In-House Retreats
Our In-House Retreat program will not be offered again until the Fall of 2023 at the earliest.
Please check this website for up-to-date information about program offerings and new ways to participate in the Abbey community.
Our In-House Retreat is an opportunity to live, practice, and work alongside Abbey monastics for one or two weeks. Participants in this retreat will join the monastics and lay residents in all aspects of the schedule, which includes four hours of practice per day, as well as service to the community and time for reflection. We strongly recommend that applicants already have an established meditation practice.
We will post a link to the application once we begin the application process.
Please be advised that we are only accepting applicants who have received 2 COVID vaccinations plus at least one booster vaccination.
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 digital library of dharma talks, particularly by Gampo Abbey’s principal teacher, Bhikshuni Pema Chödrön. The Abbey is located near Cape Breton’s scenic Cabot Trail, with many walks and trails accessible virtually from our front door.
PLEASE NOTE: Pema Chödrön is not generally in residence during the period of the In-House Retreats.
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 Sunday to Friday:
| 6:00-6:40 am | Morning chants and sitting meditation |
| 6:40-7:00 | House jobs |
| 7:00 | Breakfast |
| 8:00-11:00 | Sitting meditation/practice period |
| 11:00-12:30 pm | Mind/body period |
| 12:30 | Lunch (silence ends) |
| 1:30-5:15 | Service (work) period |
| 5:30-6:30 | Sitting meditation and evening chants |
| 6:30 | Medicine meal |
| 8:00 | Silence begins |
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 any other intoxicants
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.
The Basic fee is $600 CAD per week, which includes three vegetarian meals per day and onsite accommodations.
The Patron fee of $700 CAD per week is for those who are able to provide additional support so that we are able to hold some spaces at the Generosity fee level (which may be requested in your application).
Once your application has been approved, a deposit of $250 (per week) is required in order to finalize your booking. Deposits are non-refundable if you cancel less than 30 days before your retreat. The balance owing for your retreat is due upon your arrival at the Abbey.
