have a rupa or a thangka. Additional electronic candles, incense, juniper, and charcoal can be purchased at the Gampo Abbey Bookstore. If you need a special shrine setup, it is recommended that you bring it with you.
In accordance with monastic rules no meat, garlic, or onions are permitted for retreatants. Exceptions may be made in the case of eating meat for medical reasons only if pre-approved by the Director. Retreatants should bring any medication or dietary supplements needed for the full period of retreat. There is no smoking on Abbey grounds.
Solitary retreats are solitary, in that there is no contact with other Abbey residents or staff, other than the liaison from the Retreats department. All Abbey residents are informed of ongoing solitary retreats and are instructed not to interfere with retreatant boundaries (not speaking, not visiting, not hiking with, etc.)
Cancellations and refund policy
A cabin will not be reserved until your application has been approved and a deposit of CDN$200 has been received by the Finance Office. Full payment is required when you arrive at Gampo Abbey.
If you need to cancel your retreat we will refund your deposit for cancellations received 30 days prior to your arrival day. If you need to cancel within 30 days of your requested arrival date, you may apply 75% of your deposit toward a future retreat.
